Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa

I recently entered the "Salsa Bowl" contest at school. I did not win.... It might be because I purposely left out the cilantro. It's one of the ingredients Ina will never use. I'm with her. Having said that, when I made this my husband said it was the best salsa ever. This restaurant-style Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa will become a new staple! Smoky, zesty, and perfectly spiced, this homemade salsa is ideal for any occasion. Featuring roasted Roma tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, and garlic, it's blended with fresh lime juice and a hint of maple syrup for balanced flavor. Easy to prepare and incredibly versatile, enjoy it as a dip, taco sauce, or to add a burst of flavor to your favorite recipes. And if you have to, add some cilantro. By the way, the winner's salsa was rather splendid.

By Leslie Blythe

Sausage Rolls

Game day or any day, these irresistible Sausage Rolls are easy to make, seriously satisfying, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you're hosting a roaring Super Bowl party, a casual backyard barbecue, or just craving a satisfying bite on a Tuesday night, these flaky, savory pastries are always a winner.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Ranch Spinach Puffs

These Cheesy Ranch Spinach Puffs are a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion, especially game day! This easy vegetarian option combines spinach, cheese, ranch dressing, and corn muffin mix, baked to savory perfection in mini muffin tins. The result? Flavorful, bite-sized puffs everyone will love.

By Leslie Blythe

Buttermilk Pie

I have a big pet peeve.Years ago, you used to be able to buy a pint of buttermilk. What happened?! Now, you can only buy a quart of buttermilk! It drives me crazy. I then have to figure out how to use up the extra milk. I know you can make buttermilk using milk and lemon juice or vinegar, but I prefer using store bought buttermilk. I decided to make Buttermilk Pie which is an easy custard pie that tastes similar to crème brûlée. It’s creamy, buttery, delicate, and delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Honey Mustard Spaghetti

I received an email with a recipe that sounded wild. Initially, I was skeptical, but then I started to think it might actually work. Serendipitously, I had all the ingredients on hand, so I decided to go for it! This honey mustard spaghetti, with its sweet and savory notes, features pasta and chicken simmered in a creamy honey mustard sauce. Crisp bacon and a sprinkle of green onion provide the perfect finishing touches.

By Leslie Blythe

Ranch Potatoes

Ranch potatoes are crispy, flavorful, and served on a bed of creamy ranch dressing. The potatoes are first boiled and then tossed with oil and ranch seasoning and then roasted in the oven until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These potatoes are a real crowd pleaser, you might want to make a double batch!

By Leslie Blythe

Baked Salmon with Creamy Leeks

Leeks are incredibly versatile and delicious, yet they often get overlooked in favor of their more popular cousins, onions and garlic. Leeks offer a subtle, sweet onion flavor that's less pungent than onions, and add a delicate complexity. I made Baked Salmon with Creamy Leeks. The velvety texture and richness of the leeks enhanced with lemon, capers and dill is sublime. Oh, and it’s effortless to make!

By Leslie Blythe

Pork Chops in Lemon-Caper Sauce

Tired of boring pork chops? It's time to elevate your weeknight dinners! These Lemon Caper Pork Chops are a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish. These tender, juicy chops are smothered in a rich, savory sauce made with bright lemon and briny capers. Easy to prepare and guaranteed to impress, this dish is a must-try!

By Leslie Blythe

Marry Me Chicken Soup

We had our friends from Pacific Palisades who have tragically lost their home over for lunch this week. They have been in a hotel and in need of a home cooked meal. Cooking for others has always brought me a sense of calm and purpose. The act of cooking allows me to escape from the stresses of daily life and connect with something meaningful. I hope they felt the depth of our love for them.

I made this Marry Me Chicken Soup, which is a comforting blend of creamy, tangy chicken simmered with sun-dried tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a generous touch of cheese.

By Leslie Blythe

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Having lived in London for 6 years, I learned a bit about the British diet (not sure "diet" is the right word). Basically, pudding is bloody important! I have never had a dessert served in England without a pitcher of cream being passed around the table to douse it in. Every, yes I mean EVERY, dessert gets doused in heavy cream. Let me just add that their "light" cream is what we call heavy cream here on this side of the pond.
Anyway, the following recipe is from the Goddess herself, Nigella Lawson, and it's definitely worth the calories.
Note
If you don't want to buy self-rising flour, you can make it.
Add 1½ teaspoon of baking powder plus a pinch of salt to 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

By Leslie Blythe