Irish Soda Bread

This bread is extra tasty due to the addition of currants and a little bit of caraway seed. Serve it savory with sharp Irish cheddar and some sour cornichons. Serve it sweet with a bit of butter and jam.

You will need:

• 4 c flour plus 1 T extra
• 4 T sugar
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 4 T (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1 3/4 c cold buttermilk, shaken
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 orange, zested
• 1 c currants
• 1/2 t caraway seeds

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour with the sugar, baking soda and salt.
3. Add the butter and mix until well combined (you may want to use your fingers for this step).
4. In a measuring cup, lightly beat together the buttermilk, egg and orange zest.
5. Slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour.
6. Toss the raisins with a tablespoon of flour and the caraway seeds. Mix them into the wet dough.
7. Flour your counter well. Dump the dough onto the floured counter and knead it a few times until you can shape it into a round loaf.
8. Set the loaf on the prepped baking sheet and lightly cut a cross into the top with a serrated knife.
9. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow.
10. Cool on a baking rack.

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Ham and Cheese Snack Pinwheels

Need a fun afternoon snack? A tasty lunch treat? A great party app? Check these out! You can make them ahead of time and then pop them in the oven, which makes them even more convenient.

You will need:

• 1 rectangular refrigerated pizza dough
• 8 slices of thin sliced black forest ham
• 8 slices of swiss cheese
• 4 T unsalted butter
• 3 T Dijon mustard
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1/2 t pepper

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Unroll the pizza dough.
3. Lay the ham on top to cover the dough.
4. Lay the cheese on top of the ham.
5. Roll it up so you have a long tube.
6. Cut into 12 slices.
7. Lay the slices in the prepared baking dish, cut side facing up.
8. In a small bowl, melt the butter.
9. Mix in the mustard, brown sugar, and pepper.
10. Spread the mustard sauce on top of the pinwheels.
11. Bake 12 to 17 minutes, or until cooked through and golden.
12. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Pesto, Prosciuttio and Pea Puff Pastries

This is an incredibly simple appetizers or party snack. You barely need any time to put it together, and the end result is perfect finger food.

You will need:

• 1 piece of puff pastry, defrosted
• ~ 1/3 c refrigerated basil pesto
• 1/4 c sweet peas
• 4 slices of prosciutto, chopped

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry to about 12×10.
3. Cut the pastry into 12 pieces (2 slices the long way, 3 slices the short way).
4. Place the pieces on the parchment paper.
5. Bake for 6 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven.
7. Spread the pesto on top so that there is a thin layer on each piece.
8. Sprinkle peas and prosciutto on top of each piece.
9. Return to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until the puff pastry is turning golden.

Pizza Pockets

These are definitely not a fancy treat, but they are quick and easy and perfect for helping toddler hands to put together.

You will need:

• 2 packages (8 oz each) crescent rolls
• 1/2 c pizza sauce
• 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into two shorter halves
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t oregano

Then you will…

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unroll the crescents.
3. Spread a spoonful of pizza sauce on the wide end of the crescent.
4. Place one half piece of cheese on each spoonful of sauce.
5. Wrap the dough around the sauce and cheese.
6. Place each dough bundle, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Put the butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl.
8. Melt by heating in the microwave, roughly 30 seconds.
9. Mix in the garlic powder and oregano.
10. Brush the seasoned butter on top of the dough bundles.
11. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until puffed up and golden.
12. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at least 5 minutes before serving with extra dipping pizza sauce.

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.

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!