‘Marry Me’ Chicken Pasta

Marry Me Chicken is a dish that gained popularity on TikTok in 2021. It's a creamy, flavorful chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach and herbs. The name comes from the claim that the dish is so delicious, it will make you want to marry the person who made it for you. This version adds pappardelle pasta. I have to say, I would be tempted to marry myself! It's really delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

One Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole

I recently made this Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole. It was insanely good, so I made another version of it. One-Skillet French Onion Tater Tot Casserole is a cross between French onion soup and a classic midwest style tater tot casserole. It is made with caramelized onions, ground beef, bell peppers, garlic, and topped with a layer of Gruyère cheese, tater tots and baked in the oven until the tater tots are golden brown and then get an extra layer of cheddar cheese.

By Leslie Blythe

Marmite Chicken with Cacio e Pepe Butter Beans

Marmite’s distinctive taste is represented in the marketing slogan: "Love it or hate it." Such is its prominence in British popular culture that Marmite is often used as a metaphor for something, or even someone, that is an acquired taste or polarizing. This Marmite Chicken with Cacio e Pepe Butter Beans is absolutely delicious. The marmite adds a subtle umami flavor to the chicken and using the starchy bean liquid works perfectly in place of the starchy pasta water in a traditional cacio e pepe; it emulsifies perfectly with the parmesan to create a silky, glossy sauce.

By Leslie Blythe

One-Pot White Wine Pasta with Mushrooms and Leeks

One-Pot White Wine Pasta with Mushrooms and Leeks is delicious and easy to make and is made in just one pot. Pasta with mushrooms and leeks is a classic Italian dish that's both flavorful and comforting. The earthy mushrooms and the slightly sweet leeks come together to create a rich and satisfying sauce. You can use any type of pasta you like, and you can also add other vegetables or proteins to the dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon

This Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon is absolutely delicious. The apple cider glaze is made with apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard, which adds a touch of sweetness and acidity that complements the salmon perfectly.

By Leslie Blythe

German Chocolate Cookie Bars

These German Chocolate Cookie Bars uses a cake mix and are a delicious and easy-to-make dessert. With their rich chocolate flavor, coconut pecan filling, and chocolate chip topping, they are sure to please everyone who tries them. Because we needed to make a large quantity, we used 2 large sheet pans instead of using a 9"x13" pan.
--Note
The history of German Chocolate Cake is a bit misleading, as it is actually an American dessert. The name comes from Samuel German, an American baker who developed a type of dark baking chocolate in 1852. This chocolate, which is known as Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate, is often used in German Chocolate Cake recipes.

The first recipe for German Chocolate Cake was published in 1957 in the Dallas Morning News. The recipe was submitted by a homemaker named Mrs. George Clay, and it quickly became popular. The cake was featured in other publications, and sales of Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate soared.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Chicken Tortilla Soup is from The New York Times. This is a nontraditional method. There are many variations of tortilla soup. This one is made in a slow-cooker, but I have also included the stovetop version. The soup gets its depth of flavor from roasting the tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and garlic until they become charred. It's then put in a slow-cooker with the chicken for about 5 hours. To me the toppings are key. I like adding fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, cilantro, etc. I also have another version on this blog here.

By Leslie Blythe

Fried Pickle Dip

Because my family is into anything to do with pickles... I made this Fried Pickle Dip, which is a creamy, tangy, and savory dip made with dill pickles, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. It is a popular appetizer or snack, and is often served with potato chips, pretzels, or vegetables.

By Leslie Blythe

Pork (or Venison) Schnitzel

Cafe Mozart is a restaurant that was started in Durand, Wisconsin in 1987 by Eva-Maria Coughlin and her husband George. Their specialty was German cuisine. I had this when I was visiting my brother-in-law in Ohio this summer. His brother Dean came over and made this Pork Schnitzel. It was outstanding, everyone loved it. The key to this particular recipe is to marinate the meat in the fridge overnight in lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, bay leaf, which is rubbed into the meat. The meat is pounded thin, then dredged in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, and coated with breadcrumbs. It is then fried in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. It's incredibly tender and delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios and Mozzarella

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios and Mozzarella is a delicious appetizer that combines sweet, savory, and salty flavors. The recipe involves dried apricots poached in a spiced sherry vinegar, stuffed with pistachios and mozzarella, and then wrapped in bacon for a simple yet unforgettable party snack.

By Leslie Blythe