Big Soft Ginger Cookies

Ginger cookies are a favorite of mine, whether they're crinkles, gingerbread, or even the kid-friendly mild variety.

I just love that spicy, deep flavor.

Does any cookie really scream Fall more than a ginger cookie?

I think not.

I love to bake for people, I really do, and I seize pretty much any opportunity I can get to do it- especially if it means I get to try out a new recipe while doing it!

Every once in a while there's a request in our church bulletin for cookies for the Kairos prison ministry, and this week I baked up a few dozen cookies to contribute.

The guidelines required a sturdy, fairly simple cookie sans icing or frosting.

:-) Good thing I've been eyeing this recipe for Big Soft Ginger Cookies for awhile now...

The Best Cornbread In The World

It wasn't until I moved to the South that I realized what a divisive subject cornbread is.

Here, it is baked in a cast iron skillet.  The crumb of the bread is more coarse than I am used to, it is slightly more dry in texture, and it is far less sweet.

Not to say that there is anything wrong with that!  It's fantastic with soup beans or chili, since that dry crumb really stands up to pretty much any broth.

It's just not what I grew up with.

I've made several varieties of cornbread over the years, but the one recipe I keep returning to is my mother's.

EVERYONE loves it.  It's a little addictive...though it wasn't until I grew up and started making it myself that I realized why.

Super Simple Homemade Tartar Sauce

Growing up, for years and years and years, I had a best friend who lived across the street from me.

When her family first moved to town her grandparents came too- and I loved them.

Her grandparents were awesome.

They introduced me to fried eggs, Bing Crosby, and- being from Ireland- all things Irish.

I spent a lot of time with my friend and her grandparents, and one of the things that sticks out in my memory is that they ate fish on Fridays.

More than 2 decades later I can't see a fish filet without thinking of them.

Weird.  I know.

Anyway, I say all of that to say this- I made fish the other day.  It reminded me of them.

The end.

Ok, not really, I know I'm really tangenting today, apologies!

So back to the fish I made...

Chilly Weather and Warm Meals

Around this time every year I suddenly remember that I own a slow cooker- three of them actually.  We had a bit of a yours, mine, and ours situation with kitchen gadgets when my husband and I got married, with neither one of us willing to get rid of our slow cookers. :-)

You would think I'd remember my small army of Crock Pots during the Summer when I don't want to heat up the house, but no, that would just make too much sense, right?

Instead, when the weather turns chilly and the skies go gray the thought of warm, filling meals entices me to drag the slow cooker(s) out of their warm-weather hibernation and put them to good use.

This month I was asked by Allrecipes to make a couple of slow cooker recipes from the Reynolds recipe collection on their site.  Of course I was happy to help!

Fajita Stuffed Jalapeños

You may have picked up on this already, but I'm a bit of a fan of food.  And eating.  And excuses to eat.  I'm really a fan of eating food that doesn't make me feel guilty stuffing my face.

My favorite excuse of late?  Football.

That's right.  Football.

Football is an amazing excuse to make delicious, snackable foods.

And I've made a lot of them lately :-)

While they aren't all low carb, there's a certain joy I get in making a yummy snack that we can all enjoy, regardless of dietary preferences.

These Fajita Stuffed Jalapeños fit the bill perfectly- they're delicious and low carb too!

Low Carb Boneless Buffalo Wings

I've written, oh you know, a few posts about game day food over the past couple of years- I've got some pretty awesome recipes in my arsenal.   

Though I'm just as thrilled about a plate of nachos as the next person, they don't exactly fit into the low carb way of eating I try to stick with.

I get that low carb may not be your thing, but if you're in the same boat as me- or even if you're not, honestly, because these are delicious- these are absolutely for you.

Touchdown Chili Gets A Johnsonville Makeover

There are few companies that I trust more than Johnsonville.  That's quite a statement, right?

Not just saying it.  For reals.  It's true.


I've had SO many good experiences with them, both as an Allstar and just a regular consumer.  These guys care.  I really just don't know how else to say it.

They are always quick to do whatever they can to please and care for their customers.  They're just a great company to deal with- did I mention they really make great products too?  Because they do.  Worth every cent to purchase their products rather than store brand.

Needless to say, I was THRILLED to be given the opportunity to work with them again this month through Allrecipes.