Better Than Restaurant Ranch

 

Hi Friends!  Coming at ya with another recipe...who am I?  Hoping to get back to my roots here and share more recipes over the coming months.

 

I was inspired by one of my favorite Tik Tokers...she is a corporate mama and dynamite in the kitchen!  She shared this recipe and I wanted to share it with you because it is a winner here in our house.

 

This recipe is for Homemade Ranch- better than even a Restaurant Ranch!  It is great to dip meats in or as a side for a buffalo chicken dish or even with raw veggies or chips...it is very versatile, easy to whip up and oh so delish.  Hope you will give it a try.

 

Ingredients

 

1 Cup Mayo

1 Cup Sour Cream

2 Tablespoons of Ranch Seasoning

Sprinkle of Dill

Sprinkle of Garlic Salt

1 Cup Milk

 

Instructions

 

Mix together the first give ingredients.

Then whisk in the milk

Store in an air tight container in the fridge for at least an hour

 

Serve and Enjoy! See?  Easy Peasy!

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend Inspiration!

 

If you have been reading for awhile then you know my love for all things summer...it starts on the unofficial kick off to summer and that is Memorial Day Weekend.

 

I am obsessed with all things patriotic and all things red, white and blue so I get decorating early and let those decorations stay up all summer and through Labor Day Weekend.

 

 

I start my summer planting around Memorial Day too and several years I have gone with a red, white and blue theme with my flowers.

 

 

I just remembered that Memorial Day is a little over two weeks away- eek!  So exciting.  Our weekend is still shaping up (we have a softball tournament for Eva and a party to attend on Monday but we want to host something fun too so we will see how that shakes out)...I can't wait for the excitement of it all.

 

Today, I thought I would share a little inspiration with YOU!

 

How about some festive appetizers and main dishes to kick things off?

 A Patriotic Charcuterie Board?  Yes Please!

Red, White and Blue Bites made with triscuits, blue cheese and strawberries (I drizzled truffle honey over these- delish!)

A Yummy and Festive Dip?  Going to give this one a shot this year!  You can find the recipe HERE

Lobster Roll Sliders- always a big hit!  You can find my recipe HERE 

Patriotic Bites include watermelon, feta and blackberries and sometimes I will add a sprig of mint for flavor

and lastly a Red, White and Blue Burger- YUM!

Top your burger with mozzarella, blue cheese and roasted red peppers- sounds so good.  Check out the recipe HERE

 

 and a celebration would not be complete without dessert of course!

A Festive Charcuterie Board makes such a great statement on the table

Patriotic Bites?  Yes please!  The rolo bites are always a big hit!

Red, White and Blue Rice Krispee Treats?  Definitely giving these a shot this year!  Check out the recipe HERE

 

 and finally...next up Centerpieces!  I always have so much fun putting together patriotic arrangements!

Here are a few for inspiration

 

 and here are a few I whipped up over the years- one of my favorite ways to kick off summer :)

 So any plans for Memorial Day Weekend?  How do you kick off summer?  Any special traditions?  I want to hear it all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrot Fries

 

Ok friends!  You asked for it!  Carrot Fries are my new favorite side or snack and they are CLEAN.  I have to give the credit all to our air fryer.  It seriously makes things more delicious and in a healthy way!

 

 

So this is really a loosy goosey recipe.  That's typically how I cook and how I found the recipe on some message boards so stay with me!

 

 

Ingredients

 

Carrot sticks- pre cut in your grocery store

Avocado Oil Spray

Seasonings of Your Choice- I have used Everything But The Bagel Seasoning as well as Garlic Salt and Sesame Seeds.

 

 Instructions

 

Spray the basket in your air fryer

Lay the carrots down

Season them to your liking

Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes (the longer you cook them the crispier they become)

Enjoy!

 

Seriously...that's it!  Let me know if you try them and how you like them!

Mini Lobster Cannoli

 

Hi Friends!  I have been dying to share this recipe with you. It was love at first bite for me when I was at the Nantucket Wine Festival last month.  You can read all about the deliciousness and that wonderful weekend HERE

 

 The Executive Chef of the Langham Hotel in Boston was there serving up these little bites of heaven.  We got chatting as I told him these gems were the best thing I ever tasted.  I could taste the lobster and the herbs but the cream itself was a mystery to me and he shared that it was Mascarpone!  I saw stars...ha!

Anyway, after scoffing down these little bites of heaven, I decided I needed to try and recreate them at home.  I experimented and was excited and surprised that they came out so good and then I served them for Cass's little bday get together.

You know what my next priority was right?  To share them with YOU of course!

All things considered, they were fairly simple and they look beautiful and are just so delish and perfect for an appetizer party or first course for a dinner party...heck even if you are just being fancy and want a yummy snack!  This is the best of time of year to whip up these gems so here is how you do it...

 

 

 Ingredients

 

For the Lobster Cannoli:

 

1 dozen mini cannoli shells

1 pound of lobster meat chopped

2 8 oz. containers of Mascarpone cheese

The juice of 1 lemon

 Fresh tarragon, thyme and Pepper for tasting 

For the Lemon Sauce:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 2 tablespoons of butter
  

 

 

 Instructions

In a blender or food processor, pulse the lobster, cheese and herbs until you have a creamy mixture/filling.

With a pastry bag, pipe the filling into your shells (now you may want to buy more shells- I was actually able to get 18 shells filled!)

Place on a platter and keep chilled until serving.

Then make your sauce.  Add sugar and cornstarch to a saucepan over medium heat. Gradually add water and stir to combine. Cook until mixture starts to boil and then boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and butter. Let cool 30 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temp. ( I served at room temp and we loved it!)

 

Dipping these little gems into the lemon sauce is pure magic- trust me- give it a shot- you won't regret it :)
 

Favorite Memorial Day Weekend Recipes

 

Hi Friends!  With Memorial Day Weekend Quickly Approaching, I thought I would share some of our favorite recipes that are on repeat as we kick off the summer in these parts.  So I am giving you a little time to whip up a menu that will be sure to impress.

This year, we are kicking off our Memorial Day Weekend with a ladies birthday get together for Cass....Daddy will be covering the softball game that night!  The rest of the weekend will be filled with softball and getting together with family and friends....exact schedule to be determined and we tend to wait for the weather forecast in these parts!

Anyway, I digress....here are some dishes I plan to whip up for the long weekend...

Red White and Blue Bites (Version 1)

Watermelon, Feta and Blackberry Skewers (garnish with mint if you choose)

Beautiful- Patriotic - Refreshing

Red, White and Blue Bites (Version Two)

Crackers, Strawberries, Blue Cheese and Drizzle with Truffle Honey

Patriotic- Simple- Oh So Delish!

Lobster Roll Sliders (Find My Recipe HERE)

Nothing screams summer more than lobster in New England!

 

 

Fruit Salsas

 

First, The Pioneer Woman's Watermelon Pico de Gallo (Find the Recipe HERE )

 Patriotic and Refreshing!

 

 

and Strawberry Salsa

Find the Recipe HERE

 

  It is such a nice alternative to regular salsa- I typically serve this with pita chips or blue tortilla chips for a patriotic twist!

Hope you give one of these a try- let me know!

 

 

Favorite Easter Recipes

 

 

 

 

 Resurrection Rolls

 

A MUST every year is making Resurrection Rolls together on Holy Saturday- we talk about the significance and talk about the scripture as we are making these- great activity for the kids and so fun to make and see how "Jesus rises."  We use Shay's recipe HERE

 

 

 

 Bacon Gouda Croissant Casserole

 

We also typically do a big brunch on Easter Sunday.  Another one of Shay's recipes has been a big hit over the years.  You can find it HERE 

 

 

 

My mom will make a Noodle Kugle or an Italian Pastitera as well.  We always have our colored eggs out too in case someone is hankering for a hard boiled egg ;)

Bunny Breads

Every year, since I was little, we also make Bunny Breads.  My mom found the original recipe in The Boston Globe and cut it out :)  You can also find it in my post HERE

 

Then we always do some kind of a beef roast or ham.  This year, we are going back to an old favorite

 

 Beef Roast with Worcestershire Butter Sauce

Find it HERE

 

 and I will make a roasted broccoli to accompany this while my Father In Law makes his amazing scalloped potatoes!

 

 

Birds Nest Cookies

 

Another recipe my Mom cut out from a magazine - it was a Jif Peanut Butter Ad.  You can still find the recipe on their website HERE

 

 

 

 Love sharing our traditions with you.  Hope you give one of these recipes a try!  Very excited for Easter Weekend :)

 

Favorite Holiday Recipes Of Past

 

So last year was tough...this year just as tough in so many ways due to COVID.  Our favorite thing of every Christmastime is taking part in our annual traditions- some started when we were young and some started by us with our little fam.

 

Last year, to brighten spirits, I surprised Rob with making a few things from his childhood.  The nostalgia was over the top!  I made a couple of things on Christmas Eve to remind him of his mom and aunt and childhood- one was the relish tray of the 60's and 70's.  This year I made it on Thanksgiving.

 

Last year, I also whipped up my first batch of "Angel Balls" and he was thrilled.  His mom and his aunt made them every year at Christmastime and they are a true reminder of the wonderful holidays of past for him.

 

This year I did the same and I did it before he got home the night of his big work outing in Boston.  We were all asleep when he got home but when he walked into the kitchen, the plate of angel balls was sitting there- ready to surprise him and ready for him to indulge :)

 

Here is the recipe if you would like to try making them

 

 Angel Balls

 

 

Ingredients

 

 2 (8 oz.) packages pitted dates 

 
1 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup)

1 cup brown sugar

4 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups Rice Krispies

Confectioner's sugar or coconut for rolling 

 

 

Instructions

 

1. In a saucepan, mix together butter, water, dates and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat until dates disintegrate and form a paste.

2. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in 2 cups Rice Krispies. Let mixture cool until it can be comfortably rolled into balls. I used a 1-inch scoop and rolled the balls in confectioner's sugar or coconut. Store in an airtight container.

 

*Due to the shortage of supply AND a strike happening at Kellogg's, our local grocery stores were sold out of Rice Krispees this year but I was able to snag 1 box of Cocoa Krispees so I substituted with those and they came out just as great!

 

 

Another annual tradition for Rob was to have that oh-so-fave-70's-appetizer on Christmas Eve called "Crabbies".  He actually started the tradition again last year and made them for our Christmas Eve.  We count them now as one of our "Seven Fishes" and they always get wiped out!  If you are looking for a delicious holiday appetizer, and you like seafood, then you must try these!

 

Crabbies

 

 

Ingredients

 

 6 English Muffins Split

1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese (if you can't find this as it is sometimes hard to come by, you can substitute with a cheddar cheese spread)

 
1 stick butter

 
Melt butter with cheese then add:
1 1/2 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp season salt
7 oz can drained crab meat 

 

Instructions

 In a small saucepan add the butter, and the cheese. Melt then remove from stove top and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well and spread on top of split English muffins. Broil until hot and bubbly and golden on the edges of the English muffins. Cut in half's or quarters and serve hot.  You can prepare these and freeze then broil when ready to serve.

 

 

Another recent fave over the last few years has been my friend Laurel's Cranberry Meatballs...oh can't get enough..they are so delicious and festive and the perfect appetizer for the holidays!

 

Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

 

INGREDIENTS

 

For the Meatballs:

•2 lbs. ground chuck 

•1 cup bread crumbs

•2 large eggs, slightly beaten

•2 tablespoons Chili Sauce

•2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

•2 tablespoons minced onion, opt.

•½ teaspoon salt

 

For the Cranberry Pepper Jelly Sauce:

•10 oz. jar Hot Pepper Jelly

•12 oz. jar Chili Sauce 

•8 oz. can Jellied Cranberry Sauce

•2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

•juice from ½ lemon

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

 

For the Meatballs:

 

•Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with

 parchment paper.

•In a large bowl, combine ground chuck, 

breadcrumbs, eggs, chili sauce, Worcestershire

 Sauce, onion and salt. Mix until all ingredients are

 incorporated but do not overwork the mixture or 

the meatballs will be tough.

 

•Form into 1½ inch meatballs and place on the

 prepared baking sheet. Leave at least 1-inch space

 between meatballs.

 

•Cook at 350F for 10 minutes then turn each

 meatball over. Cook another 10-15 minutes or until

 meatballs are cooked through. Remove from oven

•While meatballs are cooking, prepare the sauce.

 

For the Sauce:

 

•In a large skillet over LOW heat, combine all sauce

 ingredients. Stir until well blended then remove 

from heat until the meatballs are ready.

 

•When meatballs are cooked, place them in the

 sauce in the skillet and simmer for 1-hour or until

 sauce has thickened.

 

ENJOY!

 

The meatballs and sauce can simmer on HIGH in a

 slow-cooker for the last hour

 

 

 

 

 

 Please let me know if you give any of these a try- I

 was inspired to share with you today as we are 

getting on our holiday prep!

Favorite Fall Recipes

 

Hi Friends!  Thanks for stopping by.  Today I thought I would share some of our favorite fall recipes..these are the ones that get made the most often each fall and tend to be crowd pleasers with our fam or one group or another...tried to share something from each category- cocktails- apps- main dishes- sides and dessert...hope you enjoy!  Let me know if you give any of these a shot!

 

 Cocktails

 

Caramel Apple Martinis

Find the Recipe HERE

 

 

 Hot Buttered Rum Cider

Find the Recipe HERE

 

 

Appetizers

Fall Cheese Ball

Find the Recipe HERE

 

 

 Thanksgiving Dips

Find the Recipes HERE

 

  

Main Dishes

 

Autumn Chicken and Squash Risotto

Find the Recipe HERE

 

  

Dr. Pepper Ribs

Find the Recipe HERE

 

  

Enlightened Chili

Find the Recipe HERE

 

  

Side Dish

Mashed Potato Bread Stuffing

Find the Recipe HERE

 

 

 

Desserts

 

Ghosts In The Graveyard

 Find the Recipe  HERE

 

 

Halloween Chex Mix

Find the Recipe HERE

 

  

There ya have it!  What are some of your favorite fall recipes?  Love getting inspiration from all of you!