Category: published
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!
Salted Butterscotch Crème Brûlée
February 14, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under baking (she said in terror), Carolina Country, gluten free, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, wendy's signature recipes |
Turning sugar, butter and cream into this browned, decadent custard is only made better by devouring it fireside in the dead of winter. Can be made up to four days ahead. Salted Butterscotch Crème Brûlée all around please!
Creamy Rosemary Parmesan Grits
February 14, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Aunt Dee Dee's Kitchen, Carolina Country, cheesy, gluten free, grits, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, sensational sides |
Many long-lived mills here in North Carolina still stone grind the best grits. Slow cooked creamy grits pair well with so many dishes (and stand alone quite nicely, too). Seasoned with fresh rosemary and salty parmesan, enjoy them alongside my Savory Oxtail Stew.
Savory Braised Oxtail Stew with Herbs and Prunes
February 14, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Carolina Country, Cooking ~ Recipes, here's the beef!, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, plums, published, soups, stews, chilies chowders and such |
Chilly winter days make us want to throw something hearty and comforting in a big ol’ pot and let it slowly simmer for hours, filling the house with the enticing smell of what’s to come. This stew is a bit spicy, subtly sweetened by the prunes, with many layers of flavor.
Egg Nog Chess Pie with bananas and cream…
December 30, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under baking (she said in terror), bananas, Carolina Country, Christmas, eggs, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, pie please, published, Simply Natural Creamery, sweet treats, wendy's signature recipes |
It seems fittin’ to use up that last bit of holiday eggnog in a good old southern chess pie. ‘Nog and bananas go together like mac and cheese, so partake of pie while toasting toes in front of a cozy fire as you settle into the New Year.
Roasted Grape & Cheese Crostini with spiced pecan crumbs
December 30, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, carolina gold oil, cheesy, honey, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, published, roasted goodness, Toaster Oven, wendy's signature recipes |
Sometimes we just need “a little something” to nibble on — roasting grapes and serving over warm, softened cheese on crostini is a new favorite! The grapes become nice and “jammy” and oh-so-good with a drizzle of herbed oil, vinegar and honey. No exact measurements needed for this one.
German Apple Cake
October 31, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under apples, baking (she said in terror), breakfast, L&M Produce, published, sweet treats |
Enjoy this moist German Apple Cake… for breakfast, lunch, supper or bedtime snack! Great over warm applesauce and a dollop of whipped cream on top, dusted with apple pie spice! Or, just as is.
Buttered Wilted Cabbage with Pepper & Caraway Seed
October 27, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under cabbage, Carolina Country, cook & eat nekkid, garden goodness, low carb, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, sensational sides |

Blanching tender cabbage is a great way to preserve nutrients and get vivid color! And don’t you love having a farm fresh side dish ready in 10 minutes?
Featured in Carolina Country Magazine November 2020
I.Love.Cabbage.
I cannot think of one way I do not love me some cabbage! It’s so versatile and it such a great side dish for most anything. It’s quick to prepare… and budget friendly too.
With cabbage, usually “less is more.” It brings so much of its own flavor to the table you really don’t need to do much to it. Like this recipe. It’s as simple as blanching till tender, but still has a little “bite” to it. A bit of crushed red pepper and caraway seed… and of course some butter, and you’ve got yourself a mighty fittin side. It’s just right to round out your meal with my Bacon Stuffed Pork Loin with garlicky apple cider gravy and Rustic Herbed Dressing with apples and cheddar. This meal just hollers “FALL!” and would be nice for something different featuring pork on your Thanksgiving table this year.
Put all these goodies on your grocery list so you’ll have on hand to cook up this comforting fall feast soon. Then come on over to my facebook community and share your comments!

Blanching tender cabbage is a great way to preserve nutrients and get vivid color! And don’t you love having a farm fresh side dish ready in 10 minutes?
- 8 cup chicken broth
- 1 large head savoy cabbage
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- crushed black pepper
- 6 tablespoons butter
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While bringing broth to a boil in large pot, cut cabbage into wedges and discard core. Tear by hand into 1”-2” pieces. Add to boiling water. Stir and blanch for 1 ½to 2 minutes; drain and reserve broth for soup.
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Put cabbage back into hot pot. Toss with seasonings and butter to melt. Taste and add salt as needed. Serve warm.
Note: I save the core and simmer in the discarded broth for a delicious soup stock.
Don’t toss all that flavor! When cooking, save parts of vegetables for making the best soup base, sauces and gravy. Toss scraps into a freezer bag and add to it until you have accumulated a goodly amount and have time to make. Goodies to save are vegetable broth (like drained from this cabbage) along with leaves and core, onion and garlic peels, celery ends, corn cobs, carrot ends and peel, potato scraps, and fresh herb stems. Freeze in ice trays or small containers for adding flavor to all sorts of dishes!
Rustic Herbed Dressing With apples and cheddar
October 21, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under apples, breads, breakfast, Carolina Country, casseroles, cheesy, Christmas, dressings, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, published, sensational sides, Thanksgiving |
You know it’s fall when the aroma of baked apples and fresh herbs fills the air! Roasted pork, chicken — this stuffing makes just the right side dish. Or crisp up leftover dressing in the toaster oven for a banner breakfast with bacon, sausage and a drizzle o’ maple syrup!
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