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Blog Prompt – Monday is National Chip and Dip Day. What is your favorite and why?

Oh this is such a bad thing for me. I love chip and dips of virtually any kind. When I go to parties, I literally start drooling over all the varieties. It’s like a candy store for a child!

I guess my favorite chip and dip choice is Neiman Marcus Dip. It is super easy to make and is extremely good. I have requests for this often.

Neiman Marcus Dip

1 pound of fried bacon, crumbled
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
4 green onion tops, chopped
1 cup real Mayonnaise (Not Miracle Whip)

Mix all ingredients and serve chilled.

I serve this with Triscuits or Wheat Thins or any other thick crackers.

Enjoy your chip and dips this week,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
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Blog Prompt: Blog Prompt: January is National Soup Month. What is your favorite soup and why?

What a great prompt for today when its been in the 20′s all this week in Central Florida!! So cold and I so could use some really good soup. I have been racking my brain this week to find a great recipe for some good soup and thought I would share this really good chili recipe. I have made it many times and is the best chili recipe I have come across. It comes from the Neely’s in Memphis.

Pat’s Famous Beef and Pork Chili

Ingredients

* 6 slices of bacon, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
* 2 medium onions, finely chopped
* 1 red bell pepper, chopped
* 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
* 3 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 tablespoon ground cumin
* 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder (I use regular chili powder)
* 2 teaspoons dried oregano
* 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
* 1 pound ground pork
* 1 cup beer (recommended: Budweiser)
* 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (24-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
* 1 (24-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
* Lime wedges, for garnish
* Sour cream, for garnish
* Shredded Cheddar, for garnish
* Sliced scallions, for garnish

Directions

In large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is browned, add the garlic, onions, bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, chipotle chili powder, oregano, and smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and seasonings are aromatic. Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Once beef is broken up and beginning to brown, add the pork. Break up with wooden spoon like the beef, and brown, until no longer pink, roughly 4 minutes. Stir in the beer and beans. Toss together, then add the crushed and diced tomatoes. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Transfer the chili to serving bowls and garnish with lime wedges, sour cream, shredded cheese, and sliced scallions.

I hope everyone shares a great soup recipe too.

Have a great day and stay warm,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
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Blog Prompt: National Brownie Day. What is your favorite brownie?

I haven’t met a brownie yet that I didn’t like!!

I mean, its chocolate and warm and better than any cake for sure.  What more could a woman ask for?  I make them all the time and my hips are proof of it.  My DH loves his brownies with pecans in them and I have to admit they are better with nuts.  I also love brownies with ice cream.

One of my favorite desserts is Hot Fudge Brownie Delight made by Dairy Queen and its easy to make for yourself.  I don’t even know if they make them anymore.

All you need are brownies, vanilla ice cream and hot fudge that comes in a jar.

Put a serving of brownie on the bottom, scope of ice cream and warm up the hot fudge to pour a bit on top.  Oh, and I guess you could add a cherry on top for presentation.  YUMMY!!  An easy dessert to whip up fast.

Everyone have a Brownie of a day,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
1 Comment »

Blog Prompt – Today is Homemade Bread Day. Do you have a great recipe for bread to share or do you prefer to buy it already made at the store?

I love homemade bread and my favorite is my mom’s Banana Nut Bread. The best time to eat it is right out of the oven with a little bit of butter on it. YUMMY!!

Banana Nut Bread

1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soda
4 cups flour
6 large bananas, very ripe, mashed
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Preparation:
Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture. Stir in bananas and chopped pecans.

Pour banana nut bread batter into 2 well-greased loaf pans; bake at 325° for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. This banana nut bread recipe makes 2 loaves.

This recipe makes 2 loaves and is great to keep one and pass another one on for a gift.  Great at Christmas time.

Enjoy some homemade bread today,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
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Blog Prompt – Today is the birthday of John Montague, the creator of the sandwich. Describe in great detail your favorite sandwich.

I love wraps of any kind.  Made with lean meat, lettuce, tomato and any other little crunchy veggie of some sort.  I also love wraps made with just crunchy veggies.

My favorite was at Wendy’s a few years back.   I loved the bread they used for the wrap, the sauce was perfect and there was plenty of crunchy veggies and loads of grilled chicken.   I almost cried when they stopped making that meal.  But, I did find a copy cat recipe that I have used since and is great.  I will pass it on.

Wendy’s Classic Greek Fresh Stuffed Pita

Dressing

* 1/2 cup water
* 1/8 teaspoon dry unflavored gelatin
* 1/3 cup white vinegar
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon finely minced red bell pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/8 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
* 1 dash parsley
* 1 dash oregano
* 1 dash thyme
* 1 dash basil
* 1 tablespoon grated romano cheese
* 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
* 2 tablespoons egg substitute
* 1 (4 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
* 1/2 cup tomato, seeded and diced
* 1/4 cup cucumber, thinly sliced and chopped
* 1/4 cup red onion, diced
* 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
* 1/4 cup red cabbage, shredded
* 1/4 cup carrot, shredded
* 4 pita breads

1. Make the dressing by first dissolving the gelatin in the water.
2. Heat the mixture in the microwave on high for two minutes or until it begins to boil rapidly.
3. Add the vinegar, then whisk while adding the oil.
4. Add bell pepper, salt, garlic powder, Worcestershire, black pepper, parsley, oregano, thyme and basil.
5. Let dressing cool for about 15 minutes before adding cheeses and egg substitute.
6. Whisk until slightly thicker, then chill.
7. Overnight refrigeration makes the dressing thicker.
8. Make the Greek topping for the sandwiches by combining the crumbled feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, and red onion in a small bowl.
9. Prepare the salad by combining the romaine lettuce, red cabbage and shredded carrot in a large bowl and toss.
10. Prepare the sandwiches by first microwaving each pita for 20 seconds.
11. Fold each pita in half like a taco, then add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the romaine salad into the bread.
12. Add 1/2 to 1/3 cup of the Greek topping to each sandwich.
13. Pour about a tablespoon of dressing over each sandwich and serve.

I hope you enjoy,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
3 Comments »

Blog Prompt – Today is National Peach Pie Day. What is your favorite pie?

Wow, I have to pick??? I will list my fav pies, because I can’t choose.

1. Key Lime Pie
2. Jefferson Davis Pie
3. Apple Pie
4. Pecan Pie
5. Silk Pie

I thought I would give you all my recipe for French Silk Pie.  Now don’t scrimp on the ingredients in this pie.   This is great for summer time, since its chilled.

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
2 Comments »

Blog Prompt – Today is National Potato Day. How do you like your potatoes?

I love potatoes in any fashion. Fried, baked or right out of the bag. Who doesn’t!! I love sweet potatoes the same way.

Nothin better than a good cheeseburger and fries, sandwich and chips, fried fish, fries and hush puppies and of course, steak and baked potato. aaaaaahhhhhh

But of course, since I am in the 50+ category, I can only indulge sparingly with these. Dangit. Why does all the good tastin stuff be so bad for ya?

Here is my favorite Mashed Potato recipe and is great when the family comes over for dinner.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (about 4 pounds uncooked)
1/2 cup milk
1 package (8 ounces) regular or low-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup regular or low-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons Parsley Flakes
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
12 slices bacon, crispy cooked and crumbled (about 1/2 cup

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place all ingredients, except cheese and bacon, in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on medium-high speed until potatoes are smooth and creamy.
2. Spoon mixture into lightly greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese and bacon. If you prefer extra crispy bacon, reserve bacon and sprinkle at the end of cooking. Cover.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until heated through.

MY VERSION: I found it is much better to add the bacon after baking. The bacon becomes soggy if baked with the casserole.

Have a great day today with your favorite potato recipe,

Tags: Recipes by Tammy
1 Comment »