30+ Recipes for Deviled Eggs

Now that the Easter holiday is over I am sure many of you have an overabundance of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge. I usually use our hard-boiled eggs to make egg gravy and serve it over toast. As for the deviled eggs, I've only ever made the traditional deviled eggs. I had no idea there were so many different ways you could actually make them! 

Check the recipes out.  I am sure you will find one, two, three or more you will want to try.  If you are finding this post well after the holiday make a new batch of hard-boiled eggs and chose one or two to serve.  You'll have a hit at your next sports party, family or church potluck! 

Top 10 Recipes of 2015

2015 has drawn to its end and it's always fun to look back and see some of the fan favorites.  Most of them are from this year but a few from last year snuck in. 

I hope you enjoy the look back with me. Click on the title to see the recipe or click on the "pin it" link to go right to Pinterest to re-pin for later!

Parmesan Risotto with Bacon and Tomato

Risotto is versatile dish.  Aside from the basic base you can add almost any flavor or add-ins you like.  The down-side...sorry there is one, but it's minor.  You have to stay and stir it constantly.  The rice needs to be pushed around a little so it can release it's starchy goodness.  That is what makes this dish so super creamy.  You also don't want your rice to stick to the bottom.   I started off with bacon and finished with fresh garden tomatoes.

Parmesan Risotto with Bacon and Tomato                                    Printable Recipe

3-1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine (Chardonnay)*
4 strips bacon, diced
Small onion, diced
1 cup Arborio rice
2-3 Tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
3 small Roma tomatoes (seeded and chopped)

Hutspot met Wurst en Jus (Hotchpotch with Wurst and Gravy)

This is a simple yet hearty dish we had in Amsterdam.  Hutspot means hotchpoth in Dutch.  In English it is hodgepodge, which means mixture.  The vegetables reminded me of my Crock Pot Pot Roast veggies if I mixed them together. It’s a really great way to get those picky eaters (which includes myself) to eat the cooked carrots.  Onions disappear in the mash as well. 

I realized after make a plain beef broth gravy that it needed something more so I sprinkled in onion powder.  Much better! An even better flavor would be to use real onions, of course. The gravy is a brown onion gravy much like our jäger sauce we use for schnitzel.  Their sauce didn't have any onion bits to show so you would either want to blend it or strain the onions out.  Personally, I just leave them rather than go to extra work. You could use a brown gravy mix from a packet but it's so simple you can make it fresh.

I made these pork cheddar bratwurst myself in a cooking class with Steven from The Sausage Foundry of Cedar Rapids.   If you aren't game to make your own you can find many varieties to try at his shop at NewBo Market or buy your favorite from your local store or meat locker.

 Hutspot met Wurst en Jus (Hotchpotch with Wurst and Gravy) 

 Printable Recipe

1 pound Yukon gold potatoes
1/2 pound carrots
1 small onion
2 Tablespoons of butter
Splash of milk
Salt and pepper to taste
5 bratwurst
Brown onion gravy (see Jäger sauce)

Lime Cottage Cheese Salad

That's the more technical name I suppose but our family always called it "Cottage cheese Jell-O" and everyone knew what it was.  My great grandma Pearl made this recipe and most times when it was made it was for a holiday meal.  I still enjoy this dish when my mom makes it for Easter or Thanksgiving.

There are many other lime cottage cheese salad recipes floating around that have pineapple, whipped topping, and/or mayonnaise as added ingredients.  In fact I came upon a wild spin off of it on a vintage ad site.  It called for vinegar and grated onion as added ingredients and was set into a round mold.  After the gelatin set, the center was filled with seafood salad. Thanks great grandma for not making it that way!  If you'd like to see the ad with the recipe, scroll on down to the bottom!

Lime Cottage Cheese Salad

3/4 cup boiling water
3 ounce packet of Jell-O gelatin
1 cup ice cubes
24 ounce container of cottage cheese, 2% or whole

Dissolve gelatin with boiling water.

Add one cup of ice cubes and stir just until cool.

There will be some big chunks of ice left.  Fish those out and toss them.

Stir in one container of cottage cheese.

Dump into 9 x 9" baking dish.  Put in fridge to set up.

Lime cheese salad, 1954. Photo by: Via nesbitsvintage.com

Corn Salad

I had this at a potluck and had to hunt down the one who brought this in and get the recipe.  It's fresh and crunchy and you'll find yourself grabbing a second helping.  If you are headed to a party, make this dish.  It's a unique dish so there's a good chance there won't be 2 to 3 other dishes just like it. There is only so much macaroni and potato salads one can eat at a meal. 

It tastes just as good the second day although it loses its corn chip crunch.  Sprinkle on a couple more crushed pieces and you'll be back in corn salad heaven!

Corn Salad                                                                                               Printable Recipe

2 cans yellow kernel corn, drained (or four cups frozen corn, thawed and drained)
1 green bell pepper, diced (approximately 1 cup)
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
8 ounce block of cheddar cheese, shredded (approximately 2 cups)
Chili cheese flavored Frito-Lay corn chips

Sweet Potato Casserole

Crispy topping and smooth and creamy custardy middle! We eat it as a side at holiday meals but you could serve it as a dessert. 

Sweet Potato Casserole                                                                             Printable Recipe

2-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla


5 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
7 Tablespoons flour
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Do-ahead Potatoes

Just as the name implies, it's a dish you can make ahead and bake another day.  The ingredient list is simple but the taste is phenomenal!  This recipe came from my great-grandma's hairdreser.  It was made it for many holiday meals.  I'm sure she used full on fat cream cheese and regular sour cream but I lightened it up a little but using the light versions of both.

Do-ahead Potatoes                                                                     Printable Recipe

8-10 medium size russet potatoes

1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons grated onion

8 ounce package light cream cheese

1 cup light sour cream

About 2 Tablespoons butter

Peel and wash potatoes, chunk and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork inserts easily into potato. Drain well.

Make mashed potatoes with your mixer out of the cooked potatoes, milk, salt and pepper. You may need more or less milk depending on how large your potatoes are.

Add cream cheese, sour cream, and onion.  Mix until blended.

Spread into 7x11"  or 8x8" baking dish.

Dot with butter slices and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

The butter will melt and the top will start to be golden brown.  It may be even more brown that this photo. This one arrived late to the Thanksgiving meal and we hurried this one along with the help of a microwave and broiler at the end.

How To Make Perfectly Baked Potatoes

 A simple recipe that results in the perfect baked potato ready for whatever toppings you desire!!

How To Make Perfectly Baked Potatoes                                         Printable Recipe

Russet Potatoes
Olive oil
Salt

When baking a large amount of potatoes at one time, choose potatoes with uniform shapes and sizes; they will cook more evenly and get done at the same time.

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Cheese

If you are already grilling other foods you might as well throw some corn on while you are at it and save heating up your kitchen. Now let's talk cheese.  I saw a chef on TV once put Parmesan on his corn and I thought he was nuts.  Turns out the saltiness of the Parmesan is just what this corn needs.  Try it, you won't be disappointed. 

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Cheese                            Printable Recipe

Sweet Corn (Husk On)
Butter
Grated Parmesan cheese
Black Pepper (optional)

Baked Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries

First time we had these at a restaurant my child called them "orange fries" and they were fried.  We enjoy having the orange fries at home but I didn't want the mess or calories of frying them so I bake them.  Then we wanted more flavor and we love Parmesan so a little salty sprinkle of cheese and some fun spices and voila, one of our favorite side dishes!

Baked Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries 

1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pounds sweet potatoes (yellow and/or orange)

1 Tablespoon olive oil

Sprinkle of paprika

2 dashes cayenne pepper

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

Add olive oil to a medium bowl, mix in paprika and cayenne pepper. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into approximately 3/8" sticks. You want to keep your pieces the same size so they cook the same. Toss to coat.

Smoky Baked Cauliflower Bites

Smoky Baked Cauliflower Bites

1 head cauliflower, washed and cut into cut bite size pieces

1-2 Tablespoons olive oil

smoked paprika (approx 1 teaspoon)

good pinch of salt

1 Tablespoon bacon grease (optional)

Mix together all but the cauliflower.

Add cauliflower and toss until coated.

Heat jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides) in a 350 degree oven.  Add bacon grease from fridge and let it melt.  Swirling to cover the bottom of the sheet (or I used a baking stone.) The cauliflower will shrink so it's OK if they touch a little.

Bake for 35-40 minutes flipping half way through the cooking until they are soft and caramelized.

 Enjoy!

Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086917166/

Top 10 Recipes of 2013

While I have been blogging recipes for a while now I only got serious this year by adding a Facebook page and offering more recipes.  I've added about 100 recipes this year and thought maybe we could take a look back at some of the fan favorites and toss in a couple of our family favorites. I hope you enjoy the look back with me.  

#10

Pretty tasty BBQ sauce and how to cook the ribs so they are oh so tender!

Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey BBQ Sauce

Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082432317/

#9
A twist on the usual dressing for Thanksgiving.

Cornbread Dressing
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746085357345/

#8
My favorite holiday cookie

Thumbprint Cookies
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082432322/

#7
Light and fluffy

Lemon Cream Cheese Dessert
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086323337/

#6
A twist on a peanut butter dessert.

Peanut Butter Snowballs
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086461624/

but you loved them first as

Bloodshot Peanut Butter Eyeballs!
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086273945/

#5
It's called easy for a reason..

Easy Quiche
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746085699433/

#4
A holiday favorite

Mexican Wedding Cakes
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086499294/

#3

Easiest roast to make

CROCKPOT POT ROAST
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082587985/

#2

My husband's favorite

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082533329/

and #1!!

The cookies heard and made all over the world!

PECAN PIE THUMBPRINTS
Pn it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086323339/

Please join me in 2014!

I'm looking forward to more cooking and new recipes!

Baked Curry Cauliflower Bites

Baked Curry Cauliflower Bites

1 head cauliflower, washed and cut into cut bite size pieces

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon curry powder

3-4 dashes cayenne powder

good pinch of salt

10 drops lemon juice

Mix together all but the cauliflower.

Add cauliflower and toss until coated.

Lay on cookie sheet (or I used a baking stone) so the bites are not touching.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes flipping half way through the cooking until they are soft and caramelized.

 Enjoy!

Cornbread Casserole

Everyone loves a good corn side dish.  Our usual go to is the scalloped corn but this family recipe is a nice change.  For something even different and better add some shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Cornbread Casserole

1 egg
1 cup sour cream (light is OK)
1/2 stick butter, melted (original recipe had 1 stick!)
1 can whole corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1 box cornbread mix

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a 9x13" greased baking dish.

Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If you are topping with cheese you could put that on the last 10 minutes. 

I think next time I will probably use a bit smaller dish to make mine thicker.