Zucchini Orzo Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing

Zucchini Orzo Salad with toasted walnuts, herbs, and a zesty Pepperoncini Dressing is refreshing and flavorful. Pepperoncini peppers are mild, yellow-green chili peppers that are typically pickled. They are tangy, slightly sour, and subtly spicy. It’s a great side dish for a summer barbecue.

By Leslie Blythe

Watergate Cake

Watergate Cake is a classic American dessert, with its vibrant green color and pistachio flavor, is a popular retro dish, especially associated with the 1970s. The precise history of Watergate Cake remains a bit of a mystery. This pistachio-flavored dessert, distinct from the similarly named Watergate Salad (which is also packed with nuts), predates the salad's popularity.

Desserts made with convenience ingredients such as gelatin and pudding mixes, like Watergate Cake, were at their most popular in the mid-20th century, long before the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon's resignation. It is NOT on the dessert menu at the upscale Watergate Hotel!

By Leslie Blythe

Back-Pocket Caper-Butter Chicken

Your jar of capers is the secret weapon in this super quick and easy recipe. A vibrant marinade made from caper brine, red wine vinegar, and grated garlic first infuses chicken breasts, keeping them tender as they sizzle in a hot pan. Then, that same flavorful marinade, with a touch of water and honey, becomes a bright, tangy pan sauce, finished with butter for a velvety texture and whole capers for bursts of briny goodness.

By Leslie Blythe

Divorce Salad

I have made several Marry Me recipes. My husband was a little upset by the title of this salad. One bite and he was raving and would probably marry me again. It's that good!

"Divorce Salad" refers to a specific type of salad, and its name often comes with a story. The most widely referenced "Divorce Salad" is a recipe that gained popularity for its meal-prep friendly qualities and was created by Emily Farris after her divorce as a way to prioritize self-care through food.

The idea behind this "Divorce Salad" is that it's easy to make, nourishing, and designed to be something you can enjoy when you need a simple, comforting meal, especially during a challenging time. It combines marinated cannellini beans, Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and crispy fried onions.

By Leslie Blythe

Mexican Street Corn Brats

These Mexican Street Corn Brats are a must-have for your next summer barbecue!  It brings the vibrant flavors of elote (Mexican street corn) to the classic American bratwurst. Each brat is generously slathered with a tangy mayo sauce and piled high with fresh corn, crumbled cotija cheese, and a sprinkle of green onions. They're bursting with flavor and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

By Leslie Blythe

Woolworth’s Frito Pie

A Cult Classic
I was watching The Best Thing I Ever Ate on the Food Network last night with my daughter, Zoe. One of the chef’s favorite things is Frito Pie. She was very intrigued. I remember eating it as a child. One of the best ways to eat it, however, is to pour the chili right into a mini bag of Fritos and top with cheese. This is a great thing to eat if you are out at a football game somewhere cold.

As to the origin, some say Frito Pie was invented at Woolworth’s in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Corporate lore at Frito-Lay, however, say that Daisy Dean Doolin, mother of the guy who first bought the rights to market Fritos in 1932, not only perfected her son’s product, but also made it into a dish as a way to help market the crispy fried corn chips.

By Leslie Blythe

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Forget everything you thought you knew about potato salad. This Crispy Smashed Potato Salad is here to revolutionize your summer cookouts and potlucks. It's an incredible combination of textures and flavors, combining the irresistible crunch of roasted smashed potatoes with a vibrant, pickley salad and a cool, creamy ranch dressing. Imagine tender-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside smashed potatoes, caramelized and golden, providing an incredible textural contrast to every bite.

By Leslie Blythe

Danish Puff Pork Chops

I'd never heard of this dish, but it sounded so interesting that I simply had to make it. Danish Puff Pork Chops use boneless pork chops and topped with a thick sauce made of butter, flour, milk, egg, sharp cheddar cheese and finely minced onion. It’s then spooned over seared pork chops and then baked. As it bakes, it sets and creates a slightly puffed, flavorful crust. Despite their name, Danish Puff Pork Chops are not a traditional Danish recipe. They are considered a comfort food classic that originated in the midwest of the United States. It's unique and absolutely delicious!

By Leslie Blythe

Dump and Bake French Onion Meatballs and Rice

Taking the timeless appeal of classic French onion soup, this casserole is an incredibly easy, weeknight-friendly dish. All the delicious flavors you love are here: buttery caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and savory Gruyère cheese. It's the perfect way to enjoy this iconic 18th-century Parisian creation as a comforting and quick meal on even your busiest evenings.

By Leslie Blythe

Neiman Marcus Cake

The Neiman Marcus Cake is widely believed to be a variation of the St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake. This Midwestern dessert, reputedly created by accident during the Great Depression by a baker who added too much butter, sugar, or shortening to a standard cake, has a distinct gooey center and a crisp crust. The "Neiman Marcus" moniker is that the dessert is simply seen as being as "rich" and "luxurious" as the department store itself. This recipes uses a yellow cake mix for the base, combined with melted butter and eggs, and then topped with a sweet cream cheese mixture. I had never had it or heard of it before and when I served it, I cut the pieces too big. It's SO rich and luxurious that a little goes a long way!

By Leslie Blythe