Happy Halloween and The Weekly Menu

And here it is.  The last day of October.  All Hallow's Eve.  I met my sister for lunch today in a neighboring town, they were all decked out in their finery waiting for all the little ghosts and goblins to come calling.

Sauteed Chayote Squash with Onions and Bacon #HolidaySideDish

Quick and easy to make, this Chayote squash flavored with bacon and onion makes a deliciously different side dish to your meal.

Today is the second installment of Holiday Side Dishes........

Khorake-Loobia-Sabz (Green Bean Stew) in an Instant Pot #CooktheBooks

This Green Bean Stew is so rich and comforting.  It is Persian food at it's very best.  If you love the flavors of the Middle East you are going to love this Instant Pot recipe.

This recipe was inspired by our Cook the Books selection this month.......

Mac and Cheese Muffins #HolidaySideDish #MuffinMonday

Individual size mac and cheese made in a muffin tin.  Delicious hot from the oven as side dish or room temperature making them great for the lunch box.

We are celebrating three days of sharing Holiday Side Dish recipes this week......

Cazuela and Concha y Toro Merlot #MerlotMe

I received samples of Merlot Wines to celebrate #MerlotMe month.  I received no monetary compensation.  All writings, thoughts, content and opinions are strictly my own.

This thick, hearty stew filled with classic Chilean flavors was the perfect pairing for my last Merlot pairing for the month.

October is #MerlotMe month.  Each year we celebrate the wonderful flavors of Merlot Wine.......

Steak Fajita Chili #ChiliCookOff

Chunks of steak braised until tender with all of your favorite Fajita flavors.

This recipe is made in a slow cooker so that when you walk in the door after a long day all you need to do is ladle the chili into a bowl, top with cheese and sour cream, pop open a cerveza and say ahhhhhhhhhh.....

Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds and the Weekly Menu

Don't throw away those seeds when you carve your pumpkin. This easy and delicious recipe using an Air Fryer will have you enjoying them in no time!!

It is a great way to extend the family fun after carving the pumpkins.  I roasted these up and served them as part of an appetizer buffet before our daughter's birthday dinner.

Invitation to join #ItalianFWT as we visit the Tuscan Wines of Chianti and it's neighbors

I am all discombobulated here.  You see, I was scheduled to host our Italian FWT group in November but then fellow member Jeff of Food Wine Click was able to procure some of us samples of Ricasoli wine and olive oil.

Monster Brains and Witches Brew #FoodnFlix

These fun recipes that I am sharing today are just like the movie by which they were inspired.... The Addams Family.

They are creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and altogether ooky.  And oh so much fun!!  Just like the film.

Delight your little ghosts and goblins by serving up Monster Brains and Witches Brew with dinner this Halloween.  They are spectacularly scary and ghoulishly good!!

Glerk's Bog (Pisatachio Pudding) #Let'sGoNuts #LitHappens

Homemade pistachio pudding.  Creamy with toothsome bits of pistachio spread throughout.

The Festive Foodies are Going Nuts today.  Won't you join us?.............

Almond Pound Cake #TheCakeSliceBakers

This Almond Pound Cake is tender, moist and delicious.  It was the perfect ending for our daughter's birthday dinner.

I made this cake as part of The Cake Slice Bakers group to which I belong......

Roasted Garlic Turkey Chili #OurFamilyTable

This white chili is loaded with layers of flavor from roasted chile peppers and a whole bulb of garlic.  It is one of the best bowls of chili I have eaten.

The From Our Dinner Table Group are sharing Game Day Chili Recipes........

Moroccan Lentil Soup #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This delicious spiced dish is actually more like a stew than a soup.  I guess I could have added more broth after the lentils were done cooking but I kind of liked how hearty and filling it turned out.

This meatless dish is chock full of lentils and vegetables and then topped with a healthy dose of Greek yogurt to finish it off.  Welcome to Soup Saturday Swappers.......

A Trio of Cahor Wines and the Pairings Served #Winophiles

I received three bottles of wine for tasting purposes.  I received no monetary compensation.  All thoughts, writings and opinions are strictly my own. 

Are you familiar with Cahors wine?  You might be surprised.  I know I was when I received three lovely bottles of Malbec wine for this month's virtual visit to Cahors, France.

Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Come on in and see what I found out this month........

Tomato Poached Cod over Egg Noodles and The Weekly Menu #FishFridayFoodies

Light, tender cod pieces, poached in an Italian spiced tomato sauce and served over egg noodles.  A perfect way to enjoy Fish Friday.

We are sharing Poached Fish/Seafood recipes today over at Fish Friday Foodies.  Step inside and take a look........

Grilled Beef Salad with Kiwano Dressing #FreakyFruitsFriday

Disclosure:  I received product from Melissa's Produce who is sponsoring this event for use in the recipes I am sharing.  I received no monetary compensation. All writings, opinions and content of this blog are strictly my own.

This easy main course salad contains Kiwano Slices as well as being topped with a dressing made using Kiwano Melon and Blood Oranges.  It makes for a wonderful change from your everyday salad without any more work.

This is the final Freaky Fruits Friday post for this year..........

Leftover Chocolate Donut Pudding #Choctoberfest #BundtBakers

This is a sponsored post.  I received product for use in creating recipes for Choctoberfest.  Sponsors also provided gifts for me to offer in a giveaway during this event.  All opinions, writings and content are my own.

Decadent and rich, this baked pudding is made from leftover Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Chips.  You could easily use any flavor donuts or any cake that you have as well. It is a great way to re-purpose those desserts into a brand new dish.

Today is my final installment for the week long Choctoberfest that we have been enjoying and also my post for this month's edition of Bundt Bakers.........

Pumpkin Brownies with Chocolate Swirl #Choctoberfest #FantasticalFoodFight

This is a sponsored post.  I received product for use in creating recipes for Choctoberfest.  Sponsors also provided gifts for me to offer in a giveaway during this event.  All opinions, writings and content are my own.

Pumpkin Brownies with a Chocolate Swirl made from scratch and baked up in an adorable Jack-o-Lantern pan.  Brownies have never been so much fun.

This is what happens when Choctoberfest meets up with Fantastical Food Fight.......

Homemade Chocolate Sandwich Cookies #Choctoberfest

This post is sponsored by Imperial Sugar and Divine Chocolate.  I received product to assist in the creation of this recipe.  There was no monetary compensation given.  All content, opinions and writings are strictly my own.

I cut these chocolate sandwich cookies into fun Witches Hats and Black Cats for Halloween but you can just cut them into rounds if you want a more traditional cookie that reminds you of those that you buy in the store.

Welcome to Day 2 of Choctoberfest.......

Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Chips #Choctoberfest #BakingBloggers

This is a sponsored post.  I received product for use in creating recipes for Choctoberfest.  Sponsors also provided gifts for me to offer in a giveaway during this event.  All opinions, writings and content are my own.

Sweetest Day is coming up fast and these chocolate cake donuts studded with chocolate chips are sure to put a smile on the face of all your sweeties.

C'mon in!!  We are celebrating the first day of Choctoberfest and this month's edition of Baking Bloggers in addition to Sweetest Day today........

Shakshuka #OurFamilyTable

Perfect for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, life doesn't get much better or more tasty than this egg in a spiced tomato sauce dish known as Shakshuka.

The From Our Dinner Table Group is sharing easy Middle Easter recipes today........

Pot Roast Soup and the Weekly Menu

When planning my Weekly Menu I try to incorporate any leftovers into another meal during the week.  This Pot Roast Soup is the perfect way to enjoy that leftover pot roast as an entirely new dinner.

C'mon in.  I will share this great way to use leftovers and tell you what's on the Menu this week......

A Month Long Merlot Extravaganza #MerlotMe #WinePW

I received samples of Merlot wine for use in tasting and recipe pairing for the month of October.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions, writings and content of this blob are strictly my own.

Tender pork loin cutlets coated in panko bread crumbs and Dijon mustard, fried to a golden crisp and served with a creamy tomato sauce.

This is just one of many Merlot wine pairings I have enjoyed thus far in October.  Join me and the Wine PW group as we celebrate #MerlotMe month.

Easy Passion Fruit Whip #FreakyFruitsFriday

Disclosure:  I received product from Melissa's Produce who is sponsoring this event for use in the recipes I am sharing.  I received no monetary compensation. All writings, opinions and content of this blog are strictly my own.


This fun sweet and tart dessert is easy to make and delicious to eat. It does take a little time but most of it is hands off time.  There is very little actual work in this dish.

This is my recipe for the second celebration of Freaky Fruits Friday.......

Galushki Soup #EattheWorld

This warm, comforting Ukranian Chicken Soup is filled with dumplings called Galushki making it a complete meal.

Join us as we travel to Ukraine to Eat the World..........

Blood Orange Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese #ImprovCookingChallenge

Tender mixed baby greens and blood orange segments, tossed in a blood orange vinaigrette and topped with pecan pieces and blue cheese.

We are sharing Orange and Olive Oil recipes today for the Improv Cooking Challenge......

Make Ahead Sourdough Dinner Rolls #BreadBakers

These crusty sourdough dinner rolls need an overnight rise but I think after one taste you will think it is worth the extra effort.

We are sharing Make Ahead Breads today over at Bread Bakers........

Easy Mummy Cookies and the Weekly Menu #OurFamilyTable

These fun little cookies on take a few ingredients and come together quickly.  Thrill your little goblins with this fun project.

We are celebrating Halloween Party Recipes with our From the Dinner Table group........

The Food and Wines of Abruzzo #ItalianFWT

I received samples of wines from Abruzzo for tastings and pairings that are written about in this post.  All content, opinions and writings are strictly my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Tender greens mixed with cucumber, sweet bell pepper and cantaloupe tossed in a balsamic dressing, topped with smoked duck breast and sprinkled with toasted pecans and duck skin crackling.

This salad paired nicely with a Caldora Montepulciano D'Abruzzo from Gonzalez Byass.  I received a bottle of this wine and created this pairing for our Italian FWT group.......

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel #FallFlavors

I received product from sponsors, Millican Pecan Company and Door County Coffee to assist in the creation of recipes for the Fall Flavors event.  All content, writings and opinions in this blog are strictly my own.

This custard like sweet potato casserole topped with a delicious pecan streusel is sure to become the new family favorite at your holiday table.

My grand-niece, Lili, whose hand you see scooping out some of this amazing casserole, leaned over to me during family dinner and said "these are the best sweet potatoes I have ever eaten".  That made my heart sing.

Shrimp Tacos with Apple Pomegranate Salsa #NationalTacoDay

Plump juicy shrimp tossed in Caribbean spices and sauteed up in butter, topped with a delicious apple pomegranate salsa and wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.

It's National Taco Day..........

Chile Lime Shrimp with Cherimoya and Strawberry Papaya #FreakyFruitsFriday

Disclosure:  I received product from Melissa's Produce who is sponsoring this event for use in the recipes I am sharing.  I received no monetary compensation. All writings, opinions and content of this blog are strictly my own.

This wonderful stir fry of Chile Lime Shrimp combined with Cherimoya and Strawberry Papaya makes you feel as if you are enjoying a tropical get-away.

It is the first of 3 fun filled Freaky Fruit Friday Installments........

Coffee Rubbed Pork with Autumn Spices #FallFlavors

I received product from sponsors, Millican Pecan Company and Door County Coffee to assist in the creation of recipes for the Fall Flavors event.  All content, writings and opinions in this blog are strictly my own.

Tender, juicy pork loin encrusted with an Autumn spiced coffee and brown sugar rub then slow cooked to perfection.

We are still celebrating Fall Flavors.  Come on in for some great recipes and the chance to win some amazing prizes from our sponsors.........

Beef Pot Roast with Apples and Onions #FoodieExtravaganza

When Fall weather hits, I immediately start craving warm, homey comfort foods.  This pot roast flavored with apples and onions fits the bill perfectly.  You are going to want to mash some potatoes because the gravy is to die for!

It's time for Foodie Extravaganza........

Pecan Butter Pie #FallFlavors

I received product from sponsors, Millican Pecan Company and Door County Coffee to assist in the creation of recipes for the Fall Flavors event.  All content, writings and opinions in this blog are strictly my own.

Chocolate cookie crust filled with a fluffy mixture of cream cheese, pecan butter, and whipped topping.  You will think you have died and gone to Heaven.  The Angel Face gave it "two thumbs and two toes up, I would have given more but I don't have anything left to put up"!!  There is high praise indeed!

Welcome to my second installment in the Fall Flavors event.......