Foodie Friday: Up Your Appetizer Game

{ Scott & Joe's }

It's been a minute since I did a Foodie Friday. With the Super Bowl this weekend, it's  time for some appetizer inspiration. Not everyone can be as lucky as I, and have a gourmet cheese shop like Scott & Joe's a hop away.  Scott creates a chic charcuterie board! You can find them at Scott & Joes. For those of you doing your own thing, these recipes will score big!

Hot Honey & Bacon Whipped Goat Cheese

I am not a huge dip person, with all of that double dipping, you know. But I do love goat cheese, bacon and hot honey. So this recipe will be made soon.

How Sweet Eats

Ahi Tuna Wonton Nachos

This will be an unexpected offering. It's a gourmet spin on the classic.

Cooking With Cocktail Rings

Wild Mushroom And Chorizo Queso Fundido

Ooey Gooey melted warm cheese is always delicious. Add sauteed mushrooms and sausage to it, and you have something so much better.

Kitchen Konfidence

Steak Frites Bites

The clsassic French dinner can also be a genius appetizer. It's made with frozen fries and flank steak.

Delish

Meatball Parm Skewers

How attractive are these? A touch of fresh basil really elevates this appetizer.

Punchfork

 Mini Ham & Cheese Sliders

These are said to be cheesy, addictive, and oh so good. Great for a crowd.

I Am A Food Blog

Mini Chicken & Waffles

This is a fun twist on a classic. Make plenty. These will really score at your party.
The Cookie Rookie

Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I have made these, and they are delicious.

Half Baked Harvest

Charcuterie Cups

How clever are these? If you are like me and want to do as much as you can before the party begins, this is what to make.

Foxes Love Lemons

Dirty Martini Dip Stuffed Potatoes

Don't you just love the title of these baby bite sized potatoes? And yes, the recipe calls for everything in your fave martini!

Food & Wine

Mini Crab Cakes in Mango Habanero Aioli

People LOVE crab cakes, at least my people do. Fresh crab is best, but a good quality canned crab works, too. You can find an array of appetizer presentation spoons at Amazon. And that Aioli? It's Stonewall Kitchen's. You can get that at Amazon, too.

The Starving Chef 

Baked Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings

I have never had a wing, and it is not on my list for the future. But if I was to have one, rest assured it would be boneless.

Half Baked Harvest

Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese

Soft and melty goat cheese inside a plumped up date with smoky and salty bacon.....now that is the perfect sweet and savory bite.

Pinch of Yum

Roasted Winter Vegetable Kabobs With Sesame Tahini Dipping Sauce

It's a smart idea to have a vegetarian choice for your guests. I have made this sauce, and it is yummy! The bamboo skewers are the best. Flind them at Amazon

Hello Veggie

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Birthday Cake Recipes Approved By Me!

These birthdays keep coming around. I will be celebrating mine tomorrow, and I take my birthday cake seriously. This year I was planning on making my own, until I had a surprise delivery of a frozen Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Cheesecake today. Many thanks to my sweet cake fairy. Enjoy this recipe roundup of celebration worthy cakes.

Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pretzel Cake

When it comes to my favorite delicious duo, it has to be chocolate and peanut butter. Always. This recipe features a pretzel crust, chocolate ice cream, a jar of creamy peanut butter, and homemade fudge. There's no baking involved.This recipe will be made soon.

Half Baked Harvest

Oreo Cake

Say what? Doesn't this look amazing? Oreos have been baked right into the cake! And the vanilla buttercream frosting is said to taste just like Oreo filling. Who wouldn't love this on their birthday?

Sugar Geek Show

Red Velvet Cake

This recipe produces a velvety cake that is soft and tender. It pairs will with the fluffy sweet and tangy frosting. Said to be incredibly easy to make. My future son-in-law would be so happy if I chose this recipe.

Preppy Kitchen

Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake

Chocolate Mousse is one of my top five favorite foods. A touch of espresso powder and hot coffee really deepens the flavor profile of this luxe layer cake.

Sally's Baking Addiction

Coconut Layer Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This recipe had me at Swiss Buttercream. My mother used it on her coconut cakes. The frosting calls for 5 1/2 sticks of butter! Don't bother looking at the calorie count.

My Three Seasons

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Cake
This one has my name all over it. An unexpected ingredient is Nutella, which is added to the Buttercream frosting. 

Whipped Up Whimsy

Hummingbird Cake
This cake is just so beautiful. I had to include it in the recipe roundup. The author says it best " This cake is made up of gluten free cinnamon and banana cake layers that are studded with bits of pineapple. A lavender scented Swiss Meringue Buttercream envelops it all in buttery clouds of fluffy meringue frosting." WOW!

The Kitchen McCabe

Flourless Chocolate Mousse Torte

Without flour, I would say this is gluten free, but it doesn't say. Said to be decadent, and it sure does look it. Lots of steps but well worth the time.

The Kitchen McCabe

Martha Stewart's Lemon Mousse Cake

I am usually most attracted to any kind of chocolate cake, unless it is lemon. Every lemon cake I have ever had has been fabulous! I bet that Martha doesn't disappoint us. Enjoy this excellent tutorial video and recipe.

Martha Stewart

Chocolate Coconut Raspberry Cake

Vegan and Gluten Free

This cake certainly is gorgeous enough to be celebration worthy. The fact that it is gluten free, makes it even better. And that fluffy frosting and dripped ganache makes this one over the top recipe.

Heather Christo

No Bake Banana Cream Cheesecake

An easy recipe that looks old school delicious! And that crust? Mmmmm!

Shugary Sweets

German Chocolate Cake

I miss making this for my father-in-law's birthday. I must say, this cake does look better than mine. Loving the ratio of cake to icing. It's just right.

Southern Living

Caramel Italian Cream Cake
This is a classic Southern layer cake that my southern mom always made for the birthday of "Mr. Shop This." Not only is it pretty, but it easy to make. There is a quick caramel frosting between the layers and a cream cheese frosting over the entire cake.

Southern Living

Coconut Carrot Cake with Jam Swirled Buttercream

There's 3 layers of light and fluffy cake swirled with coconut, carrots, and hints of cinnamon. Each layer is then topped with a berry jam buttercream.

Half Baked Harvest

Baked Alaska Birthday Cake
Okay, so this is my ultimate birthday cake. I haven't had it in years, but I do love it. I would make this, but I don't have a pastry torch. Mmmm!

Food & Wine

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Foodie Friday: Let's Talk Turkey

 

Thanksgiving will be different for many of us this year. It will be just "Mr. Shop This" and myself. I am grateful to be able to have food on the table and someone to share it with. In the last of a four part series of Turkey Day recipes, I present to you twelve unique ways to cook a beautiful bird. 

Bon Appétit!

Soy Sauce & Honey Glazed Turkey

This is a five star recipe with over 3,000 reviews. Loving the color of this beautiful bird!

Food & Wine

Turkey & Stuffing For Two

What a pretty presentation! With this recipe, you won't be eating turkey for days. Enjoy this mini celebration.

Eating Well

Peach and Ginger Roast Turkey

This recipe is so interesting with an Asian inspired Peach Glaze.

Gourmet Traveller

The Best Smoked Turkey Breast

My sister has made a smoked whole turkey, and it was really the best I ever had. The authors state that this turkey cooking method is #lifechanging!

Oh So Delicioso

Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey

It's a winning combination - maple and bourbon. I know, because I have tried it. The other elements in the glaze are fresh squeezed orange juice, soy sauce, and paprika. Wonderful! 

Brooklyn Supper

Spice Rubbed Turkey with Mole
Ole, Mole! Celebrate Tex Mex style.  Isn't this fun? The sauce can be made ahead of time and frozen. Now that's a time saver. If not for Thanksgiving, it is a great dish to try any day 

of the week.

Heather Christo

Herb and Butter Roasted Turkey with White Wine Pan Gravy

We can usually count on Tieghan to create a twist to classic recipes, but this one is traditional, and foolproof. I have done it myself. The cheesecloth works! Give it a try. And yes, that much and more fresh herbs are needed for flavor!

Half Baked Harvest

Red Wine  Lacquered Turkey with Cinnamon Orange Butter
Now how could this turkey be anything but fabulous? Heather used a whole bottle of Zinfandel because of its' fruity flavors. YUM.

Heather Christo

Ancho Scallion Turkey

Something different with a little spicy twist.

Food and Wine

Black Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey

Bobby Flay's recipe sounds so good. " If you’re a fruit lover, you’ll love this turkey with fruit and nut stuffing that includes prunes, apricots, raisins, currants, apples, cranberries, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and cashews." The sweetness of pomegranate is so wonderful! 

Food Network

Turkey Meatloaf

A little inspiration for those cooking for yourself or just two people. Why not? You can still make the dressing and mashed potatoes. Looks delish!

Melanie Makes

How To Roast A Frozen Turkey

I am sure that this happens all over the world. It wouldn't happen to me, as I always buy a fresh organic turkey. Nice to know that this can be done. Get the step by step instructions at

Williams Sonoma

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As Easy As Pie

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