'Ono Made Easy

Need a great appetizer recipe that works for a party and for a great snack at home? Look no further! ( adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/246256/bacon-jalapeno-popper-puffs/ ) Bacon Jalapeno Popper Puffs  Ingredients  Dough:  4 strips bacon 2/3 cup water 3 Tablespoons butter 1 Tablespoon bacon fat 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 eggs 2 oz shredded extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup finely diced jalapeno peppers ( I would strongly recommend wearing gloves when you do this! I didn't, and my skin had a burning feel for a few hours!) 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper 2 cups vegetable oil for deep frying, or as needed ( I used peanut oil.) Dipping sauce:  1/2 cup cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup creme fraiche or sour cream 2 Tablespoons minced green onions, plus more for garnish 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice Directions  1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over mediu...

Do you ever just have a random craving for chicken wings?! I do! Chicken wings can be soooo expensive at restaurants, and often times they're just not up to my standards (i.e. seasoning is off/ wings are soggy). My husband found this amazing recipe for wings. I totally recommend this recipe because it's cheap, doesn't take too long, AND they are nice and crispy!!! (adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/241001/crispy-honey-sriracha-chicken-wings/ ) Crispy Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings Ingredients  2 Tablespoons baking powder 1 Tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 1/2 lbs chicken wing sections Honey Sriracha Glaze  1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup Sriracha sauce 1 Tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil 1 pinch sesame seeds, or as desired Directions 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place an oven-proof wire rack over the foil. 2. In...

Another wonderful recipe adapted from Chef John! The chicken is amazing, but those potatoes are to die for! They just melt in your mouth! Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/242352/greek-lemon-chicken-and-potatoes/  Ingredients  4 lbs skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs                   1/2 cup fresh lemon juice ( or other pieces you may like)                    1 Tbs kosher salt                                                   1/2 cup olive oil 1 Tbs dried oregano                                             6 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper             ...

Here is a recipe that my mother-in-law gave me for Vegetable Pizza! Ingredients 2 (8 oz) packages of crescent rolls (i.e. Pillsbury) 1 small crown of broccoli ( you probably won't end up using that much) 1 ( 10 oz) bag matchstick carrots ( or regular size carrots and use a peeler to make into small pieces) 1 small crown of cauliflower 1 (8oz) package colby jack cheese 1 package ( 1 oz) The Original Ranch Dips mix (dry) 8 oz cream cheese (i.e. Philadelphia) 3/4 cup mayonnaise (i.e. Hellmann's) 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp dill weed dash of Worcestershire sauce Directions  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Roll out the crescent rolls, flat,  to fill up an un-greased rectangular cookie sheet. ( Do not separate.) 3. Bake in the oven for 11-13 minutes.* Take crust out of the oven and cool.* *While the rolls are baking: 4. Chop broccoli and cauliflower into small pieces, without the stumps.  ( If you need to, peel the carrots into thin strips.) 5. Shred the co...

Sometimes our hot dogs need to be kicked up a notch. I found this recipe for hot dog chili and it just hit the spot! Jeff's Hot Dog Chili  ( adapted from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/223538/jeffs-hot-dog-chili/ ) Ingredients  1 lb ground beef 1/3 cup water 1/2 (10 oz) can tomato sauce 1/2 cup ketchup 2 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp white sugar 1/2 tsp onion powder 1 dash Worcestershire sauce Directions  1. In a large saucepan, mash the beef and water with a potato masher. 2. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, salt, black pepper, sugar, onion powder, and Worcesterhire sauce. 3. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat until the chili thickens slightly and the beef is fully cooked, approximately 20 minutes. 4. Serve over your favorite hog dog or as a side dish!

My husband and I usually don't enjoy salads all that much, but this copycat recipe of the Apple Gorgonzola Salad from Bucca Di Beppo is great! Adapted from: http://kelsies-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/11/buca-di-beppo-apple-gorgonzola-salad.html  Ingredients  Salad 8 oz mixed greens 2 Tb crumbled Gorgonzola cheese 1 granny smith apple, sliced and chopped 1/4 cup dried cranberries 2 oz spiced walnuts, chopped (recipe below) 1/2 cup Italian vinaigrette (recipe below) Spiced walnuts  1 egg white 1 Tbsp water 2 cups walnuts (halves and pieces) 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp allspice Italian vinaigrette  1/3 cup white wine vinegar 3/4 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dry mustard 1 tsp salt 1 pinch black pepper 1/8 cup red onion, chopped fine 1 1/2 tsp garlic, minced 3/4 cup olive oil Directions  Spiced Walnuts  1. Preheat oven to 225 and line a large shallow baking sheet with foil. 2. Combine egg white and water in a medium...

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222854/worlds-fastest-meatballs/  World's Fastest Meatballs Ingredients  6 cups prepared tomato sauce 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs 1/4 cup milk 1 large egg 2 tsp Italian herb seasoning 2 tsp olive oil 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes 1 lb ground beef 1 lb ground veal 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/4 tsp ground white pepper (optional) 1/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Directions  1. Pour tomato sauce into a large pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low to keep sauce warm while preparing meatballs. 2. Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and brush lightly with oil. 3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the bread crumbs, milk, egg, Italian herb seasoning, olive oil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to form a thick slurry. Set aside. 4...

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/260469/chef-johns-chicken-tinga/  Chef John's Chicken Tinga Ingredients  3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs 3 peeled whole garlic cloves 1 large yellow onion, halved 2 tsp salt, plus more to taste 1/2 tsp dried oregano 4 cups chicken stock (or broth) 1 cup water 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large white onion, diced 1 (7 oz) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 1 (28 oz) can peeled plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) 2 Tbsp crumbled cotija cheese, or to taste ( or white/yellow cheddar) 3 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, or more to taste Directions  1. Place the chicken thighs, garlic gloves, halved onion, salt, oregano, chicken stock, and water in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over high heat; reduce to medium-low. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. 2. Transfer onion halves to a bowl with a slotted spoon; transfer chicken thighs to a separate bowl. 3. Pour broth through a s...

Is it really possible to make pancakes even better? Why yes, it is! Warning: These pancakes will make you late for church because you just can't stop eatin' them! Another recipe comin' at you from Chef John: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/257657/lemon-ricotta-pancakes/  Recipe is for 2 large or 4 small servings. Lemon Ricotta Pancakes  Ingredients  3/4 cup cold water or milk 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup ricotta cheese 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 Tbsp white sugar 1 large egg 1/8 tsp vanilla extract 2 Tbsp melted butter 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 cup and 2 Tbsps self-rising flour ( **You can make your own self-rising flour ( 2 cups worth) by sifting together 2 cups all purpose flour with 2 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp fine salt. ) Directions  1. Whisk the water and baking soda together in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, vegetable oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth, breaking...

I love a good pot roast, especially in the winter, but I've had some trouble finding a recipe that leaves me with juicy, tender meat... until now! Here's a great recipe from Chef John: http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2007/02/classic-beef-pot-roast-with-winter.html  Classic Beef Pot Roast with Winter Vegetables Ingredients  3 lbs boneless beef "chuck" pot roast 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 bay leaf 3 cloves garlic (unpeeled) 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme and rosemary w kitchen twine ( 2 tsp dried if you don't have fresh) 2 Tbsp flour 1 quart beef stock or broth 1 yellow onion 4-5 carrots 2 parsnips ( and/or 3-4 russet potatoes) 3 stalks celery Directions  1. Place a dutch oven on the stove top on high heat. 1. Generously salt and pepper the roast on all sides. 2. Tie up the thyme and rosemary with kitchen twine (bouquet garni). Cut small incisions in each of the cloves of garlic ( to let the garlic flavor com...

My husband wanted a cranberry side dish for Thanksgiving that wasn't too mushy. He created this recipe all on his own! Cranberry Relish  Ingredients  8-10 oz cranberries 1/2 cup walnuts 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup organic unsweetened cranberry juice orange zest from 1 orange pinch of salt Directions  1. Chop up cranberries and walnuts as fine as desired. 2. Combine cranberries, walnuts, sugar, cranberry juice, orange zest, and pinch of salt in a saucepan and cook on low for 10 minutes, stirring about every 2 minutes. 3. Let cool before serving.

I wanted a vegetable side to go with our Christmas roast, so I found this recipe for roasted veggies: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/valerie-bertinelli/roasted-winter-vegetables-3539004 Roasted Winter Vegetables  Ingredients  5 medium carrots, peeled and cut on the bias (angle) into 2-inch lengths 4 medium-large parsnips, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut on the bias into 2-inch lengths 3 medium golden beets, peeled and halved, or quartered if large 1 bunch radishes, trimmed and halved, or left whole if small * I also added chopped zucchini 4 sprigs thyme ( I didn't use this) 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped ( I didn't use this either) 3 Tbs olive oil 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest Directions  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Toss the vegetables with thyme, garlic, olive oil, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. 3. Arrange the vegetables in 1 layer on a ...

My husband wanted to find a great New Year's Eve party appetizer, so he found this recipe for meatballs: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26593/cajun-appetizer-meatballs/  Cajun Appetizer Meatballs  Ingredients  1 lb lean ground beef 1 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce 2 Tbs Cajun seasoning 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbs dried parsley 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs 1/4 cup milk 1 egg 1/2 cup bbq sauce 1/2 cup peach preserves Directions  1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly grease a medium baking sheet. 2. In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, hot pepper sauce, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, onion, bread crumbs, milk, and egg. 3. Form the mixture into golf ball sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until there is no pink left in the middle. 4. In a small bowl, combine the bbq sauce and peach preserves. 5. When the meatballs are d...