Why serve a boring mac and cheese dish this holiday when a five cheese macaroni and cheese is just as easy to make? This version is not only make-ahead friendly, but freezer-friendly to make holiday meal prep a breeze.
Side Dishes
Boozy Spiced Cranberry Sauce
My Boozy Spiced Cranberry Sauce is making skeptics into believers. I don’t settle for less with any of my recipes, but I outdid myself on this one. This cranberry sauce tastes of caramel notes from brown sugar, vanilla, orange, and warm spices. Oh! And booze. Bourbon is my spirit of choice here. This recipe is…
Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut Pecan Topping
This Sweet Potato Casserole with Coconut Pecan Topping might change the way you do sweet potato casserole this year. Thanks to the addition of coconut milk and coconut flakes in and on the casserole, it has a nutty, tropical vibe. My pumpkin pie spice blend adds a hint of spice to the creaminess, as well. This is…
Apple Pear Butter (Slow Cooker Recipe with Alternate Cooking Methods)
You won’t be surprised to find out that Apple Pear Butter is comprised mainly of apples and pears. What may shock you is that this fruit spread also contains a respectable amount of a secret ingredient. I could tell you now, but where’s the fun in that? I know, right? In addition to fresh fruit, this apple…
Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
If babysitting a pot on the stove is not your idea of a good time, these Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey are going to need to pay you a visit. Instead of minding a huge stockpot for hours on Sunday or during the holidays, these greens putter away all by their lonesome in…
Citrus Herb Dry Brine for Meats, Poultry, and Veggies
This versatile Citrus-Herb Dry Brine is about to be your new best friend. Fresh citrus peels and an herb blend combine with salt to create this powerhouse. There’s no shortage of flavor in it, but the beauty of this spice blend is how versatile it is. A dry brine can infuse your poultry, red meats,…
Peruvian Inspired Coleslaw (No Mayo Dressing)
This Peruvian Inspired Coleslaw takes the flavors of the best green sauce in history and makes it outdoor eating-friendly. Unlike most aji verde (literally green chili pepper) sauces, which have a mayonnaise base, this version eliminates the need for refrigeration. Instead, crisp red and green cabbages get a mildly spicy green vinaigrette dressing. This is an economical…
Country-Style Potato Salad with Eggs
There’s an unspoken rule at every BBQ/cookout/picnic/family reunion I’ve been to. That rule is this: you must know who made the potato salad before you eat it. If your potato salad doesn’t have a super-flavorful pickle relish dressing and fluffy potatoes, then you need this recipe. With this Country-Style Potato Salad, you’ll not only be…
Puerto Rican Potato Salad (Ensalada de Papa)
Prepare to be scandalized. This Puerto Rican Potato Salad is creamy, loaded with spices and aromatics, and *gasp* a sweet element! No, Messy Boots, it’s not raisins. Stay with me. This flavor-packed side dish has crossed the sea from Puerto Rico to the mainland, and for a good reason. We know what we’re doing when…
Creole Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage
If you’ve never made a batch of Creole Red Beans and Rice from scratch, you are missing out on so much. Canned beans can’t hold a candle to the texture and flavor of beans made from their fresh or dried state. The snap of a bean when you bite it, the spices and herbs that penetrate…
