Appetizer

Seasoned Pretzels

July 27, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

About a month ago I was watching The Today show and they had a food segment where they were talking about a company that makes seasoned pretzels. They sounded amazing! So amazing that I got online to buy them only to find they were $16 for less than a pound and you still had to pay for shipping. No thank you!

Since then I’ve been obsessed with seasoned pretzels and I’m glad I am because I came up with an amazing recipe. These would make the perfect addition to a cocktail party, cookout, snack come football season, really they’re perfect anytime!

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Homemade Snack Mix

June 9, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This is one of my brother, Nick’s all time favorite foods! We’ve been making it forever, sometimes a random time in the year, but always at Christmas. Honestly, I think my adult brother would find a way to lock me out of my parents house if I didn’t show up with this on Christmas Eve. Now that’s love for a snack mix!

I also make it for Nick’s birthday every May. Salty and addicting, I defiantly understand Nick’s deep love for this!

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Tomato goat cheese puff pastry tart

February 25, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

My sister-in-law, Casey makes a version of this tart and I always love it! It’s what inspired me to make this. Plus, it’s the perfect appetizer because everyone loves it, it looks super impressive, but it’s secretly super simple to make.

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Cast Iron Skillet Pizza

February 9, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Have you made homemade pizza in a cast iron skillet before? If not you’re missing out! It produces the most delicious pizza with a crust that’s crispy on the bottom and sides. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

The best part is how fun any easy they are to make. Either buy your favorite dough or if you’re feeling fancy, make your own. Then put on your favorite toppings. Perfect for a dinner party, an activity to do with your kids, or just a quiet date night in. Now open a bottle of wine (or champagne, our favorite drink with pizza!) and lets get cooking!

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Beer Cheese

February 1, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

With the big game this weekend, I thought it would be fun to share a favorite game time snack. This beer cheese is one of Rich’s and my favorites. It’s more flavorful than normal beer cheese thanks to two types of cheese, sautéed shallot, and a good beer. Plus, you can either eat it right away or keep it warm in a mini crock pot all day. The perfect appetizer or game time snack!

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Roasted Butternut Squash Arugula Salad

October 29, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This is my favorite fall salad. It’s hearty, flavorful, and simple. I’ve taken it to numerous Friendsgiving’s, holiday parties, and small get togethers over the years and it’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s nice to take something fresh and green to break up the normal heavy dishes that adorn tables this time of year.

Whether your looking for a lighter dinner tonight or something to take to your next dinner party with friends, this is the perfect salad. I hope you enjoy it as I do!

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Fall Crostini with Acorn Squash, Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese

October 1, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This is one of my new favorite fall recipes. I knew it was a winner when I made them for dinner and then again a few days later because Rich and I couldn’t stop talking about them…

I tend to like squash recipes that are more savory, so this is right up my alley! But if you wanted to make these a little sweet you could add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg into the squash mixture, or top them with a drizzle of honey and a few dried cranberries. You could even swap butternut squash for acorn squash. The flavor profile is extremely adaptable and up to you! As for serving, eat them on their own for lunch, as a side with soup or salad, or as a show stopping appetizer.

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Caramel popcorn with sea salt

September 29, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This isn’t the one note, overly sweet caramel popcorn you’re used to getting bagged in stores or part of a popcorn tin at Christmas time. This is a rich popcorn with layered flavors of butter, sugar, and salt that will make you look at caramel popcorn in a whole new light.

What makes this caramel popcorn unique? The use of dark brown sugar rather than light which produces a deep, dark caramel. You can use light, but I highly recommend using dark – you’ll be amazed by the difference it makes! Plus the use sea salt in the caramel and then sprinkling flaky salt on top makes it even more addicting the normal caramel popcorn. These few tweaks take the caramel popcorn to a whole new level.

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Garlic Chili Edamame

August 11, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

I love edamame, but the traditional steamed edamame with salt starts to get boring after a while. That’s how this recipe was born. About 10 years ago I was trying to come up with a new flavorful way to eat edamame and boy does this recipe deliver! Garlicky, spicy, salty, three of my favorite food qualities. 10 years later and I’m still making it, so it must be good!

It’s quick, easy, and only requires 5 ingredients, all of which I always have on hand. If you’re looking for a new weeknight recipe (let’s be serious, who isn’t?!), look no further!

You can serve the edamame with whatever you want, but I usually end up serving it with brown rice or potstickers. Both of which I keep in the freezer meaning I’m less than 30 minutes away from a delicious dinner.

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Roasted Tomatoes and Burrata

August 7, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

As an appetizer, lighter summer dinner, or snack, roasted tomatoes and burrata are the epitome of summer. It’s quick, easy, and highlights ripe tomatoes at their peak.

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