I think Crostini is one of the best little appetizers, ever. It’s so versatile and tasty… and who doesn’t love an appetizer with bread?

When the folks at The Wine Bar asked me to create an appetizer recipe that would pair well with Stark Raving Merlot Wine, I knew I wanted to do a Crostini. And what better ingredients than fresh mushrooms, some Great Northern Bush’s Beans, Italian Herbs  and a little garlic and baby swiss cheese? In my opinion, that’s one of the best combinations of flavors there is. Yum!

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I have never been a big cracker and dip person. In fact, if I’m going to eat dip, I want the vehicle to eat it with be a potato. Chips, fries… anything but a cracker, please!

And I am a firm believer these days of using dips for more than just dips… more like dumps. Like, pile your fries high and dump the toppings on. Picture a fries nachos kind of thing. Mmmmm! (more…)

Everything is better with bacon, right?

I was recently challenged by Kraft to create a new appetizer using their Fresh Takes Cheddar Jack and Bacon cheese and breadcrumb mix. What could make a Cheddar Jack and Bacon better? More bacon, of course! (more…)

I recently realized I do everything a bit backwards on my blog. While everyone has been posting their favorite super bowl recipes, I wait until the day after to share what I brought instead of what I would bring. I must be such a disappointment to those of you who plan ahead and scour the internet for the current trends.

I’m apparently trendless around here… only participating once things seem to be well out the door. This is not on purpose at all… it’s just how my life works. I have no need for a house full of Super Bowl appetizers unless I’m actually going someplace that requires appetizers. Just like you probably won’t see a bunch of Valentine’s recipes around here until after our big Valentine’s dinner. The last thing my thighs need is to be tempted by some of my favorite foods,  simply to provide SEO related content for you. (more…)

Since joining the team at Alexia Foods as one of their blogger tastemakers, I’ve had a fun time trying to recreate old classic recipes using some of my favorite Alexia Food products.

You might recall the Sweet Potato Casserole Bites I made awhile back, using Alexia Sweet Potato Puffs. Well, I’m at it again, but this time using Alexia’s Onion Rings! (more…)

Marketers love me. They really do.

I’m their target for commercials because it takes very, very little for me to get an idea stuck in my head and then I need that idea to come to fruition right that very minute. I’m the perfect case study for the power of suggestion.

My husband knows better than to even mention possibly picking up Chipotle for dinner because I can’t hear that word without needing to run there right then for my favorite burrito bowl. (See…guess what I’m going to have to have for lunch today, now?)

So it’s no surprise that when a few food blogger friends and I were chatting the other day and the topic of fried cheese curds came up, I had to investigate right away. Little, bite size cheese curds, lightly breaded, then fried to perfection? What’s not to love? (more…)

When I say “Game Day” you all know what I mean, right? It’s football time!!

Game day extends past one day at our house to pretty much any day football is on. Some days friends or family join us in front of the TV (us meaning my husband and son) other days its just us. Either way, the best part about game day for me is the food!

You know who makes game day food pretty great? Alexia foods. Remember them? I worked with Alexia last year on a recipe challenge to create a new fry flavor. I’m excited to share that I’m working with them again and will be using some of their products over the next several months to make meal time and game time easier!

(In addition to their popular varieties of fries, Alexia also has a great lineup of appetizers and artisan breads. Make sure to check out all their products on their webpage!)

Things are always a little nutty around our house and because of that,  I am a huge fan of products that can make my life a little easier. For our most recent game day watching, I used Alexia Sweet Potato bites to re-invent sweet potato casserole, in a bite sized form. Super simple to make and a delicious appetizer to pass around during the game, Sweet Potato Casserole Bites are a fun bite sized app sure to be a hit with game day fans.

Here’s a little video and the recipe is below, so I hope you’ll check it out. Before that though, I have a great giveaway going on from Alexia that I think you’ll love. My friends at Alexia Foods have offered to give a fantastic Tastemaker Kit to one lucky Dine & Dish Reader. Included in the kit is:

• 1 wooden tray with 3 white bowls for your favorite fry dips
• 1 black Alexia apron
• 1 Alexia egg timer
• 1 set of Alexia wine charms
• Coupons for some of my favorite Alexia products!

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter Widget below! I want to know your ideas for entertaining with Alexia products!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m happy to be a part of the blogger Tastemaker group with Alexia foods. I have been compensated for my participation and Alexia is providing the giveaway items. All opinions expressed are my own.

A little girlfriend therapy can go a long ways in getting your mind, energy and spirit back on track.

That’s how I felt after spending last weekend with my friend, Amy. Late nights with wine, good conversation, laughter and great food. Really, really great food. And, really great conversation. And probably too much wine, but that’s ok, right?

Amy and I spent the weekend at her house simply lounging, chatting, cooking, and vegging. It was everything I needed to re-charge. Her southern hospitality made it really hard for me to not go grab my family and move to South Carolina right away. It was a perfectly perfect weekend in every way.

And of course, since Amy and I are both part of the Bush’s Beans Team, it was only natural that we’d get busy cooking together in the kitchen, whipping up some Bush’s Beans recipes.

Amy’s dog Jake, giving Duke a bit of run for his money, joined us in the kitchen as well!

Amy began with Bush’s Beans Cucumber and Chickpea Salad while I chose to make their White Bean Bruschetta. Both recipes were amazing… like “skip the crackers and bread and just give me a spoon and I’ll eat the whole bowl” kind of amazing. The fresh herbs and vegetables from Amy’s garden were the perfect touch for both dishes.

If you are looking for a couple of great recipes for the upcoming 4th of July holiday, both the White Bean Bruschetta and the Cucumber and Chickpea Salad would make great statements for your summer table.

And, if you are looking for a quick re-charge for your soul this summer, I suggest getting in your kitchen and cooking with friends. It’s sure to do the trick!

As a lifelong fan of Bush’s Beans, I am proud to be a brand ambassador for them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Do you all have big plans for the holiday weekend? If you are anything like us, you are taking advantage of the time off to spend as much time with family and friends as you can. Often times, this is a season for outdoor barbecues and cookouts, where friends gather together and everyone has the opportunity to show off some of their favorite appetizer, side dish and salad recipes.

As much as I love to cook, there are times when I don’t want my free time interrupted by having to cook. I mean really… I have things to do, books to read, places to go! I don’t want to spend my whole summer cooking. It’s on these occasions I turn to convenience foods to make life a little simpler.

A can of Swanson White Premium Chunk Chicken Breast can help in big ways when I’m trying to save time, which is exactly what I want to do this summer!

These little Cheesy Shredded Chicken Bites are quick, easy and delicious. Plus, they are finger food so at parties people can just walk by, snatch one up and pop it in their mouth. That’s how an appetizer should be, right?

Serve hot or cold, this recipe is your answer to savoring summer outside with as little time in the kitchen as possible. Enjoy!

While you are celebrating this weekend, remember to take some time to honor our Veterans… although this extended weekend is nice to have, we owe it all to those who have sacrificed everything for us!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Swanson. All opinions expressed are my own.

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When I am asked to bring something to a party, I tend to be your main dish or dessert girl. For some reason, appetizers have never been my forte. This is why I challenged myself to spend more time this year perfecting my appetizer skills. It’s not like appetizers are all that hard to make. I guess I just feel like sometimes they require more creativity than I have the skills for.

When Yoplait contacted me about creating a recipe using their new Lactose Free line of yogurt, I thought it was a great opportunity to hone in on my appetizer making skills.

I went with a recipe that can be adapted and tweaked to put your own spin on flavors. Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups are full of spicy buffalo chicken, cooled off a bit with shredded cabbage and a creamy lactose free yogurt sauce, and wrapped up in a cute little bite size wonton cup. They are a bit of appetizer perfection in a spicy little handheld cup. Enjoy!

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups

• 1 pound boneless chicken tenders, boiled and cubed
• 24 won ton wrappers
• 2 containers (6 oz) Yoplait Lactose Free Vanilla Yogurt
• ½ cup prepared lactose free Buffalo Wing sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded cole slaw cabbage and carrots (without sauce)

1. Preheat oven to 425° F
2. Line 2 cupcake pans with wonton wrappers. Bake 3-4 minutes until edges are brown.
3. In a medium bowl combine yogurt and wing sauce. Slowly add cubed chicken and shredded cole slaw cabbage and carrots. Mix until well blended.
4. Place one large spoonful of chicken mixture into each prepared won ton cup, filling each cup completely.
5. Place in the oven again, baking for 4 minutes or until mixture is warmed through. Serve hot. 

Disclosure: I was compensated by Yoplait Lactose Free Yogurt for my time and ingredients to create this recipe. All opinions expressed are my own.