Layered Greek Dip

I originally saw this recipe on Instagram   This loaded hummus dip is a play on 7 layer dip, but with a Mediterranean twist!   I made it on a recent girls trip and modified it a little from the original and my girlfriend’s gobbled it up!  

Ingredients:

  • 10 oz Hummus
  • Tztatziki & Feta Spread (I buy at Kroger)
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
  • kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
  • sun dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • crumbled feta cheese
  • toasted pine nuts
  • zaatar spice
  • pomegranate seeds

Choose a platter/dish and layer the ingredients in the order listed above.  … Read More »

The Ultimate Creamy Potato Soup

Recipe Courtesy of Sugar Spun Run

My AHA edits are below in italics ~Audra

Ingredients

▢ 6 strips (uncooked) bacon cut into small pieces

▢ 3 Tablespoons butter unsalted or salted will work

▢ 1 medium yellow onion chopped (about 1.5 cup/200g)

▢ 3 large garlic cloves minced

▢ ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (42g). (I used Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour)

▢ 2 ½ lbs gold potatoes peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1” (I used three large russet/baking potatoes)

▢ 4 cups chicken broth (945ml)

▢ 2 cups milk (475ml)

▢ ⅔ cup heavy cream (155ml)

▢ 1 ½ teaspoon* salt

▢ 1 teaspoon ground pepper

▢ ¼ – ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder**

▢ ⅔ cup sour cream (160g) (I used a full cup in the recipe but didn’t add any for toppings.)Read More »

Cumin Lamb Skewers

I took some friends to Northern China Eatery in Doraville last week. We filled up on pork fennel dumplings, shumai, and these tender lamb skewers. Xinjiang Lamb Skewers are popular Chinese street food and are my second favorite way to eat lamb. This recipe makes super tender and flavorful meat. These skewers are cooked on small charcoal grills that cook at very high heat.… Read More »

Avocado Feta Dip

Source:  K. Eith – Spring Break 2019

Ingredients:

  • 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of finely diced red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves (I use three or four)
  • 4oz pkg crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley 
  • 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • Half teaspoon dried oregano 
  • half teaspoon salt
  •  two avocados, chopped 

Preparation:

Stir together first nine ingredients; gently stir in avocado just before serving.… Read More »

Caprese Bites

Modified from this original recipe at Delish   Ingredients  
  • 8 oz. mozzarella balls
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • kosher salt
  • 24 cherry tomatoes
  • 12 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 c. balsamic vinegar
  • Toothpicks
  Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, stir together mozzarella, olive oil, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt.
Read More »

Layered Mexican Dip

This is Audra’s personal recipe, modified from several similar versions.

Ingredients:

  • 1 rotisserie chicken, de-boned and chopped
  • 2 avocados – peeled, pitted and diced
  • 1.5 T fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup salsa (I use PACE restaurant style)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 8 oz container sour cream
  • 1 1 oz package taco seasoning mix (I make my own click here for the recipe)
  • 3/4 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped onions
  • 1 16 oz can re-fried beans
  • 2 cups Mexican style shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
  • 1 small can of sliced, pickled jalapenos

Directions:

  1. Mash the avocados in a medium bowl. 
Read More »

Ham Delights

Audra’s Favorite Tailgating Recipe originally obtained from the 1981 “Baptist Bounty” Cookbook from 1st Baptist Church of Opelika, Alabama.

Ingredients for Spread:

  • 1/2 lb butter softened
  • 3 T mustard (not the spice, real mustard from a yellow jar)
  • 3 T poppy seeds
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 t Worcestershire

Remaining Ingredients:

  • 3 packages party rolls (little square rolls in a package of about 24)
  • 1 lb shredded ham (I use Boars Head ham from Kroger Deli)
  • 1/2 lb sliced Swiss cheese

Preparation:

Split party rolls open. … Read More »

Alabama Firecrackers

Source:  Southern Living Magazine

Forget about the fancy potluck party snack. We’re introducing you to the Fire Cracker, also known as the Alabama Fire Cracker. It’s simple. It’s delicious. It’s addictive. Bake them– or don’t bake them. Just make sure you shake them really well. Here’s the story behind this Southern snack that starts with a sleeve (okay, actually four sleeves) of saltine crackers.… Read More »

Missy’s Marinated Tomatoes

Source: The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Canola Oil
  • 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
  • 4 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 3 whole Green Onions, Sliced
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley
  • 18 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Thyme
  • 2 cloves Garlic, Minced Finely
  • 2 pounds Tomatoes, Cut Into Quarters (if Big) Or Halves (if Small)
  • 1 whole Baguette, Sliced
  • 1 clove Garlic, Peeled

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a large glass bowl.… Read More »

Classic Deviled Eggs

Recipe courtesy of The Food Network

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Smoked Spanish paprika, for garnish

Preparation

Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover with enough water that there’s 1 1/2 inches of water above the eggs.… Read More »

Bob’s Salsa

Bob is a guy that I met in Phoenix, Arizona circa 1994.  He worked in an AT&T call center that I was visiting for sales training.  Everyone in the office was raving about Bob’s salsa so I asked him for the recipe and have made it often through the years.  I found myself with a plethora of tomatoes from my Dad’s garden so looked up Bob’s recipe and decided it was time to share the yumminess!… Read More »

Bone Broth: Toasted Garlic Beef Stock

Source: Epicurious

Yield Makes about 2 1/2 quarts

Roasting the bones develops rich, long-cooked flavor and lends a dark golden color.

Ingredients
  • 4 pounds beef bones
  • 1/2 bunch celery, coarsely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
  • 4 medium carrots, scrubbed, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 bunch herb stems (such as parsley, cilantro, and/or thyme)
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F.… Read More »