Let’s face it. This is the party season. The holidays are almost here, my friends, and this Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board with Shopping List is perfect for the busy entertainer. Your shopping is simplified and your execution made easy with the model below. A little light prepping and chopping is needed but not too much. Wash the veggies, cut the cheeses, and arrange into a beautiful spread for all to enjoy. Prep it all ahead of time, refrigerate in storage containers or Ziploc bags and arrange just before your guests arrive. Leave the Boursin Cheese in the foil wrapper and sprinkle the top with the Everything but the Bagel Seasoning.…
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Garlic Smashed Potatoes
I have been making these Garlic Smashed Potatoes for years. If you know me you can attest that I made them a lot this summer. I will continue to make them all fall and winter because they are perfectly delicious and easy to make. The Petite Gold potatoes from Kroger’s Private Selection Brand are my favorite to use for this recipe. If those aren’t available, I also love the tiny potatoes from Trader Joe’s. Both will do the trick for these Garlic Smashed Potatoes. This is a perfect side dish for a small or a large party. These potatoes can be prepped well ahead of time and baked just before…
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Basil Pesto
Basil Pesto for President!!! All summer long I enjoy beautiful homegrown or market bought basil in the form of Pesto. Basil Pesto is the bomb. Seriously! This Pesto is so versatile… It pairs well with a variety of dishes. The recipe is very simple and it is nut-free. Not because I can’t have nuts, I just never added them to the recipe to start and I feel it’s just as delicious without. If you feel so inclined, add a good handful of pine nuts or walnuts to your batch. Have you ever made pesto and it turned brownish and yucky by the next day? Yeah, it’s happened to me a…
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Chicken Piccata
I have been making this Chicken Piccata recipe for years. It never gets old, it’s easy, quick and super delicious. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a weekend feast. The best part, you only need 30 minutes for it. This Chicken Piccata recipe is made for 2 to 4 people. It is how much I make for my husband and I for a meal and sometimes we have one serving left over. It is perfect reheated as well. I highly recommend butterflying the chicken breast and tenderizing it. I love a thin breast and it also cuts down on the cooking time. Season the chicken with kosher…
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Deviled Eggs
Ready for Easter? Make these Deviled Eggs for the holiday. They are quick and easy to put together with just a few ingredients. 10 minute eggs were used for this recipe. I brought a small pot of water to a rapid boil and placed the eggs in the boiling water. I set the timer for 10 minutes. When done, I rinsed the eggs under cold water and allowed them to cool off on the counter. Next, I peeled the eggs, cut them in half, mashed the yolks in a small bowl and added the rest of the ingredients. I mixed them well to make a smooth-ish filling for the eggs.…
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Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread Muffins make a wonderful side for all of those comfort meals that we crave once in a while. Or, comfort meals that I crave daily during these Michigan winter months. These Cornbread Muffins happened because I made my Chili Recipe and needed something to go with them. We usually eat chili with Fritos or crackers but thought I’d go for something homemade and even more delicious this time. Now, this recipe makes a batch of 22-24 muffins, depending on how well you fill each cup. So, cut the recipe in half if you don’t need so many muffins. These Cornbread Muffins freeze really well too and get warmed up real…
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Creamed Spinach with Eggs
Me and this Creamed Spinach with Eggs dish, go way back to my childhood in Romania. My mother made this Creamed Spinach with Eggs dish often and I imagine it was due to the fact that this is a very inexpensive meal to make and that it’s quick to get on the table for a family of five. It’s also very delicious and filling. Sorry Mom but, I made this my own with a few added ingredients. 🙂 All you need is some essential kitchen ingredients and cooked greens. I used spinach here, but you can substitute with whatever cooked greens you wish. Like: Swiss chard, dandelion greens, etc. I…
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Chipotle Chili Dressing
A flavorful dressing for any salad but especially delicious with Mexican flavors. This Chipotle Chili Dressing is just perfect! Serve it with a bowl of fresh greens, taco meat (beef, chicken or pork), rice, beans and avocado. For extra spice, add an extra Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce. You’ll find a can of this goodness in the Mexican Foods isle at your grocery store; next to the taco seasonings and sauces. To bring your taco party to the next level make your own Mexican Seasoning Blend as well, and a side of Pickled Onions and Avocados. This dressing was inspired by Chipotle’s “Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette” and it is extra yummy.…
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Charcuterie Board
Are you ready to receive those guests? Whether for the holiday season or a friendly get together, a simple Charcuterie Board with all the delicious bites is sure to get your guests eating and enjoying themselves. The word Charcuterie is French, and it means cold cooked meats. While I love the cold cooked meats idea, I do need to pair them with cheeses, breads/crackers, fruit, veggies and nuts. I mean, why not?! So, this is my kind of Charcuterie Board. Add a glass of fine wine and i’m content! The more colorful, the better. And all these different textures on one platter make me so happy. So, for a holiday…
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Potato and Sausage Stew
This is such a great one pot weeknight meal! Just a few ingredients in one pot, about 30 minutes of your time and voila! You got yourself a delicious Potato and Sausage Stew. Every good meal starts with a little sautee of onions and other veggies. Next, add the potatoes, the spices, chicken stock and sausage slices or cubes and you’re done! Easy as that. I used Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage from Trader Joe’s for this batch because that’s what I had on hand. Feel free to use any type of sausage you might like for this. It is great with Italian Sausage and ham bits as well. Give it a…
