Sometimes, the foods that sound the strangest really are the best. For example, making a cheeseburger into a pie sounds like a totally weird idea, but I can assure you that this pie is not only the most delicious way to eat hamburger, but it's also extremely versatile and ridiculously fast and easy, especially if you cook your hamburger ahead of time like I do. This recipe is one that my mother used to make when I was a kid, as we always had a plethora of hamburger around the house and there ... [ Read More ]
How Long Does Canned Food Last?
I think we've all done it at least once. You're going through your pantry and you find a can of pickles or perhaps some peaches stuffed way back in the back. You scratch your head in confusion. When was the last time you even canned peaches? And, more importantly, is it still safe to eat? There are a lot of different factors to consider when deciding if a home canned good is still safe to eat. Things to consider include age, the quality of the canned good, where it was stored, and most ... [ Read More ]
Shipwreck Eggs: The Delicious Solution to Leftovers
Just like a lot of children, I was never very fond of leftovers when I was younger. Leftovers were, by definition, boring and gross because it was something that we had already eaten once--why would I want to eat it again? I guess I was a little bit of a picky eater. However, I was very imaginative and anything that had a story behind it or a make-believe element had me 100% on board. So, my mother, being the clever woman that she was, invented Shipwreck and introduced it to my brother and I ... [ Read More ]
Parmesan Feta Baked Tomatoes
There are literally hundreds of different ways to eat tomatoes, which is fortunate because tomatoes are one of those crops that either you have hardly any or you're overflowing. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your tomatoes for a quick mildly-italian side dish then look no further! These melted parmesan feta tomatoes are absolutely delicious and can be made with just about any kind of tomatoes. I used roma, because that's what I had, but it would be excellent with ... [ Read More ]
Best Ever Simple Homemade Pretzels
Whenever I go to a ball game, fair or movie I have to get a pretzel. Something about the soft, salty (or sweet) pretzel-y goodness just can't be beat. Of course, I don't get to go all that much with my budget so unfortunately my life has pretty pretzel free recently. However, yesterday my good friend Becky, pretzel baker extraordinaire, surprised me with a visit and a impromptu lesson on how to make some of the best pretzels I've ever had. And let me tell you, they were so simple I was ... [ Read More ]
Sweet Waldorf Salad Recipe
I have always been a huge fan of fruit salads, and my mom always made some of the yummiest waldorf salads. Unlike most waldorf salads, it doesn't include mayonnaise (because my mother hates mayo) and is actually a little on the sweet side, making it a really light treat for a hot summer day. It goes fantastic with BBQ chicken and makes a great side dish to bring to pot lucks as it is really easy to make. Anyway, without any more ado, here's the recipe: Sweet Waldorf Salad Recipe ... [ Read More ]
How to Plan a Great BBQ on a Budget
When I think about quintessential summer, one of the first things that comes to mind is hosting a barbecue with friends and family. I have many fond memories of hanging out on the back patio of a relative's house during the summer, eating hotdogs and playing HORSE or winning a watermelon seed spitting contest. But, hosting a gathering can be expensive. Here are some tips and ideas for hosting the best ever BBQ without breaking your bank! BBQ Planning Tips Plan for weather - It's going to ... [ Read More ]
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Hey everyone! Today I wanted to share one of my absolute favorite pasta salad recipes (which, once again, I forgot to take a photo of. It disappeared before I even thought about it! That's how you know it's delicious). This awesome salad is served cold and is perfect for a pot luck, a BBQ or just for a really hot day when you don't want to turn the oven on and heat up the whole house. Everything can be made on the stovetop ahead of time, and in fact is better made a little bit in ... [ Read More ]
Elephant Milk
Peanut butter is a favorite at my house. Creamy or crunchy, it doesn't really matter all that much; we just absolutely love it. When I was a child, one of my favorite comfort foods was a milkshake that my mother used to call Elephant Milk. I'm not really sure if it's something that she invented for her peanut butter-loving children or if it's from a cookbook somewhere, but let me tell you that this drink is the absolute best! Perfect with graham crackers or any kind of mild sugar cookie, ... [ Read More ]
Baking Powder Biscuits
Breakfast is the most important and undoubtedly the yummiest meal of the day, in my opinion. And seeing as how I'm from the South, biscuits and gravy is an absolute must-have for those big breakfasts. In fact, it's something of a tradition in my family to have biscuits and gravy whenever we get together for any holiday that requires staying overnight. My father always makes the most delicious gravy and my mother makes the biscuits. These biscuits are my absolute favorite. They are crumbly and ... [ Read More ]