Banana Nutella Muffins #MuffinMonday

 These muffins are not only delicious but you can feel good about giving them to your family.  Packed full of protein from the nut butter and potassium from the bananas it is a great way to start the day.

It's Muffin Monday..................

Knives Out; The Round-Up #FoodnFlix

Welcome to the Food n Flix November Round-up.  I asked the others to join me in watching Knives Out.   Let's take a look at how they liked the film and what they were inspired to make........

Turkey Tamale Skillet #SundayFunday

This quick and easy skillet dinner using leftover Thanksgiving Turkey is chock full of the flavors of the Southwest.  Nobody will realize they are eating leftovers.

We are Transforming Holiday Leftovers today with the Sunday Funday Crew........

Pan Seared Duck Breast with Pomegranate Reduction paired with Pallazzo Cab Franc for #CabFrancDay

 I received samples for the purpose of tasting and reviewing wine for Cab Franc Day.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions are strictly my own.  

Did you know that there is a day set aside to enjoy Cabernet Franc wine?  It's true.  This traditional blending grape from the Bordeaux region is gaining notoriety for being a stand alone grape in wine that is deep, dark and lovely.  We celebrate this wine on December 4th each year.

I know that the celebration is still a week away, however, I wanted to share this wine with you and invite you to pop open a bottle of Cab Franc and join us on December 4th at 8 PM ET for twitter chat as we discuss this interesting varietal.

Using up the Thanksgiving Leftovers Weekly Menu

 I smoked our Turkey this year.  I have never done that before.  It turned out lovely.  The only problem was that I'm used to using the pan drippings to make gravy so there was no gravy available this year.

Sweet Pumpkin Persimmon CranberryBread #FamilyBakingChallenge

I received product from Melissa's Produce for use in this recipe.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions and content are strictly my own.

More like a cake than a bread this moist delicious loaf will have you coming back for piece after piece. 

This recipe is adapted from one provided by Real Food, Mostly Plants for the Melissa's Produce Family Baking Challenge......

Hot Chocolate Cookies with Chocolate Chips #LitHappens #FoodiesRead

These cookies are made with pre-packaged hot chocolate mix and then studded with chocolate chips. The are very rich and decadent.

I was inspired to make these cookies after reading The House with a Clock in It's Walls......

Cab Franc around the World Invitation Post #WinePW

We will be celebrating #CabFrancDay on December 4th where we feature Cab Franc as a stand alone grape instead of a blending grape.  I thought I would continue the theme throughout the month and  decided to invite the Wine Pairing Weekend Group to join me in sharing the food pairings that we have discovered that pair well with this lovely wine.

I am showcasing a wine from our very own, Lori of Dracaena Wines.  So go out, grab a bottle of Cab Franc and meet up with us on Twitter Chat on December 12th at 11 AM ET following #WinePW.  We love when visitors pop in and tell us all about their experiences with our topic.

If participating with a blog post please stop by the event page and post your information.

Butterscotch Pear and Cranberry Pecan Bread Pudding #FamilyBakingChallenge

Melissa's Produce is hosting a Family Baking Challenge for the next six weeks.  It is an opportunity for families to bake together and be entered into a drawing with a chance of winning some great prize packages. 

Heather of Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks  arranged for 12 of us to receive fresh produce from Melissa's to use in this challenge.  There was also a bag of King Arthur organic flour in the box.  I have worked with products from both of these sponsors in the past and have always been pleased with the results.  I received no monetary compensation for this post and all writings and opinions are strictly my own.

Caesar Cole Slaw #SundayFunday

 This fun spin on a Caesar Salad is a great side or starter for your holiday parties.  

It's Sunday Funday and we are celebrating That Holiday Feeling.............

The Weekly Menu including Thanksgiving Dinner

Well....many of us might have to dig deep to find things for which to be grateful for at Thanksgiving in this 2020 world.

image from google

It is hard not to get the doldrums and I have been having my fair share of the blues.  So today and each day up to Thanksgiving Day I am going to think of 5 things for which I am grateful this year.

Puree of Celery Root Soup #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This creamy, comforting soup is perfect on those blustery cold days.  It goes together quickly and easily and makes a great lunch or light dinner served with a salad and some crusty bread.

Welcome to Soup Saturday Swappers........

Hot Chocolate and Halva Pudding paired with Lion De Tanesse L'Amour #CakeSliceBakers #Winophiles

This delicious, chocolatey, gooey cake is so amazing.  Paired with a glass of Sweet Bordeaux it was exactly the kind of comfort I needed as the holidays approach during this ongoing pandemic.

Join me as The Cake Slice Bakers collides with the French Winophiles..........

Crispy Bacon and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Seared Scallops #FishFridayFoodies

This elegant dish is perfect as a starter for your holiday meal or even as the meal itself if you serve full size portions.  Crisp bacon, sauteed with shredded brussels sprouts until tender and then topped with lovely seared scallops.

We are serving up Fish for Thanksgiving this month with our Fish Friday Foodies Group......

Peanut Butter, Nutella and Banana Bundt #BundtBakers

This cake is loaded with nutty flavors.  Delicious banana cake flavored with both peanuts and hazelnuts.  

I served this up as a Birthday Cake for my neighbor........

Cranberry Rice Pilaf #CranberryWeek

This Cranberry Rice Pilaf is full of Fall flavors and the perfect side dish for your Holiday table this year.

We are celebrating Cranberries this week with the Festive Foodies crew.....

Cranberry Pecan Sourdough Bread #CranberryWeek

 This bread takes a long time to make.  It needs to rest for an hour, rise overnight and then rise for another hour or two after forming into a loaf and before baking.  I was thinking it was hardly worth the trouble and then I put it in the oven.....and the smells coming from the kitchen got my stomach to a rumbling. It needs to rest for another hour before you can slice it.  I had to force myself to wait.  Just look how gorgeous this loaf is........

Let me tell you, this bread is definitely worth the wait.  Tender, airy bread chock full of dried cranberries and toasted pecans.  Spread on a schmear of butter, take a bite, and you will know that it was time well spent.

Instant Pot Butter Beans and Sausage #FoodnFlix #MultiCookerMonday

This quick and easy main course dish uses butter beans and smoked sausage.  No need to soak or parboil the beans, the instant pot ensures fully cooked, soft and creamy beans.

I was inspired to make this meal after watching the film, Knives Out........

Seared Scallops and Spaghetti Squash and the Weekly Menu #SundayFunday

Beautifully seared Scallops atop a wonderful heap of Spaghetti Squash makes for a delicious, healthy and carb free comfort meal.

We are celebrating Squash today with our Sunday Funday Group......

Let's Celebrate Thanksgiving by Eating and Drinking Locally #WinePW

 Our WinePW group is sharing our thoughts on wine from Under the Radar Regions this month.  I live in Michigan and we have a lot of wineries on the west side of our state.  However, when people think about Michigan they think about lakes, sand dunes, fall colors, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, skating, etc.  We have all of those wonderful things but we also have wine, whiskey and beer.

Pecan Pie Cookies #ChristmasCookies

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products to use in the creation of these recipes.  I did not receive any monetary compensation.  All opinions are my own. 

These delicious, tender cookies are like popping a tiny pecan pie into your mouth.  They are sure to be a hit on your Holiday Cookie Tray this year.

Today is the final day of Christmas Cookie Week.......

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Paprika Oil #ImprovCookingChallenge

 This delicious and easy soup is a wonderful first course for your Holiday dinners.  The combination of cauliflower and pear is seasonal and delicious.  The paprika oil drizzle adds a splash of color and flavor.

We are making recipes with Cauliflower and Paprika for this month's Improv Cooking Challenge.....

Almond Shortbread Bites #ChristmasCookies

 Disclosure:  I received sponsor products to use in the creation of these recipes.  I did not receive any monetary compensation.  All opinions are my own. 

These tender little shortbread bites are flavored with almond extract and made festive with the addition of red and green sprinkles.

We are celebrating Christmas Cookie Week........

Banana Fritters #EattheWorld

 These Banana Fritters are a wonderful breakfast, snack or even dessert.  A different way to use up some of those overripe bananas on your counter.

We are traveling to Jamaica today with the Eat The World group.......

Taco Tuesday Calzone #BreadBakers

 Celebrate your next Taco Tuesday with these fun and easy Taco Calzones.  Your family will thank you.

We are making Stuffed Breads today with the folks over at Bread Bakers........

Peppermint Patty Cookies #ChristmasCookies

Disclosure:  I received sponsor products to use in the creation of these recipes.  I did not receive any monetary compensation.  All opinions are my own. 

These delicious and easy Peppermint Patty Cookies start off with a box of chocolate cake mix and are topped with a Junior Mint before being baked.

This is my first recipe as we kick off Christmas Cookie Week.........

Sourdough Rolls #BakingBloggers

This recipe uses both yeast and sourdough starter creating light, fluffy dinner rolls with that classic sourdough taste.

The Baking Bloggers are sharing Yeast Breads today........

Cheddar Horseradish Dip #SundayFunday

Sharp Cheddar, Cream Cheese and Horseradish Sauce combine to make a wonderful tongue tingling treat to enjoy while awaiting your Holiday Feast.

We are sharing Holiday Nibbles with our Sunday Funday Group today........

Primitivo: Old World vs New World #ItalianFWT

Are you familiar with Primitivo?  We used to believe that Primitivo was made with the Zinfandel grape but Wine Spectator reports that, while closely related, Primitivo and Zinfandel are actually both clones of a Croation grape called Crljenak.

I would have never learned this had our Italian Food Wine Travel group not chosen to delve into the world of Primitivo this month......

Apple and Kohlrabi Slaw #HolidaySides

 This sweet and slightly spicy salad is a great addition to your Holiday Table.  The crunch of the sweet apples combined with the spicy bite of the kohlrabi wrapped up in a creamy dressing pairs wonderfully with roasted poultry.

Today is the final day of the Holiday Sides event........

Mushroom and Boursin Cheese Omelet because Paris Never Leaves You

 I won a book in a raffle offered by The Book Club Cookbook last month.   I love this group, they offer numerous giveaways each month of many different genre of books.  Historical fiction is one of my genres of choice so each month I enter and quite often I get sent a copy of the book they are profiling.

This time I wond Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman.......

Gluten Free Gingery Peanut Pasta #FoodieExtravaganza

 An easy Thai inspired dish that is perfect for a quick Meatless Monday meal using ingredients you probably have on hand.

  The members of Foodie Extravaganza are celebrating National Peanut Butter Month......

Maple Glazed Delicata Squash #HolidaySides

This easy and delicious squash makes the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any Fall Comfort Meal.  No need to peel the squash, roast it until nice and crisp and the skin adds to the wonderful flavor and texture of this dish.

Today is the second day of the Holiday Side Dish Event.....

Crimson Lake Spiked Coffee #FoodiesRead

The Teen got me a book as one of my birthday gifts.  She knows how much I love to read and she thought that this book sounded like I would enjoy it.

Sweet Potato Salad #HolidaySides

This wonderful salad of roasted sweet potatoes, red onion and feta cheese is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey this year. 

We are sharing Holiday Sides this Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Just in time for your Holiday Meal Planning......

Pecan Crusted Pork Chops with Apples #OurFamilyTable

Bone in Pork Chops, browned and then covered with a lovely pecan crust before being baked to tender perfection.

The From Our Dinner Table Group are celebrating National Pecan Month.......