…if what they want is GOOD food.

I’m not from the South.  In fact, I’ve never even visited the South.  But while there may be thousands of miles between me and some of the world’s best barbecue, one thing the distance hasn’t stopped me from enjoying is the good old-fashioned, southern staple — pimento cheese.  Anyone who’s ever had a grilled pimento cheese sandwich knows exactly what I’m talking about.

It shouldn’t be too difficult to sell a recipe for pimento cheese topped potato skins.  Afterall, we’re talking about two of our country’s comfort classics married together in one over-the-top finger food.  Imagine crispy potatoes crowned with gooey pimento cheese, studded with smoky bacon bits and finished with a scattering of fresh chopped chives.  Pretty hard to go wrong there.

It goes without saying that these make the perfect football party hors d’oeuvre. They’re good before a hot bowl of chili and far easier than frying up a batch of wings. But beware — they’re sure to outshine your crudité platter.

Continue reading potato skins recipe . . .

This peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe represents one of my Mom’s most frequently requested treats.  As an avid peanut butter cookie fan myself, I put in a request for a batch as often as I can get away with it.  In fact, these cookies have shown up in one iteration or another throughout my entire life.

In elementary school, each student was permitted to bring in some kind of confection to share with the class on their birthday.  Each year, much to the delight of my classmates, I would ask to have these peanut butter cookies with a Hershey kiss planted in the middle.  Over the years, my tastes have changed, and so too has this chameleon of a cookie dough base.  As time has gone by, these cookies have seen the inclusion of everything from toffee pieces to raisins and even rolled oats (one of my personal favorites).  Whatever form these guys take, rest assured that with a recipe this solid, you really can’t go wrong adding in any of your favorites.  These days my Mom likes to make them with chocolate chips and chopped peanuts — a classic combination that is top three all-time in my book.

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If there’s one thing I especially look forward to around the holidays it’s my Mom’s epic output of Christmas cookies.  From Mexican wedding cakes and raspberry-filled linzer cookies to chewy molasses spice cookies and our family favorite, Hello Dolly bars, no cookie style is left unrepresented….or so I thought.  I wouldn’t even know this type of cookie existed if it wasn’t for Lauren being struck by inspiration while thumbing through the pages of an old Christmas issue of Food and Wine Magazine.  I’m still not quite sure what it was, but something called out to her about these Chocolate-Dipped Florentine Shortbreads.

With a thin, buttery layer of shortbread and a chewy, orange and almond caramel topping, these cookies are simultaneously crispy and chewy — a truly outstanding textural contrast.  If that wasn’t enough, each cookie is then partially dipped in a thick jacket of melted bittersweet chocolate, serving as the perfect foil for the candied orange rind and zest running throughout the sticky topping.

Having tried the festive cookie, I’m afraid I’ve been ruined. I just don’t know how any cookie platter will be complete this Christmas without the inclusion of these confectionery gems.  Give them a try; you won’t be disappointed.

Continue reading shortbread cookies . . .