Get Ready For Those Summer Gardens

You know that feeling when you see a recipe for the first time and you know you have to make it? That's exactly how I felt when I discovered this simple salad thanks to my buddy Stacey over at Southern Bite. (If you don't follow him already, go now! He's always cooking something yummy and is just about the nicest guy ever!)

Here is where the story takes a tragic turn though. It was literally a year or more before I actually got around to making it. I have no excuses. Life happens. Well, I will say the couple times I did think of it, tomatoes at the grocery store looked under ripe and underwhelming, but beyond that, it was my pure brain fart.

I am so thankful I finally made it! The oldest boy and I enjoyed it for. lunch one day and we were licking the bowl! I knew I would love it, after all a tomato sandwich with mayo is one of my favorite things ever, but I was actually surprised just how much he loved it. He likes mayo, but in small quantities, so I was worried this might be too much for him. But nope. He ate every bite on his plate and then finished mine too!

If you think it sounds like a weird combo, put those thoughts out of your mind completely. And don't worry about mushy crackers. This is a make and serve immediately type of dish, so they are as crunchy as you would hope.

I think it would be so yummy for a backyard barbecue, just remember you can't make it ahead. So if you want to take it to one, take everything separate, chopped tomatoes, broke crackers, mayo and seasonings. Then assemble right before it's time to eat!

Summer time tomatoes are one of the many reasons we love this time of year. And now I've got another delicious way to make sure we use them all up, before they disappear on us again!

Tomato & Cracker Salad

4 medium ripe tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped

1 sleeve saltine crackers, broken

3/4 c. mayo

Salt and Pepper

In a medium bowl mix tomatoes with mayo. Gently fold in broken crackers. Season with a pinch of salt and lots of black pepper. Serve immediately. *NOTES* You want to seed the tomatoes to cut down on moisture. Break your crackers, but don't crush them. The more the black pepper, the better! 

 

Inspired by Southern Bite

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Summer Time Snacking

School is out! Hooray!!! Seriously, those last couple weeks were rough! And then the fact we had to go back after Memorial Day for 1.5 days was almost torture. But we persevered and don't have to set an alarm or pack a lunch until August!

I adore summer vacation. I realize it is different for me because I am at home, and don't have the stress of additional child care, but I cherish every minute he's home with me. And now that Max is old enough to understand "Bruh Bruh" is home with us, well let's just say it even more special.

One of the things that I do recognize has being harder during these months is the fact I have to feed the teenager that extra meal every day, every week! I find myself going to make Max's lunch and saying "Oh that's right. Alex might want something too." Now, to be fair we are only a few days into summer vacation, so I'm still getting into my groove. But it isn't just lunch! He wants snacks too! I swear, these kids...they think they need fed 24/7. LOL

I love making trail mixes because we can all enjoy them. Even Max now! (Sure he likes to pick out the M&Ms, but he does like the pretzels and cheese crackers too) And in the summer, they are perfect for snacking in the car, at the park, beside the pool, or just hanging out in the back yard. True story, if you would have seen us last weekend in our back yard, Max was in his baby pool, and the three of us were sitting around it, watching him, and passing around a huge bowl of this!

Sweet and salty together are one of my favorite things. Even flavor combos you think might not work do. Mr. E made the comment he didn't know how the candy and cheese crackers would taste, but they were really good!

You can always add some other ingredients your family loves too. Make it your own! Let the kids get in on the action too--they could come up with some interesting combos!

Summer break is something I look forward to all school year long. My boys, with me, adventures to be found, and yummy snacking on the way!

Sweet n Salty Trail Mix

4 c. twist pretzels

3 c. cheese crackers

2 c. honey roasted peanuts

1 1/2 c. roasted almonds

1/2 c. M&Ms

1/2 c. Reece's Pieces

1/2 c. raisins

Mix all together in a large bowl and store in an airtight container. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Disclaimer: I received free samples from Kroger and MyMagazine Sharing Network for use in this post.

Holiday Nibbly Bits

Appetizers. Who else out there could make an entire meal out of them? Yeah, me too! At parties, I'm usually the one that gets so full on all the pre-meal snacks I'm not even hungry by the time the main dish arrives. In fact, our whole family is that way. Many of you long time readers remember our annual New Year's Eve tradition of a huge appetizer buffet we eat off of all night long.

So, with the holiday entertaining season almost upon us, it is time to start thinking of some new "nibbly bits" (that is what Alex has always called appetizers) to enjoy from Thanksgiving until the ball drops at midnight on Jan. 1st. Sure, we all have our favorites, our go-tos, but I'm always looking for new ideas, or ways to make ones I already rely on even easier.

The latter is the inspiration behind these. I love a good cheese ball. What's not to love? Cheese. Nuts. The end. And one of my all time favorite ones has green olives on the inside. But what happens when time simply gets away from you and the forming of the ball, and covering in nuts, and allowing it to set...just isn't in the cards? You take all the same flavors and do this instead!

These little cracker bites taste just like they are supposed to but can literally be done in about 10 minutes, especially if you utilize your food processor like I do.

The holidays were meant for gathering around those we love most in the world, and enjoying some terrific food. Starting next week with Turkey Day, there will be so much of that, and I for one am incredibly thankful.

Olive Cheese Ball Bites

1 (10 oz.) jar green olives, drained

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature

2 TBS dried chives

1 TBS dried parsley

Crackers

Pecan Halves

In a food processor, pulse olives until finely chopped. Add cream cheese pulse until combined. Scrape sides. Remove to bowl. Add chives and parsley. Stir well. Scoop onto crackers. Top each with pecan halve. Chill until ready to serve.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

A Little Spice For Mr. Everyday

So, tomorrow is the big day! Do you have your cooking game plan down? Maybe you've been cooking all week so there isn't as much to do tomorrow. You're so smart! Either way, we are coming down to the wire, and it's time to loosen our belts and bring on the feast!

For today's post I could have easily shared another holiday idea, but instead I thought I would post something for those pre-feast hours. When everyone is sitting around, watching football, or the parade, playing games. The snacking time. I'm not even kidding you. My Grammy is famous for all the "nibbly bits" (as Monkey calls them) she puts out to tide everyone over until the big meal. So many delicious things that many times they are a meal in themselves; and by the time the turkey hits the table you're almost too full to eat. Almost. 

When a friend gave me this recipe I knew it would be perfect for Mr. E. He likes spicy things, and while many times I shy away from recipes that have a kick to them because my taste buds are wimps, I thought these would be a nice treat, just for him. And I will be honest...he ate the whole batch because after trying one, I was gasping for water. These. Are. Spicy. Very. Spicy. So, if you can't stand the heat, be sure to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes!! 

The turkey may be thawing, and the side salads might be waiting in the fridge, but that doesn't mean we can't still look for things to munch on all holiday weekend long. And if you like a little spice in your snack, these are just for you.

From our family to yours, I wish you a very

~*~Happy Thanksgiving~*~

Spicy Ranch Crackers

4 sleeves saltine crackers

1 package ranch dressing mix

2 TBS red pepper flakes

1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

1 c. canola oil

In a large bowl whisk together oil, ranch mix and red pepper flakes. Working in batches dip crackers in mixture, covering completely. Lay on baking sheets. Sprinkle liberally with Parmesan.  Bake at 250 until golden brown and crunchy, about 45 minutes. (Check often as not to burn!) Store in airtight container. 

 

Snacks at Very Good Recipes

Day After Bite {A Post For Earth Fare}

 Less than a week people. That's right, by this time next week all the menu planning, eating and football watching will be over. And we will have moved onto all those leftovers and tree trimming! 

Today I've got a great idea you can either serve before the big Thanksgiving meal, or wait and put some of those leftovers to good use with. 

Let's face it, while we all look forward to the huge Turkey Day meal, the entire day is really about eating, and even when dinner isn't served until 3 pm, you find yourself looking for things to snack on all day long. You're sitting on the couch, watching football, or the Macy's Parade, and you just have to have something to munch on. It's just part of the Thanksgiving aura. 

The first time I made these years ago, I wasn't sure about the flavor combo because of the addition of the cheese (after all, turkey and cranberry are a no brainer together) but they are like the perfect bite every time you put one in your mouth. 

If you need some ideas for the pre-feast snacks, let this be the first on the list. Or you know you will be in desperate need of ways to use the pounds of turkey you have left come Black Friday, this is the answer to either!

Cranberry Turkey Bites

Snack Crackers

Deli Turkey or Leftover Roast Turkey, sliced thin

Whole Cranberry Sauce

Sharp Cheddar Cheese, sliced tin to fit crackers

Lay cheese on crackers. Top with turkey and cranberry sauce. Serve immediately. 

Shared on The Country Cook Nov. 21, 2014

Cranberry at Very Good Recipes

Disclaimer: I received a gift card in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Parties Yet To Come

This is about the time of year when I usually have something to share with you that we actually enjoyed a few weeks ago, ringing in the New Year with our annual appetizer buffet, that I save to share a little closer to the middle of January, or even closer to February. Why? Because one of the biggest parties of the year is quickly approaching, and we can always use new ideas.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I am of course, talking about the Super Bowl! I truly believe even if you aren't a football fan, Super Bowl Sunday can be a really fun day shared with family and friends. Normally, we are at my in-laws for a day of football and food; and while we are avid football fans, there are those who really don't care about the game at all, but between the commercials, delicious food, board games, and watching the rest of us scream at the television, they too have a great time.

When I was planning our NYE buffet this year, I wanted something besides the normal cheese ball and crackers. I've done those quite a few times, and I just in the mood for something new. I really liked the idea of this because it had just a little kick to it. The green chilies give it just a touch of heat, and great flavor. Plus, while a cheese ball is pretty much for crackers only, this makes a great spread for cocktail bread too, which I love.

If you are planning your Super Bowl party, I guarantee this would be a hit. And if the whole football scene isn't really for you, then jot it down for any other party you might be having. Or heck, simply make it for a snack. Right now...

Zesty Pimento Cheese Spread From Taste of Home
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3 TBS salad dressing (Miracle Whip)
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies, drained
1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimentos, undrained
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

In a medium bowl combine all ingredients. Mix very well. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with crackers, chips or cocktail bread.

Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 17, 2014

 

Appetizers at Very Good Recipes