Layered Bean Dip

  I love to make this quick and versatile layered dip. It's delicious with tortilla  chips, pita chips or vegetables as dippers.   

  Get out a glass bowl (or casserole if it's for a big crowd!). Here's why I say it's versatile- you pick the layers!  The only layers that I think are essential are the cream cheese in the bottom and the next layer which is refried beans (I prefer the vegetarian version).  After that, you can layer what you like.  I don't care for guacamole so it is not one of my layers! 

I'll tell you how I layered this one:

-softened cream cheese

-refried beans

-green salsa verde'

-red chunky salsa

-sliced black olives

-shredded sharp cheddar

-jalapeño slices

-green onions

-chopped Campari tomatoes

  If you layer fresh, chopped vegetables on top like tomatoes or shredded lettuce, you will want to add those right before serving.  All other layers, up to and including the cheese topping, go in the microwave or oven until hot and cheese is melted!  Enjoy!!

I press any moist ingredients between paper towel or napkin.  You want them dry so your dip won't turn into a soggy mess!  Then, for less clean-up, I mince the small amounts of ingredients right on top of the napkin.

I hope you enjoy this dip as much as we do!

Pimento Cheese

Summer holidays mean we can always use a back-up plan if we need a quick snack or lunch.  If you have this pimento spread in your fridge, you are prepared!  It's great on sandwiches, stuffed in boiled eggs or celery...or even as a topping on your grilled burger!

PIMENTO SPREAD

Start with good cheddar!

I like to use a long-handled teaspoon for stuffing celery.

Western Eggs with Red Hash

Sometimes, when supper time rolls around, you just want food that's easy to

make and that causes very little cleanup! Here is one of my solutions. It starts with leftover cooked potatoes from the fridge. The other chopped vegetables can be varied according to your taste(or what needs to be used up).

1.  Saute' diced onion and peppers with a little olive oil in an omelette pan (or nonstick skillet).

2.  Add chopped cooked ham or bacon. Those of you who like a bold taste can add fried sausage or chorizo!  Cook until hot through.

3.  Shove meat and vegetables to the side.  Add your eggs;  salt and pepper.  

In a separate hot skillet add chopped, cooked cold potatoes to a little oil and fry until they're browned and have crispy edges (I used my small cast iron skillet).

4.  Flip eggs half way through cooking.  Cover with a lid to finish the egg whites.

5.  Sprinkle with finely-shredded cheese.

6.  Plate the eggs and add the red potato hash to the side.  (You only have two small skillets and a chopping board to clean!)

My Best Banana Bread Recipe

Nothing makes your house smell better than baking fresh banana bread!  This recipe has always been my favorite!  It comes from one of my most-used, well-worn cookbooks that was a gift from my best buddy, Julie, years ago.  At the time, our children were young and we used a lot of banana bread at our house, as snacks.  This version is very moist.  I tweaked it by adding cinnamon, (to taste).

(That date bread recipe on the same page is wonderful, too!)

(I don't put the nuts in because hubby doesn't like them!)

Love this brand of eggs that I found recently at Sam's Club!

All done!  Let cool on a wire rack and just enjoy the aroma!!  Happy baking!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all cooks!  If you cook for others you are a nurturer!  Have a beautiful day!

Check out my Mother's Day breakfast!  German Chocolate Pancakes!!  Thanks, Ben!

Springtime Rituals

Here at our house, the spring cleaning continues!  Today, I changed out the bed clothes in the guest rooms. Every spring when the temperature rises and warm breezes assure me that good weather is here to stay, I put away the flannel sheets and heavy quilts.  It's one of my little springtime rituals!

  In the spring and summer months, I just love the feel and color of old chenille spreads and cotton sheets on the beds!

Do you have any springtime rituals?

This sweet old coverlet has a basket design in the middle of a sunburst.

Look at this row of daisies!  So cute!

Well, it's been a full day of cleaning.  Time for a porch-sit and a cup of tea!