Spicy Stewed Beef with Creamy Cheddar Grits

Maybe it’s because I am been feeling a bit run down recently, but I have been listening to a lot of country music, trying to feel connected back to my roots.  With this it got me researching a lot of southern comfort food recipes.  We all know the classic shrimp and grits (which I LOVE), but I came across this beef and grits recipe and was so intrigued by the combination of tastes that I knew I needed to make it.  With a long Memorial Day weekend ahead, I knew it was the perfect time to relax, disconnect and do some good home cookin’.

Now, I will say that you need to be a lover of spice because this is definitely spicy!  But the balance of the creamy cheddar grits and the spicy beef is pretty great! Enjoy!

Rosemary and Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips

This week’s recipe was inspired by the fact that I had one sweet potato in the fridge and I needed to use it before it went bad.  Additionally I didn’t really have much else in ways of ingredients, so I had to be crafty.  Thankfully I stumbled across this recipe that turned out pretty awesome!  Such a great way to satisfy a craving. Enjoy!

Cuban Sliders

Whenever I see Cuban sandwiches, I think of my sister.  She loves Cuban sandwiches!  A few weeks ago my Dad was in town and we found a great Cuban restaurant as we were driving around the city.  I got a little inspired and started looking up recipes.  I know this isn’t a traditional Cuban, but any sandwich in the form of a slider makes everything a little better.  This recipe is definitely a keeper and so easy.

Whipped Feta

This weekend was a pretty darn good one!  One of my closest friends was in Chicago this weekend, I played host at home for the first time at home, and I made some great appetizers, one of which I am sharing today.  I am not sure about you, but I LOVE all kinds of cheese, anything from cheese wiz all the way to the fancy cheeses.  As I was trying to find some appetizer inspiration, I stumbled across a blog with an entry titled “whipped feta” – I was hooked.  This is one of the easiest things you can do and packs a lot of flavor.  I spread the whipped feta on some toasted garlic bread, roasted some Campari tomatoes with olive oil, 3 garlic cloves and topped it off with a little fresh basil…yummy!  

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Labor Day weekend in Chicago means the Jazz Festival is in town (and summer is coming to an end). There is nothing more fun than sitting on a lawn with friends, drinking some wine, listening to Jazz, and enjoying some great food.  I saw this recipe on Pinterest a few weeks ago and have wanted to try it out, but knew I needed an occasion when multiple people would help me eat it (great for a party).  I just love how the little bit of heat mixes will the cool coleslaw and the sweetness of the Kings Hawaiian bun.  It is finger licking good! 

Elote

I love when inspiration hits!  After a Cubs game outing last week I joined some friends at Moe’s Cantina for a drink and dinner.  We ordered a bunch of food to share and one of the dishes was called Elote.  Oh, my, goodness, it was DELICIOUS!  We couldn’t get enough…corn in a cheesy, creamy, spicy Mexican dish.  So, I set out to find a recipe to try and found this one.  I am definitely making this again and bring it to an upcoming air & water show party – it is sure to be a crowd pleaser!  Summer is still here and it is prime corn season, so I would strike while the iron is hot! 

Tzatziki Sauce

I have been rather uninspired recently with recipes (so please email me some good ones!).  But, inspiration finally hit me when I was looking through some old pictures of one of my favorite trips…Greece!   I remembered falling in love with tzatziki and eating massive amounts of it.  Being that it is summer and is hot (well some of the time it’s hot), I thought this would be a great recipe to share.  It is SUPER simple, very fresh and good for you!

White Peach Sangria

Having a party anytime soon? Are you tired of serving the same old thing…beer and wine?  Well, kick things up a notch with this REALLY easy and yummy white peach sangria recipe.  And since peaches are in season, it is the perfect time of year to make it!  Make sure your peaches are ripe and not too hard…you definitely want them nice and juicy…especially the ones you puree.  Make sure to load it up with lots of fruit and give the flavors time to come together.