Luscious Pecan Praline Topping Holiday Gifts

This luscious pecan praline topping is so marvelous, it should be canned and gifted!  Show your friends and family how much you appreciate them...there's nothing like the joy of presenting or receiving homemade gifts!

Tie your gift jars with pretty ribbon along with gift tags explaining care and suggested ways to use.  For several ideas to enjoy this decadent topping, see my original post Luscious Pecan Praline Topping ~ "How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count The Ways".  It's so sinfully delicious, my daughter likes to eat it straight from the jar!

                                             Oh, You Shouldn't Have...

                                               Can't Wait To Open!         

Fun Fall Acorns Made with Chocolate Kisses and Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate and peanut butter...who can resist?  These whimsical Fall acorns, made with chocolate kisses and mini peanut butter sandwich cookies, are so fun and would be a great project to do with children!

Serve these adorable treats at a Fall gathering on a pretty doilie-lined tray or plate.  Or, use them for an easy Autumn decoration on a Thanksgiving cake or on bar cookies, and you'll be very thankful for all the praise you'll glean.  They would also make wonderful party favors in cellophane bags tied with pretty bows, or gifts presented in lovely boxes or tin cans.  Friends and family will think you're so clever!

                                           Uh-oh, These Are Going Fast...

                                 Better Squirrel Some Away For Myself!

Remarkable Warm Fried Okra Salad with Field Greens

I wish I could say that I remember what inspired this remarkable creation, but I can't.  Probably because I wanted a salad and I wanted fried okra, so I figured why not combine them...well, WOW!   I can only tell you that the unexpected combination of these traditional, simple ingredients creates a delightfully unique palate experience!

Change it up a little and surprise your family and guests with this out-of-the-ordinary, incredibly delectable salad...perfect for Autumn!

                                 What An Intriguing Combination Of....

                                          Scrumptious Ingredients!

Laborless Labor Day Recipe Roundup!

Labor Day should be laborless, right?  That's exactly what this roundup of entrees, salads and desserts is all about...for you to enjoy a classic, fun and relaxed Labor Day!

For even more scrumptious recipes, perfect for a carefree Labor Day, see my Fourth of July Recipe Roundup!

                                      Keeping It Easy and Delicious...

                                      For a Laid-Back Labor Day!

Beef Carbonnade ~ Also Known As Beer Beef Stew

Called beef carbonnade, beer beef stew or Flemish beer stew, this mouthwatering casserole is an ideal savory and comforting dish to enjoy with the onset of autumn.

Because this delectable stew is so easy to prepare, it makes a perfect weeknight meal.  You can cook and refrigerate it a day ahead.  Or, you can make in advance and freeze it...then just reheat and prepare any sides right before you serve it.

You'll find this delicious carbonnade is certain to please all...family or guests!

                             It's That Time Of Year, So Pull Up A Seat...

                                    For A Hearty and Satisfying Meal!

Spiked Cherry Cheesecake Bonbons with Dark Morello Cherries and Toasted Pecan Coating

You all know how much my son loves desserts with cherries!  Naturally, I was inspired when I saw Dan at Mantitlement's recipe for Moonshine Cherry Cheesecake Bites.  Using his recipe as a guide, I did my twist on it using amaretto liqueur, firming and making the batter more workable with cake mix (which also added more texture and even more flavor) and completing with a coating of crushed toasted pecans.  I imported the idea of the cake mix from my recipe for Marbled Candy Barks with Cake Batter.  I also substituted the maraschino cherries with dark morello cherries.

We enjoyed these divine coated spiked cherries as a prelude to other desserts at a recent "After-The-Fact" family birthday party, and they were gobbled up in no time!   The party was to celebrate several birthdays for which we'd all been unable to gather at the same time.

I can't give Mantitlement enough accolades!  Dan, in collaboration with his wife Christie, offers such unique recipes with fabulous photos!  Their creations include delicious family-friendly recipes, along with marvelous appetizers and beverages.  Do check them out...you'll love the site!

By the way, accidents sometimes do actually become wonderful creations.  I forgot not to completely cover the cherries with the batter, so I added an uncoated spiked cherry on top of each coated spiked cherry; and Ta-Dah...

                                               A Wow Presentation...

                                      Offering A Little Bit Of Heaven!

Fourth of July Recipe RoundUp!

I've rounded up 10 of my favorite recipes and popular posts for you to enjoy a laid-back Fourth of July!

For a star-spangled Fourth, select from this full, easy menu of proven hits including appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts!

Let the fireworks begin with an explosion of flavors...
 

Pimento Cheese Filled Deviled Eggs ~ Southern with Style

Bacon-Avocado-Tomato Crostinis

 Easy, Light and Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese 

 Light and Refreshing Orange Salad Enhanced with Pomegranate and Tossed with Toasted Pecans

Mouth-Watering Oven-Barbecued Beef Ribs and Barbecue Butter For Asparagus

Marbled Candy Barks with Cake Batter: Dark and White Chocolate ~ White Chocolate and Peanut Butter Candy!

I absolutely love both of these incredibly delicious and addictive flavors of candy bark...and know you will too!  The clever addition of cake batter is what makes these fantastic barks so unique.  At first, I was completely crazy for the dark chocolate one.  Then, I developed the peanut butter one...oh man, I believe it's now my favorite!  I'm still crazy for the dark chocolate one, though...you decide which is your favorite.

I've presented these barks as gifts several times recently, and they quickly disappeared. This is one candy I want around all the time; and because it's so easy to make, that's no problem!

As always, it's best to thoroughly read your recipe before starting.  The two flavors of candy bark I've posted here are slightly different in ingredients and methods.

I present you again, two recipes in one post...
                
                                            Don't Turn Your Back...

                                          It'll Be Gone In No Time!

Pan-Steamed Yukon Gold Potatoes Finished with a Golden Crust

Pan steamed and finished with a golden crust, this is an incredibly easy way to prepare and enjoy the buttery taste and velvety texture of Yukon gold potatoes.

I developed this recipe as an accompaniment to a wonderful dish which I plan on posting soon.  In the meantime, I know you'll find these versatile and beloved potatoes a gratifying side for many entrees.

                                           So Delicious and Satisfying...

                                        This Could Easily Be My Lunch!

Delightfully Seasoned Beef Taco Pie with Pepper Jack Cheese ~ My Happy Pie!

Packed with flavor, this family-pleasing dish is easy to make; but definitely not mundane!  I love the delightful and surprising bite of cinnamon along with the beef.  The pepper jack cheese and the chili powder offer just the right amount of heat, and the cheese adds just enough salt...no need for additional salt and pepper.

Though the pepper jack cheese does not offer over-powering heat to this delicious taco pie, you can substitute Cheddar cheese for those with more sensitive palates.  For a little additional flavor, I chose to use canned diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano.  This scrumptious casserole makes a wonderful weeknight meal or take-along dish, and it freezes well.

A fun and comforting pie, it makes me so happy...I just can't seem to get enough of it!

                                              Family Night Fun...

                                            With My Happy Pie!

Tender, Fall-Apart Herbed Chicken and Long-Grain White Rice Casserole With A Homemade Mushroom Sauce

Your family will beat a path home for this tender, fall-apart chicken casserole!  Inspired by one of my favorite retro cookbooks, it's one of those dishes my family always loved...I need to visit those cookbooks more often.

Not only is this satisfying casserole perfect for weeknight meals, the uncomplicated homemade sauce qualifies it as an excellent dish for impressive, cozy entertaining.  In addition, you'll find it makes a wonderful take-along dish that's sure to please all.

If you have a heavy schedule (as most of us do), this flavorful casserole is ideal for preparing ahead and freezing.

                                               Welcome Home...

                                            Mama Loves You!

Marvelous Bolognese Sauce Made Simply In The Slow Cooker

With this cold and wet winter weather, you want a simple, yet hearty, comforting dish that will satisfy the whole family; or maybe you need a laid-back entree for a group or party.  Relax...you'll have plenty of time to cozy up to that crackling fireplace or enjoy your party with this Marvelous Bolognese Sauce Made Simply In the Slow Cooker!

I prefer the crunch of coarsely chopped carrots and celery in this gratifying sauce; however, you can mince them along with mincing the onion and garlic, if you like.  Also, I chose to make it with ground beef chuck and ground Italian-seasoned turkey sausage, rather than bulk Italian sausage.

Not only will you love this flavorful sauce over your favorite pasta, you'll find it's terrific over meatballs too!  For those times when family members are on different schedules, or for a buffet party, you can just keep it warm in the slow cooker!

                                         Dinner's In The Slow Cooker...

                                               Just Grab a Plate!

Comforting, Delectable and Easy Sirloin Steak Pizzaiola!

You crave beef and want a delicious, yet uncomplicated weeknight meal.  Well, just whip out your skillet...you're gonna love this comforting, delectable and incredibly easy sirloin steak pizzaiola!

It seems our lives today never slow down; if anything, they just seem to be picking up pace.  I know that I find myself using more easy recipes these days; and I'm sure you want them too.

Time's wasting, let's get to dinner....

                                        So Delicious and Comforting...

                                          And, Easy, Easy, Easy!

Luscious Pecan Praline Topping ~ "How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count The Ways"

When I first made the butter pecan glaze for my beloved Fall Harvest Apple Cake, I thought "this is way more than just a glaze"...it's actually pecan praline topping!

I've since enjoyed this fantastic topping on so many different things that I decided (because it is so good and versatile) it should be canned!  As a unique Valentine gift for friends and loved ones, present this wonderful topping in jars tied with pretty ribbons along with tags explaining care and suggested ways to use.

My favorite way to enjoy this decadent topping is to melt a little in the microwave and pour over freshly popped popcorn.  I also love stirring a little into my coffee or hot cocoa...that little surprise crunch from toasted pecan pieces is such a treat! 

Hey, on Valentine's Day (or any day for that matter), wouldn't you just love to awaken to a tray of fluffy French toast doused with a luscious pecan praline topping...I bet your loved one(s) would!

                                           "How Do I Love Thee...

                                        Let Me Count The Ways"