I hosted a Houseparty to help spread the word about Arnold/Oroweat Sandwich Thins®.  I was thrilled to do this for a couple of reasons.

I “discovered” these when we were in Boston a year ago.  When we returned to Iowa I couldn’t find them anywhere.  I am so glad they are available practically everywhere now!
Arnold was [...]

Are you hosting a New Year’s Eve party or attending one?  Here are some of my favorite appetizers for the gathering!
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Dipping Sauce will disappear quickly!
Baked Cheese and Pesto is easy to make – but looks difficult.  It will bring raves!
For a bit of fanciness try this Fresh Herb Fondue.
Need more fanciful [...]

I made this appetizer for Thanksgiving and Doug’s family raved about it.  It’s delish!  The brown sugar and walnus add an incredible sweetness and crunch to the brie.  And it’s super easy to make.  In fact, I think I’ll make it for my family’s Christmas gathering.  Mmmm…
The recipe comes from Paula Deen and the Food [...]

I am a HUGE fan of Scotch Eggs. There is a lovely pub in downtown Des Moines that we visit 4-6 times a year just for their excellent fish & chips and Scotch Eggs. Having actually been in British and Irish pubs I can honestly say that they have a great ambiance and [...]

I love horseradish. LOVE IT! SO when I saw this recipe in the The Good Home Cookbook I knew I would be making it.
This recipe is so easy, can be mixed right in the sour cream container and is so delicious it will disappear before anything else on the table. (Yes, really. [...]

I absolutely love those fundraiser cookbooks ** that so many organizations put together. Doug brought one home for me from a recent business trip to Boston and I just have to share this recipe with you all:
Swiss Creme Au Chocolate
Foolishly ask what to bring to that house party a week from Friday.
Agree to bring [...]

This is an easy and tasty appetizer for any gathering- family, football, social gathering. The nice thing is that you can really mix and match ingredients in cream cheese and create just what you want.
So I’m going to give you the recipe (from Kraft) and then suggest changes you may want to make.

You Need
2 [...]

Shrimp is a favorite in our house. It doesn’t matter how I prepare it, it never lasts long. This appetizer was gone almost as quickly as it came out of the oven.

The recipe came from Family Circle’s November issue. It makes 24 pieces, so adjust accordingly for your crowd.
For shrimp skewers:
24 medium [...]

My husband loves chips and salsa so I usually have something along those lines when we have parties. This super quick, super easy and super yummy black bean dip fits the bill!

Recipe from Kraft.
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
1 15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 10 oz can diced tomatoes and [...]

I have a fondness for appetizers. Even more than dessert, for appetizers often involve cheese and some sort of bread or crackers.
Or, if you are very, very lucky, it will involve both. As this Baked Cheese and Pesto recipe I found in a Kraft magazine a few years ago does.
I will tell you, [...]

Here at my house we like tacos. Alot. But even food you like alot can get old. So I mix it up once in a while with empanadas. It’s like a taco but in a crust instead of a shell.
This recipe is meatless (going with my goal of meatless meals) but you can easily add [...]

I absolutely love a good spinach and artichoke dip warm and good from the oven. Mmmmm… So when I found this recipe from Kraft and it added asparagus to a favorite treat I had to try it.
I’ve made this for many gatherings, reunions and parties and it always gets rave reviews. It’s simple to toss [...]

I made this bean dip for a family gathering last weekend and it was quickly devoured.
I got the recipe off a can of refried beans. Super easy, super quick and super yummy!
Super Easy Bean Dip

1 can (14.5 oz) refried beans
1 c sour cream
1 envelope taco seasoning
shredded lettuce
chunky salsa
sliced black olives (I skipped these)
shredded taco (or [...]

Boxty on the griddle
Boxty in a pan
If you can’t make boxty
You’ll never get a man
So goes an old Irish saying. I think it is because boxty is actually so easy to make that if you can’t make it then you probably can’t cook a bit and no man wants a woman who can’t cook. Remember, [...]

Doug and I may be the only people in the country who didn’t receive a fondue pot whe we got married… And would actually use it! Melted cheese- good. Melted chocolate- even better.
I made fondue for dinner the other night but the picture wasn’t nearly as pretty as this one is (from Valentine’s Day 2005). [...]