Crispy Parmesan Baked Potatoes

This is another very simply recipe that requires little prep work. The Parmesan makes a crispy crust on the potatoes, which is so delicious. We should have had leftovers, but we kept grabbing extras as we were cleaning up from dinner!

You will need:

• 1/2 c finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t onion powder
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/2 t dried oregano
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1 1/2 lb baby red-skinned potatoes
• Olive oil

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Pour just enough olive oil in a 9×13 baking dish to coat the bottom.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cheese with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano and pepper.
3. Sprinkle the cheese mixture along the bottom of the prepared baking dish until evenly coated.
4. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise.
5. Place the potatoes, cut side down, on top of the cheese mixture.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
7. Remove from oven and use a knife to gently cut through the cheese and separate the potatoes.
8. Allow to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

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Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Feeling ambitious or extra chef-y? Making your own blue cheese dressing at home is super simple and quite delicious. This goes especially great with Baked Chicken Wings.

You will need:

• 1/2 crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 c sour cream
• 1 T lemon juice
• 1/4 t Worcestershire sauce
• Up to a 1/2 c heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A few splashes of your favorite hot sauce

Then you will…

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine together the blue cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Slowly mix in the heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Season with salt and pepper and hot sauce to taste.
4. Allow to sit at least 15 minutes before serving so that the flavors can meld together.

Baked Chicken Wings

I adore these baked chicken wings! They are so easy and very flavorful that they make me smile every time I make them. Plus you can change up the spice level to meet your mood!

You will need:

• ~2 lb chicken drumettes
• 2 t garlic powder
• 1 t fresh cracked pepper
• 1 t dried thyme
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/2 t salt
• 2 T your favorite hot sauce (adjusted to your spice preference)
• 3 T unsalted butter, melted

Then you will…

1. Preheat you oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder with the pepper, thyme, paprika and salt.
4. Toss the chicken with the seasoning mixture and gently rub into the wings.
5. In the small bowl, mix together the hot sauce and butter.
6. Pour the sauce over the seasoned wings and gently rub in so that all the wings are coated.
7. Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 30 minutes.
9. Rotate the pan 180 degrees.
10. Bake for another 15 minutes or so until cooked through. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
11. Remove from oven and serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing. Carrots and celery are great accompaniments too!

Hot and Cheesy Corn Dip

This is a fun twist on gooey, cheesy dips that reminds me of summer with all the sweet corn inside. It goes wonderfully with crispy tortilla chips (we had a mix of blue corn and sweet potato chips on hand). If you have fresh summer corn at home, feel free to cut the kernels off a cob or two and mix it in before baking for extra crunch and the deliciousness of long sunny days.

You will need:

 

• 16 oz (2 sticks) low fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c sour cream
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 T hot sauce
• 2 limes, zested and juices
• 2 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• ~30 oz canned corn, drained and rinsed
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 4.5 oz chopped green chiles (mild to spicy, depending on your taste)
• 1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped
• 3 T red onion, chopped
• 1/3 c fresh cilantro, chopped

 

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Use a food processor to mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, hot sauce, lime juice, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese mixture with 1 cup of the cheddar, lime zest, corn, feta, green chiles with their liquid, red onion, scallion and cilantro.
4. Pour mixture into a prepared pie plate.
5. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and delicious.

Greek Yogurt Ranch

Not everyone likes ranch, but if you do, try out this recipe. It can be used as a dip or a sauce, and it tastes even better if you let it sit overnight.

You will need:

• 1 c plain Greek yogurt
• 1 t dried parsley
• 1/2 t dried dill
• 1/2 t dried garlic powder
• 3/4 t dried onion powder
• 1/2 t dried chives
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Then you will…

1. Mix everything together in a small bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Refrigerate overnight.

Note: if you want a thinner dip/sauce, slowly mix in milk  until you reach the desired consistency.

 

Parmesan Carrots

This is an incredibly simple side dish that is perfect for kids and grownups alike. The Parmesan coating makes it crispy and more like a french fry.

You will need:

• 4 carrots, peeled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 T water
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/4 t pepper
• 1/2 c Parmesan cheese, grated

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut each carrot so it is half as long, and then cut each piece in half lengthwise so you have 16 pieces.
3. Cut each piece into 3 long slices.
4. Whisk together the egg, water, garlic, paprika and pepper on a plate.
5. Put the Parmesan on a second plate.
6. Dredge a carrot in the egg wash and allow the excess to drip off.
7. Roll in the Parmesan and place on the lined baking sheet.
8. Repeat with the other carrot pieces.
9. Bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms

I love mushrooms. They are an ingredient we almost always have in our vegetable drawer at home. This is a very simple side dish with everyday ingredients, perfect for last minute dinner parties.

You will need:

• 1 lb crimini mushrooms, cleaned and de-stemmed
• 1/4 c butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 c breadcrumbs (I used panko)
• 1/4 c Parmesan, grated
• 1/2 t paprika

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the mushrooms in a pie plate.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the butter and garlic. Spoon over the mushrooms.
4. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and paprika.
7. Remove the mushrooms from the oven and sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.
8. Bake another 10-15 minutes, or until the topping starts to turn golden and crispy.