Best Uses of Blue Cheese

 Blue cheese, with its creamy texture and tangy, pungent taste, is a beloved ingredient in many culinary traditions. Its distinctive flavor profile can add depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore new ingredients, blue cheese offers endless possibilities for creating delicious and memorable meals.

Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese Dip

Photo credit: Sabrina Currie.

Mix up a batch of this easy caramelized onion and blue cheese dip to enjoy with your chips. This tastes so much better than any carton of dip from the store, and is made with simple ingredients to elevate the flavor of your next salty snack.

Get the recipe: Caramelized onion and blue cheese dip

Buffalo Chicken Fries 

Photo credit: The Food Hussy.

This is such a tasty dish to make at home. With buffalo chicken chunks, crispy fries and chunks of celery and blue cheese, every bite offers a medley of bold flavors. Make this as a snack, appetizer or maybe even as football party food.

Get the recipe: Buffalo chicken fries

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Photo credit: This Silly Girl's Kitchen.

Make some egg rolls that are stuffed with tangy buffalo chicken. Add cheddar and blue cheese to the mix and fry them until they are golden brown for a snack that tastes so good when dipped in a bowl of ranch.

Get the recipe: Buffalo chicken egg rolls

Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers

Photo credit: Simply Designing.

Fire up the grill and make a burger that rivals the trendiest burger joint with this recipe. Smoky bacon and tangy blue cheese make these patties pop with great flavor in every juicy bite!

Get the recipe: Bacon blue cheese burgers

Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing

Photo credit: Healthy Foodie Girl.

Make this homemade dressing with simple ingredients like blue cheese, yogurt, garlic and onion powder for the best topping for salads! You might even want to use this dressing as a chip dip. It has so much flavor no one can resist it.

Get the recipe: Blue cheese yogurt dressing

Bacon Blue Cheese Asparagus 

Photo credit: Life As a Strawberry.

Dress up asparagus with bacon and blue cheese for a side dish that delivers great flavor in every bite. The buttery, smoky, tangy flavors blend perfectly together for a side that pairs well with a variety of meals.

Get the recipe: Bacon blue cheese asparagus

Blue Cheese and Bacon Hot Dogs

Photo credit:  A Seasoned Greeting.

These hot dogs are topped with bacon and blue cheese for a tasty update to a cheap dinner. Serve with fries for comfort food with a grown up taste, that is done quick.

Get the recipe: Blue cheese and bacon hot dogs

Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives

Photo credit: Three Olives Branch.

This easy blue cheese stuffed olive recipe makes for the ultimate party food. You can stuff them in just a few moments and have a bite sized snack that delivers big, zesty, bold flavors. Everyone will love them!

Get the recipe: Blue cheese stuffed olives

Other favorite recipes:

3 Ingredient Biscuits

Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

Cold Brew Concentrate

Jello Shot Recipes

Hearty Family Breakfast Recipes

 

Hearty Breakfast Recipes to Fuel Your Family

Mornings can be a whirlwind, especially with hungry little ones (or not-so-little ones) begging for breakfast. But between the school lunches to pack and the day's errands to run, who has time for elaborate meals? Fear not, busy families! This post offers a collection of hearty breakfast recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare.

Packed with protein and whole grains, these meals will keep your crew satisfied well past morning. Even better, many of them can be prepped ahead of time, making those chaotic mornings a breeze.

So, ditch the sugary cereals and greasy pastries. Let's dive into some wholesome breakfasts that will set your family up for a winning day!

In this post, you'll find recipes for:

• Wholesome and Delicious Takes on Classics: We've got a tasty take on pancakes, a protein-packed spin on baked eggs, and a veggie-loaded strata that's perfect for sneaking in some extra greens.
• Something a Little Different: Want to shake up your breakfast routine? We've got a flavorful burger recipe that is perfect for the first meal of the day.

Be sure to click thru the links below to view the full recipe. You are going to want to save a few of these to your family breakfast board.

Sausage and Potato Breakfast Bake by Primavera Kitchen

Lemon Blueberry Dutch Baby by Scarlati Family

Baked Omelet  by Bitz n Giggles

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole by Delicious Table

Sausage and Pepper Breakfast Strata  by The Delicious Spoon

Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Spend with Pennies

Breakfast Burgers by We Are Not Martha

Strawberry and Cream Stuffed French Toast by Amanda’s Cookin’

Hash Brown Egg Cups by The Feathered Nester

Egg and Bacon Tacos by Modern Honey

Fried Chicken and Waffles with Jalapeno Butter by Scratch Market

Cottage Cheese Pancakes by Cinnamon and Kale

Brunch Pizza by A Grateful Meal

Bacon Feta and Egg Strata by Served From Scratch

Breakfast Enchiladas by Little Spice Jar

Breakfast Pizza by The Country Cook

Italian Sub Brunch Casserole by The Salty Marshmallow

Spinach and Salmon Quiche by Cooking Gorgeous

No matter your taste or time constraints, there's a perfect hearty breakfast recipe waiting for you and your family!

Bonus Tip: Get the whole family involved in the kitchen! Kids can help measure ingredients, stir batters, and even set the table. This not only teaches them valuable life skills but can also make breakfast time more enjoyable for everyone.

With these recipes and a little planning, you can conquer those mornings and send your family off to tackle the day with happy (and full!) bellies.

Find more great breakfast recipes here:

Overnight Oat Recipes

Cocoa Puff French Toast

Homemade Pancake Mix

Favorite Hand Pie Recipes

All About Hand Pies: Delicious Treats in the Palm of Your Hand

Hand pies are the perfect marriage between convenience and comfort food. These individual-sized pies are filled with sweet or savory ingredients and encased in a flaky, buttery crust. They're perfect for a quick breakfast, satisfying snack, or delightful dessert.

What are hand pies?

Think of hand pies as miniature pies. They're typically made with pie dough that's rolled out and cut into circles or squares. A spoonful of filling is placed in the center of each dough round, and then the dough is folded over and sealed to create a half-moon shape. The hand pies are then baked until the crust is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.

Sweet or Savory? The Filling Possibilities are Endless!

The beauty of hand pies is their versatility. The filling options are truly endless, so you can customize them to your taste buds. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sweet: Apple, cherry, blueberry, peach, pumpkin, chocolate, lemon curd
• Savory: Chicken pot pie, beef and vegetable, sausage and cheese, ham and Swiss, quiche Lorraine

Here are some of my favorite hand pie recipes. Click thru the link to view the full recipe.

Air fryer Blueberry Hand Pies by The Busted Oven

Caramel Apple Hand Pies by Princess Pinky Girl

Strawberry Bourbon Hand Pies by The G+M Kitchen

Glazed Blueberry Hand Pies by Swirls of Flavor

Caramel Apple Hand Pies by Savor and Savvy

Blackberry Peach Hand Pies  by Blackberry Babe

Fresh Peach Hand Pies by Simply Scrumptious Eats

Cherry Hand Pies Dipped in Chocolate by Easy Budget Recipes

Fried Peach Pies by The Cozy Plum

Apple and Blackberry Hand Pies by Anna Banana

Easy Fried Cherry Pies by Lana’s Cooking

Classic Apple Hand Pies by Spend with Pennies

Mixed Berry Hand Pies by Always Delicious

Cranberry Hand Pies by Fearless Dining

Pumpkin Hand Pies by Seasoned Sprinkles

Making Hand Pies at Home

Making hand pies at home is easier than you might think. You can use your favorite pie dough recipe or buy pre-made dough from the store. For the filling, you can use fresh or frozen fruit, canned pie filling, cooked vegetables, or leftover meats.

Here are some tips for making hand pies at home:

• If you're using fresh fruit, be sure to toss it with sugar and cornstarch to prevent it from becoming too runny.
• Don't overfill your hand pies, or they will leak during baking.
• Vent the tops of your hand pies with a few small slits to allow steam to escape.
• Brush the tops of your hand pies with egg wash for a golden brown crust.

Enjoying Hand Pies

Hand pies can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. They're delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream, or a drizzle of honey.

So next time you're looking for a delicious and portable treat, give hand pies a try. They're sure to become a new favorite!

Do you have a favorite hand pie filling? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Tasty Chicken Thigh Recipes for Dinner

The Humble Chicken Thigh: Weeknight Dinner MVP

The chicken breast gets all the glory, but sometimes you crave something a little more flavorful, a little more forgiving. Enter the chicken thigh, the dark horse (or should we say dark meat?) of the poultry world. Chicken thighs are where it's at for busy weeknight dinners. They're affordable, easy to cook, and bursting with juicy flavor.

Why Chicken Thighs Rule

• Flavor Champs: Dark meat naturally has more flavor than white meat, and chicken thighs are no exception. They stand up to bold seasonings and sauces beautifully.
• Hard to Dry Out: Unlike chicken breasts that can turn into dry cardboard if you look at them wrong, chicken thighs are more difficult to overcook. They stay moist and tender thanks to their higher fat content.
• Versatile: Chicken thighs can be baked, grilled, pan-seared, or slow cooked. They take on whatever flavors you throw at them, making them perfect for everything from a light lemon piccata to a hearty Moroccan tagine.

Chicken Thigh Dinner Inspiration

Here are a few ideas to get your chicken thigh dinner party started:

• Sheet Pan Simplicity: Toss chicken thighs with veggies like broccoli, peppers, and onions, drizzle with olive oil and herbs, and throw it all on a sheet pan for a fuss-free dinner.
• Global Thighs: Take your tastebuds on a trip! Try a jerk chicken marinade for a Caribbean twist, a harissa yogurt sauce for a Moroccan flair, or a classic Japanese teriyaki glaze.
• One-Pot Wonder: For a cozy and hands-off meal, try a one-pot chicken thigh dish. Braise them with white beans, kale, and sausage in a rustic Italian style, or simmer them in a fragrant Thai curry with vegetables.

Here are some of my favorite recipes to try. Click thru the links to find great chicken thigh dinner inspo.

Lemon Chicken Tray Bake by Gluten Free Tranquility

Marry Me Chicken by Low Carb Spark

Baked Italian Chicken by Marcellina in Cucina

Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs by The Forked Spoon

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs by 24 Bite

Apple Cheddar Stuffed Thighs by Burrata and Bubbles

Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole by Grandbaby Cakes

Apple Cider Chicken Thighs by Brittney Breaks Bread

Greek Yogurt Chicken by Bites with Brie

Spanish Chicken and Rice by Grand Baby Cakes

Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice by The Good Hearted Woman

Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs by Healthy Life Trainer

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs by Sunny Little Kitchen

 Oven Baked Thighs with Onion Gravy by Cook What You Love

Instant pot Butter Chicken by Pressure Cooker Recipes

Chicken Thigh Tips

• Pat it Dry: For crispy skin, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before seasoning.
• Season Well: Don't be shy with the spices! Chicken thighs love bold flavors.
• Cook to Temperature: The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

So next time you're planning your dinner menu, consider giving the chicken thigh a chance. It's a delicious and versatile weeknight hero that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.

Find more favorite chicken recipes here:

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Potatoes

Peanut Butter Chicken and Noodles