Perfect Pairings

Mom’s Favorite Salad

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

  • ¼ cup sliced red onions (optional)

  • ½ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese

  • ½ cup raw pecans

  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar

  • 2T honey

  • ½ cup olive oil

  • salt and ground pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Combine spinach, strawberries, onions, cheese and pecans in a large bowl. Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey and olive oil together and drizzle over salad before serving.

Callye’s Crispy Sprouts

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 lb brussels sprouts

  • 1 T olive oil

  • ½ tsp kosher salt

  • 1 T balsamic vinegar

  • 1 T honey

PREPARATION:

Trim Brussels sprouts and cut into quarters. Transfer to a medium bowl and add olive oil and salt and toss to combine. Add Brussels sprouts to an air fryer and shake into a single layer. Air fry for 10 minutes at 385 degrees stopping to shake about halfway through. Combine balsamic vinegar and honey and pour over cooked sprouts and toss to combine.

Sophie’s Mac & Cheese

INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 oz elbow macaroni

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 2 oz cream cheese (cubed)

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups milk

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • ½ tsp salt

  • Black pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Prepare macaroni according to package directions. In a separate pan, melt butter over medium heat, stir in cream cheese until combined. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth (about 5 min.). Slowly pour milk into pan while stirring until mixture is smooth and starting to gently boil (about 3-5 min.). Add cheese to mixture and stir until cheese is melted and well combined. Pour cheese sauce over drained macaroni and stir until combined.

BeBe’s Chocolate Sheath Cake

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups flour

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 2 sticks butter

  • 4 T cocoa

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup buttermilk

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 t vanilla

  • 1 t baking soda

PREPARATION:

Mix flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Bring butter, cocoa and water in a saucepan to a boil on medium heat and pour over flour and sugar. Add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and baking soda and pour into a greased 15.5×10.5×18” pan. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

NaNa’s Pecan Pie

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 c Karo (light)

  • 1 c pecans (half or big pieces)

  • 3 T sugar

  • 1 T corn starch or flour

  • 2 eggs

  • ½ t salt

  • 1 t vanilla

PREPARATION:

Mix sugar, salt, cornstarch. Add eggs and Karo. Mix well. Add pecans.

Bake in uncooked shell 450 degrees for 10 minutes and 300 degrees until a knife comes out clean (still soft in the middle but doesn’t wiggle when shaken) .  About 30 minutes.