Category: Appetizers, Desserts & Snacks

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream

I could not resist when I saw beautiful, ripe blueberries at the grocery store. As many dishes as I could use them in, my mind instantly went to creamy, yummy, delicious homemade blueberry ice cream. I was so happy with the final result that I made another batch the very next day.

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream

This Isn’t A Salad

I often change recipes when I make them. And I often cut back on things like, oh, cream or sugar. But not when I make homemade blueberry ice cream. This is not the time to be skimpy or try to make a dish super-duper healthy. This is decadent goodness. It’s supposed to be that way.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt Maker, Double Insulated, White, ICE-21P1
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt Maker, Double Insulated, White, ICE-21P1

I love my ice cream maker. It’s fun to use and I always end up enjoying the results!

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream
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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream

I could not resist when I saw beautiful, ripe blueberries at the grocery store. As many dishes as I could use them in, my mind instantly went to creamy, yummy, delicious homemade blueberry ice cream.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword blueberry, homemade ice cream
Prep Time 12 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 782kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Driscoll’s

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the blueberries, sugar, and salt and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Continue stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook another 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let cool for 20 minutes.
  • Transfer cooled blueberry mixture to a blender.
  • Puree until smooth (if you want some blueberry chunks, don't puree quite so long!).
  • Transfer pureed mixture to a large bowl.
  • Stir in the heavy cream, milk and lemon juice.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight.
  • Add mixture to your ice cream maker and process per manufacturer's directions. Freeze overnight before serving.
  • Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

Notes

Also great with blackberries!

Nutrition

Calories: 782kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 82g | Vitamin A: 1939IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Gorgonzola Garlic Bread

This Gorgonzola garlic bread recipe was a delicious change from our usual mozzarella cheese bread. I made this to go with some grilled BBQ shrimp, so we could sop up the sauce. They made a fantastic combination. We really liked the tang of the Gorgonzola. And although the recipe calls for making this bread in the oven, you can use the grill just as easily, especially if you already have it fired up!

Gorgonzola Garlic Bread

Not Your Usual Garlic Bread. Better.

Gorgonzola garlic bread is easy to make, but don’t forget the Parmesan cheese like I did the first time I made it. The Parmesan adds such a nice flavor with the Gorgonzola. You could substitute Asiago cheese and even add some red pepper flakes for a little heat. If that’s your thing.

This is a great bread to serve instead of your usual garlic bread. It’s amazing how just a few simple different ingredients can make for a much better bread experience!

Amazon Fresh - Artisan Bake at Home French Style Demi Baguette, 12 oz (2 ct)
Amazon Fresh – Artisan Bake at Home French Style Demi Baguette, 12 oz (2 ct)

Also try my make-ahead garlic bread.

Gorgonzola Garlic Bread
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Gorgonzola Garlic Bread

Gorgonzola garlic bread is easy to make, but don't forget the Parmesan cheese like I did the first time I made it.
Course Appetizer, Bread, Side
Cuisine American
Keyword garlic bread, gorgonzola butter
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 392kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup gorgonzola cheese crumbled
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • pinch ground black pepper
  • 1 loaf Italian bread cut into 1" slices, can substitute French bread
  • Parmesan cheese grated, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler.
  • In a small bowl, combine the butter, cheese, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper.
  • Spread mixture onto bread slices.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan.
  • Place slices on a baking tray and under a broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Notes

You can make these ahead of time (minus putting them under the broiler) and freeze or refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 232IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Bambüsi Bamboo Bread Slicer with Knife - 3 Slice Thickness, Foldable Compact Cutting Guide with Crumb Tray, Stainless Steel Bread Knife for Homemade Bread, Cake, Bagels 5.5” Wide x 5” Tall
Bambüsi Bamboo Bread Slicer with Knife – 3 Slice Thickness, Foldable Compact Cutting Guide with Crumb Tray, Stainless Steel Bread Knife for Homemade Bread, Cake, Bagels 5.5” Wide x 5” Tall

Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp

We recently returned from a vacation to the Fernandina Beach area of Florida. We’d never been before and so enjoyed our time there. From the moment I made the reservations I dreamed of one thing about the trip. Nope, it wasn’t the beach, or the great warm weather or nice people. I dreamed of eating restaurant style peel and eat shrimp. And I don’t mean sort of dreamed about it, either. I was obsessed. And after we got home I made an exact copy of those same dishes so I could keep enjoying them. It was like being back on the beach, except I was in the middle of Indiana!

Restaurant-Style Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

Use Good Shrimp For The Best Results

You want to use the best shrimp I could get when I made these restaurant style peel-and-eat shrimp. That means not farm raised somewhere far, far away. Lucky me, I found a family-owned seafood company just south of Amelia Island that ships fantastic shrimp for a good price, Shrimp To Shore. The shrimp are wild caught, perfectly sized, and crazy delicious. They’re what made this a memorable dish.

OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz
OLD BAY Seasoning, 6 oz

Oh, if you’re in the Fernandina Beach or Amelia Island areas and are craving great peel-and-eat shrimp, stop by The Salty Pelican and Slider’s Seaside Grill and order up a plate!

Also try my Italian barbecue shrimp.

Restaurant-Style Peel-and-Eat Shrimp
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Restaurant Style Peel and Eat Shrimp

Use the best shrimp you can find for the best results
Course Appetizer or Main
Cuisine American
Keyword restaurant, shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 249kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot halfway with water.
  • Add the beer, 2 tablespoons of Old Bay, pickling spice, and one lemon (halved along with the juice).
  • Bring the water to a boil.
  • Add the shrimp.
  • Cook for 2-4 minutes or until done as desired.
  • Drain the shrimp in a colander but do not rinse. Sprinkle with more Old Bay as desired and toss gently.
  • Serve with the remaining lemon (sliced) and cocktail sauce. I serve my shrimp over fresh crushed ice.

Notes

I like to cook a single shrimp first. I use it as a test to determine the exact cook time for the remaining shrimp. In my case, my 20 count shrimp took 2 minutes and 40 seconds to be perfect. Shrimp aren’t cheap, and you want the best-cooked shrimp. I think it’s worth this extra step to determine the ideal cook time!

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 507mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Quick Fix Lemon Pepper Potato Chips

Because I’m a chicken wing nut, I have a lot of various wing seasonings on hand at all times. And I do mean a lot. But, you know those seasonings (and any other of my favorites) are great on potato chips? No reason to be locked into only a handful of flavored chips at the store when you can make them taste however you want! Today I made a batch of my quick fix lemon pepper potato chips. Chips. Lemon pepper seasoning. That’s it! And oh-so-good!

Quick Fix Lemon Pepper Potato Chips

Cheap Chips For The Win

You don’t need to grab the expensive chips when you make quick fix lemon pepper potato chips. The key here is to warm up the chips just enough that the oils they were cooked in come back to the surface of the chips. That gives the seasoning something to cling to. No big pile of seasoning at the bottom of the bowl with these chips, nope. Nothing but flavor.

Of course, you can make homemade potato chips in a deep-fryer and then toss them in the seasoning too! Just don’t over-drain the chips as they come out of the hot oil or the flavors won’t have anything to adhere to. Make sure you get them good and coated.

Amazon Fresh - Classic Potato Chips, 11 oz (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary)
Amazon Fresh – Classic Potato Chips, 11 oz (Previously Happy Belly, Packaging May Vary)

Also try my quick fix salt and vinegar, Nashville hot chicken, and garlic Parmesan potato chips.

Quick Fix Lemon Pepper Potato Chips
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Lemon Pepper Potato Chips

Chips. Lemon pepper seasoning. That's it! And oh-so-good!
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon pepper, potato chips, quick fix
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 452kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Simple Comfort Food

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 275 F.
  • Spread chips out onto a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. You should see that the oils in the chips have come to the surface.
  • Gently transfer chips to a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning. Use a spatula to carefully stir to coat.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 448mg | Potassium: 1020mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

This is my go-to spicy chicken nugget recipe. I keep a big batch of the seasoning on-hand in the pantry. The chicken comes out slightly crispy, with an out-of-this-world flavor that’s just a tad smoky and spicy. I serve them with whatever dipping sauce I have on hand, which is usually out of a bottle of wing sauce I have in the fridge. Wing sauces were made for nuggets, too.

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

A Great Batter For Chicken Sandwiches Too!

This approach for making spicy chicken nuggets also makes for absolutely great chicken sandwiches. Just use thin-slices of chicken breast instead of bite-sized cubes. Fry them up (they’ll take a bit longer than the nuggets to cook through). Place them on hamburger buns with spicy mayonnaise, lettuce, onion and tomato. Sit down and enjoy one heck of a sandwich.

I make these in my go-to fryer, a Fry Daddy.

I use a pretty straight-forward air fryer, that doesn’t have a lot of bells (ok, it has a bell for when the timer goes off!) and whistles. It gets the job done.
DASH Deluxe Electric Air Fryer + Oven Cooker with Temperature Control, Non-stick Fry Basket, Recipe Guide + Auto Shut Off Feature, 1700-Watt, 6 Quart - Aqua
DASH Deluxe Electric Air Fryer + Oven Cooker with Temperature Control, Non-stick Fry Basket, Recipe Guide + Auto Shut Off Feature, 1700-Watt, 6 Quart – Aqua

Also try my copycat of Popeye’s popcorn chicken.

Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

This is my go-to spicy chicken nugget recipe. I keep a big batch of the seasoning on-hand in the pantry.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken nuggets, spicy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 223kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chicken

  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • hot sauce optional, but nice
  • 2 small chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized bites
  • oil for frying

For the seasoning

Instructions

For the chicken

  • Place the chicken breast pieces into a shallow dish. Add the buttermilk and hot sauce, if using. Turn the chicken pieces a few times to coat.
  • Let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Make the seasoning (see below).
  • Heat oil to 350 F in a Dutch oven, skillet or deep fryer.
  • Working in batches if needed, remove chicken bites from the marinade. Shake off excess and transfer to the seasoning. Coat well on all sides.
  • Transfer to the hot oil and fry 5-6 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. Remove to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

For the seasoning

  • In a shallow baking dish or large resealable bag or container, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Whisk together.
  • Add in a few tablespoons of the buttermilk from the chicken marinade and mix.

Notes

These nuggets freeze and reheat great so make extra!

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 734mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 696IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Homemade Crispy Potato Chips

I’ve tried a number of times to make great homemade deep-fried crispy potato chips. And sometimes they were good, and sometimes they weren’t. Something was missing from my technique, my approach. And I’ve found it: vinegar. Soaking the potatoes in vinegar helps them get nice and crispy, and that’s our goal in life when making chips.

Homemade Crispy Potato Chips

Oh So Crispy!

I season my homemade crispy potato chips with seasoned salt instead of ‘just’ kosher salt. You can use anything you like. Fresh ground black pepper is great too. Take a gander at your spice cabinet and you’ll likely find something else that would also be great on chips. Just don’t use anything that is real coarse. You want a fine texture to your seasoning.

I use my Fry Daddy fryer to make these chips.

PS: I use Canola oil for frying my potato chips.

I get out my big deep fryer when it’s time to fry a large batch of food. It comes to temperature quickly and it maintains that temperature perfectly. It has a built-in oil filter and storage unit so I can re-use the oil several times.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Also try my crispy Parmesan potatoes.

Homemade Crispy Potato Chips
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Crispy Potato Chips

I’ve tried a number of times to make great deep-fried crispy potato chips at home. And sometimes they were good, and sometimes they weren’t. Something was missing from my technique, my approach. And I’ve found it: vinegar
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword crispy, deep-fried, potato chips
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 560kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Bon Appetit

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Skin the potatoes, if desired.
  • Slice the potatoes 1/8" thick using a mandolin.
  • Transfer to a large bowl of cold water.
  • Stir the potatoes around with your hand then drain.
  • Fill will cold water again and stir and drain again.
  • Repeat until the drained water is clear.
  • Cover the potatoes with cold water one last time and add the vinegar.
  • Stir and let rest 2 hours.
  • Drain the potatoes and pat dry. I lay out a few kitchen towels and spread the potatoes out. Then I cover them with more towels and gently push down to dry.
  • Heat oil in your deep fryer to 300 F. (The small deep fryer I used does not let me adjust the temperature. It cooks around 325 – 350 F, and still made great chips).
  • Working in small batches, fry the potatoes, turning often, until golden brown.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to drain and sprinkle with salt.

Notes

I prefer to serve these immediately. They’re best soon after getting out of the fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 2840mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Buffalo Queso Dip

This is how you kick up your standard queso dip. Add in some Buffalo wing-inspired flavors and you’ve got a hit. I certainly can’t get enough of it. Lightly spicy, creamy, with a hint of smokiness (I used fire-roasted tomatoes), it’s a fantastic dip to serve along my other favorite appetizer, Buffalo wings! We made this Buffalo Queso dip for the Super Bowl and it was perfect!

Buffalo Queso Dip

Ole For Great Queso!

Feel free to make a few tweaks to this recipe for Buffalo Queso dip to suit your tastes. Substitute chopped (drained) green chiles for the pepper. Instead of regular Velveeta substitute Mexican or even Queso Blanco. This recipe doubles or even triples easily, making it great for a crowd!

I always have Cholula hot sauce on hand so that’s what I used. I have different flavors so I can make this dip to my tastes!

Cholula Hot Sauce Variety Pack, Product of Mexico, Gift Set Includes Six 5 Fl Oz Signature Cholula Hot Sauces for Eggs, Pizza, Mexican Dishes, and More, 30 fl oz
Cholula Hot Sauce Variety Pack, Product of Mexico, Gift Set Includes Six 5 Fl Oz Signature Cholula Hot Sauces for Eggs, Pizza, Mexican Dishes, and More, 30 fl oz

Also try my Buffalo Ranch pretzel bites!

Buffalo Queso Dip
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Buffalo Queso Dip

This is how you kick up your standard queso dip.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, cheesy, dip
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings 8
Calories 87kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a small slow cooker sprayed with non-stick spray.
  • Heat on high for 2 hours, stirring often, until cheese is melted. Reduce heat to warm and serve.
  • You can also bake this dip in a small baking dish at 375 F for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 741mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 419IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 191mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Mile High Memphis-Style BBQ Nachos

Oh how I do love nachos piled high with smoked pulled pork, cheese and jalapeno. There’s no point in doing it half-way, either. These Mile High Memphis-style BBQ nachos bring it. Three layers of nachos. Bite after bite of BBQ goodness. The perfect way to use up leftover pork, beef or chicken.

Mile High Memphis Style BBQ Nachos

What Nachos Should Be

I prefer to use either fire-roasted jalapenos or green chiles on my nachos. Roasting chiles is the way to go, adding a little more smokiness to the dish. You can find canned roasted chiles in your grocery store, near the Hispanic food section. I always keep a few cans on hand because they’re great in lots of other dishes, not just nachos.

I served my Mile High Memphis-style BBQ nachos in a cast iron fajita skillet. It’s great for cooking and serving.

Fajita Plate Set - Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Fajita Pan with Wooden Tray and Hot Mitt by Old Mountain
Fajita Plate Set – Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Fajita Pan with Wooden Tray and Hot Mitt by Old Mountain

Also try my Denver omelet nachos.

Mile High Memphis Style BBQ Nachos
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Mile High Memphis Style BBQ Nachos

These Mile High Memphis-style BBQ nachos bring it. Three layers of nachos. Bite after bite of BBQ goodness. The perfect way to use up leftover pork, beef or chicken.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword BBQ, nachos
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 337kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F or fire up your grill for indirect cooking.
  • I like to use cast iron fajita skillets for this recipe, but you can use a large cast iron skillet or a baking sheet.
  • Spread out 1/3rd of the chips.
  • Drizzle with 1/3rd of the cheese and sprinkle with 1/3 of the pork.
  • Repeat the layers two more times.
  • Transfer to the grill or oven and cook until the chips are warmed and the cheese is nice and gooey hot.
  • Sprinkle with jalapenos and serve.

Notes

Have some hot sauce nearby too!

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 663mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 637IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Italian Breadsticks

We’ve been trying to perfect our breadsticks approach for years. It’s sad to admit that. But something always went weird. No flavor. Over-baked. Whatever, something always just didn’t quite work out right. Ugh. Heck, they’re just breadsticks, I know! Well, no more. These Italian breadsticks are absolutely fantastic. We made them on our wood pizza oven, but you can make them just as easily and just as good in your oven. They’re light and fluffy, very tasty and perfect for dipping in warmed marinara sauce.

Italian Breadsticks

Store-Bought Dough For The Win

You can certainly go through the steps of making your own pizza dough when you make Italian breadsticks. We’ve discovered a frozen dough, Tiseo’s, at our local grocery store that is perfect for breadsticks. And pizza. You can’t beat the final product. It’s just great! Any decent store-bought dough will do. Just make sure you give it ample time to defrost if it is frozen.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline Vegetable Slicer with 3 Interchangeable Blades, Easy to Clean Rotary Grater Slicer for Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts

Also try my fried Mozzarella sticks.

Italian Breadsticks
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Italian Breadsticks

You can certainly go through the steps of making your own pizza dough when you make Italian breadsticks.
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Keyword breadsticks, Italian
Prep Time 13 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 240kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Remove the dough from the freezer and place in the fridge overnight to thaw.
  • One hour before you plan on making the breadsticks remove the dough from the fridge and place on your countertop to come to room temperature.
  • Preheat your oven to 425 F.
  • Lightly flour a flat work surface, such as a countertop.
  • Lightly oil your pizza pan.
  • Sprinkle with cornmeal.
  • Remove the dough from its packaging and, using your palms or a rolling pin, form into a round that is roughly the size of your pizza pan. Try to not overwork the dough.
  • Transfer dough to the pan.
  • In a small pan over low heat, melt the butter.
  • Stir in the garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
  • Brush over the dough. Remember, edge-to-edge is our pledge so get it all around!
  • Cover the dough with the cheese, again getting it everywhere!
  • Bake the dough for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and lightly crispy. If desired, turn the broiler on for 1 minute to further brown the top.
  • Remove from oven. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into sticks.
  • Serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Also great dunked in Ranch salad dressing!

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Lodge BOLD 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Design-Forward Cookware
Lodge BOLD 14 Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Pizza Pan, Design-Forward Cookware

Buffalo Shrimp

I have what can easily be described as an addiction to Buffalo wings and anything with Buffalo wing sauce in the ingredients. So it came as no surprise that I devoured these Buffalo shrimp. I made them on the grill, which was about as easy to do as possible, but you can also make them in the oven. The shrimp soak up the fantastic sauce in no time. I loved them, and definitely should’ve made more!

Buffalo Shrimp

Who Needs Wings?

I used a nice medium Buffalo wing sauce when I made these shrimp. I love the flavor of shrimp. And I didn’t want some mouth-blisteringly-hot sauce burying that great taste. I could easily see making a mix of medium and mild for appetizers for a get-together. The shrimp only take a few minutes to cook so you can satisfy a crowd in no time at all. Serving them with blue cheese or ranch dressing is optional, in my opinion. They’re great by themselves!

Oh, don’t forget that the oyster shells are super hot when taken off the grill. You might want to let your guests know to not handle them for at least a few minutes. They do cool off relatively quickly.

Outset 76471 Stainless Steel Grillable Oyster Shells, Set of 12, SIlver
Outset 76471 Stainless Steel Grillable Oyster Shells, Set of 12, SIlver

Also try my spicy bacon-wrapped shrimp.

Buffalo Shrimp
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Buffalo Shrimp

These spicy shrimp are sure to disappear in no time!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, oyster shells, shrimp
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 5kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the shrimp in a bowl.
  • Combine the spices and sprinkle over the shrimp. Toss to coat.
  • Place shrimp in the oyster shells. Add enough Buffalo sauce to almost fill the shells.
  • Cook the shrimp (see below). Warning: The sauce will be very hot as will the shells, so be careful handing them after they are cooked.
  • Serve with blue cheese dressing for dipping if desired.

In the oven

  • Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes or until the shrimp are no longer translucent and the sauce is hot and bubbly.

On the grill

  • Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes or until the shrimp are no longer translucent and the sauce is hot and bubbly.

Notes

Of course these shrimp are also great served with a little Ranch dressing!

Nutrition

Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)