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Southwest Cheese Sauce

On occasion we like to eat at O’Charley’s restaurant.  That used to be a favorite when the kids were younger because kids under age 10 could eat free with an adult meal.  Things do change, kids grow up and they don’t offer free kids meals anymore, but we still eat there from time to time.  …

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Spinach Bites

  Besides all the great lectures I got to sit in on and the technology I got to play with at the TAASLP convention (mentioned in my last post), I should also take a minute to brag talk about college bowl. (It’s kind of a big deal. To us students, anyway.) On Thursday night of …

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Avocado Aioli

  Have you ever played whack-a-mole… without your hands? Spoken a word without your mouth? I had the coolest experience this weekend at the TAASLP (Tennessee Association for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists) convention in Murfreesboro, TN. That translates to 2 days in a swanky hotel with free chocolate chip cookies and an all day coffee …

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Mexican White Queso Dip

  Our family loves Mexican food and has eaten at Mexican restaurants more than any other type of restaurant.  Very frequently, we order the white queso dip to eat with chips before our meal.  The biggest problem with it is that they bring a tiny bowl for a group of major cheese dip lovers! This …

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Pepper Jelly

  The inspiration and encouragement for making this pepper jelly recipe came from Kelli’s husband, Justin.  When we were discussing what types of appetizer foods to serve at their wedding reception, Justin mentioned pepper jelly.  He liked it served on a brick of cream cheese, with interesting kinds of crackers.  I had never made or …

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Pepper Poppers

  Just a few years ago, peppers started appearing on all kinds of restaurant appetizer menus.  I have seen names such as Jalapeno Poppers, Rattlesnake Bites, and Stuffed Jalapenos.  While I have not been a fan of extremely hot pepper foods, when I have tried these appetizers, I really liked all of them.  They all …

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Bruschetta with Roasted Red Pepper, Olive & Brie

Sometimes trying a new ingredient will spur me to try or create a new recipe.  Lately when I grocery shop, I have been trying something new nearly every time I go.  It may be a new type of cheese, a new vegetable, or a condiment.  This recipe is a result of one of those times.  …

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Jamaican Shrimp

  I’m finished, and can’t believe it. My first year of graduate study is complete with a 4.0 GPA! Justin’s 1L year, reportedly the toughest of the three, is complete and we’re still happily married in spite of those nasty law school divorce statistics. (And if you don’t know, they are seriously bad. I heard …

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Texas Roadhouse Potato Skins

  I love appetizers! It’s especially yummy when you get that combination platter at a restaurant that comes with several to try.  At one particular restaurant, I love the combo that comes with fried cheese wedges, potato skins, and chicken strips.  I’d never really thought much about making the potato skins at home until I …

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Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

  This delicious dip recipe came from my sister who is a great cook!  It is actually so good that when my daughter Kelli got married a couple of years ago, I included this dip on the table of appetizers that we served at the wedding.  It is super easy to put together and can …