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.”
Category: Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher’s Lounge
…babblings and stuff that simply don’t fit anywhere else!
Carnitas Enchiladas Suiza
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
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
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
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…
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
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.
How to Host a Pig Picking… and P.S., barbecue is a noun, not a verb!
Ahhh… the good ole southern NC pig picking! Here’s all you need to know to host one for yourself. Nothing is much finer than gathering friends and family to pick pork, is there?
Buttered Wilted Cabbage with Pepper & Caraway Seed
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… Continue reading Buttered Wilted Cabbage with Pepper & Caraway Seed
Rustic Herbed Dressing With apples and cheddar
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!
No fair? No fair! … so cook yourself some turkey legs at home!
Published in Carolina Country Magazine November 2017 Well 2020 just keeps giving us disappointment on top of disappointment. Some of us look real forward to our NC State Fair each year, each for our own reasons. I will miss going there several mornings to judge the daily cooking contests… one of my favorite fall culinary… Continue reading No fair? No fair! … so cook yourself some turkey legs at home!
Hot and Sour Soup With Rotisserie Chicken & crispy wonton noodles
Some recipes for tasty hot and sour soup can take hours and require hard-to-find ingredients. This simple version takes only 30 minutes from prep to table when using time-saving rotisserie chicken.