thekitchenismyplayground Profile

Latest Blog Posts

• Cherry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
  on Dec 17, 2016 in Chocolate Cookies
  Inspired by the flavors of classic chocolate covered cherries, these Cherry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are perfect for the holiday season.  Or for Valentine's Day.  Or ... for ANY day.  While they may not have the oozy, gooey center of choco...
• No-Bake Lumps of Coal {aka: Oreo Cocoa Krispie Treats Coal}
  on Dec 14, 2016 in Candy Christmas Cookies
  Know someone on the naughty list?  Make them a batch of these no-bake Lumps of Coal.  Oreo Cocoa Krispie Treats coal is such a deliciously fun way to tell folks they'd better shape up!I sure know a few people who should be on the naughty list!
• Slow Cooker Caramel Hot Chocolate
  on Dec 12, 2016 in Beverages
  'Tis the season to be jolly!  And the season to host all those festive holiday get-togethers.  Whether it's an afternoon sledding party, a holiday brunch, girls' night in, a fun cookie or gift exchange, or a casual Christmas get-togethe...
• Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies
  on Dec 9, 2016 in Chocolate Christmas Cookies
  Spread some holiday cheer with these adorable little Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies.  They're a great cookie project for grown-ups and kids alike because they're just plain fun to make ... and to eat!CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERIt'...
• Kahlua Chocolate Truffles
  on Dec 1, 2016 in Candy Chocolate Spirited
  What's the Christmas season without chocolate?  Biting into the creamy ganache center of these Kahlua Chocolate Truffles is pure chocolate bliss.  They're just the right indulgently delicious chocolate treat for the holidays!CLICK HERE TO P...
• Easy Ham & Cheese French Bread Pizza
  on Sep 2, 2016 in Absolute Favs Easy Ham Pizza
  It's busy back-to-school time!  Keep this easy Ham & Cheese French Bread Pizza recipe up your sleeve for when you need a quick lunch idea for these jam-packed times ... whether it's for a busy Saturday lunch, or to slice up and send in t...
• Apple Pie Filling Fruit Salad
  on Aug 26, 2016 in Easy Fruit Salads
  With it's mix of crisp fresh fruit, tender chunks of cooked apples, and cinnamon-laced glaze, Apple Pie Filling Fruit Salad will be loved by all.  Perfect for breakfast, brunch, potluck get-togethers, or as a simple dinner side.Sometimes a simpl...
• Spicy Baked Beans with Bacon
  on Aug 22, 2016 in Family Cookbook Sides
  With a handful of pantry staples and a few slices of bacon, whip up a tasty pan of easy semi-homemade Spicy Baked Beans with Bacon.  They're the perfect cookout side.CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERAlas, we are nearing the end of summer.  And I...
• Homemade Boursin Cheese Spread
  on Aug 19, 2016 in Absolute Favs Appetizers Easy Family Cookbook
  Easy-to-make savory Boursin cheese spread, beautifully flecked with herbs and black pepper.  It's so simple to make your own at home!CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERI grew up eating Boursin cheese spread.  Mom and I had a favorite little herb f...
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars
  on Aug 19, 2016 in Absolute Favs Bars Desserts Easy
  Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars ~ Combine two favorites in these totally tasty bars.  They're a double dessert delight!CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERYou just can't go wrong with chocolate chip cookies.  And you especially can't...
• Puppy Chow {or Yuppy Chow}
  on Aug 12, 2016 in Absolute Favs Desserts Family Cookbook Snacks
  Covered in chocolaty goodness and powdered sugar, Puppy Chow {or Yuppy Chow} is a classic sweet treat ... perfect for everyday snacking or for holiday gift giving.  It's freezer-friendly, too, for make-way-ahead convenience.CLICK HERE TO PIN THI...
• Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli Sheet Pan Supper
  on Aug 12, 2016 in Absolute Favs Main Dishes Seafood
  Looking for low-effort, flavorful dinner ideas?  Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli Sheet Pan Supper is for you!  With just a little tossing of ingredients together, this one-pan dish with tasty lemony shrimp and cumin-spiced roasted broccoli is ready...
• {Mostly} Whole Grain Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
  on Aug 12, 2016 in Absolute Favs Berries Breakfast Fruit Muffins Snacks Summer Produce Whole Grain
  Made with ground oats, whole wheat flour, and just a touch of white flour, these Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins are mostly whole grain.  They make for a perfect low-guilt breakfast or after-school snack treat!CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERI love bluebe...
• Sweet BBQ Pork Chops
  on Jul 27, 2016 in Family Cookbook Main Dishes Pork
  Jazz up a pan of pork chops with a quick-and-easy sauce with these one-skillet Sweet BBQ Pork Chops.  They're sure to please the whole family, and are freezer-friendly, too.To say that my husband and 6-year-old daughter like meat is a major unde...
• Carolina (or Redneck ... or Texas ...) Caviar
  on Jul 24, 2016 in Absolute Favs Appetizers Easy Party Fare Snacks Southern Tradition Vegetables
  Carolina Caviar ... Redneck Caviar ... or Texas Caviar.  Whatever you call it, this simple and healthy dip with black-eyed peas is just plain delicious.CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATERI've heard this dip-able concoction called various different...
• 15 YEARS! ... My Personal Cancer Story {and Chocolate & Cheesecake Cupcakes to Celebrate}
  on Jul 15, 2016 in Absolute Favs Cheesecake Chocolate Classics Cupcakes Family Cookbook Frosting Musings
  Let's all enjoy some Chocolate & Cheesecake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting ... to celebrate my personal story of beating cancer!"To everyone who is battling cancer, I hope you are all successful against this disease. I hope that for...
• Blueberry Crisp ... dee-lish
  on Jul 10, 2016 in Absolute Favs Berries Desserts Easy Fruit Summer Produce Whole Grain
  Enjoy the flavors of fresh blueberry pie without the fuss of a crust ... make easy-as-can-be Blueberry Crisp instead!I may just have a new favorite fruit dessert!  I don't know why I didn't think of this before.  Apple crisp? ...  Make it...
• Pizza Spaghetti Bake
  on Jul 5, 2016 in Absolute Favs Casseroles Crazy Cooking Challenge Easy Main Dishes Pasta Pizza Sausage
  Pizza ~ always a favorite.  Spaghetti ~ always a favorite.  So why not put them together in one delicious dish?  Why not, indeed!  With this Pizza Spaghetti Bake, you can enjoy two family favorites in one quick-and-easy dinner.CLICK HERE TO PIN T...
• Easy Fruit Dip {Just 2 Ingredients, 3 Flavors!}
  on Jul 3, 2016 in Absolute Favs Dips Easy Fruit
  Love easy recipes that taste great?  Then this Easy Fruit Dip recipe is for you!  With just two simple ingredients, you can whip up this creamy-and-delicious dip in no time flat ... with three flavor choices, to boot.You know how sometimes a recipe...
• {Easy} No-Bake Peach Yum Yum
  on Jun 30, 2016 in Desserts Easy
  No-Bake Peach Yum Yum ~ A classic layered no-bake dessert with a graham cracker crust and peach pie filling sandwiched between two creamy layers.  It's sure to be a hit!I have a special place in my heart for no-bake desserts.  Mostly because th...