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Appetizers

Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

March 17, 2022 by Lindsay 11 Comments

The most foolproof Greek meatball recipe! Beef meatballs with just a little bit of filler, tons of flavor from lemon and oregano, with tzatziki for dipping. Make your own tzatziki sauce, or use your favorite storebought brand!

pile of greek meatballs with cucumber slices and fresh mint.

Omg meatballs are just so good, right? Seriously.

I find that when feeding people, meatballs are one of those "easy but a little special but also everyone likes them" recipes that are fun to make, hard to mess up, and can be made in advance. LOTS of good stuff there, right?

(Bonus points for meatballs being a nice kid friendly dinner aka pick it up with your hands, I don't have time to cut up your food 17 times a day.)

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Fresh Peach Jalapeno Salsa

March 11, 2022 by Lindsay 10 Comments

Delicious, refreshing homemade tomato peach salsa! This recipe is made right in the food processor and can be made with fresh or canned peaches. The tomatoes, peaches, and jalapeno combine with lime juice for delicious, bright flavor that is delicious on chips served next to sour cream guacamole for a fun party platter.

peach jalapeno salsa with pale white chips.

Ok, where do we fall on fruit in our salsa? I am team YES to pineapple pizza, YES to fruit in salsa, all the sweet/savory combos in the world.

This peach salsa is super simple because we make it right in the food processor, aka NO CHOPPING. The end result is somewhere between a salsa and a peach pico de gallo - fresh, light, with TONS of flavor.

I make this all the time to have as a snack with a cookout or pool party situation, but it's also a really great topping for fish tacos or weeknight seared salmon - a little fresh, islandy vibe even in colder months.

(PS, you can definitely make this with canned peaches year round!)

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Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza

February 23, 2022 by Lindsay 4 Comments

Delicious, super easy flatbread pizza recipe with goat cheese and caramelized onions! Tons of texture, flavor, and options to customize storebought flatbread pizzas! Caramelizing the onions takes a bit of time, but after that these flatbreads are done in 15 minutes.

flatlay pink plate with flatbread pizza slices and white napkin.

Ok, let's talk flatbread pizza recipes: For years and years and years this was one of our late-night go-to dinners, back in the days when there were no kids and yoga at 7pm on a Tuesday BEFORE eating dinner and going out to trivia and then work at 7am the next day seemed totally normal.

Because it was, sigh.

This particular version of flatbread pizza is SO good, a little elevated (although a kid-friendly equally yummy fake pizza is this pizza quesadilla which we love!), and so simple to make. Caramelize some onions, grab some sundried tomato pesto, cheese, olives, DONE.

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22 Super Bowl Snack Ideas for 2022

January 26, 2022 by Lindsay 5 Comments

More than 22 DELICIOUS, easy Super Bowl 2022 Recipe Ideas! Whether you're doing a few cheese and cracker types of things or a full chili bar, here's all the best Super Bowl recipes in one place.

Gray plate of guacamole topped with cucumber relish and crushed peanuts.

...because otherwise tbh football is a waste of damn time. (don't. it's fine.)

So! Let's plan our party snacks for Super Bowl Sunday. I love a theme sometimes, like tacos with tons of toppings, pasta, or chili with ALSO ton of toppings, but I also love making a few really good snack foods that don't necessarily go together.

I mainly like Super Bowl recipes that can be made in advance and can be eaten at room temperature or warm-ish. Nothing that has to be straight out of the oven, although there are a few dips and chilis in this list that are great kept warm in the slow cooker.

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Jalapeno Corn Dip with Cream Cheese

December 9, 2021 by Lindsay 10 Comments

Delicious, easy hot corn dip with cream cheese and jalapenos with just 7 ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten free, and PERFECT for any party or appetizer need! I serve this with Fritos scoops because FRITOS SCOOPS, but it's also really delicious scooped onto tortilla chips or no-knead bread if you're feeling fancy.

oval baking diwh with cheesy corn dip topped with pickled jalapenos.

...with only 7 ingredients! A few basic things, mix, bake, scoop into your open trap.

This corn dip is one of those creamy, super simple classic hot dips that is so perfect for almost any occasion.

I've made this twice in the past 2 weeks, for different crowds, and both times it's been met with massive acclaim and very few leftovers, which is my main measure for success. It's a little sweet, a little spicy, a lot creamy, and the easiest of all the easy dips.

I use frozen corn and jarred jalapenos, BUT I've also added a chopped fresh jalapeno on instances where I wanted more spice. So, feel free to upgrade your ingredients if that sounds fun to you!

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Vegan Marinated Mushrooms

September 30, 2021 by Lindsay 7 Comments

One of our favorite vegan mushrooms, these vegan marinated mushrooms are SO YUMMY and the perfect vegan appetizer to add to a party spread! They have just a few pantry ingredients and are done in 30 minutes, but last for weeks in the fridge!

hand holding a marinated mushroom on a toothpick over open jar of mushrooms.

I. Love. Mushrooms. Like, a lot a lot.

These mushrooms in particular will always and forever remind me of Christmas, even though my family never had them. I think this is a total throwback recipe, 80's or 90's or something - did you eat these as a kid? My next door neighbors in Japan made these for almost every holiday, and I LOVED them. I think they used Italian dressing and canned mushrooms, no shame in that game, and the chewy mushroom in the tangy vinaigrette was just my favorite thing ever.

I'm all about anything tangy or pickled, and I think these are such a great addition to a holiday party. They're so light and bright and a perfect complement to the heavier dishes that we have this time of year. I like having them as part of an appetizer spread with some pimento cheese or buffalo chicken dip; they're vegan and gluten free so everyone can enjoy them.

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Greek Chicken Thighs

September 16, 2021 by Lindsay 2 Comments

Delicious broiled chicken thighs with Greek chicken marinade! This version of honey lemon chicken has a quick and easy marinade and is done in under half an hour because the chicken is broiled quickly. Serve these on their own, in pita for chicken gyros, or as part of a Mediterranean charcuterie board!

crowded board with plate of chicken, lemon halves, tzatziki, pita, and lettuce leaves.

This has recently become one of my favorite ways to serve chicken, especially in the summer - Greek-style with tangy tzatziki sauce, broiled in the oven for a quick and easy weeknight dinner situation.

Greek flavors are some of my favorites, and I love a whole meal that is lemony, oregano-y, and honey-esque. Lemon, honey, olive oil, garlic, and oregano are cornerstone flavors of Greek food and can be mixed and matched in a thousand ways to create different dishes!

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Tzatziki Sauce

September 13, 2021 by Lindsay 16 Comments

This easy homemade tzatziki sauce has just 6 ingredients and can be made in half an hour or less. It's a delicious condiment for crispy chicken cutlets or served as a ranch dressing alternative for dipping veggies! I love having a batch of this in the fridge for parties or quick snacks (or to go nuts with a Mediterranean charcuterie board!).

side view of greek yogurt tzatziki sauce with pita on the side and fresh mint leaves.

Tzatziki sauce is delicious and amazing and versatile. Tzatziki is a traditional Greek/Turkish condiment, and this version uses Greek yogurt as the base. I've had variations with sour cream and even feta cheese, but this is my favorite way to eat it.

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Spicy Grilled Firecracker Shrimp

June 29, 2021 by Lindsay 15 Comments

Spicy grilled shrimp at its finest with TWO kinds of hot sauce! Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes are all you need for this spicy, buttery take on firecracker shrimp.

cooked grilled shrimp on grill pan with lemon slices

Hello and welcome to our favorite 15 minute appetizer! When we're having grilling parties I'm always into a little snack right at the beginning - something delicious that can be thrown on the grill or in the oven while we wait for the main event, you know?

Fake-out focaccia is an example of this.

Now, don't confuse this Firecracker Shrimp with the dish by the same name from Panda Express. This is not that, although I'm sure that's delicious too. I've called this spicy grilled shrimp Firecracker Shrimp for YEARS, mainly because it is a very fun summery nibble to add to a grilling party at one of the American summer holidays. Hence, Firecracker Shrimp.

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13 Recipes For Memorial Day

May 26, 2021 by Lindsay 1 Comment

Ohhhhhhhh long weekend, I am so excited for you.

We are in a weird busy all the time but standing still because it's kind of still a pandemic place. This time last year there was a decided air of "but are we allowed to do anything," and now it's a little....lighter.

In preparation for whatever you might be doing this weekend, hopefully with a few more folks than last year, here are my absolute favorite recipes for Memorial Day!

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatballs

April 28, 2021 by Lindsay 2 Comments

Favorite chicken cordon bleu flavors in these utterly delicious and simple Chicken Cordon Bleu Meatballs! Lean ground chicken and a little Swiss cheese get blended quickly with some ham (leftover glazed ham or deli ham!) and easy pantry spices for major flavor in this tender ground chicken meatball. There's an easy sour cream dip with mustard for dipping + extra credit.

low carb ground chicken meatballs healthy with dipping sauce

These are chicken balls with ham and cheese.

They were, as all good ideas on this blog are, Jay's idea, and they were a fantastic one. I love the nostalgic flavors of chicken cordon bleu, crispy exterior, gooey interior, but the process is pretty arduous and a meatball is just so friendly and celebratory, right?

For the sake of holidays or parties, you can totally make these in advance, bake them, then reheat them in the oven until the cheese melts again so all the mess + raw meat nonsense can happen well in advance of serving these.

The ingredients are simple, and you can use deli ham or leftover holiday ham from Easter or Thanksgiving if you ever have any lying around.

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Sour Cream Guacamole

April 21, 2021 by Lindsay 4 Comments

This sour cream guacamole features grated onion and garlic for tons of flavor + no chunks, and lime juice and fresh tomatoes for delicious pico + guac flavor mixed into one. If you love guacamole, you will LOVE this version.

sour cream guacamole bowl topped with tomatoes

My friend Heather and I have had some pretty extensive happy hours, and over the years we have expanded our "let's just set out some cheese and crackers" offerings to tons of different appetizers, snacks, and spreads. We do breads, cheeses, these tomatoes, fruits and veggies, all in the name of "absorbing the wine." It works for us.

Once we were having one such important business meeting and she said "I made guacamole! But with lots of sour cream." And BOY did she mean it. This was a recipe invented out of necessity, she had half an avocado and other flavorful things that didn't quiiiiite make more than a few chipfulls of regular guac, so this dip came about.

Mostly sour cream, some avocado, flavors for eons. We've both been making it for various other people ever since, and it's been a massive hit with everyone who has tried it. So, while I can't take all the credit for this recipe, it needed to be one that you started making right. this. moment. If you hate guacamole you'll LOVE this. And if you love guacamole you're probably already drooling.

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Seriously Good Pimento Cheese (without cream cheese!)

April 6, 2021 by Lindsay 1 Comment

This classic Southern, slightly spicy pimento cheese recipe is absolutely perfect! I love to have pimento cheese homemade with lots of storebought ingredients (crackers, cheese, pickles, etc) for an easy cheese board at a party or for a snack plate dinner! This is extra delicious paired with some homemade focaccia for dunking.

Table Of Contents

Ingredients
Recipe Notes and Ingredient Notes
Step By Step Instructions
Serving and Storage
Other Easy Appetizer Recipes

OK SO.

Let us discuss the glory that is pimento cheese, since even if it's not Master's Weekend, we live in the South and love this dip for any and all snacking occasions. Since I started this blog I've made a LOT of pimento cheese, and have tweaked the recipe over the years to a combination that I absolutely adore.

Other people adore it too, and that's not something I say about a lot of the food I make, because I'm insecure. Pimento cheese homemade, though, is something that people of all walks of life really enjoy when it is good. Back when we used to cater large parties this was one of our most-ordered recipes, hands down.

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Pan Fried Potato Chips

March 1, 2021 by Lindsay 11 Comments

Favorite pan fried potato chips are so easy to make yourself at home! These are a great lunch side dish or an offering for a summertime potluck. Just one russet potato makes enough to serve four people, and this recipe is done in an under an hour. I like Greek yogurt onion dip with these.

Let's make chips!

homemade potato chips on a baking sheet with kosher salt.

Because our lunches need a yummy side dish every day, right?

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Buffalo Turkey Meatballs with Smashed Cucumbers

August 18, 2020 by Lindsay Leave a Comment

Gluten free buffalo turkey meatballs served with an easy smashed cucumber salad for a yummy low carb lunch or dinner! The gluten free turkey meatballs have tons of flavor and can be made as part of your meal prep for the week. They're also great meatballs to make in a big batch and keep in the freezer!

Buffalo Turkey Meatballs Low Carb Gluten Free Dinner

I made us lunch!

A really really yummy lunch. No story, really, just a way to showcase the gluten free turkey meatballs and smashed cucumber salad from a few weeks ago together. I threw on some easy "homemade" (not really) buffalo sauce because Buffalo all the things and call me happy.

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Gluten Free Baked Turkey Meatballs

July 29, 2020 by Lindsay 2 Comments

These easy baked meatballs are gluten free, made with ground turkey, and done in just about half an hour! They can be made in advance for a super easy meal prep, kept in the freezer, and don't have breadcrumbs or any extra binder. These are the yummiest healthy gf meatballs!

Basic Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs for Meal Prep

Gityer balls right here!

I'm sorry let's start over don't x out. I made you a yummy new meal prep entree and I hope you love it.

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Ultimate Mediterranean Hummus Board

June 24, 2020 by Lindsay 4 Comments

This ultimate Mediterranean hummus board has your favorite cheese board elements with the best ever hummus with spiced meat, tzatziki, grape leaves, pickles, olives, and pita. It's mostly no-cook and make-ahead for the perfect party meal!

IT FEELS LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING. I just love this so much.

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Spiced Ground Meat and Hummus

June 17, 2020 by Lindsay 1 Comment

Yummy spiced ground meat (use beef, lamb, pork, or even venison!) that goes over hummus for a protein-packed, savory appetizer or main dish. Use this for dipping, to stuff into pitas, or to make yummy grain bowls!

Spiced Ground Meat with Pine Nuts over Hummus Recipe

Spiced ground meat with pine nuts and hummus, just so ya know.

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Easy 2-ingredient shortcut hummus

June 10, 2020 by Lindsay 3 Comments

2-Ingredient Shortcut Hummus is the easiest hummus recipe ever! Using the most delicious lemon tahini dressing as a base, just add garbanzo beans and BOOM, hummus.

Thissss is what I'm talking about.

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Easy Homemade Baked Chicken Tenders

January 29, 2020 by Lindsay 2 Comments

My favorite kid-friendly meal prep dinner! This recipe for healthy baked chicken tenders has just a few ingredients and is super easy to make. Bonus, you can freeze the breaded tenders and bake them right before serving for a quick + fun weeknight freezer meal!

THEY'RE JUST LIKE FRIED.

Ha. Ha. No, no they are not. Sorry, not here to lie to you.

Here are the ways that easy homemade baked chicken tenders are not like fried chicken tenders:

they do not stink up your house with oil smell or cause third degree burns.
they have fewer calories.
they are done quickly and are great for meal prep, freezer meals, or leftovers.
they have a parmesan coating that is just YUM but no batter to get all over everything.

So, what I'm saying is that MAYBE baked chicken tenders are better than fried chicken tenders? In like 3 cases, but I'd say that at-home no-frying situations are preferable from a mess standpoint FOR SURE.

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