
Many thanks to Epic Ink for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Many thanks to Epic Ink for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1½ c. pitted green olives
1 12-oz. jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained
Finely grated zest and seeded juice of 1 large lemon
3 T. olive oil, preferably extra virgin
2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and halved lengthwise
Put all the ingredients in a food processor. Cover and pulse repeatedly, uncovering and rearranging ingredients with a rubber spatula as necessary, until the mixture has the consistency of a coarse, slushy relish.
Transfer to two clean ½ pint jars or other containers, leaving about ½ inch headspace in each. Cover or seal, then refrigerate or freeze.
For a layered and sophisticated heat, add 1 stemmed pickled Calabrian chili.
The artichoke tapenade can be used as:
A spread on crackers or toasted bread.
A topping for pizzas or flatbreads.
A filling for omelets or sandwiches.
A dip for vegetables or pita chips.
A flavor enhancer in pasta or grain salads.
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Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole
1½ lbs. lean ground beef
1 T. chili powder
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 t. dried oregano
½ t. kosher salt
½ t. freshly ground black pepper
1 15.5-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 10-oz. can red enchilada sauce
1 10-oz. can green enchilada sauce
1 4-oz. can fire-roasted green chilies
1 white onion, diced
10 6-inch corn tortillas, cut into wedges
2 c. shredded Mexican cheese
Optional garnishes: cilantro, pico de gallo, chopped black olives, diced scallions, sour cream
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 7 minutes; drain. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Transfer the seasoned beef to a 4-quart slow cooker (FOUR QUART!!!). Add the pinto beans, red and green enchilada sauces, green chilies, and diced onion. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours, letting the flavors meld.
Stir in half of the tortilla wedges and half of the shredded cheese. Top with the remaining tortillas and cheese. Cover and cook on High for an additional 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Scoop into bowls and garnish with your favorites—cilantro, pico de gallo, black olives, scallions, or a dollop of sour cream.
This casserole reheats beautifully, making it perfect for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Freezer Option: Assemble the ingredients in a freezer-safe bag (minus tortillas and cheese) for a make-ahead meal. Thaw, cook, and add tortillas and cheese as directed.
Give this a try and let me know how it turns out! Got other slow Mexican cooker
recipes you love? Drop them in the comments—I’m always on the hunt for new
ideas to keep my Mexican food obsession alive.
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4 large bone-in rib pork chops
1 8-oz. pkg. sliced mushrooms (baby bellas recommended)
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 1-oz. envelope ranch dressing mix
½ t. garlic
powder
½ t. freshly ground black pepper
Pinch smoked paprika
1 1-oz. envelope pork gravy mix
1 10.5-oz can cream of mushroom soup
½ c. water
1 lb. Melissa’s Baby
Dutch Yellow Potatoes (or as many as desired)
Scatter the sliced mushrooms and onions evenly across the bottom of a 6-quart
slow cooker.
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides generously with the ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Place the pork chops on top of the mushrooms and onions in the slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup,
pork gravy mix, and ½ cup water until smooth. Pour the mixture over the pork
chops.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Check
for doneness after 4 hours on low or 3 hours on high; pork chops should be
tender and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
About 30 minutes before serving, add the baby potatoes to the slow cooker, nestling them into the sauce.
Carefully remove the pork chops and potatoes to a serving platter. Spoon the creamy mushroom sauce over the pork chops and potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Serves 4
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave
or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
I’ve been a huge fan of Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough’s cookbooks for years, their well-worn pages lining my kitchen shelves, but Cold Canning has stolen my heart as their best work yet. As someone who’s never tuned into their QVC stardom, I know them for their foolproof recipes, and this book delivers in spades. It’s completely changed how I preserve summer’s bounty, swapping the sweaty, steamy nightmare of hot-water canning for a brilliant cold canning method that’s easy, safe, and perfect for my small-batch experiments. No more standing over a boiling pot while my air conditioner begs for mercy—this book has been a lifesaver during those humid summer days.
You can order your copy here.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Voracious Publishers by way of Melissa’s Produce in exchange for my honest review.
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½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 c. dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ c. sour cream, not low fat
½ c. buttermilk
½ c. molasses
¼ c. dark
cocoa powder
1 t. baking
powder
½ t. baking
soda
1 t. kosher
salt
2 T. ground
cinnamon
1 T. ground
cloves
½ t. freshly ground nutmeg
2 t. ground
allspice
1 t. ground
ginger
¼–½ t. ground
white pepper
2 c. flour
1 c. hot water
1½ c. golden raisins
Glaze
4 c. powdered sugar
2 t. vanilla extract
¼–⅓ cup water
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray muffin tins with Baker’s
Joy.
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add
eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, and molasses; mix well.
Add cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon,
cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, white pepper, and flour. Mix until just
combined, scraping down the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Add hot water and mix until the batter is smooth. Fold in
raisins.
For regular muffins, use a ⅓-cup measure to fill tins. For large
muffins, use a ⅔-cup measure.
Bake regular muffins for 20–25 minutes or large muffins for
25–30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or the tops spring
back when lightly pressed. Avoid overbaking to keep them moist.
Remove muffins from tins and cool on a wire rack for 15
minutes.
Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and water until smooth.
Adjust water for desired consistency.
Flip muffins upside down on a baking sheet and pour glaze over the tops. Let set before serving.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
These muffins freeze well for up to 3 months.
Last week I ruminated on what I might do for a table setting with a New England-style Christmas Eve dinner planned. I had been dreaming up the perfect table that would capture the serene, timeless charm of a New England coastal vibe.
After much deliberation and wonderful input from all of you, I initially leaned toward “Balsam Lane” by Lenox for its sea-toned greens and Christmasy pine trees. My turquoise chargers and stemware seemed like the perfect fit to bring that coastal elegance to life. But then! A new contender changed everything: the Johnson Brothers Dream Town pattern. This discontinued gem, with its idyllic English village scenes, soft blues, and tiny pops of red, feels like fate. It’s not just a pattern, it’s a story that perfectly blends the New England aesthetic with holiday nostalgia.
Layer with Turquoise Chargers: Place Dream Town salad plates atop dinner plates in the Blanc Amelie pattern from Maison Versailles, on top of turquoise chargers to enhance the oceanic tones. The chargers’ bold color will frame the intricate village scenes, creating a striking contrast that feels both modern and timeless.
Natural Textures for Coastal Charm: Use a burlap or linen table runner in a
neutral tone like ivory or taupe to evoke sandy beaches, OR a fishing net like
I used here! Add woven placemats or rattan chargers for texture,
mimicking the rugged beauty of the New England coast.Create a centerpiece with driftwood, white candles, and sprigs of faux balsam
or pine, or this nautical-look rope-covered hurricane that I used here.
Use hurricane lanterns with white candles or string lights wrapped around greenery to create a cozy, inviting glow reminiscent of a lighthouse guiding ships home.
For those who own Dream Town, how have you styled it? Have you
used it for holiday gatherings or everyday dining? I’ve seen some stunning
examples online, like a vintage hutch display where Dream Town plates were
layered with brass candlesticks and wooden accents for a rustic yet elegant
look. Others have paired it with colorful glassware for a vibrant, eclectic
tablescape. If you’re lusting after this pattern like I am, how would you style
it? Would you lean into the coastal vibe with nautical touches, or perhaps mix
it with other Johnson Brothers patterns like Autumn’s Delight for a seasonal
twist?The Johnson Brothers Dream Town pattern has
captured my heart for this Christmas Eve table. Its blend of New England charm,
coastal colors, and holiday nostalgia feels like the perfect way to celebrate
with family and friends. Whether you’re a longtime collector or just discovering
this pattern, I’d love to hear your thoughts and styling ideas. Let’s create a
tablescape that brings the magic of a New England winter to life!
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This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday
1½ c. cooked, chopped chicken
1 (10.75-oz) can Cream of Chicken
Soup
½ c. sour cream
½ c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ c. frozen peas
1 T. dry Ranch dressing mix
3-4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
2 green onions, chopped, divided
1 small can (5 count) refrigerated biscuit dough
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 1.5-quart casserole dish with PAM.
Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and arrange evenly in the bottom of the dish.
In a large bowl, mix chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, peas, ¾ of the shredded cheese, ¾ of the green onions, and Ranch dressing mix until well combined.
Pour the chicken mixture over the biscuits, pressing it down gently to fill in around the biscuit pieces.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the
biscuits are golden brown.
Garnish with remaining green onions and crumbled bacon before serving.
**Tips**
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for baking later
in the day.
Feel free to swap peas for your favorite veggie, like carrots or broccoli, for a personalized touch.
Serve with a simple side salad for a complete
meal.
This dish is everything I love about August cooking: warm, comforting, and easy
to pull together with pantry staples. The biscuits bake up fluffy, soaking up
the creamy chicken mixture, while the bacon and green onions add just the right
amount of crunch and zing. Plus, using the full can of soup and all five
biscuits means no waste—just pure, home-cooked goodness.
What’s your go-to comfort food when August hits?
Let me know in the comments, and happy cooking!
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