Cooking Method: Baking

Artichoke Melts

Here's a different idea for lunch. We tend to have a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches, and that gets rather boring. So to change it up, try these Artichoke Melts. I always have cans of artichoke hearts in the pantry. It has slices of hard-boiled eggs on the bottom and is topped with a mixture of artichoke hearts, cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, mayo, garlic powder, and some dill before going under the broiler until it's golden brown. Yum!

By Leslie Blythe

Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Well, for starters, I'm not a huge football fan. I only watch the Super Bowl for the ads and typically root for the team that is winning. I'm only half paying attention, though I do provide good snackage! I used to make my late mother-in-law a plate of nachos while she watched the USC games. She loved nachos and I loved making them for her. I always enjoyed hearing her screaming "GO, GO, GO!" This is a rather long-winded intro to my Buffalo Chicken Nachos, which is a variation of the traditional nacho recipe. You can make this buffalo chicken in the instant pot or a slow cooker. There was also the infamous Buffalo Chicken Pizza Incident, which you can read about...

By Leslie Blythe

Blondies with Butterscotch Chips

We had a recent cooking/drinking Zoom birthday party, and brownies were on the menu. Sadly, my husband can not eat chocolate, so instead, I made these Blondies with Butterscotch Chips. They are super easy to make, seriously good and you can also freeze them. Though, I gave most of them away to my daughter and her roommates!

By Leslie Blythe

Green Chili Egg Casserole

There are so many things to like about this Green Chili Egg Casserole. You can prepare it the day before ready to bake the next day or you can also bake it and freeze it into individual portions. Oh, and did I mention that it's absolutely delicious?!

By Leslie Blythe

Baked Salmon with Creamy Leeks

This Baked Salmon with Creamy Leeks is very easy and just divine. The leeks are sautéed and baked with the addition of sour cream, lemon juice, capers and fresh dill. It was so good and simple to make

By Leslie Blythe

Scottish Rumbledethumps

This Scottish Rumbledethumps is game-changing. Rumbledethumps is a traditional dish from the Scottish Borders. The main ingredients are leftover mashed potatoes and cabbage. Similar to Irish colcannon, and English bubble and squeak, it is either served as an accompaniment to a main dish or as a main dish itself.

The beauty of the dish is it can be made the day before and heated up. It can be a side dish alongside a hearty stew, or, if you prefer to eat it on its own, with a fried egg on top.

By Leslie Blythe

Dutch Baby with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Pancetta & Arugula

I love making Dutch Baby pancakes for lunch or dinner. A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake is a large American popover or British Yorkshire pudding.
I made this Dutch Baby with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Pancetta & Arugula because they were the ingredients I had on hand. It's very versatile, you can change the type of cheese, you could use bacon instead of pancetta, etc.

By Leslie Blythe

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

I have had a lone sweet potato on my counter since the holidays. I decided to make this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole. It turned out to be absolutely delicious. It's vegetarian and packed with flavor!

By Leslie Blythe

Bang Bang Cauliflower

When we're looking for a spicy, flavorful side to brighten up our dinner, I give you Bang Bang Cauliflower. Not only is it quick and easy, but the dish is super adaptable. Not a fan of spice? Go easy on the sriracha and bump up the chili sauce. Hate cilantro (which I do!)? Ditch it in favor of thinly sliced green onions. You can make it your own!

By Leslie Blythe

Mince Pie Roll Ups

It is very traditional to eat mince pies in Britain. Since as long ago as the 16th century, they were made of a spiced, sweet meat mixture but are now are made with sweet mincemeat, which is a mixture of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and brandy (and no meat). My husband and I lived in England for many years and always have them around the holidays.

Apparently, the only Christmas Day on which eating mince pies was illegal was in 1644, as 25 December that year fell on a legally-mandated day of fasting. However, mince pies themselves were never banned, although they were strongly disapproved of as a symbol of the immoral excesses of the festive season.

A custom from the middle ages says that if you eat a mince pie on every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night (evening of the 5th January) you will have happiness for the next 12 months! We may all need to do this!

These Mince Pie Roll Ups kind of cheating, since they are so easy to roll up, slice and bake!

By Leslie Blythe