Potato-Bacon Torte

Potato-Bacon Torte will wow your guest at any brunch gathering.  Delicious buttery crust filled with sliced potatoes and bits of bacon. This recipe comes from Melissa d'Arabian the winner of season five of "The Next Food Network Stars." When I saw her make this Potato Bacon Torte on one of her challenges, I immediately wanted to make it.

Insalata Caprese Salad

Insalata Caprese  is one of the simplest and most delicious of salads.  I think I could eat one every day, and did this summer with the abundance of tomatoes from our garden. Traditionally, it is best to make this salad with vine ripe tomatoes that are not refrigerated. Insalata Caprese Salad 4-5 ripe Roma tomatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick 1/4-1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4-inch thick 1/4 c. small fresh basil leaves 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground Salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground Black Pepper 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Assemble the salad in the middle of the plate by layering in sequence tomato and mozzarella cheese. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle liberally over the slices. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Just before serving, drizzle on some excellent extra-virgin olive oil. Cook's Note: Insalata Caprese should never be allowed to sit in oil for any length of time and become soggy, and no vinegar of any kind goes on Insalat...

Old Fashioned Southern Style Potato Salad

Each Southerner loves their potato salad recipes so much so that you will see it served at any gathering imaginable, potlucks, holidays, family reunions, graduation parties, and the list goes on. Potluck Potato Salad Family gatherings just aren't the same without Mama's potato salad, which includes cubed potatoes, chopped onions, diced dill pickles, chopped boiled eggs, and mayonnaise with a little touch of mustard.  The secret to my Mom's potato salad is how you cook the potatoes.  She always said you have to cook them with a tablespoon of salt in the water.   Another tip she had was to start with them in cold water. She told me you can never get the right flavor in the potatoes if you don't. She is correct.  It makes all the difference in the overall flavor of the potato salad. Although her recipe called for Miracle Whip Salad Dressing, you can also use mayonnaise.  I started making it with mayonnaise after I married.  Sometimes, I will make it wit...

Herb Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

Herb Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are fresh and flavorful.  The combination of potatoes and carrot are the perfect side dish with grilled meat. I have watched Ina Garten on Food Network make these roasted potatoes and carrots many times. She shows you how simple and easy they are to make.

Milky Way Cake

Milky Way Cake, a vintage recipe from the 1970s, features candy bars in both the cake batter and frosting, making it a mouth-watering, decadent cake. Milky Way Cake I have wanted to make this Milky Way Cake for a while. Actually, the recipe has been sitting in my recipe box for years, and I am not sure who gave it to me.  

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus,  a delightful dip made with chickpeas, roasted red bell peppers, jalapeños, and olive oil.  Ideal for entertaining or just a quick and healthy snack. I had eaten store bought Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus before that was pretty good, but I decided that I could make some homemade.

Out Of The Oven Pita Chips

Out of the Oven Pita Chips, a homemade crunchy snack made sweet or savory that beats the store bought anytime. The first time I made these Pita Chips was for a wedding reception I catered. I thought we would never be through making approximately 2,000 chips. I didn't know if I would ever want to look at another pita chip again as long as I lived.

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes , the perfect side dish to any steak dinner!  Take extra special time to make these tasty will not disappoint. I used half and half in the stuffed potatoes this time since my husband is not a fan of sour cream. A substitution for sour cream would work if you prefer. I served these wonderful Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes with Dad's Famous Steak . Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Potatoes Ingredients: 4 large baking potatoes, washed and pierced 1/4 cup butter, cubed 1/4 cup half and half 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, reserve 4 tablespoon 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled, reserve 4 tablespoons 3 to 4 green onions, sliced, reserve 4 tablespoons 4 oz. sour cream Directions: Bake potatoes in a microwave on high for 20- 25 minutes, or at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool slightly. Reduce heat to 350°. Cut each potato in the center not cutting all the w...

Dad's (Jeff's) Famous Steak

Jeff's Famous Steak, my son's favorite steak recipe he keeps the family thinking he is a great grilling champ. My Son's children were always asking me "Have you had some of Dad's Famous Steak?"  Famous Steak, what recipe is that?

Classic Blueberry Scones with Clotted Cream and Lemon Curd

Classic Blueberry Scones,  an English quick bread like biscuits are to Southerners, baked up tall and fluffy, served with a Mock Clotted Cream and Homemade Lemon Curd. The last time I went to Sam's I had bought a large container of blueberries. I was not eating them fast enough to keep them from going bad, so I began to think about what I could make with them for breakfast this morning.