Spicy Crackers

Time for another month of Secret Recipe Club!

 









































This month I was assigned to Rhonda, aka Giggles', blog The Kitchen Witch. So many good recipes! I wanted to make them all, and over time, I know I'll make a lot of them! Like her Featherlight Cheddar-Ranch Puffs which remind me of Red Lobster biscuits - Yum! And this Champagne Sunrise, I am a champagne FREAK! And Maple Rum Pecan Cupcakes with Candied Bacon??? I love all.of.the.things.  





































































But ultimately I chose this recipe because I'm all about a good dip or salsa during football games and for a quick snack, and what better way to jazz that dip up than with some spicy crackers!?!?
 
 
























































Be sure to use a deeper, narrower container rather than wide and shallow so that the oil and spices are more covering the crackers as they sit in the oils and spices overnight. The more shallow the container, the less the oil will cover the full surface area of the cracker. You'll flip midway through, so the crackers should be evenly and fully covered in the seasonings and oil, though not drenched. Also, don't stack the crackers so tight together... leave a little space between them so the oils and spices can get down in there and cover the entirety of the cracker and not just the top.

Now you've got yourself some extra-special crackers for dips, salsas, soups, whatever you usually use crackers for.  

   


Spicy Crackers
from The Kitchen Witch

• 1 and 1/3 cup canola oil (do not substitute according to Aunt Pam)
• 3 sleeves saltine crackers
• 1 package Ranch mix
• 3 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 teaspoon dried thyme

Stack the crackers standing upright in a plastic container that tightly seals, not overcrowding the container. 

Mix all spices and canola oil in a medium bowl. Pour evenly over the crackers, making sure the mixture gets down in the crevices so it will fully soak and cover the entire cracker overnight for 24 hours. Flip crackers midway through.
  

Printable Recipe

These crackers would be so good with Pineapple Salsa for that sweet and spicy contrast. Or with Avocado Salsa or Black Bean Corn Salsa. Definitely with some Bacon Spinach Cheese Ball. Like definitely. Or even with the most simplest Chipotle Ranch Dip.

And I KNOW I'll definitely be making her Grandpa Hoho's Shrimp Dip soon to go with these delicious crackers!
 

Check out my past Secret Recipe Club posts. 
 


linking up here.


Peace, and bacon grease!

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

Secret Recipe Club time!

This month I was assigned to Brittany's blog, We Heart Vegan. I was intrigued looking through her recipes since I'm not familiar with vegan foods. I was tempted by Spicy Sweet Potato Fries, Vegan Enchiladas with a Creamy Pumpkin Sauce, and Cookies 'n Cream Cupcakes, I chose this recipe. 

I am all about pumpkin everything during these fall days! I'll take any opportunity I can to eat something pumpkin flavored! 

Crazy thing is, I used to think I didn't love pumpkin. I'm not big on pumpkin pie actually, but I tend to like most other things pumpkin-flavored.

This dip was no exception. Creamy, a bit sweet, and that comforting pumpkin flavor. 

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
adapted from We Heart Vegan

Yields: 1 cup (about 6-8 servings) 

• 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• Pinch of sea salt

In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well with a spoon until no lumps remain and all ingredients are incorporated.


Printable Recipe


Serve this delightful dip with crackers, cookies, fruit... whatever your little heart desires. 

Or you can eat it by the spoon. 

No judgment here.


Peace, and bacon grease!

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Muffin-Pan Potato Gratins

It's Secret Recipe Club time again. One of my fave times of each month!

This month I was assigned to the blog, A Couple in the Kitchen. So many good recipes like their award-winning Sweet Chili and Coconut Corn Soup, which I was so tempted to make, and their Cider Sage Gravy would be perfect for the quickly-approaching fall season. But ultimately though I chose these rich and tasty potatoes. Because if you hadn't guessed by my name, I'm a potato freak! Plus I love the idea of using muffin pans for these individual gratins.

This recipe calls for gruyere cheese, which can be a bit pricey. You can substitute comte or beaufort - A French cheese.... or a more easily-accessible Swiss cheese. I loved the gruyere cheese in this potato dish. I made the mistake of only using one jumbo sized russet potato. Go ahead and use two large russet potatoes if you can... I would have liked more potatoes in my stacks. If you have a mandolin slicer (I've seen it spelled mandolin and mandoline, not sure what's correct), then use that to thinly slice the potatoes. I just used a knife but of course there were some inconsistencies in thickness. But we still loved and devoured these cheesy, creamy, crispy stacks.

Muffin-Pan Potato Gratins
from A Couple in the Kitchen

• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons white pepper
• 6 ounces grated gruyere cheese
• 1 and 3/4 cups heavy cream
• 2 ounces grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease the cups of a 12-muffin pan. 

Layer each cup with potato slice, topped with salt and white pepper, and gruyere cheese. Continue to layer like this until each muffin cup is full. Add two tablespoons of heavy cream to each muffin cup. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. 

Remove the foil and top each stack with the parmesan cheese, dividing evenly. Return to oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from pan.

Printable Recipe

I'll make these again and again. They're not a lot of work, but seem so fancy. Rich, filling, indulgent... exactly what food should be. These mini gratins will make a perfect side to any meal. But maybe keep the main course light  :)

Check out my past Secret Recipe Club posts. 




Peace, and bacon grease!

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Glazed Donut Strawberry Shortcake

Secret Recipe Club time again. Man it comes so fast! Months are just flying by. Oh, the truths of getting older.

 
This month I was assigned to Christina's blog, Mis-Cakes Oven Adventures. So many tasty desserts to choose to make! With recipes like PB Banana Brownies, No Bake Nutella Cookies, and Brown Butter Monkey Bread, she made it really hard for me to narrow it down to the perfect recipe. But when I saw this, I was done. Over. Finished. No more searching. I've found my calling. I've died and gone to heaven.

 
















































A strawberry shortcake simplified without all the cooking, and yet so amplified by the use of donuts. You'll have these desserts whipped up in a jiffy, and people will think you're all fancy schmancy when really all you had to do was slice some strawberries and have your mixer whip up some whipped cream. 

Done and done!

Glazed Donut Strawberry Shortcake
from Mis-Cakes Oven Adventures

• 4 fresh glazed donuts
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Place strawberries in a bowl. Top with sugar and mix. Let sit for a bit.

Add heavy whipping cream to electric mixer bowl and whisk on high until soft peaks form. Turn mixer to slow, adding powdered sugar and vanilla. Return to high speed and beat until stiff peaks form. 

Slice each donut and set top slices aside. On the bottom of each donut, place 1/4 of the strawberries and top with 1/4 of the whipped cream. Top with the top of the donut.


Printable Recipe








Forget slaving over a hot stove all day. These shortcakes are the perfect summer dessert. Quick, easy, no cooking required, no heat required, and just as delicious as the real thing. 

 
No cooking? Now you've got more time for summer fun. 

You're welcome. 

Check out my past Secret Recipe Club posts.



Linking up here.





Peace, and bacon grease!

Glazed Donut Strawberry Shortcake

Glazed Donut Strawberry Shortcake

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Bacon and Spicy Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

It's Secret Recipe Club tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!

 


























































This month I was assigned to Veronica's (aka Vonnie's) blog, My Catholic Kitchen. I knew I'd love her blog as soon as I read that she loves Krispy Kreme Donuts, fried chicken, and southern food just like me. And her recipes have been featured in Taste of Home cookbooks! What an accomplishment!

I did my usual perusing and spotted some eye-catchers like Nutella Swirl Bundt Cake and Bourbon Burgers, but finally had to narrow it down and chose her Stuffed Mushrooms. 

I made a few changes, mainly just that I used fancy cream cheeses and added some fresh chives. I liked this new Spicy Jalapeno cream cheese flavor... it added the perfect amount of heat to make these little apps even more flavorful.

I made 8 portabello stuffers total. Next time I'd make less cream cheese mixture and not fill them as much so I adjusted the recipe to show a little less cream cheese. You can adjust your recipe to yield a mushroom:cream cheese ratio that suits you and your family though. These little guys were on point! 

But did you really think you could go wrong with roasted mushrooms, bacon, cream cheese, and chives with a spicy kick? Didn't think so.






Bacon and Spicy Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
adapted from My Catholic Kitchen

• 3 oz Philadelphia Spicy Jalapeno cream cheese, softened
• 3 oz Philadelphia Chive and Onion cream cheese, softened
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled (reserve some for garnish)
• 3 chives, chopped and divided
• 8 stuffer portabello mushrooms, rinsed and wiped dry

In a large bowl, mix cream cheeses, crumbled bacon, and 2 chopped chives. Mix until well blended. Stuff mushrooms with mixture. Bake on a baking sheet with edges/rim at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Top with reserved bacon and 1 chopped chive.

Printable Recipe

Check out my past Secret Recipe Club posts. 




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Peace, and bacon grease!

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Nutella French Toast Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar

It's been way too long since I've posted a recipe on the ole blog. I've missssssssssssssed you!

Well what's the best way to get back into the blogging world? With a Secret Recipe Club post, that's what!

This month I was assigned to Louise's blog, Lick the Spoon. Louise is from Australia! So cool! Welp, I've got a new blog to follow. Love her recipes AND her photos. I had to narrow it down from 15 recipes. Yes 15. Like her Raspberry Lemonade Slice, Banana Muffins with Cinnamon Walnuts and Brown Butter Icing, and her Boston Banoffee Pie. But ultimately her Nutella French Toast Rolls won out. Cuz I love breakfast and french toast and nutella. No brainer.

Nutella French Toast Rolls with Cinnamon Sugar
from Lick That Spoon

• 10 slices of white bread (we used Private Selection Sugarhouse Maple Streusel bread - yum!)
• 10 teaspoons of nutella
• 1 large egg
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• butter, for frying

Remove the crusts from the slices of bread. Discard the crusts. Or eat them because that Maple Streusel bread is delish).

Roll each slice of bread with a rolling pin. Spread each slice of flattened bread with one teaspoon of nutella, spreading on one side of the bread to the length of the bread. Roll the bread up tightly, sealing shut with a dab of nutella.

In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk until combined. 

In a shallow dish, combine the sugar and cinnamon and mix well.

Heat some butter in a skillet. Dip each roll in the egg mixture until coated, then placing in the hot skillet. Lightly fry until golden brown all over, then roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Serve immediately.


Printable Recipe

I loved this twist on the traditional french toast. Next time I'll try it with regular white bread because it was a bit hard to roll up the bread I used and they weren't so perfect and smooth like hers. But they were still tasty.

Plus I'll take any recipe that calls for nutella and sugar for breakfast!

Here's the other Secret Recipe Club posts I've written in the past, check em out.


Linking up here.  
 
Peace, and bacon grease!

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Mushroom and Spinach Frittata

It's that time again... time for the Secret Recipe Club!

This month I was assigned to India's blog, A Vegan Obsession. I'm not at all familiar with the vegan lifestyle so it was cool to peruse through her blog and see how she cooks and eats.

I chose her frittata to make, but adapted it to my likings a bit, and used eggs.

Mushroom and Spinach Frittata
adapted from A Vegan Obsession

• 16 oz baby bella mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 a yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 5 eggs
• salt to taste 
• sour cream, for topping

Preheat broiler.

Rinse mushrooms to remove dirt. In a large oven-proof skillet, saute mushrooms on high and stir, until water has drained from mushrooms and formed in skillet; drain. Add 2 tablespoons butter and continue to saute and stir. Season with salt and stir. 

Reduce to low heat, add onion and garlic and saute for 3-5 minutes. 

Add spinach and saute until wilted. 

Beat eggs in a bowl; add eggs to skillet. Cover skillet with lid and cook for about 15 minutes, or until eggs are nearly set.

Remove lid and put skillet under the broiler for 2-5 minutes until the top is nicely browned and eggs are set, watching so that it doesn't brown too much.

Slice and serve hot.

Top with sour cream, if desired.   

Printable Recipe








































This hearty breakfast or brunch is filling and tasty. And if you don't eat it all, just refrigerate and reheat for breakfast before work or school and you've got yourself an easy breakfast.


Check out what the other Group C members brought to the table!!


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Peace, and bacon grease!

 

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Strawberries and Cream Crunch Parfaits

I always look forward to The Secret Recipe Club each month. I've found some amazing blogs and posted some amazing recipes over the years I've been a member.

It's exciting being assigned to a new blog and searching through their recipe archive to find the perfect recipe for me. This month was no different - I was assigned to Serena and Deanna's blog, Teaspoon of Spice, a new-to-me blog. Perfect timing too, they are two dieticians and lately I have been wanting to get my butt in shape. 

 

A little. You saw my Bacon Spinach Cheese Ball (it has spinach in it at least, does that count??) and Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark recently, and I doubled the caramel on that bark recipe, so I can't say I'm very strict with it. I just can't give up my good-for-my-taste buds-but-bad-for-my-belly foods. But I've been more conscious of trying to drink more water, and since I work at a desk all day, of getting up and taking more steps throughout the day and taking the stairs whenever possible. And I can eat some healthier recipes here and there too, without giving up the foods I love still.

On my first trip to Whole Foods, I knew this would be the perfect time to pick up some organic strawberries and healthy granola to make their Strawberries and Cream Crunch Parfaits. I already had some Greek yogurt in my fridge from the salad I made the other day with Chipotle Ranch Dressing.

Strawberries and Cream Crunch Parfaits

from Teaspoon of Spice

• 3/4 cup sliced strawberries
• 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese (or reduced fat cream cheese)
• 2 tablespoons nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup low fat granola 
• whipped cream, for topping

In a small bowl, mix together mascarpone cheese and yogurt. In a parfait glass, layer 1/4 cup sliced strawberries. Spoon half of the cheese/yogurt mixture onto strawberries in the parfait glass. Layer with 2 tablespoons granola. Repeat with another 1/4 cup layer of strawberries, the remaining cheese/yogurt mixture and remaining granola. Top with remaining strawberries and dollop with whipped cream.

Printable Recipe

We were surprised at how much we liked this! I've got some strawberries leftover so I'll be whipping another one of these together for a light and healthy snack very soon. This healthy thing won't be so hard after all with delicious recipes like this!

Check out what the other Group C members brought to the table!! 



Linking up here.  


Peace, and bacon grease!

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