I love dip, it’s no secret in my house. How about you?

Well, when I make a new one I’m never sure if it’ll be a big hit with everyone else or just me.

This recipe was a winner with everyone!

They all loved it. I couldn’t be happier.

I didn’t even tell them what it was, they just started slathering it on crackers and devouring it. 

The flavor combo is delicious.

You can use cream cheese or goat cheese.

You can use regular fig jam, or for an added kick, try fig jam with chilis.

Serve with crackers

or serve with toasted baguette slices or sliced apples.

 Buy or make the topping:

I had this cranberry pecan topping on hand, the pecans are sweet honey pecans but another simple option is to use chopped dried cranberries and chopped pecans.

Cheese and jam is a combination of balanced flavors, for a tangier option use goat cheese.

Other great options:

You can use Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Top with sliced apricots, almonds, or pumpkin seeds.

And if you love figs, give this Fig Cake a try.

This is one of my new favorite shortcut recipes… so simple and really everyone loves it. I’ve made it a few times this month, and each time… there is no surprise it’s devoured!

Print

Fig Jam Dip

a deliciously creamy dip with fig jam, and balsamic and topped with dried cranberries and pecans

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Author Diane Schmidt - createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese or goat cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1-2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• 1/2 cup fig jam regular or fig jam with chilis for some spice

topping

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• coarse salt

Instructions

• In a tall jar or bowl with a beater/whip attachment whip cream cheese with heavy cream, until silky smooth.
• Stir in balsamic glaze.
• Spread mixture onto serving dish.
• Stir jam so it's smooth, spread over top of the cream cheese mixture.
• Top with dried cranberries and chopped pecans, add a pinch of coarse salt.

The post Fig Jam Dip first appeared on Created by Diane.

Make grilling fun with some new ideas and recipes and feel free to leave me a comment about your favorite item to grill!

We most often use a gas grill, but we’ve had a smoker previously, and we have a 36″ Blackstone and a 22″ Blackstone in our RV.

We utilize a cast-iron skillet on the stove and in the oven to create recipes that have that “grilled” flavor.

Whatever works for you to get meals on the table easily… make that happen!

• Cooking chicken for the week– can be done inside on cast iron or out on the grill (you’ll find lots of meals to put it in too.
• Tri Tip in the Oven -you can certainly use the same method on the grill (temperature to preheat, timing, and meat temp from oven to grill work equally well, adjust as needed)
• Marinated Tri-Tip- a nice marinade for dinner, tacos, nachos, and more.
• Oven Grilled Chicken in Spicy Mustard Sauce– is great on the outdoor grill as well.
• Tortilla Empanadas– these could easily go on the grill.

When I want to feed a crowd, I love making Sausage Potatoes, Cabbage, and Onions-serve with mustard and sour kraut.

• Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs- tender and Juicy!
• Brown Sugar Soy Glazed Chicken– the most requested chicken recipe I get asked to make again and again.
• Taco Marinated Chicken– a recipe you’ll make for tacos, nachos, taco salad, and more.
• Make a whole meal out of Hot Dogs– these Italian hot dogs are so tasty.
• Buttermilk Ranch Chicken–wow, it’s yummy!

Now this is my number one tip on cooking ribs… I like to prep and cook them in the Instant Pot, then put them on the grill (or oven) to crisp them, they are full of flavor, tender, and juicy!

They fall off the bone, and no one will guess that fun little hack, but it ensures perfectly tender pork ribs with very little effort.

• Avocado Stuffed Burgers along with some popular side dishes
• Lemon Chicken Kabobs are always a fun item to enjoy

Grilled hot wings are always delicious. Grill them up and make sure they’re crispy. Add some buffalo sauce on the side or slather the wings if sauce if you prefer.

If you want a fun sandwich, you can toast the bread or place the sandwich on the grill for a few minutes to toast the bread. Grilled Goat Cheese, Avocado, and Jam.

POTATO SALADS

• The best potato salad
• Avocado potato salad
• Lemon dill potato salad
• Warm German potato salad
• Rosemary Garlic Potato Salad
• Low-Carb Cauli Potato Salad

And never underestimate the power of Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Version.

Pasta Salads

• Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni Salad – a pizza lover dream pasta salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad – a party favorite
• BLT Macaroni Salad – brighten up any day with this one
• Mexican Corn Macaroni Salad – SO fantastic you’ll be sure to make it often
• Feta Basil Balsamic Pasta Salad – one of my all-time favorites
• Lemon Dill Tuna Pasta Salad – a veggie-filled pasta salad
• Thai Peanut Noodles – my road trip favorite
• Lemon Pasta Salad with Asparagus – lemony and yummy
• BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad – my kids love this one, and it’s just about the most perfect dish for a BBQ

As soon as the weather turns warm, it’s time to get outside and light the grill (unless you live in a warm climate area… because grilling goes on all year long).

Thermometer

To ensure whatever you cook, be sure to have a great thermometer, it will help you cook items perfectly. This is my favorite thermometer, and I have two of them.

I buy them for gifts often, and everyone gives them rave reviews, too. It reads the temperature super quickly, is waterproof, and comes in fun colors to spot easily on a crowded kitchen counter.

Outdoor cooking is often synonymous with summer; everyone has their favorites to grill or BBQ. Steak, burgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken, beef, pork, ribs, shrimp, and fish. 

But don’t let the fun stop there. You can grill more items than you’ve probably considered. From Brownie, Pie, Pizza, Salad, and so much more…

• Grilling items on a pizza screen works well for more than just pizza. And works great in the oven too.
• Grilled Romaine Salad-with peaches and blue cheese
• A favorite… Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
• Grilled Apple Sausage with grilled apples
• Grilled Romaine BLT– YUM!

Now onto some sweets… You can use cast iron on the grill, so prep your dessert and cook it outside.

Grilled Desserts

• Grilled Pina Colada Pie, skillet pie, or hand pies
• Grilled S’more Brownie– fun and yummy
• Grilled Cake– super simple
• Grilled Apple Tacos– really irresistible
• Grilled apricots with honey ricotta- fruit with more fun added

And this no-bake apple cinnamon cheesecake is a true winner!

Outdoor cooking

It’s time to light the grill

Time for a cookout? What kind of a term is that… maybe in the South you’ve heard it, they even have a fast food restaurant called it, but for the rest of us it’s barbecue… it involves grilling or smoking.

No matter where you live or what you call it… It’s usually full of delicious food. Maybe you’ll find some new favorites.

My all-time favorite grilling side dishes

• potato salad
• macaroni salad
• mac and cheese

It doesn’t matter what you are serving… these side dishes will be devoured!

Try these great Spiral sliced hot dogs fun with Corn and BLT Cole Slaw.

don’t forget these items to make your outdoor gatherings complete:

• Chairs: Lawn chairs, gravity chairs, sturdy outdoor cot
• Lawn games: corn hole, big Jenga, 4 in a row, yard Yahtzee
• water fun ideas: water guns, water balloons, water play fountain
• sun items: sunscreen, sunhat,  chair, umbrella
• night time: bug spray, lantern

Be sure to check out my Summer No-Cook Snacks

Don’t show up empty-handed, a quick item to bring is a fruit platter, pick up some berries and cherries or other fruit in season to make the fruit platter look more custom and give more flavor options everyone will enjoy.

And if you want to create your own fruit platter, here is the sauce to dip the fruit into.

Wishing you a delicious summer and beyond!

The post Side Dishes that make you look like an amazing cook first appeared on Created by Diane.

Well, I’m going to tell you…

I will keep it short and to the point, and if the advice is not for you, you may know someone who could use it. Dating, relationships, and jobs may have changed some, but how you think of yourself should be the top priority. There are some delicious recipes sifting throughout the post, so maybe it’ll just be a fun way to view some recipes.

P.S. The advice doesn’t just have to be for dating, it really applies to friendships, jobs, and family.

My advice about relationships and dating and the 90-day rule…

All relationships have ups and downs, so if this advice is not relative to you if you only look at it as dating advice, read just a little and see if it applies to other areas. It’s no secret I love comfort food, so I added some fun recipes to go along with the advice!

If you don’t want the advice, just look at the pretty pictures, maybe you’ll get hungry and make a recipe.

The why behind writing this post is simple. I recall how challenging dating was years ago for me. I now get calls from one of my children for advice for themselves and their friends.

It ranges from first dates to dating for years and the problems that arise, the clues that were ignored, and the lessons learned this is my quick guide to relationships. I’m known to some as the advice giver, so here goes…

The BASICS to dating:

Dating and relationships can bring on all sorts of emotions, to help you find the best direction to go, give some of this a thought in the first 90 days of dating someone.

These are the recipes for the photo above:

• Pasta and Meat Sauce 
• Blueberry Muffins
• Corn Soup
• Funnel Cake
• Ham and Cheese Soup
• Brownie Cookies

relationship advice

Give it 90 days. A lot can happen in 3 months, this is advice that I feel is helpful when dating. Sometimes one date is all your need to know, this isn’t it!

Sometimes we date someone for a month and realize, this is not going in the direction I want. But sometimes we are in a situation that we “think” is ok. But when we really assess it, we aren’t all that truthful to ourselves.

We often hide the gut feeling that this is not really what I want, but “I’ll put up with it”, or “maybe it’ll change”. Do not try to convince yourself things WILL be ok, if they are not ok, trust your gut and leave.

No one really wants to be alone, it’s human nature.

We want to pair up… and on the outside, it may look easy, that some people have it so easy they have “someone”. But the truth is if that someone is not the right person, they could be miserable inside but hiding it on the outside and you won’t hear about the details until it’s over.

Don’t lie to yourself. I think you should talk the best to yourself, you’ll be living with YOU the longest. Better start treating yourself well NOW!

We all have 24 hours in a day, and we choose how we spend it.

Here are my top 10 rules:

1. They should be excited to see you, greet you nicely, know your name, remember how they met you, use good manners (like open the door for you) say kind words to you. You should notice that they took the time out of their day to make you feel special when you are first dating. If they don’t, you can bet they won’t all of a sudden start doing those things.
   
   What you put up with and tolerate is up to YOU!
   
   And you should be doing the same, if you took time to get ready, think about your outfit, hair, etc, so should they. 
   
   Don’t focus too much on previous relationships, yours or theirs, focus on what’s right in front of you. Hopefully, you’re both being honest with each other and looking to get to know each other better without thinking and comparing the other to a previous relationship.
   
   Be nice, like a sugar cookie!
2. In the first 90 days…
   
   You should have met their friends and hopefully at least 1 family member. If you have not, you’ve got to think to yourself. Have they seen their friends or family, then why hasn’t it been important for them to introduce you.
   
   If they give you reasons as to why they haven’t such as, well I don’t get along with my family? Really… that’s a red flag. Maybe they don’t get along with one member, but everyone? Are they deflecting it so they look like a good person and everyone is the problem. Better give that a second thought.
   
   If they say they don’t have time, people are unavailable, that doesn’t sound like someone who is really looking to introduce you, ask yourself why.
   
   – why meet friends/family? they give you a clear insight as to who they really are, not just how they act with you. If people say, they are a loner, we never thought they’d have a girlfriend/boyfriend, is that just another way of saying they are selfish and really don’t put others in their life at an important level?
   
   If you get the feeling they aren’t being honest, run
   
   If you think they are crazy, run
   
   If you don’t really like what you’ve seen or experienced so far, run
   
   Why put up with problems at the beginning of dating, it’s not going to get better, you know that!
   
   Don’t be afraid of being by yourself, you end up limiting who you can be spending time with, the possibilities are endless.
   
   When you put positive energy into finding a new boyfriend/girlfriend, job, house, or car, it’s amazing how quickly things turn around and change, but sitting idly by does not help anything.
   
   Be an active participant in your own life, no one is going to do it for you.
   
   Don’t waste your time on bad relationships, friendships, jobs, or situations, you can change them any time you want.
   
   The worst decisions are often made out of fear and the best made out of possibilities.
   
   If you want something crazy try my Chocolate Spaghetti. 
3. In 90 days, most people experience at least one of the following
   
   -Exciting/happy: new job, raise, accomplishment
   
   -Sad/disappointing/stressful situation: loss of job, illness/death of someone/pet, family conflict, work conflict
   
   You’ll get to see how each of you communicate with each other about it, if the other is genuinely supportive, happy, caring or resentful, angry, or bothered by inconvenience, and see how things go between you both. This is why you are dating, to find out of they are a good match for YOU.
   
   Remember life is unpredictable and you’ll be dealing with how the other person handles things all the time.
   
   If you want to make something that’s incontinent try a recipe that takes time like Icing Cookies with a piping bag, or give my easy icing method a try!
4. Do not be afraid for them to see the real you! We all have moods, emotions, and behaviors. If they are the right person, they may not notice what you feel is a flaw, but give both of you a chance, to get to know the people you really are.
   
   Don’t pretend to be easygoing if you aren’t ok with things, because when you get tired of “acting” like things don’t bother you, they spend the time getting to know the fake you not the real you, it’s just a waste of everyone’s time. Time is precious, waste it wisely!
   
   If you want something fake… make my shortcut “fake” Thanksgiving dinner. 
5. Do not be afraid to ask difficult questions!
   
   You know, the things you want to know, but don’t want to seem… pushy, rude, forward, etc. What do you really want? What don’t you want? Family, Kids, Money, Time spent alone/away, what you like, don’t like about where you live?
   
   Ask, so you know the answer, often there is so much compromise though life, people do sometimes change how they feel/think about things as they mature, it’s ok to change your mind, it’s how you or they respond to the change that matters.
   
   You want to know the answers now, not later when you are fully invested and think, really I’ll have to start dating all over again, I’ll never find anyone, no one will tolerate my flaws, no one will love me like…, really those are all things said out of fear! Fear is like poison, a drop may not kill you, but more is deadly.
   
   The longer you date or that time goes by in a relationship the bigger the heartache. Just think of the last time you felt about how difficult it would be to start over. If you find out things about the person you’re dating, be upfront and talk about it, don’t be afraid to get the answers you want. 
   
   If you want easy, make my Simple Mexican Rice Recipe.
6. Dating is a time to really see if you both are compatible with each other, not just if they are a good fit for you. Do you fit into their life, do you like what it looks like, do you find yourself changing everything to “fit in” with what they like, are you being yourself or trying to be what you think they would want. Are you hiding who you really are, what you really think. Let them know the real you, the right person won’t be disappointed.
   
   Fun-compatible flavors you might not expect, salty and sweet combination recipes. 
7. Value yourself. You have a lot to offer, don’t be afraid to make a list of your best qualities, it’s a refreshing list to look at when you’re not feeling so positive, and it’s great to reflect on and add to so you know you are the person you really want to be.
   
   The most valuable chicken recipe ever, really it’s the most requested chicken recipe make it and you’ll know why! 
8. Watch out for warning signs, don’t ignore them, they only amplify. This recipe is messy, you’ve been warned!
   
   If you want a recipe with a warning, this one can be messy, but so fun! 
9. Poor communication is bad for everyone. Sit down and talk.
   
   Maybe make some of these to snack on while you chat, easy and delicious and only takes minutes to make. 
10. Find someone who you not only like, but like who you are when you are with them, and feel excited to see again. Listen to your gut, it’s a sure sign of reality. Our intuition is there for us to trust, it’s not often wrong.
    
    Life is full of surprises, full of ups, and downs, and this recipe will help you make the most of what you have.

Make sure your life is full of all the things you want, this is not a dress rehearsal! Value yourself (be kind to yourself, especially what you say inside your own head, value the time you have to yourself, and with others, and if you feel you wish you could say something to someone, say it. Most of all value good health, mental and physical.

>>>>>>> PRINTABLE guide to dating <<<<<<<

Some of the best advice comes with a side of potatoes.

Now when it’s not about dating… here is some comfort food to match the day you’ve had.

• Having a GOOD DAY, let’s celebrate with some delicious comfort food, for me that usually involves chips and cheese… 
• having a BAD DAY, that’ll call for some pasta, or let’s sit around a warm bowl of soup and chat,
• then when you least expect it, a BREAK-UP, that often calls for chocolate UGH…

We all remember breakups, dating and just trying to figure life out we are all still trying, right?!?

Well, I wrote out this guide if you know someone who is dating, going to be dating, or just wants some unsolicited advice on dating, send them this post. Some day maybe I’ll write down all my dating stories. WOW, that would be a page-turner. But in the meantime, my guide will have to do.

My favorite comfort food recipes I make all the time:

• Pasta- Pasta and Meat Sauce, Baked Ziti, Creamy Mac and Cheese
• Chocolate-Chocolate Cake, Brownie Cookies
• Soup- Corn Chowder, Zuppa Toscano
• Chips –Guacamole with Bacon and Goat Cheese, Cheesy Jalapeno Dip
• Drink- Whipped Coffee, Chocolate Soda, Kentucky Dirty
• Appetizer Fried Tortellini Pizza Dip, Baked Crispy French Fries

• Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Bites
• Lemon Scones
• Frosted Soft Sugar Cookies
• Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
• Baked Ziti
• Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
  
  
  

  

 Feed people well and make them feel welcome.

And may I wish everyone a happy life and delicious food!

The post Advice and Comfort Food Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

If there’s one pantry staple I keep around, it’s pancake mix. It can be used for so much more than pancakes! Because I use it so often, I thought it’d be a great idea to write a blog committed solely to this wonderful, and sometimes meal saving, mix. 

As far as what mix to buy, well, I’ve used the gambit! 

I’ve bought Krustez brand but have also used other store brands, such as Pearl Milling Company (previously Aunt Jemima’s) and Hungry Jack – each with their own great results. The flavors differ, but I’ll give you tips on that later.

Now some of these recipes will taste different than the “original” versions, but if you want to make quick, easy recipes, these are great, they easily work and make most happy, if you want from-scratch flavor, make the original versions!

Let’s take a look at what a good pancake mix can make – Look at all these fun recipes:

• Funnel Cake – One of the simplest and yet tasty treats around!
• Choc Chip Bundt – Need a cake quick? This Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake will save the day!
• Banana Bread Cake – A favorite for afternoon treats…or for breakfast. I don’t judge.
• Pancake Loaf – Easier than flipping cakes all morning – just whip it up, bake, then slice!
• Cupcakes – Moist, fluffy, and delicious. It makes birthday parties simple and saves you time, so you can spend it with the birthday boy or girl!
• Biscuits – A southern favorite – and for good reason. Add your favorite jam, dress it up with gravy, or enjoy it as it is.
• Choc Chip Scones – A great way to enjoy a scone, plus who doesn’t like chocolate?!
• Fried Oreo – A state fair classic, and now you can make them at home!

But the really great thing about pancake mix is that you can dress it up, or adjust it according to your tastes! Everyone has their own preference when it comes to pancakes. Some like the batter sweet, some prefer it to be more savory. So, if you like:

• Sweet – Add a little sugar to your batter. Or if you prefer it less sweet, balance your pancake batter with a small amount of vinegar (1 teaspoon per 1 cup pancake mix)
• Tangy – Add a little dry buttermilk, this will also produce a more tender and light crumb as buttermilk breaks down the strands of gluten!
• Fruity – Add some lemon juice or lemon extract. Or add in fresh fruit like blueberries to change up your pancake game! Bananas also work really well here.
• Colorful – Add some sprinkles! It’s a special treat for children, or for the kid in all of us.
• Stuffed and Filled – Mix in some chocolate chips, it’s never a bad thing to add chocolate-mini chips work really well and are a personal favorite. Or make it nutty by adding in chopped walnuts or pecans.

For an extra treat and a fun morning, pour some glaze icing onto the pancakes – your sweet tooth will thank you. 

As you can see, there is plenty you can create using a pancake mix. And if you’re ever wanting a crossover of a pancake with a cookie, look no further! I have just the thing. My Pancake Cookie is quick, delicious, and made in a skillet! It’s a real crowd pleaser, especially with the kids.

If you’re looking to make pancakes abs want a couple great tasting recipes give these a try:  Pancake Mix recipe and this one capturing all the Fall flavors they my Pumpkin Pancakes.

funnel cake made from pancake mix, so FUN!

That’s it for now, but I’m always creating, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see this list of pancake goodies grow so keep your eyes peeled! If you want to stay up to date on all my kitchen creations, you can subscribe to my blog HERE.

The post Pancake Mix Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

One thing I wanted my children to have when they left the house, was a good grasp on cooking basics… If you can make a sauce, you can make a myriad of dishes.

If you know how to make salsa, you can dress up any dish and add a sucker punch of flavor. And then knowing how to make condiments can be a lifesaver when you have none on hand.

So, this recipe round-up was created with the idea of passing on simple recipes for food that enhance our daily cooking lives! Plus, everything is homemade and there are no preservatives. 

How to make everyday kitchen items homemade, deliciously and easily

• How to make Quick Pickles
• How to prepare aloe for cuts and sunburn.
• I have a video on how to slice avocados here.
• Homemade Ketchup and give this funBBQ sauce recipe a try.
• Pickled Jalapenos, great on nachos, burritos and so much more.
• Homemade Lemonade, refreshing and delicious!
• How to make homemade cake pan release (baking spray substitute) Every time I’m asked to bring something… this is it homemade is Mac and Cheese. It’s so delicious, and one of the best versions is this Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese if you like it with a fun flavor added.

How to stick to your food budget, this post will help. It’s full of $5 dinners!

• Homemade caramel sauce Sweet, buttery, and silky smooth, this caramel sauce adds rich flavor to desserts, coffee, and more.
• Chocolate syrup Quick, easy, and perfectly chocolatey, this syrup is great for drizzling on ice cream or stirring into milk.
• Hot fudge sauce Thick, rich, and decadent, this hot fudge sauce is pure chocolate bliss for sundaes and brownies.
• Pan Release– the perfect baking spray substitute
• Taco Seasoning– this one is a must-make, and it’s the perfect seasoning for this dip!

Kitchen Staples

MORE Homemade Syrup Recipes here, oh so many flavors.

One of the simplest additions to any meal, and the number one selling condiment in the U.S., is Mayo! But add some lemon and garlic and call it Aioli… then it’s fancy mayo! Even people who don’t like mayo like homemade mayo/aioli.

It’s creamy and so delicious when made right. Many people are hesitant to make their own, but it’s not as scary as it seems, and it’s totally safe!

The key is the lemon juice, which “cooks” the egg yolks as it is mixed. Once you’ve made your own, it’s really hard to go back to store-bought brands. Try it, the recipe is Here.

Now seems a good time as any to segue into making crispy French fries! These simply are the best! And who says you always have to have ketchup with them?

I’ve known plenty of people who use Buttermilk Ranch for dipping – and my recipe is amazing!

So now that you have a taste of where this blog is going, I’m going to share some of my favorite recipes that every cook should have in their arsenal. And then we’ll explore kitchen tips and how-tos that will aid you while cooking.

My top three items I make all the time:

• How to make Brown Sugar
• How to make Buttermilk
• How to make Toasted Coconut

Let’s start with my recipe on How to make a sauce. Once you have that down you can try your hand at any number of sauces which can be applied to dishes such as Creamy Mac & Cheese. Or simply make your own buttermilk sauce and wow the crowd.

And after sauces, gravy is the natural progression – and of course, we all know how it can dress up a holiday meal. But it doesn’t have to be just for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

My gravy recipe walks you through the process, step-by-step, ensuring a silky and smooth gravy.

Luckily I have a blog that has many recipes for this ultimate comfort food. Fix what ails you and click here for the best soup ideas! 

These are some of my favorites:

• Salsa – Do I really need to say anything about this? It’s so good with so many things! 
• Taco seasoning – This is the perfect taco seasoning for your tacos or anything you wish to flavor with classic Mexican spices. (I’ve even used Taco seasoning in my chili.)
• Hummus – One of my favorite dippers. You can use veggies to dip for a healthy snack or warm just-baked pita bread for a comforting approach.
• Sweet Chili Sauce – OMG so fun, and great on so many items.
• Hard Boiled egg– oh so many options, hard-boiled, deviled eggs, coloring eggs, and so much more.
• Egg Salad– Some of my favorites for get-togethers or just a lazy night in. I also really love my variation of these – Egg Salad Spring Rolls.
• Corned beef egg rolls – A really fun twist on a traditional egg roll!
• Texas egg rolls – Another fun twist with flavor as big as Texas itself.

Cinnamon Sugar is great on so many things. Keeping a jar in the cabinet makes it quick and easy to grab and shake!

And while we’re talking about Asian fusion, I have a great blog on How to Make 5 Meals from One Batch of Asian Chicken.

I love it when I can make a meal stretch and create a whole other dinner for the family to enjoy. And then if you’re looking for some amazing appetizers to pair with your dinner, I have an amazing list of great summer appetizers here!

Oh, you need side dishes too? I created a blog of some of my favorites, such as Sweet Potatoes and Glazed Carrots. For side dishes click here for some amazing ideas that will really get your appetite going and get you ready for the upcoming holidays!

And I haven’t forgotten about dessert! Below are some real crowd pleasers!

• Chocolate Mousse – Creamy and Dreamy!
• Scones from Pancake Mix – Simple, quick, easy, and flavorful!
• Toffee – A holiday Favorite!
• Strawberry Recipes – Strawberry Everything! From pies and cakes to smoothies, there’s something for every strawberry lover.
• Cookies – This post goes through many different types of cookies – there’s one to please everyone!
• Toasted Coconut – Okay, not a dessert on its own but it’s so good added to them!

And if you need some ideas on frosting some of those cookies.

I have a few suggestions:

• How to Apply Icing to Cookies – The basics, what you need to know.
• How to Glaze Your Cookies – Italian glaze – easy and beautiful!
• How to Ice Your Cookies with a Piping Bag – When you want to get fancy.
• How to Ice Your Cookies without a Piping Bag – The easy way!
• How to Frost a Rose – This was originally for cupcakes – and it still can be – but it also looks gorgeous on top of a sugar cookie!

And while we’re in the sugar aisle, knowing how to make your own Brown Sugar is really worthwhile, especially when you need it for a recipe and you’re out!

And another great How-To to have on hand is Homemade Syrup. It comes in handy and can be used for so much.

Once you know how to make it, making Wet Walnuts is the natural progression. It’s great on hot fudge sundaes, pancakes – you name it! It’s comfort in a jar.

How to Toast Coconut on the stove or in the oven, OMG, how could coconut get better… oh, it can, just toast it and see.

And when comfort comes calling, there are a few recipes that are at the top of that list for me:

• Pizza – Is this on everyone’s list? I feel it’s on the top of a large number of people’s list. And that’s for good reason! It’s delicious and can be adapted to every person’s individual taste!
• Quick Easy – French Bread Pizza
• Homemade Bread – Warm and crusty – Enough said!
• Rotisserie Chicken – I love the aroma this recipe fills my chicken with – and it’s so easy and mouth-watering delicious. Plus, there is so much you can do with those leftovers!
• How to Make Your Favorite Take-Out – Oh Yeah! Now, we’re getting to the good stuff! From the classic burger and fries to more exotic flavors such as Thai Peanut Noodles and Korean Beef, take-out just got more accessible – and delicious!
• Air Fry Tons of Stuff – A healthier take on fried foods – one of the ultimate comforts without all the grease! I have a collection of recipes here for all kinds of unique fried foods. 

No Knead Artisan Bread Overnight, so simple, and who can resist fresh-baked bread!

And when you need something to serve that’s QUICK and EASY, make this bread and butter board!

Have you seen my post on TOASTING BREAD, it works for all sorts of breads, if it’s stale, from the fridge, or freezer. This tip is amazing!

And last, but certainly not least, I have a couple more tips. One of the best helpers in the kitchen is paper towels. I use them for a great number of different jobs. And because of this, I compiled a list of uses for you to check out. You may be surprised!

• More Uses for Paper Towels – Tips and Tricks!

And then, everyone needs a little help now and then getting organized – not just in the kitchen but around the house. So, I thought I’d share some of my top tips and tricks. These are ones that have aided me for years now and keep my rhythm moving at an even beat.

• How to organize and clean out your house with my 3 simple rules – It’s really that simple! 

As a reminder, don’t forget to sign up for my emails, so you don’t miss the next part of this series, and be alerted to my latest recipe. I often send 1 email a week, and you may get 2 around holidays.

Is there something you’d like to know how to do? Reach out to me and let me know! Maybe I’ll write about it!

I’m always stumbling on new and more efficient ways to cook and prepare food, and when I do, you can bet I’ll post about it!

Thank you for reading and I hope these tips and tricks make things easier for you!

The post The Ultimate Guide: How to Make Everyday Kitchen Items first appeared on Created by Diane.

From salty and sweet desserts to sweet salty eats,

there is something for everyone on this list!

It’s no secret this is my favorite flavor combo… I’m all about this sweet and salty at the same time. 

I remember the first time I put my all-time two favorites together, potato chips, and mixed them with chocolate chip cookies! Amazing, and my kids still talk about them, about how great they are, and what unexpected deliciousness they are together.

Salt in sweet recipes balances the sweetness to give it a more complex flavor, that is why things like salted caramels have become so popular recently, but salty sweets have been around since combining hot dogs and cornbread…. corn dogs have been around quite a while, and so has caramel corn to dipping your fries into your shake (preferable chocolate) Nowadays you’ll see items like salted chocolate, chicken, and waffles on regular menus.

Think of the classic PBJ, its’ salty and sweet and a winner every time!

If you love peanut butter and jelly be sure to give my PBJ Cupcakes a try!

I have some great recipes to look at with the sweet and salty flavor combinations.

Continue reading: Salty and Sweet Flavor Combinations

The post Salty and Sweet Flavor Combinations first appeared on Created by Diane.

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits are everything homemade comfort food should be.

They bake up tender and buttery. Perfect with jam, gravy, or just a pat of butter fresh from the oven!

Comfort can be spelled b-i-s-c-u-i-t-s, and this Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe will warm your heart and soul. Once you taste these light and fluffy biscuits you’ll never need another recipe.

I love biscuits, and when I’m in the South, I always want to stop and get them… they are everywhere… and although some are good, and some are better, I have had a few that are great.

And this recipe is GREAT!

One of my favorite places to visit in North Carolina is a little place called Biscuit King. And it became my mission to replicate their biscuits. I made so many batches trying to get this recipe as close to theirs as I could. And these are just like them! 

These tender buttermilk biscuits were not only a hit with everyone in my family, but I offered them up to taste testers, and the rave reviews came pouring in. Some thought I had added butter to them after they came out of the oven. I didn’t. This is simply the best buttermilk biscuit recipe!

I tested these biscuits several ways: plain served with toppings, and then as a sandwich with bacon, eggs, and gravy.
Some of my favorite ways to eat them is simply… with jelly,

or for a decadent and savory treat, piled high with bacon.

They also make great accompaniments to lunch or dinner.

I’ve served them with My Favorite Chili Recipe and they go great with this Instant Pot Pork Ribs. and it makes a great weeknight meal!

And if you like biscuits and gravy, my Ground Turkey Country Gravy is delicious on top of these. And how about dessert? Scones are essentially lightly sweetened biscuits, so once you’ve made a biscuit, you can make a scone too! My favorite is Cream Scones, and it’s a great starter scone if you’ve never tasted them. 

And oh if you can’t resist something sweet give this chocolate gravy a try, it’s fantastic.

 One of the great things about this recipe is it’s made with self-rising flour, this ensures a perfect rise every time and makes them soft in texture, light and so buttery and delicious. With this addition, your biscuits won’t be heavy, dry, or firm in texture but light and fluffy instead.

And there are a few steps you can take to make sure they come out picture-perfect:

• Sift the flour twice.  Measure your flour, then sift it two times to be sure it’s really light and fluffy, this will ensure your biscuit isn’t grainy and eliminates any little gritty rough pieces.
• Make sure your items are cold, like really cold. Don’t leave them on the counter before they are ready to be added.
  A tip would be to get them all prepped and pre-measured, then put them on a tray and place the tray in the fridge.  You don’t forget any item this way and they will all be cold and ready to go when you need them.

I have compiled a list of notes that are critical to producing the perfect biscuit. And some of my tips make throwing these together a lot easier too! 

• It calls for heavy cream and buttermilk. This is a recipe where I don’t recommend substitutes. I tried many times using different kinds of milk, including the vinegar and milk trick, and the end result was a tangy biscuit. So, for this one – no substitutions!
• With the butter, it’s much easier if you freeze it beforehand and then grate it using a cheese grater when you’re ready for it. You want all the wet ingredients to be as cold as possible. Here is the cheese grater I recommend, or if you prefer to cut in your butter with a pastry cutter, that’s fine too. I prefer the thin-wired kind of pastry cutter like this one.
• Mix gently (really gently). The more you mix the dough, the more glutenous it becomes which can make your biscuits tough.

There’s no need to knead! Or roll out the dough for that matter. Your hands will work perfectly, just pat the dough gently down for cutting. This step is important to producing a light and fluffy texture.

Do not twist the biscuit/cookie cutter when cutting the dough. Just push straight down for each biscuit. If you twist it, the biscuits will not rise the same. The highest rise is when they are cut straight down into the dough and lifted straight out. You want the high rise as this is part of what makes your biscuit fluffy! As far as the size of the biscuit cutter, I use a 3 ½ inch round cutter, like this one. Once baked biscuits will be 4” round.

Lastly, I use thick bakery-style sheets, for even baking. I also like the addition of parchment paper sheets. This prevents the bottoms of the biscuits from becoming too dark with a heavy crust on the bottom. It also allows the biscuits to rise evenly and not have a thick heavy crust on the bottoms.

And now, let’s get to it!

To begin, preheat your oven to 450° and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

These next 3 steps will be put on a tray in your fridge to stay cold: 

• Grate the 6 tablespoons of butter with a cheese grater, this will allow the butter to distribute evenly when blending.
• Measure 3/4 cup buttermilk and ½ cup heavy cream.
• Measure 2 tablespoons shorteningPut all the items on a tray and place them back in the fridge.

Next in a medium bowl add flour salt and sugar and then sift the dry ingredients twice. BY doing this, you’ll deliver a light and fluffy biscuit without giant specs.

Now, grab your tray from the fridge, and using a pastry cutter, add the butter and shortening to the flour mixture. Cut it in until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the buttermilk and the cream in the center.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the center until the flour is all absorbed. I do not stir it fast, I gently fold in the flour, moving my fork around the bowl to combine the flour with the milk mixture. This takes a couple of minutes and will help the biscuits stay fluffy.

Now, flour your work surface and your hands, then turn the bowl over and place the mixture on top of the flour.  Pat into a circle (or rectangle), then fold it over a couple of times, pat down gently each time, until it’s smooth and blended. I fold mine 3 times over itself, and this proves to be perfect. Remember, if you overwork the dough, your biscuits will be dense and heavy. And no kneading!

If the dough feels too sticky, you may add a little flour. Your dough should be 1” thick when you’re ready to cut your biscuits.

Use a 3 1/2 ” round cookie/biscuit cutter and cut out 8 biscuits (cut as many as you can then pick up the scraps of dough and gently press them together until all the dough is cut into biscuits.

Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to cut the biscuits into squares or triangles.

Remember not to twist the biscuit/cookie cutter when cutting the dough. Just push straight down for each biscuit. Place the biscuits on the parchment-lined baking sheets and press the center with your finger gently. This is so the biscuits bake up straight and don’t fall over crooked as they rise. They’ll all look the same, nice and round when baked.

Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes. The bottoms and tops will be firm and golden in color, a toothpick will come out clean when inserted into the center.

While the biscuits are baking, melt your butter in a dish and grab a pastry brush. Once your biscuits are pulled from the oven, brush the tops with the butter. It will soak into the biscuits as they cool.

Allow biscuits to cool for a couple of minutes so you can handle them.

Serve warm with bacon, jam, or whatever your craving is!

Discover the secret to tall, fluffy Southern Buttermilk Biscuits. Quick, easy, and irresistibly buttery—your new go-to recipe!

What does it mean to “cut in” butter?

The term means to work the two ingredients with two knives or a pastry blender/cutter until well mixed. This creates a flaky texture in pie crusts, cookies, and biscuits. To do this, hold the handle and press the blades of the pastry blender into the shortening while rotating your wrist from side to side, not twisting. Repeat this until all of the butter is incorporated. 

Can this dough be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge?

Ideally, it’s best made fresh and baked right away. However, you could store it overnight. I recommend cutting the biscuits out and placing them on their baking sheet and storing them this way in the fridge (covered). Storing the dough as a solid ball can result in a heavier biscuit.

If you don’t have a cheese grater, what’s the suggested way to cut the butter?

A cheese grater is a great tool to have for many cooking and baking reasons, however, you can simply cut your butter with a knife into smaller portions and then add them to your flour this way.

Bake the best Southern Buttermilk Biscuits—fluffy, buttery, and golden brown. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Easy recipe included!

OPTIONS: If you need a substitute for self-rising flour or buttermilk

If you don’t have self-rising flour, Use 2 cups all-purpose flour with 3 teaspoons baking powder (whisk well to combine)

If you need an option for buttermilk, use 3/4 cup whole milk (heavy cream, or half and half) and mix it with a tablespoon of white vinegar.

If you’re looking for a way to make biscuits simpler, fold the dough flat, form a large square, and cut the biscuits into squares. Keep your knife perpendicular to the counter so the scones have a nice firm line and bake high,

Print

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Tender Buttermilk Biscuits with a perfectly light texture great for breakfast, snacking and

Course Bread, Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Diane Schmidt – createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted, if using salted butter slightly reduce salt called for in the recipe to a pinch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup buttermilk I use reduced-fat buttermilk which is 2% milkfat
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Additional flour for work surface

• Additional butter for topping after baked 1-2 tablespoons melted

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 450°.
• Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Grate the 6 tablespoons of butter with a cheese grater, this will allow the butter to distribute evenly when blending and you won’t have large chunks of butter and areas with very little butter.
• Measure 3/4 cup buttermilk.
• Measure 1/2 cup heavy cream.
• Measure 2 tablespoons shortening
• Put all the items on a tray and place them back in the fridge, so they are really cold when you add them.
• In a medium bowl add flour salt and sugar.
• Then sift the dry ingredients, twice. Yes, you want them light and fluffy and this will deliver a smoother biscuit without any grainy specs.
• Use a pastry cutter and now add the butter and shortening to the flour mixture and cut it in until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Next, you’ll add the buttermilk and the cream, I make a well in the flour mixture and pour those in the center.
• Then slowly add the flour mixture to the center until the flour is all absorbed. I do not stir it fast, I gently fold in the flour, moving my fork around the bowl to combine the flour with the milk mixture. This takes a couple of minutes and will help the biscuits stay fluffy.
• Flour your work surface and your hands, then turn the bowl over and place the mixture on top of the flour and pat into a circle (or rectangle), then fold it over a couple of times until it’s smooth and blended. I fold mine 3 times over itself.
• This dough is light, you don’t want to overwork it or the biscuits will be dense and heavy.
• You don’t have to “knead” this dough, just fold it over itself and pat it into place a few times.
• Add a little flour if needed so the top isn’t sticky.
• You’ll want your dough to be 1″ thick, just pat it into place.
• Use a 3 1/2 ” round cookie/biscuit cutter and cut out 8 biscuits (cut as many as you can then pick up the scarps of dough and gently press them together until all the dough is cut into biscuits.
• Do not twist the biscuit/cookie butter when cutting the dough. Just push straight down for each biscuit. If you twist it, the biscuits will not rise the same. The highest rise is when they are cut straight down into the dough and lifted straight out.
• Place the biscuits on the parchment-lined baking sheets and press the center with your finger gently, so the biscuits bake up straight and don’t fall over and go crocked. They’ll all look the same, nice and round when baked.
• Bake the biscuits for 10-12 minutes, the bottoms will be firm and golden in color, a toothpick will come out clean when inserted into the center and the tops will be firm and lightly golden in color.
• While the biscuits are baking, melt your butter in a dish and grab a pastry brush and brush the butter over the tops of the biscuits, as soon as you take the tray out of the oven, the butter will soak into the biscuits as they cool.
• Allow biscuits to cool for a couple of minutes so you can handle them.
• Serve warm.

The post The Best Southern Buttermilk Biscuits (Soft Layers & Golden Tops) first appeared on Created by Diane.

Let’s get this out of the way, I love Pizza. And really who doesn’t? This recipe takes all the amazing flavors of a pizza and brings them together to make one great dish that’s perfect for an appetizer or a self-indulgent meal. 

One of the wonderful aspects of this sauce is its versatility. I sometimes want it spicy and add in crushed red pepper, add in some cooked ground beef to make it heartier. Some like it sweet, for that I add either some finely diced carrots or sweet peppers. But really pizza isn’t supposed to be sweet so don’t mistake the main ingredient here, this dip uses ricotta cheese, not cream cheese, as cream cheese has its place it’s not in this ricotta cheese dip, it would overpower the flavor of pizza.

Continue reading: Pizza Dip

The post Pizza Dip first appeared on Created by Diane.

I just love fresh flavors and the combination of fresh lemon juice and fresh rosemary gives these tender shortbread cookies a real punch of flavor.

You can cut these into andy shape you’d prefer. I made wreaths. trees would be a great option with the rosemary on top too.

For wreath-shaped cookies, you can use 2 sizes of round cookie cutters or a thin metal open end of a large piping tip to cut the center, a donut cutter is another option. You can use scalloped-edged cutters or smooth edges.

This dough rolls out easily and does not spread when baked.

Be sure to place the cookie sheets with cut-out cookie dough on them for 10 minutes to chill before baking.

This will firm up the butter and allow for a flaky cookie, and will prevent the cookies from spreading.

Dip the cookie cutter (or piping tips) into flour to prevent the cookie dough from sticking.

I have these scalloped cutters, and I also have this set which has more options as they are reversible to smooth round on the opposite side.

Place the cookies on parchment lined baking sheets.

These are pre-cut and easy to use, these are brown and these are white.

Thick baking sheets (like a bakery uses) I find bake with the best results. 

These have a delicious glaze icing, but can be served plain, I added pieces of fresh rosemary, I think the combo of the sweet icing and rosemary makes them irresistible!

If you use sweet butter, add 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon salt. Salt really enhances the flavor in these cookies with the lemon and rosemary. But if you ask me, I like salt in all my cookies. Like I mentioned, I love a salty-sweet combo.

If you do too, try these:

• Salty Sweet Pretzel Toffee
• Chocolate Dipped Salted Figs
• Oatmeal Maple Bacon Cookies
• Potato Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
• Peanut Butter Stuffed Pretzels
• Maple Bacon Popcorn

The rosemary can be replaced with lavender for a really delicious flavor combination!

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Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

Buttery and sweet and a hint of saltiness all in one bite, with the flavor of fresh rosemary and lemon makes these shortbread cookies irresistible.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Scottish

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 18 cookies

Author Diane Schmidt - createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• Cookie Ingredients
• 1/2 cup salted butter room temperature
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary additional pieces for decoration
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
• Icing Ingredients
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°
• In the bowl of a mixer beat butter until it's light in color and fluffy.
• Add in powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon, and rosemary, and mix completely.
• Add in the flour, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Mix on medium speed then on high until the cookie dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Roll cookie dough into a ball, so the dough is smooth.
• If the dough is moist or sticky flour your hands and tap the flour around the dough.
• Roll out the cookie dough in between parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap to avoid adding additional flour and drying out the cookies.
• With a rolling pin, roll out cookie dough to ¼” thick. I use two 1/4" wood dowels to make sure all the cookies are the same thickness.
• Cut cookies out with a cookie cutter, I used a 2” scalloped circle, with a large piping tip to cut the inner circle.
• Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, and allow the dough to be completely cold.
• Then remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator and bake the cookies for 15 minutes. The cookies should be fairly pale, and lightly golden on the bottoms and edges.
• Do not over-bake or brown shortbread, it will become dry and crumbly.
• Allow cookies to cool completely.
• Once cookies have completely cooled, prepare icing, by mixing the powdered sugar with the warm water and lemon juice until the icing is smooth. (add more sugar f needed for desired consistency)
• Drizzle the icing over the cookies, or dip the tops of the cookies into a dish with icing and allow the excess to run off.
• Add pieces of rosemary for decoration before the icing sets up.
• Place cookies on a cooling rack until the icing dries completely.

The post Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies first appeared on Created by Diane.

Few things come close to the comfort chicken pot pie offers up. And a buttery and flakey homemade crust (or store-bought) really elevates this simple dish, creating a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand to impress guests, or to have all on your own on a night in.

And if you’re still not sure, you can always use a pre-made crust! It’s not cheating if it has great results!

This chicken pot pie recipe is also great for repurposing leftovers. If you recently roasted a chicken and have leftover meat, you can use that!

Continue reading: Chicken Pot Pie

The post Chicken Pot Pie first appeared on Created by Diane.