the best summer appetizers

Figs & Pecans on Spiced Honey Cream Cheese

Figs & Pecans on Spiced Honey Cream Cheese

I recently bought several baskets of figs at the farmer’s market. My family loves figs and would happily eat them all straight from the baskets. But I wanted to come up with a pretty and delicious way to eat them. I think they go great…

Caprese Salad with Basil and Baby Greens

Caprese Salad with Basil and Baby Greens

Caprese Salad with Basil and Baby Greens is the perfect way to use summer vegetables from your garden or the farmer’s market. I have a good friend with a beautiful garden. Our daughters are best of friends and have been since kindergarten. My daughter brought…

Homemade Hummus

Homemade Hummus

Once you try Homemade Hummus, you’ll never buy it again! So easy, fresh and delicious. You can make any flavor you’d like. This recipe is so quick and easy. We make our own hummus all the time, in a variety of flavors. This recipe will…

Spicy Candied Bacon

Spicy Candied Bacon

Spicy Candied Bacon is the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. A little crispy and a little sticky. Trust me, you’re going to love it! This candied bacon is perfect on a breakfast buffet or as an appetizer. You can chop it up and use…

The Best Salsa

The Best Salsa

The Best Salsa is tasty and easy to make. This recipe comes together in the food processor in 5 minutes and really is the best! You can make it with fresh peppers for a bright flavor or use chipotles for a deep smoky flavor. Use…


My Latest Recipes

Granny’s Sweet Tea

Granny’s Sweet Tea

When I was a kid, my mom made unsweetened iced tea. But my grandmother, “Granny”, drank sweet tea. Really sweet tea. Granny had a sweet tooth and loved everything sweet. I thought her iced tea was insane. I had no idea that Sweet Tea was…

Sangria Singles

Sangria Singles

I love Sangria, but I’m the only one in my house who drinks red wine.  A pitcher is too much, so I make Sangria Singles. So simple and just enough for one (maybe two).   What you need   Red wine White claw Fruit  …

Strawberry Margaritas

Strawberry Margaritas

Margaritas on the rocks. It’s the grown up way to drink a margarita. But . . . I had forgotten how delicious a blended Strawberry Margarita could be! In my younger days this was one of my favorites and I have to say, it still…

Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea

Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea

There is nothing better than a perfectly ripe fresh peach. And when you have peaches, Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea is the perfect summer cocktail!   What you need   Granny’s Sweet Tea Bourbon Peach Lemon     How to make Bourbon Peach Sweet Tea  …

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Tortellini Pasta Salad is probably my favorite pasta salad. There’s something about big fluffy cheese tortellini in the salad that makes it so delicious and substantial. This lemon vinaigrette with chopped fresh rosemary is also deliciuos. Perfect for lunch or for dinner on a hot…

Dried Cherry Tomatoes

Dried Cherry Tomatoes

I find myself at the peak of tomato season, looking for ways to use them and store them. I love drying cherry tomatoes. These little beauties pack a flavorful punch. Add them to your next pasta or salad. They only need to be cut in…

Garden Pasta and Bean Salad

Garden Pasta and Bean Salad

My daughter and I make some type of pasta or bean salad almost every week. It’s good to have in the refrigerator, ready to eat for lunch, especially on busy days. This Garden Pasta and Bean Salad is a combination of both a pasta and…

Chicken Parmigiana with Fresh Tomato Marinara

Chicken Parmigiana with Fresh Tomato Marinara

Chicken Parmigiana is crispy breaded and fried chicken breast, covered in Fresh Tomato Marinara. It is topped with both parmigiana and provolone cheeses. You’ll be coming back to this recipe over and over again. It really is that good.   What you need   Boneless,…

Fresh Tomato Marinara

Fresh Tomato Marinara

Sometimes life gives you lemons. But not today. Today life is giving me tomatoes! Lots and lots of summer tomatoes. Very large Big Beef and Better Boys. Romas and beautiful red grape tomatoes. And my favorite, Sun Sugar Orange cherry tomatoes, the sweetest tomatoes ever!…

Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza is the most basic pizza and also the very best. You can’t argue with the simplicity or flavor of this favorite! Our garden is just full of vine ripe tomatoes and our basil plants are large and bushy. Magherita Pizza is just what…

Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough

Make your own Pizza Dough! It’s easy, economical and delicious! Pizza Dough can be made in advance so it’s ready when you want to make pizza. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for 3 months. Thaw frozen…

BLT Salad

BLT Salad

BLT Salad is the easiest and best tasting salad ever. If you love a good BLT sandwich, you’ll love this salad.   What you need   Romaine lettuce Cherry tomatoes Bacon Eggs Avocado Homemade Ranch Dressing   How to make a BLT Salad   Start…