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Let’s
Eat

Honey Ham and Havarti Slider

Fresh out of the chaos that is my kitchen, here’s my latest recipe—hot and ready to rock your taste buds!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (Root Beer Edition)

This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe features a cane sugar root beer for a sweet and flavorful touch. Toss everything in, let the magic happen, and enjoy!

Barbecue, Pork, Sous Vide

This Crab Queso Dip is the ultimate party pleaser! Velvety cheese, savory crab, and a little kick from Rotel make this creamy dip irresistible.

Crab Queso Dip – Creamy, Cheesy, and Perfect for Parties

Appetizer, Seafood, Side Dish, Snacks

This Crab Queso Dip is the ultimate party pleaser! Velvety cheese, savory crab, and a little kick from Rotel make this creamy dip irresistible.

Crisp, savory, and coated in a rich sauce, these green beans will make you forget all about takeout. A quick, easy side dish that’s packed with flavor and ready in no time!

Chinese Takeout Green Beans

Quick Cooking, Side Dish

Crisp, savory, and coated in a rich sauce, these green beans will make you forget all about takeout. A quick, easy side dish that’s packed with flavor and ready in no time!

Spice up your dinner routine with this Green Chile Chicken Lasagna! Juicy chicken, cheesy goodness, and mild green chile sauce come together in layers of flavor-packed perfection.

Green Chile Chicken Lasagna

Spice up your dinner routine with this Green Chile Chicken Lasagna! Juicy chicken, cheesy goodness, and mild green chile sauce come together in layers of flavor-packed perfection.

Transform a humble chuck roast into a tender, juicy masterpiece with the magic of sous vide. Perfectly cooked from edge to edge, this roast will have you rethinking beef forever.

Sous Vide Chuck Roast – Tender, Juicy, and Perfectly Cooked

Beef, Main Course, Sous Vide

Transform a humble chuck roast into a tender, juicy masterpiece with the magic of sous vide. Perfectly cooked from edge to edge, this roast will have you rethinking beef forever.

Master the art of cooking thick-cut porterhouse pork chops with a sous vide twist! These chops are juicy, flavorful, and seared to perfection.

Sous Vide Porterhouse Pork Chops Recipe – Perfectly Juicy Every Time

Pork, Sous Vide

Master the art of cooking thick-cut porterhouse pork chops with a sous vide twist! These chops are juicy, flavorful, and seared to perfection.

Add some bold flavor to your snacking game with these Glazed Green Chile Pecans. Sweet, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy—snacking has never been so addictive.

Glazed Green Chile Pecans

Appetizer, Christmas Goodie, Snacks

Add some bold flavor to your snacking game with these Glazed Green Chile Pecans. Sweet, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy—snacking has never been so addictive.

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and pure nostalgia in every bite! This copycat recipe for Houston's famous fried chicken tenders is the ultimate comfort food you didn’t know you needed.

Houston’s Restaurant Fried Chicken Tenders Copycat Recipe

Appetizer, Chicken, Main Course, Quick Cooking

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and pure nostalgia in every bite! This copycat recipe for Houston’s famous fried chicken tenders is the ultimate comfort food you didn’t know you needed.

Perfectly seasoned, tender, and juicy, these oven-roasted chicken drumsticks are so good you'll forget they're homemade. Easy to make, hard to share!

The Best Oven-Roasted Chicken Legs – Juicy & Flavorful

Chicken, Quick Cooking, Wood Fired Oven

Perfectly seasoned, tender, and juicy, these oven-roasted chicken drumsticks are so good you’ll forget they’re homemade. Easy to make, hard to share!

Start your day off right with this rich and creamy sausage gravy. Whether you pour it over biscuits or slather it on anything in sight, it’s guaranteed to make your morning better!

Sausage Gravy: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Breakfast, Pork, Sauce

Start your day off right with this rich and creamy sausage gravy. Whether you pour it over biscuits or slather it on anything in sight, it’s guaranteed to make your morning better!

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A perfectly seared pork tenderloin finished in the oven and topped with a rich, glossy Madeira sauce. This dish is surprisingly simple and seriously impressive.

Perfect Seared Pork Tenderloin with Madeira Sauce

A perfectly seared pork tenderloin finished in the oven and topped with a rich, glossy Madeira sauce. This dish is surprisingly simple and seriously impressive.

This shredded green chile chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with smoky, spicy flavor. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Shredded Green Chile Chicken

This shredded green chile chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with smoky, spicy flavor. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or nachos, it’s ready in just 30 minutes!

Morning YUM Cinnamon Rolls

Ah, cinnamon rolls—my ultimate breakfast kryptonite. These are my nostalgic ode to the gooey goodness I’ve missed since 1985. Let’s roll (pun intended)!

Kansas City's - Best Potato Salad Recipe

Kansas City’s – Best Potato Salad Recipe

This potato salad is so tasty. I have brought it to many picnics careful to keep it cooled as it will turn on you fast if you leave it out too long.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate Cream Pie

My Chocolate Cream Pie Is Very Rich! Like its supposed to be. You can use a ready made crust or create your own… USE GOOD CHOCOLATE!

Asparagus and Potato Tart

Asparagus and Potato Tart

Asparagus and Potato Tart is a beautiful and tasty treat. Good as a side but will work as a main. Better save this one for a cheat day!

Spanakopita, the Greek pastry of dreams, is crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and totally worth the effort. Whether you fold it into perfect little triangles or go the lazy 9x13 pan route, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

Spanakopita, the Greek pastry of dreams, is crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and totally worth the effort. Whether you fold it into perfect little triangles or go the lazy 9×13 pan route, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

These pickled red onions are a tangy, slightly sweet, and downright magical addition to tacos, sandwiches, or anything that needs a zing of flavor. Quick, simple, and a total flavor bomb!

Eric’s Pickled Red Onions

These pickled red onions are a tangy, slightly sweet, and downright magical addition to tacos, sandwiches, or anything that needs a zing of flavor. Quick, simple, and a total flavor bomb!

Creamy risotto meets savory Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and peppery arugula in this mouthwatering dish. Stick to the technique and Arborio rice, and let your culinary creativity run wild!

Risotto with Italian Sausage, Caramelized Onions and Arugula

Creamy risotto meets savory Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and peppery arugula in this mouthwatering dish. Stick to the technique and Arborio rice, and let your culinary creativity run wild!

Creamy mascarpone, bold coffee, a touch of rum, and delicate layers of cocoa-dusted ladyfingers—this tiramisu recipe is pure magic. Warning: it might just become your girlfriend's "favorite" dessert (wink, wink).

Tiramisu Recipe: Creamy, Chocolatey, and Irresistible

If this isn’t your girlfriends favorite dessert…. She’s probably lying. Creamy and Chocolatety a bit of bite from the rum. Take the time to fold the cream slowly.

Eric’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing combines savory sausage, sweet apples, and tangy cranberries with perfectly toasted bread. This dish is the ultimate sidekick for turkey, chicken, or pork.

Eric’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing

Eric’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing is great with turkey, chicken and pork. Make sure and dry the bread the final results are worth the effort.

Sweet, tart, and bursting with citrusy goodness, this cranberry sauce lets the berries shine while avoiding that overly sweet jam vibe. A perfect balance for your holiday table!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Sweet, tart, and bursting with citrusy goodness, this cranberry sauce lets the berries shine while avoiding that overly sweet jam vibe. A perfect balance for your holiday table!

This applewood-smoked turkey is juicy, flavorful, and destined to steal the show. With bright notes from the brine and just the right amount of smoky goodness, it’s perfect for any feast or tailgate party.

Whole Smoked Turkey in the Bradley Smoker

This smoked turkey is simply amazing. Juicy and bright from the brine, lightly smoked in a Bradley Smoker in applewood a perfect centerpiece for any table or tailgate.

Cornbread Dressing

Cornbread Dressing is so good you wish you made a double batch. Sweet from the pepper and onions the flavor of each ingredient combines for a great flavor.

This is no ordinary tuna salad! Perfect for a melt, sliders, or even stuffing a tomato, this creamy and flavorful tuna salad is ready to take center stage at your next meal.

Awesome Tuna Salad

This is no ordinary tuna salad! Perfect for a melt, sliders, or even stuffing a tomato, this creamy and flavorful tuna salad is ready to take center stage at your next meal.

This Canadian Cheese Soup is pure creamy comfort! It’s the recipe I learned in high school and never dared to change. Packed with Velveeta, tender veggies, and a touch of nostalgia, it pairs perfectly with your favorite sandwich.

Canadian Cheese Soup

This Canadian Cheese Soup is pure creamy comfort! It’s the recipe I learned in high school and never dared to change. Packed with Velveeta, tender veggies, and a touch of nostalgia, it pairs perfectly with your favorite sandwich.

Who doesn’t love a warm, crusty baguette? With a little patience (and maybe some floury forearms), you can master these bakery-worthy baguettes at home.

Eric’s Baguettes

Who doesn’t love a warm, crusty baguette? With a little patience (and maybe some floury forearms), you can master these bakery-worthy baguettes at home.

This Creamy Onion Soup is so good, you’ll want to make a double batch! With tender onions, a cheesy white sauce, and a hint of savory goodness, it’s destined to become a favorite. Just don’t burn the onions, and you’re golden!

Creamy Onion Soup

This Creamy Onion Soup is so good, you’ll want to make a double batch! With tender onions, a cheesy white sauce, and a hint of savory goodness, it’s destined to become a favorite. Just don’t burn the onions, and you’re golden!

Sweet, savory, and loaded with flavor, these Honey Ham and Havarti Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Perfect for game days or any gathering, they’re easy to make ahead and pack a spicy kick.

Honey Ham and Havarti Slider

Sweet, savory, and loaded with flavor, these Honey Ham and Havarti Sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Perfect for game days or any gathering, they’re easy to make ahead and pack a spicy kick.

Eric’s Buttery Soft Pretzels are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Perfect fresh out of the oven, or paired with honey mustard or nacho cheese for ultimate snacking bliss.

Eric’s Buttery Soft Pretzels

Eric’s Buttery Soft Pretzels are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Perfect fresh out of the oven, or paired with honey mustard or nacho cheese for ultimate snacking bliss.

Whip up a batch of Magdalenas, the classic Spanish cupcakes with a bright lemony twist! Perfect with coffee or milk, these easy-to-make treats are pure buttery bliss.

Buttery, zesty, and perfect with coffee, these traditional Spanish treats are the kind of cupcakes your Spanish teacher actually wanted.

Sriracha Maple Fried Chicken combines crispy fried chicken with a sticky, spicy-sweet glaze that’s irresistible. Perfect on its own or piled high on waffles.

Sriracha Maple Fried Chicken

Sriracha Maple Fried Chicken combines crispy fried chicken with a sticky, spicy-sweet glaze that’s irresistible. Perfect on its own or piled high on waffles.

Apple Cider Baked Beans

My Apple Cider Baked Beans are so rich and creamy because of the slow cooking. I dare you not to like ’em! If you can find honey crisp apple cider use it.

Spread some magic with this Cinnamon Maple Butter! Perfectly sweet, subtly spiced, and dangerously delicious, it’s a must-have for pancakes, toast, or straight from the spoon (no judgment).

Cinnamon Maple Butter

This Cinnamon Maple Butter is so addictively good that it should have a warning. The cinnamon just warms the flavor but totally allows the maple to shine.

Take your BBQ game to the next level with Eric's Best Rib Rub in the Universe. Perfect for pork, chicken, beef, and even fish, this versatile rub delivers big flavor. Bonus: It plays well with mustard and can handle a dash of MSG if you're feeling bold.

Eric’s Best Rib Rub In The Universe

Take your BBQ game to the next level with Eric’s Best Rib Rub in the Universe. Perfect for pork, chicken, beef, and even fish, this versatile rub delivers big flavor. Bonus: It plays well with mustard and can handle a dash of MSG if you’re feeling bold.

This Thousand Island Salad Dressing is sweet, tangy, creamy, and downright addictive. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, or even a sneaky dip for fries—this dressing is a crowd-pleaser!

Thousand Island Salad Dressing

This Thousand Island Salad Dressing is Sweet, Tangy and Creamy I love this stuff.

Move over Mongolian beef! This Crispy-Sweet Pork and Onions recipe delivers tender pork, caramelized onions, and a finger-licking sauce. Yes, it's a little messy, but you'll forgive it after the first bite.

Crispy-Sweet Pork and Onions

I love Mongolian Beef and Crispy-Sweet Pork and Onions is similar. When I make it for Erin I skip the pepper flakes and opt for sambal on the side. This one can be messy…but worth the cleanup.

Say goodbye to plain old mac and cheese—this gnocchi with four luxurious cheeses takes comfort food to the next level. Creamy, cheesy, and absolutely irresistible!

Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi

This is a mac and cheese recipe that uses four kinds of cheese and gnocchi is there anything else I need to say?

This pizza dough is the result of years of experimenting, and trust me, it’s worth the wait. With a crispy bottom and a satisfying chew, it’s the perfect base for your pizza creations. Bonus points if you plan ahead and let it rest in the fridge for three days—flavor explosion incoming!

Eric’s Pizza Dough

I have spent the last couple years trying various pizza dough recipes. This one is simply the best for making a 12 inch pizza with a crispy bottom but still a good chew. If you are thinking far enough ahead let this one rest in the fridge for 3 days to develop tons of flavor.

This creamy Chicken with Gnocchi and Spinach Soup is your go-to comfort meal. Packed with tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and fresh spinach, it’s a hearty hug in a bowl. Plus, it's Erin-approved!

Chicken with Gnocchi and Spinach Soup

This soup is simple and so completely satisfying. Erin asks to go to that olive place constantly. When I told her I could make that she challenged me…I won.

Pan Seared Kansas City Strip

This Pan-Seared Kansas City Strip Steak is all about letting the steak shine. With just a sprinkle of salt and pepper and a foolproof searing technique, you’ll experience steak in its purest form. Bonus: buttery mushrooms on the side!

Lemon Flake Cake is a family treasure that dates back to the 1960s. With its bright, tangy flavor and a sweet glaze that soaks into every bite, it’s sure to become a tradition in your home, too.

Lemon Flake Cake

This cake has been a cherished part of my family since the 1960s. My mom discovered the recipe at the Gold Crown Dining Room at Hallmark and brought it home, where it quickly became a tradition. For most of my life, it’s been my go-to birthday cake, and trust me—once you try it, it’ll be a favorite in your home, too!

What does this dish have to do with Albuquerque? Absolutely nothing—except the inspiration came from a teriyaki bowl I fell in love with while living there. With juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and proper technique, this recipe is proof that simple can be spectacular.

Albuquerque Chicken

Albuquerque Chicken… What the hell does this have to do with Albuquerque. NOTHING! But when I lived there we would go to place that served a teriyaki bowl similar and I fell in love with the concept. My version is all about finding the greatness in simple ingredients and using proper technique to turn this simple dish a favorite!

Eric’s Favorite Flank Steak is the ultimate wet rub recipe! With fresh rosemary, garlic, and shallots, it’s a surefire way to transform a simple cut of meat into a flavor explosion.

Eric’s Favorite Flank Steak

Eric’s Favorite Flank Steak is the ultimate wet rub recipe! With fresh rosemary, garlic, and shallots, it’s a surefire way to transform a simple cut of meat into a flavor explosion.

Rich, comforting French Onion Soup topped with gooey melted Gruyere and crispy toast. This recipe will have your friends judging restaurants—and they’ll still come back to you.

French Onion Soup

Rich, comforting French Onion Soup topped with gooey melted Gruyere and crispy toast. This recipe will have your friends judging restaurants—and they’ll still come back to you.

Golden-brown berry cobbler cake with a crispy sugar topping, bubbling with vibrant blueberries and raspberries.

Berry Cobbler Cake

Berry Cobbler Cake is ready for the campfire Dutch oven, pizza oven or kitchen in just a moment but the taste is amazing. The raw sugar on the top adds a crunch that can’t be beat.

Shredded Potato Cakes

Shredded Potato Cakes or Latkes are a traditional dish but for me a great way to get your potatoes at breakfast. Make sure the potatoes are very dry prior to mixing them in.

Chocolate Eclair Cake

This Chocolate Eclair Cake is so rich that you have to pick the crowd to serve it too it’s Simply Delicious and worth every calorie.

Roasted Maple Carrots with Browned Butter and Bacon

Roasted Maple Carrots with Browned Butter and Bacon is a tasty way to eat your veggies. Bacon is maple’s best friend and with the browned butter…winner winner goes great with a chicken dinner.

Eric’s Buttermilk Coleslaw

Eric’s Kickin’ Cornbread isn’t just a side dish—it’s the main event your meal didn’t know it needed. Sweet, salty, and totally satisfying, this cornbread tastes like a hug from the kitchen. Serve it slightly warm with a dollop of fresh honey butter and watch it disappear.

This smoked brisket is the pinnacle of barbecue perfection. With a flavorful rub, a touch of steam magic, and a glossy glaze, it’s absolutely on point—so grab your smoker and let’s do this!

On Point Smoked Brisket

This smoked brisket is the pinnacle of barbecue perfection. With a flavorful rub, a touch of steam magic, and a glossy glaze, it’s absolutely on point—so grab your smoker and let’s do this!

Cheesy Corn Bake

Cheesy Corn Bake is a side dish that you need to make today. This recipe is great as is but can be changed to accommodate other meats and or spice. On the rare occasion you have left overs reheat and enjoy as a dip.

Eric’s Kickin’ Cornbread

Eric’s Kickin’ Cornbread is a perfect side for any meal. Sweet, Salty and Satisfying enjoy this slightly warmed with fresh honey butter.

Eric’s House Dressing

This dressing is the secret sauce to a loaded Greek salad (or honestly, any salad that’s ready to party). Just make sure to crisp up that lettuce – it’s the hero your taste buds deserve. Now, let’s get mixing!

This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup is so good it practically demands a standing ovation. Bonus: it’s even better the next day, so make extra (your future self will thank you).

Bitchin Broccoli Cheese Soup

Bitchin Broccoli Cheese Soup is great when you first make it but even better the next day. Make sure to never let it boil once you add the cheese and beat the heck out of it with the stick blender.

Mmmmm…Butter Cake

MAKE THIS NOW! Browning the butter for this cake really makes this cake outstanding. Make sure to cool butter completely before adding to egg and sugar mixture.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

If there’s one cake to rule them all, it’s the chocolate sheet cake. Rich, indulgent, and perfect for any gathering, it can hang out in the fridge for a couple of days before its big debut. Just remember to bring it to room temp and wield a plastic knife for cutting—unless you enjoy frosting clinging to your blade like it’s auditioning for a cake drama.

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits are a love letter to the South that can be enjoyed anytime. The first time I made this for Erin, she was skeptical (understandably), but one bite turned her into a believer. Whether you prefer a little heat or a full-on hot sauce party, this recipe will hit the spot.

Why drive 257 miles east when you can make a Raymore-worthy St. Louis-style pizza at home? This recipe’s no-yeast dough comes together so quickly that the oven will take longer to preheat than it does to make the crust. Plus, homemade Provel cheese adds that authentic, gooey, smoky flavor. Let’s get cooking!

Roasted Garlic White Sauce for Pizza

This is the base for an awesome pizza. Make sure to melt the cheese slowly over very low heat to get the smoothest results.

Fire Roasted Red Sauce For Pizza

This sauce is so good, you might consider skipping the pizza and eating it with a spoon. It’s ridiculously easy to make and packs a flavor punch that’ll make you wonder why you ever bought store-bought sauce. Bonus: It can be ready in minutes or left overnight to let those herbs work their magic.

The Lunch of Monte Cristo

Completely fat-free…if you squint and ignore all the butter, cheese, and meat. This decadent sandwich is cheat-meal-approved and worth every bite.

Best Buttermilk Pancakes

Fluffy, tangy buttermilk pancakes that will make you the hero of breakfast time. Rest assured, the 10-minute batter rest isn’t optional—it’s pancake law.

Nana’s Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are one of those dishes that was a favorite growing up. Simple but flavorful combination for dinner… add a salad and call it done.

Pan Fried Pork Dumplings

I love dumplings…use a #100 for perfect portion and practice getting the perfect seams… I suggest repeated attempts. 🙂

The Lunch Lady Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is all about opposites: that melty, gooey interior paired with a satisfyingly crunchy crust. This recipe is less about strict rules and more about embracing the process, but if you want to follow my lead, here’s the game plan. Buckle up—it’s cheesy bliss ahead.

Hot Potato Salad

I love this salad but its a lot of work to pull it off. I hesitate to call this German Potato Salad but its similar. Be carful when you steam the potatoes. If you overcook them the dish will go south on you fast.

Garlic, Ginger and Wings....Oh MY! These wings are very flavorful and I have intentionally not used any measurements. This one is about how you are feeling on the day you make it. These flavors balance so well you likely can't go wrong.

Garlic, Ginger and Wings….Oh MY!

These wings are very flavorful and I have intentionally not used any measurements. This one is about how you are feeling on the day you make it. These flavors balance so well you likely can’t go wrong.

Papa’s Spaghetti

Papa’s Spaghetti I would always look forward to hearing we were going to have this… Great thick and hearty sauce for any pasta.

Sometimes you just need chocolate….this one is a very effective delivery system…and quick too.

Eric's Best Deviled Eggs

Eric’s Best Deviled Eggs

This is a keeper. Simple to prep and delicious. These look best when you pipe the filling but hey spoons work too.

The Dark and Salty Tart

The Dark and Salty Tart

The Dark and Salty Tart is hands down one of the best desserts I’ve made. The pastry crust accented with almonds and cocoa plays well with the rich chocolate and salted caramel. The caramel is salty when eaten alone but with the chocolate it balances perfectly.

Eric’s Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Why order it at a restaurant when you can make it better at home? Once you taste this, you’ll be the king or queen of dips at every gathering.

3D Hollandaise Sauce – You wont break this one!

3D Hollandaise Sauce – You wont break this one! This sauce is the most stable hollandaise I have ever used. Leftovers….save for 3 days but its never made it that long before its gone!

Maple Glazed Pork Chops

These chops are great for a week night dinner or anytime. They are quick and very tasty. Don’t worry about the cider vinegar it really mellows nicely in the sauce.

Baked Spicy Corned Beef

Baked Spicy Corned Beef

This is the hands down best way to cook a corned beef I traditionally use a Boyles Corned Beef as my starting point .

The Best Fettuccine Alfredo but only if you serve it right away. For the best results warm the bowls before serving the Fettuccine Alfredo.

The Best Fettuccine Alfredo

The Best Fettuccine Alfredo but only if you serve it right away. For the best results warm the bowls before serving the Fettuccine Alfredo.

Cured and Smoked Salmon - This smoked salmon is great on a cracker…better on a benedict and best gathered around the cutting board chowing it down before it even makes it on a platter.

Cured and Smoked Salmon

This smoked salmon is great on a cracker…better on a benedict and best gathered around the cutting board chowing it down before it even makes it on a platter.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie

Chocolate Crinkles ~ The flavor of chocolate screams in these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

Crispy Waffles These buttermilk waffles are crisp and nutty brown….pass the syrup.

Crispy Buttermilk Waffles

These buttermilk waffles are crisp and nutty brown….pass the syrup.

Guinness Beef Stew

Guinness Beef Stew

This stew is simply wonderful. The beer flavor is mild allowing the beef to shine. The carrots and onion add sweetness. The potatoes ground it so to speak. If you have an afternoon to devote to making this your efforts will be awesomely rewarded.

Grandma Chapin’s Favorite Lemon Pie

Grandma Chapin would always say that it was not fit to eat…. She new better and her modesty made for some wonderful childhood memories. Grandma made the best desserts and really influenced my love of cooking.

Eric’s Green Bean Casserole

Eric’s Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is miles beyond the original….I left the canned cream of mushroom soup in there as a nod. Many times I have skipped that and just creamed out the sauteed mushrooms. I spent years getting this one right. The best of the original with some improvements.

Chipotle Shrimp and Grits

Chipotle Shrimp and Grits

These Shrimp and Grits are smoky and simple to make. Erin say’s she likes this version better than the other recipe for shrimp and grits on this site. Flavors of the southwest knocking out the Tabasco.

Deep Fried Mushrooms

Deep Fried Mushrooms

Deep Fried Mushrooms so simple and so satisfying. I love these with ranch dressing but it has to be the good stuff. Also try them with Sour Cream with red chile. (equal parts sour cream and canned chipotle peppers that have been pureed in their adobo sauce)

Fettuccine Carbonara

Fettuccine Carbonara

Fettuccine Carbonara is one of Erin’s favorite dishes….She asks for it weekly. There are tons of ways to modify….add garlic or try it with some green chile or red pepper flake.

Blackberry Preserves

Blackberry Preserves

Cinnamon in blackberry preserves? You bet. it adds a savory note to this. I purposely skimp on the sugar here to allow the blackberry shine. if you want the final product to be sweet go with more sugar in the beginning but try it like this first.

Eric's Bread and Butter Pickles

Eric’s Bread and Butter Pickles

I stole this from AB….and changed it a little to suit my tastes.

Ruben Casserole

Ruben Casserole

Ok sauerkraut is the first hurdle but if they can get past that this is great. All the flavors of a well made ruben for a crowd. Travels well in a pyrex and washes down great with a newcastle.

Dutch Oven Soda Bread - Soda Bread too good not to make today! This bread is the perfect companion for an open faced corned beef sandwich

Dutch Oven Soda Bread

Soda Bread too good not to make today! This bread is the perfect companion for an open faced corned beef sandwich

Mac and Cheese Soup

This is a soup that kids love, Have fun with the pasta choice and pick one that they love. Don’t worry about the cayenne and wine they won’t notice it unless its not there.

Happy New Year Black Eyed Peas

Happy New Year Black Eyed Peas

Okay there is nothing southern about me….but along the way I picked up the tradition of having black eyed peas on new years day. It started as a I don’t care if you like them you are going to eat them and turned into a quest to make them taste good. Success!

Broccoli Bites - I fell in love with these at Bennigan's their simple ingredients are greater than the sum of their parts. I recommend this with my Texas honey mustard for a great app.

I fell in love with these at Bennigan’s their simple ingredients are greater than the sum of their parts. I recommend this with my texas honey mustard for a great app.

Texas Honey Mustard - This mustard is great on just about anything. Chicken tenders, broccoli bites, or salads. Tastes great immediately but best if allowed to sit for a couple of days prior to serving.

Texas Honey Mustard

This mustard is great on just about anything. Chicken tenders, broccoli bites, or salads. Tastes great immediately but best if allowed to sit for a couple of days prior to serving.

Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms

Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms

These mushrooms go great with a beer and an evening with friends. Watch how hot the fire is because the bacon can burn easily.

Ravioli in a Brown Butter

Ravioli in a Brown Butter

This dish is quick and satisfying cook the butter slowly stirring constantly to prevent burning. The difference between perfection and blah is just a few moments of cook time of the brown butter.

Crispy Rice Bars

Crispy Rice Bars

These remind me of Grandma Chapin’s Peanut butter balls. But so much easier to make. Use a 9X13 pan and enjoy.

Orange and Ginger Spiced Cranberry Relish

Orange and Ginger Spiced Cranberry Relish

Fresh Cranberries are hard to come by year around. This relish freezes great. Make enough to keep some for leftovers or nothing goes better with the memorial day BBQ.

Apple and Spice Brine for the Bradley Smoker Whole Turkey

Apple and Spice Brine for the Bradley Smoker Whole Turkey

This brine does wonders for poultry. I have used on on chicken prior to smoking and turkey that is then oven roasted. Remember Brine on Tuesday – Rest on Wednesday and Bake on Thursday. Resting the bird outside of the brine will allow the skin to dry and get extra crispy.

Eric’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Eric’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

These cookies benefit from a bourbon based vanilla extract. Make sure not to burn the butter but take it right to that point for the best flavor.

Maple Pecan Pie

Maple Pecan Pie

This pie is everything you want in a pecan pie. Pay extra attention to roasting the pecans they will burn easily.

Bits-o-Brickle Toffee Cookies

Bits-o-Brickle Toffee Cookies

These cookies are easy to over cook. I let them finish on the pan outside the oven for 5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Grandmas Almond Kefflings

Grandmas Almond Kefflings

The cookies are the holidays for me. The are best with coffee. Careful they will shatter on you if you don’t rest the dough or allow to cool before handling…

Damn Good Banana Bread

Damn Good Banana Bread

This one is a little effort but well worth it. Make sure and use banana’s which have peel that are covered in many black spots. That will provide the best flavor.

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