Category: Cooking ~ Recipes
Hot n’Honey Dill Pickled Mustard Seeds
March 31, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, gluten free, honey, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, pickled foods, published |
This one might sound a bit odd, but do give them a try. They add a fun little pickled crunch to deviled eggs, sandwiches, meats, salads and dips.
Roasted Veggies & Shrimp Skewers
March 31, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, fish & seafood, fun food, garden goodness, gluten free, nekkid-throw cooking ~ what is THAT?, published, roasted goodness, sensational sides, shrimp, stick foods |
High temperatures paired with abundant vegetables make for healthy nibbles or a light meal. Roasting brings out the natural sugars in your vegetables that caramelize for a sweet zing. Exact measurements are not needed — make as much as you need for your crew. Dollop with Buttermilk Green Goddess Dressing and you’ll never look at vegetables the same way again.
Buttermilk Citrus Green Goddess Dressing (and roasted vegetables & shrimp skewers)
March 31, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under buttermilk, Carolina Country, condiments & accompaniments, dressings, garden goodness, gluten free, low carb, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, no cook, published, roasted goodness |
Here’s an old dressing with a bright twist thanks to some citrus alternatives to the standard lemon. Super simple to throw together, it’s free of preservatives and packed with vibrant flavor. Use as a sandwich spread, veggie dip, topping for meat and fish or a pasta sauce — the possibilities are endless!
Strawberry Vanilla Simple Syrup
March 31, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under beverages, Carolina Country, cocktails, garden goodness, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, sauces & syrups, strawberries |
Simple syrups are just that — simple to make. But you can use them in so many ways. Visit a local farm, pick some fresh strawberries and prep this syrup. We also subbed local honey for part of the sugar to make our syrup sing with flavor!
A”peel”ing to you… the maddening art of egg peeling!
March 19, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under eggs, helpful cooking tips, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge |
Don’t let peeling eggs make you crazy! Even though frustrating at times, give this method a try. It works best for me…
Apple Chicken Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
March 18, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under apples, dressings, gluten free, here chickie!, L&M Produce, product recipe development, published, rotisserie, salads, slaws and such |

Chicken Salad with Apples & Lemon Dressing
On occasion, I have opportunity to create recipes for all sorts of food companies. Recipe development is my favorite thing to do of all the many things I do! I have been fortunate to do this for LM Companies… a large produce distributor. A while ago, they asked me to create some apple recipes for them… this tasty chicken salad is one of those.
For those of you who love chicken salad like me, I encourage you to make this one! I’m all about simplicity in the kitchen, and you could even use rotisserie chicken for the cooked chicken in this recipe.
Do you make an “outside-the-box” chicken salad? If so, please drop me a note if you’re willing to share it. I love seeing ways others make theirs!
Be sure to visit my new Aunt Dee Dee’s Kitchen online store, and like my FB communities at Wendy’s Home Economics and Aunt Dee Dee’s Kitchen too.
And be sure you subscribed to my blog while here too!

We know you are going to love this vibrant apple chicken salad! The hint of lemon from the fresh juice and zest really make the flavors pop. Honey Crisp apples are perfect to complement the chicken and savory celery, while pairing nicely with the plump little sweet bites of raisins. So versatile, we suggest you enjoy on a variety of breads, or tucked into lettuce for fun little wraps.
- 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken (about 1 pound)
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1 1/2 cups Honey Crisp apple, cored and diced
- 3/4 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup chopped green onions, white and green parts
- 1 8 ounce can diced water chestnuts, drained
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (light)
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- salt to taste
-
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
-
Whisk together dressing ingredients. Fold into the salad and stir until the salad is moist.
Salad can be served immediately, but is best if it sits several hours or overnight for flavors to marry.
Serve with assorted breads or as lettuce wraps. We like this with raisin bread toasts.
Dilled Reuben Deviled Eggs
March 16, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, eggs, fun food, gluten free, low carb, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, sensational sides, St. Patty's Day |

Reuben Deviled Eggs
I don’t know about you, but I don’t recall ever meeting a deviled egg I didn’t like. I’m not particularly fond of the white part… and either eat just the part of that holding the deviled part… or just the deviled itself! It’s a texture thing for me… egg whites remind me of jello, which I cannot and do not eat! Although I do love a good farm fresh boiled egg with shakers of salt and pepper. Go figure.
This is a “throw cook’n” recipe. One where I cannot give you exact measurements because I simply throw stuff in to make it taste good.
Being that it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, and I did cook a corned beef this weekend in my crock pot, I enjoy it in a lot of ways… and have had this one in my head for a while. I will also point you to a recipe I threw together long ago, with horrible pics before I had a clue about food styling or photography. This is a really tasty Cream of Reuben Soup... another way to use that corned beef.
Another St. Patrick’s Day dish is my version of colcannon… “Southern Colcannon.” It was actually published in Our State Magazine years ago when I was house chef there… it’s a realllll good side dish for not only corned beef, but just about anything! What’s not to love about greens (my cabbards or cabbage) and good ole North Carolina Sweet Potatoes?
St. Patrick’s Day is also a pretty momentous day for me too… as it is my Quit Smoking Anniversary! I think this marks year 15 for me… my motivation? My new little nephew when he was born, who is now SIXTEEN! He was born in September, and I didn’t want him growing up smelling me and my house… nor seeing me smoking so he would think that was OK!
If you have tried to quit or want to… if I can quit after 26 years… You Can TOO!
It’s not easy. It’s HARD. But find your motivator and do it… read my story above… and just do it!
Till next time… (recipe below)
Reuben Deviled Eggs
Sliced boiled eggs in half and put yolks in bowl.
Add a bit of thousand island dressing (or mayo) and minced dill pickles.
Add some Bavarian Sauerkraut (seasoned and has caraway seeds!)
Stir in a little bit of coarse ground mustard… salt and pepper.
Mix together and fill egg whites.
Scatter with some fresh chopped dill.
EAT!
Church Hot Dog Chili
March 15, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under condiments & accompaniments, fun food, here's the beef!, old favorites, skillet cookery |
It’s hard to beat a good ole hot dog. And the best are topped with simple homemade chili, fittin for dogs and burgers. All the way please… chili, mustard and chopped onions! And a dollop of slaw doesn’t hurt either.
Look y’all… I baked!
February 22, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under baking (she said in terror), Bass Farm Sausage, fun food, Italian, Mimi's Mountain Mixes, party foods, pizza, Toaster Oven |
Have fun making pizza at home with Mimi’s Mountain Mixes! Teach a child to cook… this is a great fun way to do that.
Crispy Churro Cake Bites with chocolate hazelnut dip
February 19, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, chocolate, fun food, Mexican/Southwestern, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, sweet treats |
Look no further for a fun, finger food dessert to put smiles on faces! Keep cake pieces on hand in a freezer bag to fry in a flash for when you need “just a bite of something sweet.”
Sweet ’n’ Spicy Chili Vinaigrette with pickle juice
February 18, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, condiments & accompaniments, dressings, Mexican/Southwestern, no cook, pickled foods, product recipe development, published |
Drizzle this sweet n’hot chili vinaigrette over a simple salad along with my Carnitas Enchiladas Suiza, or put it to work in a shredded cabbage slaw. Need a quick marinade for chicken or shrimp? This is your go-to! Keeps in the fridge for about a month.
Carnitas Enchiladas Suiza
February 18, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, casseroles, cheesy, Mexican/Southwestern, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, rotisserie |
This one needs a bit of planning ahead to cook the pork, but using one large butt yields lots of meat to freeze to make several batches of these easy, creamy Carnita Enchiladas Suiza. Olé!
Follow Me!