Mexican Casserole

This is my mom’s Mexican Casserole recipe. It has nacho cheese Doritos in it, so naturally I adored it when I was a kid. Actually, I still adore it now! It is cheesy, crispy, meaty goodness. You can dress it up with sides, but honestly it’s good enough to eat plain. Guessipe 20 oz cheddar…

Pico de Gallo

When I go to a taco place, I always make sure to get a healthy scoop of the Pico de Gallo at the salsa bar. It’s got a little spice, but also adds a nice pop of freshness to any taco. Pico de Gallo is equally good with just some tortilla chips. Or you can…

Split Pea Soup

During this time of year, the holiday ham inevitably makes an appearance. While chowing down on sliced ham has never been my thing, ham is pretty wonderful for making a hearty, warming pot of split pea soup. If you have the ham hock, throw that in too, as it will add great flavor. Otherwise, just…

Peach Ribs

My mom would make these peach ribs. I loved how they were sweet from the peaches and a little tangy. I never enjoyed drinking peach nectar as I found it too think for my liking, but it is great for cooking this dish. Guessipe 4 lbs pork spareribs, cut into individual ribs Salt to taste…

Ramen Eggs

One of the best things about getting ramen is that flavorful egg with the just-a-touch cooked yolk. You can make this magical treat at home and use it to punch up instant ramen in a pinch. I’ve also been known to just gobble ramen eggs as a snack. Guessipe 2 eggs 1/3 cup water 2…

Curry Chicken Rice Salad

My mom makes this dish, and there’s something about it that’s so comforting. It’s also great because it’s a whole meal in one – grain, meat, and veg. So it’s great for scooping yourself a giant bowl and just going to town. Guessipe 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups…

Pineapple Trifle

Traditionally a trifle is made up of a fancy cream custard, sponge cake or lady fingers, and fruit compote. This is my poor man’s version of a trifle – much easier to whip up with no cooking involved and using ingredients you could easily have around. But the result is a fancy-looking dessert that you…

Sherry Cream Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

A friend of mine made these brussels sprouts for a Friendsgiving dinner one year. The combination of sherry, cream, bacon, and mushrooms made a richly nuanced sauce that was wonderful on the brussels sprouts (but would also be good on pretty much anything). I forced him to teach me how to make this brussels sprouts…

Savory Sweet Ribs

When I was a kid and my mom asked what we wanted for dinner, I often requested these ribs. She was doing salty sweet before it became a thing. They’re her home version of Chinese BBQ ribs. She was a busy woman and cooked them at a higher temp for less time, but I’ve modified…

XO Sauce Shredded Brussels Sprouts

XO sauce is a magical ingredient. Its primary components are dried scallops and chili peppers, so it adds great umami and a little bit of spice to your dish. Combined with honey, you get a wonderful sweet savory spicy mix. These shredded Brussels sprouts soak up the flavor and have great texture. I’ve seen XO…

Joe’s Special

Who is Joe? I’ve no idea, nor does my mom who made this dish often throughout my childhood. I’ve occasionally seen it on restaurant menus, but usually as a breakfast scramble. My mom’s version is lighter on the eggs, heavier on the ground beef. We ate it for dinner. Guessipe 2 lbs ground beef 2…

Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

Do you remember when it was your birthday and your mom would send you to elementary school with cupcakes for everybody in the class? Well, my mom would make these awesome mini cherry cheesecakes, which made my birthday the most looked-forward-to of the whole school year. These are easy to make, but look fancy, taste…