My Site » I love food, travel, and being creative in the kitchen. I keep my recipes simple and fresh so you can make them around your table too.

Bacon Club Cracker Appetizer

We have no food in our house so I’m dreaming of bacon! Did you catch these easy appetizers? Perfect for gift wrapping munchies or Christmas Day snacks. Club crackers Parmesan Cheese Bacon, cut in half Brown sugar Cayenne Pepper Lay club crackers on a cookie sheet. Top each cracker with 1 tsp of grated Parmesan cheese. Wrap each cracker with half a piece of bacon trying not to leave any of the cracker showing. Lay wrapped crackers on cooling rack on top of the cookie sheet. Top with a pinch of brown sugar and cayenne.

Almond Croissant French Toast

Try this indulgent Almond filled Croissant French Toast. The best part is you can serve them at the same time and not be flipping French toast all morning. Croissant (almond filled, chocolate, or plain) Egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon mixture Frozen Berries Maple Syrup Orange Zest Soak croissants in egg mixture. Heat on griddle or pan as usual on each side. Once all are done, stick in oven at 350 for 10 minutes or until cooked all the way through. In saucepan heat berries until warmed. Add maple syrup to berries ( you won’t need a lot). Top French toast with berries and orange zest!

Salmon Sushi Wraps

Grilled wheat flour tortilla Grilled Salmon, marinated in Teryaki sauce Brown rice grilled asparagus Cucumber, sliced Carrots, Julienned Avocado Micro Greens Broccoli Slaw Light mayo Sesame Oil Soy Sauce Red Wine Vinegar Sriracha Method: Grill or bake salmon until medium rare. Grill or broil tortillas and asparagus. Mix mayo, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and Stiracha. Add to bagged Broccoli Slaw. Let sit for an hour. Spread toppings on tortilla. Avocado, brown rice, carrots, cucumber, asparagus, micro greens, Salmon, and broccoli slaw. Roll and eat!

Steak and Egg Sandwiches

Snowy days call for Steak and Egg sandwiches with citrus chimichurri! Ciabatta bread Fried egg Steak, cooked medium and sliced (you could use chicken or pork instead) Avocado, smashed Arugula Chimichurri sauce Citrus Chimichurri – 1 part lime juice 1 part fresh orange juice Garlic, chopped Green onion, sliced Cilantro, chopped Parsley, chopped 2 parts EVOO Mix all ingredients and let sit for at least one hour. OPEN BIG!!

Bacon Carmel Popcorn

There were amazing cocktail recipes, two appetizers to die over and foodie gifts like the Bacon Carmel Popcorn and so much more! That Marco comes up with phenomenal stuff! I couldn’t wait another minute to share this recipe with you. BACON CARMEL POPCORN WITH SMOKED SALT • 1-2 gal. Prepared Popcorn • 2 cups Brown Sugar • 1 cup Butter • 1⁄2 cup Corn Syrup or 1⁄2 cup Maple Syrup • 1⁄2 tsp. Baking Soda • 1⁄2 tsp. Salt • 1 tsp. Vanilla • 2 cup smoked Bacon, diced Turn Traeger to smoke then Increase the temperature to 250 F and preheat. In a saucepan, bring to a boil brown sugar, butter and syrup. Boil at a slow boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and add baking soda, salt, vanilla and bacon to the mixture. Stir until well combined. Pour over popcorn and toss. Lay out on greased cookie sheets and bake on the grill for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Add smoked kosher salt at the very end. Store in Large Zip Lock Bags. Serves…

Guacamole with Pomegranate and Clementines

Serial Season 2 and my favorite Holiday Guacamole are getting me through the 5 o’clock hour. 😅 Avocado or good store bought guacamole Green onions, sliced Cilantro, chopped Lime juice Clementines, sectioned Pomegranate Seeds Another party in a bowl and in your mouth! I’m going to put this over grilled chicken breasts for dinner.

Andrus Christmas Card 2015

Coconut Cashew Chicken

Because I do plan on making dinner sometime this week (and aren’t these the most helpful for you?). This Coconut Cashew Chicken was so good and so easy! My kids said its their favorite chicken. Chicken breasts Coconut covered Cashews (Costco or Trader Joes) That’s it! I ground the nuts in my blender and covered the chicken in them. (I didn’t use any egg or flour but I’m sure you could). We grilled them on our #traeger but your oven or BBQ would be fine too. Trader Joes frozen Brown rice and frozen veggies are my go-to’s lately for a quick and healthy dinner.

Egg Nog Shake

True story. I went to the store to buy stuff for dinner (do they really all need to eat EVERY night?). I came out with ingredients for an Egg Nog Shake. Drove home and only then realized I had nothing for dinner. Scarlett won’t share with me so it’s really that good. Egg Nog Vanilla Ice Cream Salted Carmel Talenti Ice Cream Fresh Nutmeg Blend vanilla ice cream and egg nog (not too thick). Add a scoop of Salted Carmel ice cream and grate fresh nutmeg on top. HOLIDAY TIP- Fresh Nutmeg is a must!! It’s so good on so many things and doesn’t compare to the ground stuff.

Burratta with Pomegrate, Balsamic, and Mint

Christmas party on a plate! This is one of my favorite concoctions yet. Eat as an appetizer, salad, or like I’m doing, spread over (an entire) baguette. 😊 Burrata Cheese Pomegranate seeds Mint, julienned Pistachios, chopped Balsamic glaze or vinegar Serve with endive leaves or baguette slices For a salad add arugula or your favorite lettuce. Mix EVOO with balsamic and use chunks of Burrata or mozzarella instead.