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Prone to Wander

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Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites

June 28, 2018 by Abby

A creamy, cheesy, spicy Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites recipe that is just as pleasing to regular eaters as it is to low carb folks. It’s simple to make and gluten-free, too!

A creamy, cheesy, spicy Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites recipe that is just as pleasing to regular eaters as it is to low carb folks. It's simple to make and gluten-free, too!

One night in March of 2010, I was feeling off. I was tired and a little crampy, but I was always pretty “regular,” so I figured I knew what was up. I stopped by the grocery store after work to grab frozen jalapeño poppers, tampons and, on a whim, a pregnancy test. Once home, I tossed the poppers in the oven and headed to the bathroom to take the test.

It was positive! Nine months later, G was born. So basically, for me, jalapeño poppers are more than just crunchy, cheesy, creamy bites of spicy goodness. They’re a fun reminder of those few minutes I jumped up and down the hall of the first home we bought together, our giant black lab bounding along behind me.

While these Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites didn’t accompany a positive pregnancy test (or a negative one), they are certainly memorable.

A creamy, cheesy, spicy Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites recipe that is just as pleasing to regular eaters as it is to low carb folks. It's simple to make and gluten-free, too!

My main goal in creating low carb recipes is that each one doesn’t seem diet-y at all. I want them to be just as appealing to my non-low carb eating friends and family as they are to those who are eating like I am. This recipe totally delivers. They’re wonderfully creamy and smooth on the inside, with a delightfully flavorful crunch on the outside.

No one who eats these Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites will feel deprived in any way. There are no wacky substitutions here, just bite after bite of spicy and cheesy goodness.

A creamy, cheesy, spicy Low Carb Jalapeño Popper Bites recipe that is just as pleasing to regular eaters as it is to low carb folks. It's simple to make and gluten-free, too!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, Gluten-Free, in the kitchen, low carb, recipes, snack — Tagged With: appetizer, cheddar, cream cheese, jalapenos, low carb, mozzarella, pork rinds, recipe, recipes, snack

S’mores Cookie Pie

June 18, 2018 by Abby

This S’mores Cookie Pie is perfectly gooey and rich, and it serves a crowd. Forget the charred marshmallows and the sticky fingers; dig in!

This S'mores Cookie Pie is perfectly gooey and rich, and it serves a crowd. Forget the charred marshmallows and the sticky fingers; dig in!

Every June J’s extended family hosts a reunion, and every June (when we’re home to attend) I take the opportunity to test one of my dessert recipes with the crowd. This year I went with S’mores Cookie Pie, and it just might be the most popular recipe I’ve ever made for the reunion. It might even beat the Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Caramel Icing, but I think that race is too close to call.

This S'mores Cookie Pie is perfectly gooey and rich, and it serves a crowd. Forget the charred marshmallows and the sticky fingers; dig in!

Regardless, this recipe was insanely popular. It was a hit with even the pickier folks, and it’s not difficult to see why. The base of my S’mores Cookie Pie is just half of my chocolate chip cookie recipe, but I added graham cracker chunks for that classic s’mores flavor. Instead of using marshmallows or marshmallow fluff, I used both for maximum gooey goodness. There are plenty of chocolate chips, of course, and they get wonderfully gooey during baking.

This S'mores Cookie Pie is perfectly gooey and rich, and it serves a crowd. Forget the charred marshmallows and the sticky fingers; dig in!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, in the kitchen, recipes, snack, sweets — Tagged With: chocolate, chocolate chips, cookie, dessert, graham crackers, marshmallows, pie, s'mores, sweets

Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette

June 14, 2018 by Abby

Loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a from-scratch dressing, Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect light side to accompany any main dish.

Loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a from-scratch dressing, Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect light side to accompany any main dish.

I bake a lot of sweets. That’s probably immediately clear to anyone who spends half a second on this site because I have a ton of dessert recipes. I do sell or give away a lot of what I make, so other than the necessary taste test here or there, I’m not actually eating too much of what I bake.

Let me be clear, though: I do have a killer sweet tooth. If things like nutrition and calories didn’t matter, I would live on desserts. But they do, so I make sure to whip up recipes like this Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette. It only takes a few minutes to put together, and it features some of my favorite vegetables.

Loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a from-scratch dressing, Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect light side to accompany any main dish.

Cucumbers don’t get enough credit. I can see why they may come across as slimy or flavorless, but I love them. They’re the perfect vegetable to carry this salad, and they’re a wonderful complement to the juicy tomatoes and the strong onions. Throw in a chunks of mild avocado, toss the whole thing in a tart homemade dressing, and you’ve got yourself an easy side dish that pairs well with just about any entree.

Loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a from-scratch dressing, Cucumber Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect light side to accompany any main dish.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: dinner, food, in the kitchen, low carb, recipes, snack, supper — Tagged With: avocado, cucumber, homemade, low carb, onion, onions, recipe, recipes, salad, tomato, tomatoes

Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers

June 7, 2018 by Abby

Looking for a snack that’s satisfying to low carb eaters and non-low carb eaters alike? These spicy, cheesy, and perfectly crunchy Low Carb Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers will have everyone coming back for more.

Looking for a snack that's satisfying to low carb eaters and non-low carb eaters alike? These spicy, cheesy, and perfectly crunchy Low Carb Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers will have everyone coming back for more.

I took my oldest child and my only son, G, grocery shopping with me the other day. He doesn’t usually care to go, but this time he was eager. He was so helpful during the whole trip. G insisted on carrying the list, reading me the items, and checking them off when we put them in the cart.

I kept marveling at home sweet he was being and how much I was enjoying our time together. Until . . . We passed by the clothing section, and I stopped to admire a really cute top. I asked if he thought it was cute and, without hesitation, he replied, “I think it’s halfway to being cute.”

At least he’s tactful? I got a good laugh from his comment, and then we continued on to get the rest of the items on our list. Those items included everything necessary to make these Low Carb Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers. Y’all, these things are so good. I originally saw the recipe shared in a low carb Facebook group I’ve in, and I knew right away I had to make them, with my own spin, of course.

Low Carb Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers are the perfect example of a recipe that doesn’t feel like a “diet” recipe. How could it when it’s packed with cream cheese, pepperjack cheese, and sausage? These little bites are wonderful as an appetizer or a snack, and I think they’d be great as a side for dinner, too.

Looking for a snack that's satisfying to low carb eaters and non-low carb eaters alike? These spicy, cheesy, and perfectly crunchy Low Carb Sausage-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers will have everyone coming back for more.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, Gluten-Free, Health, in the kitchen, low carb, recipes, snack — Tagged With: appetizer, cheese, low carb, peppers, recipe, recipes, sausage, snack

Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes

March 5, 2018 by Abby

Why not combine two of your all-time favorite party foods and make these perfectly cheesy and irresistibly savory Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes?

Why not combine two of your all-time favorite party foods and make these perfectly cheesy and irresistibly savory Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes?

Are you ever awed by your own brilliance?

I’m not, at least usually, but one exception would be these Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes. I can’t remember what led to that stroke of culinary genius, but I remember standing in front of the refrigerator, both doors open, and thinking, “I should make jalapeño popper twice-baked potatoes!”

And so I did.

Why not combine two of your all-time favorite party foods and make these perfectly cheesy and irresistibly savory Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes?

I poppered these puppies up in a few different ways. First, I added diced jalapeños to the potato filling. I tossed in some cream cheese, too. Lastly, I topped each potato half with a mixture of Parmesan and bread crumbs to give the whole dish that golden crunch you expect from good jalapeño poppers.

I know I’m not the first person to combine these two particular food favorites, but damn is it a good combo.

Why not combine two of your all-time favorite party foods and make these perfectly cheesy and irresistibly savory Jalapeño Popper Twice-Baked Potatoes?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: dinner, food, in the kitchen, recipes, snack, supper — Tagged With: appetizer, bacon, cheese, dinner, jalapenos, potatoes, recipe, recipes, side dish, supper

Fried Pepper Rings with Spicy Dipping Sauce

February 5, 2018 by Abby

Wrapped in a crispy breading and served with a spicy dipping sauce, Fried Pepper Rings are the perfect crunchy side dish or appetizer.

Wrapped in a crispy breading and served with a spicy dipping sauce, Fried Pepper Rings are the perfect crunchy side dish or appetizer.

I spend approximately 73 percent of my time dreaming of new ways to cook with peppers. In addition to my poblano obsession, I’m a big fan of jalapenos and cubanelles. I bought a couple cubanelles at the grocery store a while back without any real plans for using them. They sat in the fridge for a few days, I brainstormed ideas, and then I had a light bulb moment.

Why had I never made fried pepper rings before? I’m talking onion rings, but with peppers. Genius, right? I’d had fried jalapeno slices, but I’d never seen it done with milder peppers. Once the idea came to me, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I had no choice to but to make them.

I chose to use mild peppers, but I still wanted a little kick of heat. I whipped up a spicy dipping sauce and, I’ve got to say, please don’t make this recipe without the sauce. Fried Pepper Rings were made for so much more than boring ketchup; let them swim in the spicy sauce they deserve.

Wrapped in a crispy breading and served with a spicy dipping sauce, Fried Pepper Rings are the perfect crunchy side dish or appetizer.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: dinner, food, in the kitchen, recipes, snack, supper — Tagged With: appetizer, cubanelles, fried, pepper, peppers, poblanos, recipe, recipes, sauce, side dish, snack, spicy

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

February 1, 2018 by Abby

Add a whole bunch of chopped berries to a classic dessert recipe and you get these sweet, chewy, tart, and decadent Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Add a whole bunch of chopped berries to a classic dessert recipe and you get these sweet, chewy, tart, and decadent Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

On Wednesday nights, I cook with the youth group at church. The idea is to teach them some basic kitchen skills while also preparing meals that can be given to church members who need them. It’s often the highlight of my week, partly because I have a ton of fun and partly because the kids are constantly cracking me up with their lack of kitchen common sense.

One night we were making brownies and I noticed one senior student reaching over to plug in the electric hand mixer. “Don’t bother with it,” I told him. “Just mix them by hand.” I stepped out of the kitchen to check on Q and returned a few minutes later to find the student wrists-deep in the bowl of brownie batter. After I caught by breath from laughing so hard, I explained to the group the vital distinction between the phrases, “mix by hand,” and, “mix using your hands.”

What does that have to do with Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies? Nothing, really, but that’s okay. We can take a sec to talk about the recipe. I’m a chocolate-covered strawberry junkie, so making these cookies was a no-brainer. They turned out to be perfectly chewy and sweet, and the berries, after baking, were just a touch sour. The combination is an addictive cookie that I ate way too many of.

Add a whole bunch of chopped berries to a classic dessert recipe and you get these sweet, chewy, tart, and decadent Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, in the kitchen, recipes, snack, sweets — Tagged With: baking, chocolate, cookies, dessert, recipe, recipes, strawberries, strawberry, sweets

Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Dip

January 29, 2018 by Abby

Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Dip is a unique, sophisticated twist on a classic. You’ll find the bold flavors and creamy texture irresistible.

Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Dip is a unique, sophisticated twist on a classic favorite. You'll find the bold flavors and creamy texture irresistible.

I first made this dip years ago, back when we still lived in Oregon. I don’t even remember now what I made it for, but I remember it was the first time I’d ever made caramelized onions. It was the first time I’d roasted my own garlic, too, and I felt like quite the successful cook afterward.

I went several years before making this Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Dip again, but, in true foodie fashion, I thought longingly about it quite a few times. As a proud lover of both garlic and onions, I dream about this stuff. Don’t worry, though, if not all the people in your life are as fond of those ingredients as I am; the process of caramelizing the onions and roasting the garlic develops the flavors into sweeter, smoother, toned-down versions of themselves.

You can rest easy making this recipe for just about anyone.

Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Dip is a unique, sophisticated twist on a classic favorite. You'll find the bold flavors and creamy texture irresistible.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, Gluten-Free, in the kitchen, recipes, snack — Tagged With: appetizer, caramelized onions, dip, five ingredients or less, onion, onions, recipe, recipes, snack

Southern Sausage Balls

January 11, 2018 by Abby

Loaded with hearty sausage and plenty of golden, melted cheese, Southern Sausage Balls make the perfect appetizer, snack, or party food.

Loaded with hearty sausage and plenty of golden, melted cheese, Southern Sausage Balls make the perfect appetizer, snack, or party food.

I’m not saying sausage balls are an exclusively southern dish. I’m just saying that, while the only ones I ever had while growing up in Oregon were made by southern relatives, they’re a staple at nearly every wedding and baby shower in The South. And because most people are huge fans of anything that combines cheese, pork, and some of form of bread, Southern Sausage Balls are always a hit.

I ate them for years and loved them; I even made them myself. Then one day my mother-in-law made a batch (actually, I’m sure it was at least a double batch) with a new secret ingredient. That secret ingredient was cream cheese and, y’all, it revolutionized the sausage ball eating experience. If you think that’s an exaggeration, you’ve clearly never eaten Southern Sausage Balls with cream cheese.

The addition of the cream cheese ups the moistness of the recipe and leaves all other versions tasting dry and boring. Even if regular sausage balls are already in your repertoire, I implore you to add cream cheese. It’s a total game-changer. If you’ve never made Southern Sausage Balls at all, what are you waiting for? Make them for game-day, for a party, or just for breakfast or a snack at home.

Loaded with hearty sausage and plenty of golden, melted cheese, Southern Sausage Balls make the perfect appetizer, snack, or party food.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: breakfast, food, in the kitchen, recipes, snack, supper — Tagged With: appetizer, breakfast, cheddar, cheddar cheese, cheese, cream cheese, dinner, five ingredients or less, recipe, recipes, sausage, snack, supper

20+ Irresistible Game Day Dip Recipes

December 18, 2017 by Abby

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one – or a bunch – of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Maybe it’s the fat kid in me, but there are few things I find more comforting than relaxing with family on a Saturday, watching college football and munching all day on dips. Granted, the whole experience is much more relaxing when our team actually wins, but it’s not a bad time either way.

With college bowl season and then NFL playoffs upon us, this is the perfect time to showcase a roundup of some of the most irresistible game day dip recipes to be had on the interwebs. You can’t go wrong making a recipe, or seven, from the list here. If you try of them, be sure to leave a comment letting the blogger know what you thought!

Irresistible Game Day Dip Recipes

Cheesy Goodness

Cheesy dips are always a hit, and these recipes are no exception.

Cheesy Chicken Poblano Dip

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Cheesy Mexican Corn Dip

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Green Chile White Queso Dip

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Copycat Torchy’s Tacos Queso Dip

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Southern Pimento Cheese

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Creamy Cheese & Bacon Dip

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

Game Day Queso

Kick back with friends and family, put the big game on TV, and enjoy one - or a bunch - of these irresistible game day dip recipes.

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: food, Gluten-Free, in the kitchen, recipes, snack — Tagged With: appetizer, dip, dips, game day, recipe, recipes, snack

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