Easy Appetizer Recipes: Wings, Dips & More | I Heart Recipes

Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

Rosie — Fri, 24 May 2024 19:27:25 +0000

Seasoned with fresh cilantro, garlic, and onion, these baked cilantro lime chicken wings are the perfect game-day appetizer!

Hey Cousins! When the Super Bowl comes around, I imagine you could use a few chicken wing recipes! So far, I’ve shared plenty, like my garlic Parmesan wings, lemon pepper wings, and even honey chipotle wings! In this post, I’ll show you how to make zesty cilantro lime chicken wings.

These wings are a family favorite – crispy exterior, juicy meat, and tons of seasoning. Not only are they great as a party appetizer, but anytime you’re craving tasty chicken wings. It’s such a SIMPLE recipe!

How to Make Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

Depending on how hungry your party crowd is, this chicken wings recipe should easily feed six people. You can double or even triple it to feed more, but make sure you come prepared with enough baking sheets! Be sure to check out the recipe card for the complete printable recipe. Here’s everything you need to make zesty baked cilantro lime chicken wings.

Ingredients

Chicken Wings: I use a 3 lb. bag of party wings, which comes with drumettes and drumsticks.
Olive Oil or Avocado Oil: helps the seasoning stick to the wings.
Limes & Lemons: fresh lime juice is one of the key ingredients in this recipe. Lemon juice just adds another citrusy layer.
Fresh Cilantro: again, fresh is best! We want to use the leaves and the stems—that’s where all the flavor is!
Garlic: you can use fresh or pre-minced garlic, but I prefer the flavor of fresh garlic cloves here.
Onion: use yellow or white onion in this recipe.
Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning: this seasoning blend has everything you need in one bottle—garlic powder, pepper, herbs, citrus, and even a little cayenne pepper for a kick.
Smoked Paprika: adds color and a hint of smoky flavor to the wings.

What other seasonings can I use in the cilantro lime marinade?

I don’t like to overdo it on the seasonings here since I like the garlic, lime, and cilantro sauce to do all the talkin’. But there’s still room for more flavor, always! Mrs. Dash has all salt-free seasonings, so if you like your wings a bit salty, go ahead and add some salt. There’s also a Fiesta Lime seasoning blend that would be delicious on these wings. If you like spice, feel free to add chili powder or red pepper flakes. Of course, add some fresh lemon and lime zest to the marinate for extra flavor.

Instructions

Ready to learn how to make my crispy baked cilantro lime chicken wings? First things first, prep the wings. Use paper towels to make sure they’re nice and dry so the seasonings stick and the skin gets crispy while baking.

Making the Cilantro Lime Sauce

To make the delicious sauce that will stick to these wings, start with onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro. Toss everything into a food processor and pulse until everything is finely minced and resembles a paste.

Next, place the chicken wings into a large bowl. Drizzle in the oil, lemon, and lime juice, seasonings, and finally, the garlic cilantro sauce. Mix everything together until the wings are well-coated.

Baking the Chicken Wings

Once the wings are well seasoned, prep your baking dish for the oven. I prefer a good ol’ baking sheet pan, but you can use a baking dish if you choose. Spray the dish with non-stick spray. If you have a wire rack, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the wire rack on top. The wire rack will help the wings get nice and crispy on all sides while the drippings drip down onto the foil.

Line the wings up on the pan. If there’s any extra sauce in the bowl, pour it over the wings—none of that flavor is gonna go to waste in this house!

Pop those babies in a 400-degree oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Then, turn the oven down to 375 degrees and continue baking for another 15 minutes. You can flip the wings about halfway through the cooking time if desired.

Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings Video Tutorial

You can watch exactly how I made my easy-baked cilantro lime chicken wings below! Don’t forget to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube to catch all my recipe videos. It’s the only place you can watch me make these zesty wangs (yes… I said WANGS 😉)!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Baked Cilantro Lime Wings

Want more tips and tricks for this easy-peasy recipe? I gotchu, fam! I’ve got some tips and frequently asked questions for y’all to make this great recipe even better.

Serve these wings with a drizzle of sriracha or your favorite hot sauce.
Garnish the wings right before serving with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lime juice—the perfect finishing touch!
Chili Lime Chicken Wings: for a kick of heat, add chili—chopped Thai chili, chili flakes, or even a spoonful or two of your favorite chili crisp to the sauce. Chili and lime are great flavors together!
Leftover chicken wings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and will last for 3-4 days.

Can I prep cilantro lime chicken wings ahead of time?

Heck yeah, you can! Mix all the ingredients—the wings, cilantro garlic sauce, seasoning, and lemon and lime juice—together in a bowl or freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Marinate the wings overnight or up to 24 hours in the fridge, then bake them when you’re ready! This recipe is also freezer-friendly—you can have perfectly marinated chicken wings ready to go anytime you want.

Can I use the cilantro lime sauce with other cuts of chicken?

I get this question whenever I make any of my chicken wing recipes. Yes, you can use this recipe for other chicken pieces! You can use chicken breasts, thighs, legs, whatever you want. The only thing that should change is the cooking time.

How do you make these cilantro lime wings in the air fryer?

An air fryer is great for quick cooking if you’re making a smaller batch of wings. However, if you’re going full party wings, stick to the oven; otherwise, you’ll give your air fryer a really good workout! Air fry the chicken wings at about 390 degrees for about 20 minutes (or until they reach 165 degrees F), flipping them halfway through.

You can also reheat leftover chicken wings in the air fryer, but I prefer the oven.

More Chicken Wing Recipes from I Heart Recipes

Well, there you have it, Cousins! An easy recipe for zesty cilantro lime chicken wings—the perfect appetizer or game-day treat. Next time you’re craving chicken wings, give this recipe a try! Even better, try one of these:

Loved this easy recipe? Be sure to share + save on Pinterest! Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out all my cookbooks!

Baked Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

These baked chicken wings give a tart kick with a cilantro lime dressing. Serve with lime wedges for a game day hit!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion
4 garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash original seasoning
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
4-6 limes juiced
1 large lemon juiced
2 tsp parsley flakes optional

Instructions

Make sure the chicken is nice and clean.
Place the garlic, onion, and cilantro into a food processor (or mince finely), and pulse until it resembles a paste.
1 medium onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Place the chicken into a large bowl, then drizzle in the olive oil. Use your hands to make sure all of the chicken is coated with oil.
3 lbs chicken wings, 1/4 cup olive oil
Next, squeeze in the fresh lime and lemon juice, then add in the cilantro lime mixture.
4-6 limes, 1 large lemon
Sprinkle in the Mrs. Dash seasoning, paprika, and parsley flakes. Use your hands to make sure that the chicken is well coated with everything.
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash original seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Spray your chosen bake dish with nonstick spray, then place the wings into the dish, and leave it UNCOVERED.
2 tsp parsley flakes
Bake the wings on 400 F, for 30 minutes, then turn the heat down to 375, and let it cook for another 10 – 15 minutes..
ENJOY!!!

Video

Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Rosie — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:01:59 +0000

These delicious baked garlic Parmesan chicken wings are the perfect game-day appetizer! Double-baked for extra crispy skin and smothered in a buttery garlic Parmesan sauce, they are ten times better than takeout wings!

Hey Cousins! It’s been a while since I’ve shared a baked chicken wings recipe. I’ve shared plenty – like my garlic and onion wings or my cilantro lime chicken wings. Lately, I’ve been more into fried wings. However, I think you’re really going to love these crispy baked Parmesan garlic wings!

Garlic Parmesan Wings: The Perfect Party Appetizer

I was inspired to share this recipe because I fell in love with Wing Stop garlic Parmesan wings. However, not all Wing Stops are created equal! The Wing Stop in my area has been dropping the ball lately. I decided to try my hand at making my own garlic Parmesan chicken wings recipe, and baby, when I tell you they are even better than takeout wings… these are unbelievable!

These oven-baked wings make the perfect appetizer during football season (Super Bowl party, anyone?!) or can be served as a dinner main dish. Thanks to double baking, they have extra crispy skin, but they’re so tender and juicy on the inside! Finally, they’re covered in a buttery garlic sauce bursting with Parmesan flavor. The best part? They’re SUPER simple to make at home whenever you’re craving wings!

Ingredients for Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

To make these crispy baked wings at home, you only need a few simple ingredients. To find the complete ingredient list and directions, scroll down to the printable recipe card, where you can find everything you need.

Chicken Wings: I use skin-on drumsticks in this recipe, but it will work with different chicken pieces too—whole chicken wings, just the flat, or the wing tips.
Avocado or Olive Oil: helps the seasoning stick to the skin of the wings and makes them extra crispy.
Seasoning Salt & Black Pepper: this seasoning mix is the base layer on the chicken wings.
Garlic: I use jarred minced garlic, but fresh garlic or garlic powder works just as well. The garlic bakes with the wings, infusing all that flavor into the skin and meat.
Melted Butter and Parmesan Cheese: this buttery mixture is the perfect finishing touch!

I also include loads of dried parsley in my Parmesan butter mixture, but you could certainly use fresh parsley if you like a little green color to your wings. My favorite seasoning salt is, of course, my very own Rosamae Seasonings seasoning salt, but feel free to use your favorite brand. Using seasoning salt packs in so much more flavor than regular kosher salt, so don’t skip out on this ingredient!

Fresh Garlic vs. Minced Garlic vs. Garlic Powder

There’s no question that the flavor of fresh garlic is the best in most recipes. However, most of us ain’t got the time to chop garlic cloves into tiny little pieces when we’re achin’ for some garlic parm wings. So, I used pre-minced garlic, or “jarlic,” as the Internet so affectionately calls it… and I have no shame! I highly recommend using fresh (or minced) garlic when seasoning your wings. However, if you want to pump up that garlic flavor, you can also use garlic powder (in addition to minced garlic)! Some people even add it to the butter mixture, which is also a great idea.

Can I use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of powdered Parmesan cheese?

Everyone knows that dried grated Parmesan goodness that comes in the plastic shaker bottle. It’s a quick, easy, cheap way to add that classic salty Parmesan bite to any food, and it’s exactly what I (and most) use in their garlic Parmesan chicken wings recipe.

Powdered Parmesan cheese has a similar flavor to fresh, but it’s drier and much finer. When mixed with butter, it works great as a coating—it really sticks to the wings, making the skin crispy, salty, and golden brown. If you really want fresh Parmesan, grate some over the top of your finished crispy baked chicken wings for garnish.

How to Make Extra Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings in the Oven

Ready to learn how to make the best homemade crispy baked wings? It’s easier than you think! First things first, some supplies you need for the job:

A large bowl for tossing the wings in seasoning and the Parmesan butter mixture.
A large, rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
A wire rack that fits over your sheet pan—this is optional, but it allows any juice from the wings to drop down, helping the skin become crispy.
Nonstick cooking spray to keep the wings from sticking to the pan. This way, you won’t lose any of that delicious caramelized, garlicky chicken skin.
Unless you want to get your hands dirty, you’ll need a nice set of kitchen tongs to mix and toss the wings in the garlic Parmesan sauce.

Now that you’ve got everything you need let’s get into the recipe, shall we? Here’s how to make easy, crispy, baked garlic Parmesan chicken wings at home!

Step 1: Season the Wings

First and foremost, make sure your wings are cleaned and dried off completely before you start. Keep the skin on, pat them dry with paper towels, and toss them into a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or avocado oil and toss on the seasoning salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.

Next, line the wings up on a baking sheet in a single layer and get them ready for the oven.

Step 2: Baking the Wings

Bake the chicken wings in a 400-degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Keep in mind, this is just the first bake, so they won’t be fully cooked. While they’re baking, prepare the Parmesan butter sauce by mixing melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and dried parsley in a small bowl.

Step 3: Sauce and Second Bake

Toss the partially baked wings back into their original mixing bowl (but hopefully, you’ve given it a quick clean since step 1! 😉) and pour that buttery sauce all over them. Give them a toss to make sure they’re entirely coated, then line them back up on the baking sheet. If there is any extra sauce in the bowl, spoon that onto the wings.

Toss them back into the oven for a final 25 minutes until they’re perfectly crispy and golden brown. There you have it! A delicious homemade garlic Parmesan chicken wings recipe that’s extra crispy, flavorful, and stupid simple.

Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Video Tutorial

Watch how I make my extra crispy chicken wings in this easy-to-follow video tutorial! Don’t forget to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube to catch all my recipe tutorials, from chicken wings to Southern staples, desserts, and everything in between.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Garlic Parm Wings

When it comes to chicken wings, there’s not much to dislike. What’s not to love? The best wings have extra crispy skin, have the perfect amount of sauce, and are fall-off-the-bone tender. Here are some tips to make these flavorful wings even more delicious.

Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Not only will an overcrowded sheet prevent the wings from getting nice and crispy, but they will bake unevenly. If you have too many wings to fit them all on a sheet without touching, spread them out over two batches.
For a little extra zing, add some red pepper flakes to the seasoning and finish off with a drizzle of lemon juice.
Serve your baked garlic Parmesan chicken wings with your favorite dipping sauce—we love ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or even buffalo sauce!
You can easily make air-fried chicken wings by cooking smaller batches in the air fryer! Air-fry the wings at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, toss with the sauce, and fry for another 10 minutes.
The air fryer is also an effective way to reheat leftover garlic parm chicken wings—it only takes about 5 minutes to get them nice and crispy!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

There you have it, fam! Zesty, extra crispy chicken wings baked in a buttery garlic Parmesan wing sauce—a classic appetizer, snack, or party dish!

More I Heart Recipes Chicken + Turkey Wings Recipes

If you loved this chicken wings recipe, just you wait—there’s a whole lot more to try! Here are some of my favorite wing recipes:

Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings Recipe

Try these juicy, flavorful baked garlic parmesan chicken wings! Inspired by my favorite takeout wings, this homemade version is ten times better!

Course Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword appetizer, baked chicken wings, chicken wings, parmesan, wings

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Servings servings

Author Rosie

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings cleaned prior to cooking
2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
3 tsp Seasoning Salt I used Rosamae Seasonings Seasoning Salt
1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup salted butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp parsley flakes fresh or dry
nonsticking spray

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Make sure that the chicken wings are cleaned prior to any other steps.
Toss the chicken wings into a large bowl, then drizzle with the avocado or olive oil.
3 lbs chicken wings, 2 tbsp avocado or olive oil
Season the chicken with the seasoning salt, garlic, and ground black pepper.
3 tsp Seasoning Salt, 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tbsp minced garlic
Line a baking sheet with foil, and spray with nonsticking spray. Set to the side.
nonsticking spray
Place the chicken wings on the baking sheet, and leave uncovered.
Bake the chicken wings for about 25-30 minutes.
Combine the melted butter, parmesan, and parsley. Mix until well combined.
1/2 cup salted butter, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp parsley flakes
Remove the chicken from the baking tray, and toss them into a large bowl. Pour in the butter and parmesan mixture.
Toss the wings until well coated, then place the wings back on the baking sheet. Spoon any leftover butter & parmesan mixture on top of the chicken.
Put the chicken back into the oven, still uncovered, and still on 400 F.
Bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until nice and golden.
Remove from the oven, and let cool until it's safe to eat.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, and enjoy!

Video

Brisket Nachos Recipe

Rosie — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 21:57:45 +0000

This easy brisket nachos recipe is a perfect at-home dupe of Applebee’s brisket nachos! Make them at home for double the flavor and half the price!

Hey Cousins! Today, I’m showing you how to make homemade brisket nachos. In a previous post, I showed y’all how I make an oven-baked beef brisket. That recipe makes a 6–7-pound brisket…that’s a lotta meat! There was plenty to go around, and I had some leftovers. We made some brisket sandwiches (which were to die for!), but I still had too much brisket left over. Then I remembered I wanted to make some brisket nachos!

Applebee’s Brisket Nachos Homemade Even Better

Y’all remember when I made my homemade version of Applebee’s popular wonton tacos?! That recipe came about because I was so disappointed in the restaurant version. This beef brisket nachos recipe was inspired the same way!

One night, my hubby and I went to Applebee’s for dinner. The night before, when we were watching TV, an Applebee’s commercial came on and showed brisket nachos, and boy did that get my attention! The next day, we went to Applebee’s, and I ordered the nachos, our drinks, and some other appetizers. I was ready to go IN, y’all.

Well, when they brought our food to the table, the nachos didn’t look anything like the commercial. I was so disappointed that I even shared a picture on Instagram!

As you can see, these “nachos” barely had any cheese, brisket, or anything else. I actually thought I received the wrong nachos! I asked my waitress if there was a mistake, but she assured me I had the right plate. Now, I am NOT against Applebee’s, and I don’t want to bash them because I LOVE a lot of the food on their menu; however, their brisket nachos were a darn NO-GO for me! It just didn’t cut it, boo!

After sharing my picture on Instagram, some of my lovely cousins gave me the idea to make my own brisket nachos at home—and make them even better, so that’s exactly what I did! Making your own homemade brisket nachos will save you a ton of money, and the taste is ten times better!

How to Make Homemade Brisket Nachos

Ingredients

Now, before I tell y’all how I made these brisket nachos, there are a few essential things to know. First off, you don’t need exact measurements for this recipe—use what you have! You can get as creative as you want with your topping preferences. Below is just everything I used. If you don’t like it, of course, leave it out!

Brisket nachos are the perfect way to repurpose leftover brisket into a delicious recipe the whole family will devour. Whether you want a simple dinner or make nachos as part of your game day spread, this recipe is a must-try!

Beef Brisket: I used leftover oven-baked brisket. You can also use my slow cooker beef brisket recipe!
Your Favorite Toppings: The sky’s the limit! I used fresh cilantro, sweet red bell peppers, green onions, and yellow onions.
Seasoning: I used Flavor Mate Southwest Chipotle, which is a little sweet, a little hot, and a little smoky.
Cheese: Any typical blend of shredded cheese will do! I used sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, cheddar, pepper jack… whatever you like!
Tortilla Chips: Can’t forget the base of the whole recipe! You want thick, strong chips that withstand a loaded nacho.

Instructions

Okay, fam. We’re ready to jump into the good stuff—how to make this delicious brisket nacho recipe! There’s nothing NOT to love about these brisket nachos…the layers of cheese, fresh toppings, tender brisket, crunchy tortilla chips?! You can’t go wrong. Let’s start from the beginning.

Step 1: Prep the Leftover Brisket

I started with some leftover brisket I made in the oven and chopped it into small pieces. Again, I didn’t really use measurements, but I would say I used 1 to 1.5 cups of chopped brisket.

If you want to kick it up a notch, toss some of your favorite BBQ sauce with the beef brisket for tasty, sweet-and-smoky BBQ brisket nachos!

Step 2: Chop Your Vegetables, Herbs, and Toppings

The next step is to prep the veggies. Besides the beef brisket, I chopped up fresh cilantro, sweet red bell peppers, and green and yellow onions. This is just what I had on hand, so it’s what I used. Like I said, the sky is the limit!

If you want to add more veggies to your brisket nachos, here are some ideas:

Jalapenos—if you like a kick of heat, diced, chopped, or sliced jalapenos are a must-have.
Red onions are a bit sweeter than yellow onions and pair well with BBQ sauce and smoky brisket.
Beans—black beans or pinto beans not only add protein to your nachos, but also tons of flavor! Beans can also bulk up the recipe if you don’t have quite enough leftover brisket.
Corn is sweet and crunchy, perfect for nachos!

Step 3: Season Everything

Next, we’re going to pile everything—our brisket, veggies, and cilantro—into a bowl and season it to the heavens! I used a sweet, spicy, and smoky Southwest Chipotle seasoning. It is salt-free, but if that’s not a concern, feel free to use regular seasoning!

How exactly do you season brisket nachos, you ask? If you don’t have a favorite Mexican seasoning blend, use your favorite taco or chili seasoning. Mrs. Dash has a salt-free Southwest seasoning (and y’all know how I love my Mrs. Dash!). Otherwise, just use a combination of chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, and parsley for a quick DIY seasoning.

Step 4: Sauté the Brisket and Vegetables

Get out a skillet and heat a few tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil over medium heat. Toss in your seasoned brisket and veg mixture and sauté everything until the veggies are tender. Since the brisket is already cooked, we just want to heat everything up and soften the veggies a bit, so you only need to cook everything for about five minutes.

Step 5: Assemble the Brisket Nachos

Now, here’s where the real fun begins—assembling the brisket nachos! First, decide whether you will use a sheet pan or a cast iron skillet. I used a sheet pan, but you could use either!

Sheet Pan Nachos:

Pro: you can spread out your tortilla chips into a nice, even layer and cover it all with toppings. Sheet pan nachos are also great if you’re feeding a larger crowd.
Con: depending on the size of your sheet pan, you’ll need more ingredients to fill it up. You can also only make one solid layer of nachos on a normal-sized rimmed baking sheet.

Cast Iron Skillet Nachos:

Pro: layers upon layers of goodness, fam! You can assemble multiple layers of chips, cheese, and topping for the cheesiest, tastiest nachos packed with all the good stuff.
Con: unless you have a huge cast iron skillet, you’ll end up with a smaller serving. Cast iron skillet brisket nachos are best for 2-3 people, easily (unless you’re really determined to eat the whole thing yourself!).

Since I used a baking sheet, I spread the tortilla chips out in an even layer, then topped them with my brisket and veggie mixture. Then I sprinkled some sharp cheddar cheese across the whole thing—no chip untouched!

Step 7: Broil the Nachos

My next (and last) step is to broil the nachos! Since all the ingredients are already cooked, we don’t need to bake the nachos long. All we want is to get that layer of cheese nice and melted, and it only takes about 5-10 minutes.

And that’s it! That’s how you make the most delicious leftover brisket nachos—super easy, right, cousins?! It’s super easy to make this as a main dish for your family, an alternative to taco night, or a party appetizer. Anytime that I make brisket, I will definitely save some for nachos.

The Best Toppings for Brisket Nachos

Wondering what extras to serve with brisket nachos? Since we’ve already packed those chips as high as the sky with flavorful toppings, the next best thing is a few extras. Serve your brisket nachos along with some of these extra topping options:

Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (a lighter option for sour cream)
Diced tomatoes
Your favorite brand of store-bought salsa
Sliced avocado or Homemade guacamole
Pico de Gallo or Texas caviar
A drizzle of BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or taco sauce
Lime wedges

These homemade brisket nachos were an instant hit with my family—and waaaaaay better than those wimpy nachos from Applebee’s!

More Recipes to Try

If you loved this brisket nachos recipe, try some of my other recipes! You can always subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, where you’ll find tons of easy-to-follow recipe videos.

Tried and loved this recipe? Tag me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Follow along with all these Rosie and I Heart Recipes, and check out my cookbooks on sale everywhere!

Homemade Brisket Nachos

Brisket nachos are the perfect way to use leftover brisket to make an easy, delicious, family-friendly meal!

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Keyword Brisket Nachos, nachos

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

1.5-2 cups Chopped brisket I used leftover from a previous recipe
1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper diced
1/2 cup green onions chopped
1 whole yellow onion diced
2 tsp Southwest Seasoning
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 bag tortilla chips
2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

Chop the brisket into small pieces.
1.5-2 cups Chopped brisket
Chop up peppers, cilantro, green and yellow onions into small pieces.
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1 sweet red bell pepper, 1/2 cup green onions, 1 whole yellow onion
Add southwest seasoning, veggies, and brisket to a bowl and mix.
2 tsp Southwest Seasoning
Add a few tbsp of vegetable oil to a large pan over medium heat. Cook the brisket and vegetable mix for about five minutes until the veggies are tender.
2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
Place tortilla chips spread out on a cookie sheet.
1 bag tortilla chips
Top tortilla chips with brisket and vegetables mixture. Sprinkle sharm cheddar cheese on top.
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Place nachos in the oven (set to broil) until the cheese starts to bubble, about 5-10 minutes.

Notes

The ingredient measurements listed don’t have to be exact – use what you have! Some additional topping ideas:

Jalapenos—if you like a kick of heat, diced, chopped, or sliced jalapenos are a must-have.
Red onions are a bit sweeter than yellow onions and pair well with BBQ sauce and smoky brisket.
Beans—black beans or pinto beans not only add protein to your nachos, but also tons of flavor! Beans can also bulk up the recipe if you don’t have quite enough leftover brisket.
Corn is sweet and crunchy, perfect for nachos!

Optional toppings for serving:

Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (a lighter option for sour cream)
Diced tomatoes
Your favorite brand of store-bought salsa
Sliced avocado or Homemade guacamole
Pico de Gallo or Texas caviar
A drizzle of BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or taco sauce
Lime wedges

Easter Classic Deviled Eggs

Rosie — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:39:00 +0000

This recipe creates colorful, Easter-inspired deviled eggs, with the whites tinted in gentle, spring-like shades, and stuffed with a traditional, smooth yolk blend. Each egg is tastefully topped with a hint of paprika, a sprig of parsley, and a charming edible flower, making for a visually appealing and tasty starter.

Alright cousins, let’s take a little trip back to Great Aunt Peewee’s kitchen. Every Easter, we could hardly wait to get a taste of her famous deviled eggs. She’d put on her old apron, the one that’s seen more family dinners than we can count, and start making her magic.

These weren’t just any deviled eggs. They were special, the kind that made us stop our card games and take notice. They’d be sitting pretty on the table, all dressed up in spring colors, next to the shiny ham and sweet pies, looking like they were part of the Easter decorations.

Aunt Peewee loved to make those eggs fun and festive. She’d dye them in soft pinks, light blues, and gentle greens, and top them with little bits of green parsley and tiny flowers that even the kids couldn’t help but admire.

Her deviled eggs were more than just food; they were a piece of her heart, a work of art, and something we all looked forward to year after year. Now, I’m going to share her simple but special recipe with you. It’s all about bringing that same love, that same splash of color, and that same great taste to your Easter table.

So let’s get started and make some deviled eggs that’ll have everyone talking until next year’s Easter comes around!

How to Make Easter Classic Deviled Eggs

Ingredients

12 large eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons mustard (Dijon or yellow, whatever tickles your fancy)
A splash of pickle juice (trust me on this one)
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika, for that little sprinkle of love on top
Food coloring (we’re about to get all kinds of festive!)
Fresh parsley and edible flowers for garnish, because we’re fancy like that

Instructions

Boil the Eggs: Place your eggs in a large saucepan and cover them with enough water so they’re swimming like they’re at the beach. Bring them to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and leave them covered for 14 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath. They need to chill, honey!
Color the Eggs: Once they’re cool, peel those beauties and cut them in half lengthwise. Pop out the yolks and set them aside. Now, mix up some warm water, a teaspoon of vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring in cups to dye those egg whites. Dip them in, let them soak for a few minutes, and bam! Easter egg magic.
Mix the Filling: Take those yolks and mash ’em up good with your mayo, mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper. You’re looking for creamy and smooth, like a jazz singer’s voice.
Pipe the Filling: Scoop your yolk mixture into a piping bag (or a ziplock with the corner snipped off – we make do with what we have). Pipe it into the colored egg whites. Be generous, darling, these are deviled eggs, not angel eggs!
Garnish: Sprinkle them with a little paprika. It’s like the fairy dust of the spice world. Then put a little parsley on them for color, and maybe an edible flower because we’re extra, and we love it.
Serve: Arrange your eggs on a platter as colorful as the Easter bonnet you know you want to wear. These eggs are ready to be the star of the show, honey!

And there you have it, sweetie pies! Easter Classic Deviled Eggs that look like they hopped right out of a spring garden. Now go on, make your grandma proud and show off these bad boys!

Want more deviled eggs recipes? Check these out!

Print and save this Easter Classic Deviled Eggs recipe for later!

Easter Classic Deviled Eggs

This recipe is for vibrant, Easter-themed deviled eggs with whites dyed in soft pastel colors and filled with a classic, creamy yolk mixture. The finished eggs are elegantly garnished with a dusting of paprika, fresh parsley, and delicate edible flowers for a festive and eye-catching appetizer.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword Easter Classic Deviled Eggs

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 45

Servings deviled eggs

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

12 large eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons mustard
1 teaspoon pickle juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Paprika for garnish
Food coloring various colors
Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
Edible flowers for garnish

Instructions

Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, leave covered for 14 minutes, then transfer eggs to an ice-water bath to cool.
Peel the cooled eggs and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove yolks to a separate bowl. In cups containing warm water, vinegar, and food coloring, dip egg whites until desired color is achieved. Remove and allow to dry.
In the bowl with egg yolks, add mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper. Mash and stir until the mixture is smooth.
Pipe or spoon the yolk mixture into the cavities of the colored egg whites.
Garnish each egg with a sprinkle of paprika, chopped parsley, and an edible flower.
Arrange the eggs on a platter and serve as part of your Easter celebration.

Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soulfood, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie and A Cousin Rosie Holiday with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Rosie — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Lemon pepper chicken wings are perfect for game day, party day, or dinnertime appetizers! The flavorful lemon pepper seasoning with crispy fried wings makes for the ultimate wing experience.

When you’re deep into football season, you’re definitely going to need a few easy appetizer recipes on hand. Don’t worry, Cousins – I got you covered! I’m sharing a recipe for crispy lemon pepper chicken wings in this post. These flavorful, juicy chicken wings are simply amazing. They’re zesty, crispy, and unbelievably moist. Best of all, I will be using a very few simple ingredients – most of which you probably already have on hand!

Homemade Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

So, first things first: This chicken wing recipe isn’t like most lemon pepper chicken wings. These are dry wings, meaning instead of using lemon pepper sauce, we’re battering the wings with a seasoned flour mixture before frying. I deep fry the chicken wings in corn oil, but you can use another vegetable oil like canola oil or peanut oil (just make sure it’s a high smoke-point oil suitable for frying!)

This recipe makes the perfect crispy wing! They’re the perfect appetizer for the big game (we love game day appetizers in this house!) and are crazy simple to make. I love serving lemon pepper wings with a tasty dipping sauce – ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or even hot sauce go great with these wings! Dress up your platter with lemon wedges and veggie sticks for the perfect appetizer display. Let’s get on into the recipe!

Ingredients for Homemade Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

The best part about this recipe is that you only need a few ingredients! If you don’t already have them on hand, a quick trip to the grocery store will get you everything you need in minutes.

Chicken Wings: I use just the flats of the wing in this recipe, but you can certainly get whole chicken wings and break them down on your own.
Lemon Juice: helps to brine the chicken wings with that zesty lemon flavor. I prefer to use fresh lemon juice.
Old Bay Seasoning: if you don’t have classic Old Bay, go ahead and use your favorite seasoning salt.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: I use both to season the chicken wings and the flour mixture. We season every layer of this dish, honey!
Lemon Pepper: the star of the show! You can use your favorite brand, but y’all know I prefer my very own Rosamae Seasonings lemon pepper!
All-Purpose Flour: the seasoned flour gives these wings that extra crispy skin on the outside.
Dried Parsley Flakes: totally optional; y’all know I love to add my parsley for some color.
Oil: you’ll need enough oil to fry the wings – at least 3-4 cups, and a deep enough skillet or pot.

What is lemon pepper seasoning made of?

Most lemon pepper seasonings are a simple mix of salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Some recipes (like mine) have additional seasonings like garlic and onion for more flavor. Did you know you can make your very own homemade lemon pepper seasoning? All you need is fresh lemon zest and your other preferred seasonings. Let the mixture sit out for up to 24 hours for the lemon zest to dry out; store in an airtight container, and you’ve got your very own lemon pepper seasoning any time you need it.

Can I use lemon juice and pepper instead of lemon pepper seasoning?

In a pinch, lemon juice and black pepper is a simple way to get that lemon pepper flavor. However, if you have (fresh) lemon juice, pepper, and salt, you already have lemon pepper seasoning! So, either way, you’ll get the best lemon pepper chicken wings with maximum zesty flavor.

How to Make Fried Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Alright, Cousins, let’s get to the good stuff – how to make these crispy lemon pepper wings! Now, remember that this recipe is for fried chicken wings, so, of course, I will tell you how to deep-fry these crispy wings to golden brown perfection. But because I love y’all, I’m also going to share how to bake and air fry them as well, so you can have delicious crispy lemon pepper wings no matter how you decide to cook them.

First, Prep the Wings

The first step is packing those chicken wings with a whole bunch of flavor. Add your washed and dried chicken wings in a large bowl (I like to rinse them with cold water, then pat dry with a paper towel). Add the lemon juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well until the wings are completely coated in that flavorful liquid, then set them aside.

Next, you will prepare the seasoned flour mixture by combining all-purpose flour, lemon pepper seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley flakes. Pro-Tip: make sure to double-check the ingredients of your lemon pepper seasoning! If it includes onion and garlic powder, you don’t have to add those seasonings. Some lemon peppers can also be pretty salty, so make sure you taste the seasoning for flavor.

Toss the wings in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure each wing is well-coated with the flour. Shake off any excess flour; then you’re ready to fry.

Next, Fry the Lemon Pepper Wings

Heat your oil in a pot, skillet, or deep fryer to 360 degrees F. Once the wings are coated in flour, drop them into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy. Depending on the size of your wings, this should take about 7-10 minutes. Remove the wings from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.

Baked & Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

For baked lemon pepper wings, heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare the chicken wings the same way. When ready to bake, line the chicken wings in a single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Spray the pan and the wings with a nonstick cooking spray (yes – spray the wings! This will give them that fried texture while they bake). Bake the wings in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.

For air fryer lemon pepper chicken wings, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, and prepare the chicken wings the same way. Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry the wings for 10 minutes, flip, then fry for another 10 minutes until crispy.

For all cooking methods, the chicken wings should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees! The best way to test the temperature of your cooked wings is with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat (but not touching the bone).

Tips for the Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Fresh chicken wings are best, but if frozen is all you have, thaw the wings completely before cooking for best results.
Want even more lemon pepper flavor? Make a lemon pepper butter sauce with unsalted butter, lemon pepper seasoning, and fresh lemon juice. Use as a dipping sauce, or toss the wings in the sauce.
Lemon pepper chicken wings will last 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
The best way to heat up leftovers is in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
If you love lemon pepper wings but don’t have them or just aren’t feeling the wings vibe, you can use this recipe with any cut of chicken. Lemon pepper chicken thighs or drumsticks sound like a perfect dinner to me!

Lemon pepper chicken wings are the perfect appetizer and don’t need to be paired with anything else to impress. But if you’re putting out the ultimate appetizer spread, serve these tasty wings with dipping sauce, a veggie tray, or other game day appetizers, like:

More Tasty Chicken Wing Recipes to Try

Loved this recipe? Let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out all my cookbooks! My brand-new Cousin Rosie Holiday Cookbook is available now!

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe

These zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are fried to golden perfection, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. They are a scrumptious snack to feed your game-day guests!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Southern

Keyword chicken wings, fried chicken wings, Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings people

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken wings
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp lemon pepper
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp dried parsley flakes optional
4 cups neutral oil for frying

Instructions

Pour the lemon juice over the chicken wings, then season the chicken with 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp of onion powder. Use your hands to toss the chicken, and make sure it is well coated with the seasonings.
1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 2 lbs chicken wings
In a separate bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp of lemon pepper, and 1 tsp parsley flakes. Use your hands or a utensil to make sure that the seasonings are well combined with the flour.
2 tsp lemon pepper, 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
Coat the chicken wings with the seasoned flour.
In your deep fryer or pan, pour in the vegetable oil. Heat the oil to 350-360 F.
4 cups neutral oil for frying
Place the chicken into the hot oil, and fry until it’s golden (make sure it’s done by piercing the chicken down to the bone with a small knife or fork. If no blood is visible, the chicken is done).
Place the chicken on a paper towel-lined cookie sheet or plate for two minutes to drain the excess oil.
Serve.

Video

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Rosie — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

If you’re having a fish fry, serving fried chicken, or serving just about any Southern-style dish, these tasty fried Southern hush puppies are a must! Fluffy and savory with the perfect golden brown exterior, completely homemade.

Lately, I’ve been wanting to go to a real fish fry. You know, those kinds of fish fries with all your family, people (not so) secretly trying to outdo each other’s fried catfish recipes. The kind of fish fry where everyone sits around a table eating crab and shrimp all day, gossiping while you drink ice-cold Southern sweet tea. Ohhh yeah, Cousins, I can’t wait for fish fry season! I intend to have several fish fries when the sun starts shining our way.

Spreads like this—plates of deep-fried catfish, bowls of seafood boil, and collard greens—aren’t complete without homemade Southern hush puppies! You gotta have those crispy, golden brown, deep-fried hush puppies if you’re having a fish fry (or really, any Southern spread).

What Are Hush Puppies?

In my humble opinion, Hush puppies are one of the quintessential Southern favorites. They’re small, golf ball-sized bites of fried dough. Hushpuppy batter can be sweet—with sugar and sweet mix-ins, but they’re usually savory, with spices, onions, cheese, or jalapenos.

Many people buy boxed hush puppy batter, but to be completely honest with you, nothing beats homemade hush puppies. I’ve tried boxed hush puppy mix before, and I wasn’t pleased AT ALL. Boxed, store-bought hush puppies are either too bland, salty, or just flat-out yuck. Making this homemade Southern hush puppies recipe is a breeze; you won’t ever think of using a boxed mix again!

How did hush puppies get their name?

Hush puppies are one of those Southern favorites that have a mysterious history. There are myths about how these crispy cornmeal dough balls got their name—from Civil War Confederate soldiers tossing them to their dogs to “hush” them to old-time Southerners gathering around the fire after a long day of fishing, frying hushpuppies over the open flames. Serious Eats gives a run-down of the history of deep-fried hush puppies.

Before they were called hush puppies, they were called red horse bread and have always been paired with classic Southern cuisine, but especially fried fish dishes. The basic recipe of cornmeal with water, salt, and eggs has been around for generations, and no matter what the true history is, one thing is for sure: Southerners (and just about everyone else) are thankful for their invention!

Ingredients for Homemade Southern Hush Puppies

You only need a few simple ingredients to make delicious homemade hush puppies! It’s super easy to whip up a few batches in no time. If you want the complete ingredient measurements, scroll on down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Cornmeal: I use yellow cornmeal, but white would work as well, too. You’ll want a finer grain so the hush puppies don’t have too grainy of a texture.
Self-Rising Flour: this is key to getting perfectly light and fluffy fried hush puppies; you don’t get the same texture with all-purpose flour!
Seasonings: salt and garlic powder are your savory flavors, cayenne pepper adds just a touch of heat, and sugar gives the cornmeal batter a slight sweetness.
Yellow and Green Onion: the combination of yellow and green onions adds so much flavor to the hush puppy batter. You want them diced or minced as finely as you can get.
Buttermilk: the liquid for the batter.
Egg: acts as a binder in the batter.
Oil: you need an oil with a high smoke point; peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil are all good options.

Hush Puppy Ingredient Tips & Substitutions

If you can’t find self-rising flour, substitute it with AP flour with an added leavening agent. Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 ½ tsp baking powder and ½ tsp of salt.
If you don’t have or can’t find buttermilk, you can make your own by combining 1 cup of regular milk with 2 tsp distilled vinegar.
If you have a food processor, use that to mince the onions—this will ensure they’re finely chopped for the best texture.

Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Hush Puppies

You don’t need anything fancy to make Southern hush puppies at home! Here’s what I use:

A large cast iron skillet for deep frying. If you have a deep fryer or large Dutch oven, you can also use that. You only need about 2 inches of oil to fry your hush puppies.
A small cookie scoop gives me the perfect-sized dough balls.
A slotted spoon for turning and removing the hush puppies from the hot oil. I just use my good ol’ fashioned plastic slotted spoon, but a wire “spider” strainer is also great to have on hand, especially if you’re working in a deep fryer.
You will also need a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack to drain the hush puppies once they’re out of the oil.

How to Make Homemade Southern Hush Puppies

This hush puppy recipe could not be easier! To start, begin by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then, add the wet ingredients and mix well so there are no lumps. You’ll want to use a whisk for best results. Pro-Tip: let the batter sit for a few minutes while the oil heats before frying the dough. This will help with that light and fluffy consistency as the baking powder has time to activate.

Next, heat about 2 cups of oil in a deep, large skillet or Dutch oven. Once the oil is hot, start dropping scoops of batter into the cooking oil, working in small batches to not overcrowd the skillet. Pro-Tip: to test the temperature of the oil, drop a few little droplets of batter into the oil. If they bubble and brown up quickly, the oil is ready.

Fry the hush puppies until golden brown, flipping them in the oil halfway through cooking. Remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe Video Tutorial

Below, you can watch my short video tutorial to see exactly how I make my homemade Southern hush puppies. Y’all already know I want you to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube to catch all my recipe videos as soon as they’re uploaded!

Tips & FAQs About Making the Perfect Homemade Hush Puppies

Southern cooks all have their own recipes for Southern hush puppies, but the base of the recipe remains the same. If you have questions about how to make the perfect Southern hush puppy recipe, I’ve got some tips for you. But first, let’s talk flavor variations.

Southerners love a savory hush puppy. You could knock these tasty treats up a notch with extra mix-ins like scallions, minced jalapeno peppers, or cheese. You could also add sweet onion or corn for an extra hint of sweetness (but don’t add too much corn, or you’ll be bordering on corn fritters!).
Don’t overmix the batter. An overworked batter will result in a tough, dense hush puppy, which is the opposite of what we want!
Hush puppies are delicious on their own, but a dipping sauce knocks them out of this world. Serve with tartar sauce if you’re serving them with fish, sour cream, and onion sauce for a cool and refreshing, or a zesty Remoulade sauce for a classic Southern flavor. Of course, they’re just as good with a pat of salted butter!
You can store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to 4 days in the fridge. The best way to reheat hush puppies is in the air fryer, so they get that nice crisp exterior.

Why are my Hushpuppies dry?

The most likely culprit for dry hush puppies is overmixing the batter. Also, buttermilk is key for moist, tender hush puppies. If you don’t have buttermilk, I don’t suggest skipping it. You can easily make your own with regular milk and vinegar.

Are hush puppies and cornbread the same recipe?

Hush puppies and cornbread have very similar ingredients, but the addition of onions to the cornmeal-based batter is what sets hush puppies apart from cornbread. Cornbread is also classically sweeter. If you want an easy cornbread recipe, check out my classic Southern cornbread, honey jalapeno cornbread, or cheesy garlic and herb cornbread recipe.

What to Serve with Southern Hush Puppies

We’ve already talked about how perfectly homemade hush puppies pair with fish fries and seafood boils. But what else could you serve them with? I’ve got some ideas for you, darlings!

Hush puppies pair perfectly with Southern BBQ—try grilled BBQ rib tips, BBQ ribs, slow cooker BBQ chicken, pulled pork, or as a side with a BBQ charcuterie board.
Soul food and Southern hush puppies? Yes, please. Hush puppies can soak up a hearty Southern stew. Try stewed chicken, jambalaya stew, oxtail stew with red sauce, or hearty slow cooker beef stew.
Serve hush puppies with other Southern classics like skillet-fried cabbage, flavorful salmon croquettes, or Southern black-eyed peas.

Ready to make Southern hush puppies? Print out the recipe below! If you loved this recipe, be sure to share and save the recipe on Pinterest! Keep up with Rosie and I Heart Recipes on social media—you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and check out my cookbooks!

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Hush puppies are the perfect addition to a classic fish fry! Crispy fried dough balls that go perfectly with a sweet or savory dip and some fried fish.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Southern

Keyword Hush Puppies

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings dozen

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup self rising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 small onion finely diced
3-4 green onions finely diced
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 cups oil for deep frying

Instructions

Combine the cornmeal, self rising flour, sugar, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic in a large bowl.
1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup self rising flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder
Whisk until everything is lump free then toss in the diced onions.
1 small onion, 3-4 green onions
Add in the buttermilk and egg.
1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg
Mix the ingredients until well combined, but don’t over mix.
Pour the oil into a large pan, and heat the oil over medium heat.
2 cups oil for deep frying
Once the oil is nice and hot, start spooning it the batter.
Fry the hush puppies until the are nice a golden brown.
Remove the hush puppies from the oil, and place them on a paper towel lined plate.
Serve and enjoy!

Video

Christmas Themed Charcuterie Board

Rosie — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 13:13:50 +0000

Deck the Halls with Christmas Charcuterie Boards!

Hey Cousins! The Holidays are approaching. A time for celebration, family gatherings, and most importantly – food! And what better way to showcase the festive flavors of the season than with a charcuterie board tailored specifically for Christmas? The beauty of a charcuterie board is its flexibility: it can be customized to fit any occasion, dietary preference, and personal taste. But today, we’re decking the halls and our tables with a Christmas-inspired board that’ll be the star of your festive feast.

What is a Christmas Charcuterie Board?

At its core, a charcuterie board (pronounced shar-koo-tuh-ree) is a curated selection of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and other bite-sized treats. Originating from France, the word “charcuterie” refers to the art of preparing and assembling cured meats. However, in recent years, the term has expanded to encompass a broad array of accompaniments.

How to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board

Choosing the Perfect Charcuterie Board Base

Before you begin selecting your foods, you’ll want a board that complements your festive theme. Wooden boards, slate platters, or even marble slabs are ideal. The size of the board should reflect the number of guests and the role of the charcuterie – a starter, a main attraction, or a nibble with drinks. Consider using festive table runners or decorations around the board to accentuate its Christmas theme.

Meat Selections

Christmas is about indulgence, so opt for a diverse selection of high-quality cured meats:

Prosciutto: Thinly sliced, this dry-cured ham is delicate and pairs wonderfully with fruits.
Salami: There are various types of salami, from spicy to peppered, and they add a great texture contrast.
Chorizo: This spicy Spanish sausage brings a touch of heat.
Capicola: A seasoned pork cold cut that is flavorful and slightly spicy.

For a festive touch, you can roll up slices of the cured meats to resemble little festive logs.

Cheese Choices

The cheese is where you can really play with flavors:

Brie: Creamy and soft, this cheese is a crowd-pleaser and can be topped with cranberry sauce for a festive twist.
Stilton or Roquefort: Blue cheeses bring a sharpness that contrasts beautifully with sweet accompaniments.
Gouda or Cheddar: Aged varieties offer a rich, nutty flavor.
Goat Cheese: This tangy cheese can be rolled in crushed nuts or herbs.

For a holiday spin, use cookie cutters to shape semi-hard cheeses into Christmas-themed figures, like stars or trees.

Sweet and Savory Additions

Complement the saltiness of your meats and cheeses with:

Fruits: Grapes, apple slices, pears, and dried fruits like apricots or figs. Consider adding pomegranate seeds for a burst of festive color.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or candied pecans add crunch and a hint of sweetness.
Crackers and Bread: A mix of crispy crackers, sliced baguette, and even gingerbread for a sweet surprise.
Spreads: Cranberry sauce, fig jam, honey, or mustards. For a Christmas touch, a spiced apple or pear jam is delightful.
Pickles and Olives: These add acidity which can cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses.

Presentation Tips

Layering: Begin by placing larger items first, like cheese blocks and bowls of spread. Then, layer by adding meats, followed by smaller items like fruits and nuts.
Color: A Christmas board should be vibrant. Use fresh rosemary sprigs, holly berries, or even edible flowers for garnish.
Textures: The magic of a charcuterie board is in its variety. Ensure you have a mix of soft, crunchy, creamy, and crispy.
Focal Point: Consider having a centerpiece, like a wheel of brie topped with cranberry sauce or a cheese ball shaped like a pine cone.

Beverage Pairings

Wine: Red wines like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon go well with rich cheeses, while white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc pair well with lighter selections.
Beer: A craft beer or a Christmas ale can be a great conversation starter.
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling apple cider, cranberry mocktails, or even a hot spiced apple juice will keep the festive spirit alive for those avoiding alcohol.

Charcuterie Board Dietary Adaptations for All

Christmas is for everyone, so if you have guests with dietary restrictions, consider:

Vegetarian Boards: Replace meats with more cheeses, hummus, stuffed bell peppers, or grilled vegetables.
Vegan Boards: Vegan cheeses, fruits, nuts, and a variety of vegetable-based spreads and pickles.
Gluten-Free Boards: Use gluten-free crackers and bread and ensure that all processed items are gluten-free.

Enjoying Your Christmas Charcuterie Board

Once your board is set up, let your guests dive in. The beauty of a charcuterie board is in its communal nature. As folks gather around, not only are they indulging in delectable treats but also in delightful conversations, reminiscing, and creating new memories.

A Christmas charcuterie board is more than just a collection of foods – it’s a tapestry of flavors, a visual treat, and a celebration of togetherness. This season, deck your tables with a board that embodies the spirit of Christmas in every bite. And remember, there’s no strict rulebook to creating the perfect charcuterie. Let your creativity shine, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Merry feasting!

More Holiday Appetizer Recipes

Print out this amazing Christmas Charcuterie Board recipe below! Don’t forget to follow along with everything Rosie and I Heart Recipes on social media—you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Christmas Themed Charcuterie Board

Impress your Christmas guests with this amazing Charcuterie Board! A variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, veggies, and other holiday treats make for a welcoming appetizer at any holiday party.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine French

Keyword appetizer, Charcuterie, Charcuterie Board, holiday appetizer

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 0

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Ingredients

Meat

8 oz Salami rolled
8 oz Pepperoni rolled
8 oz Prosciutto rolled
8 oz Dry Coppa rolled
6 Prosciutto wrapped mozzarella 6 Soppressata wrapped mozzarella
6 Soppressata wrapped mozzarella
1 Salami Rosette

Cheese

8 oz Brie small round
½ cup Cheddar Cheese chunks
6 slices Colby Jack Cheese slices squared ½ cup Pepper Jack cheese, chunks ½ cup Fontina Cheese, chunks
Blue Cheese wedge
Parmesan Cheese wedge
1 cup fresh Mozzarella balls
5 Mini Babybell semi-soft cheese
5 oz Boursin herbed cheese

Fruit

7-8 Strawberries
½ cup Grapes
¼ cup Pomegranate Seeds
½ cup Blueberries
½ cup Blackberries
Vegetables
½ cup Baby Tomatoes

Olives

½ cup Green Olives
½ cup Kalamata Olives
½ cup Black Olives

Jams

¼ cup Red Pepper Jelly
¼ cup Cranberry Jam

Crackers:

Wheat Ritz Crackers

Garnish

Christmas Tree Jelly Candy
Christmas Jordan Almonds
Christmas Jelly Rings Candy
Hershey Kisses
Chocolate Pretzels
Gingerbread Cookies

Instructions

Salami Rose

Take the first slice of salami and place half of it in the glass with the remaining folded over the rim of the glass.
Next, place your second piece of salami and place it halfway over the first layer, half of it in the glass with the remaining folded over the rim of the glass.
Take your third piece of salami and place it halfway over the second layer, half of it in the glass with the remaining folded over the rim of the glass.
Keep going around the glass until you’ve used all 9 pieces of salami.
Take the glass, turn it upside down, and lightly press the salami pieces on the board. Upside down Remove the salami from the shot glass, and set the rose to the side.

Gingerbread Brie

Use a gingerbread cookie cutter and cut out the gingerbread man shape.
Press the cookie cutter only ¼ of the way down.
Use a knife to cut out the shape following the cookie cutter lines.
Set to the side.

Decorate The Board

Place the gingerbread shaped hole in the brie cheese on the board.
Add the ramekins for the jams and jellies on the board.
Next, add the blue cheese wedge, parmesan wedge, salami rosette, and Boursin herb cheese on the board.
Surround the brie wheel with rolled salami, rolled pepperoni, rolled prosciutto, and rolled dry coppa.
Add the remaining meats, prosciutto wrapped mozzarella and soppressata wrapped mozzarella on the board. Now place the chunks and slices of cheese on the board.
Use the baby bell on the edge of the board to hold in the smaller items.
Place the fruits, olives, and tomatoes on the board in various locations.
Make sure to fill in the center holes on the board with your fruits and veggies.
Take your extra items “ garnishes “ and fill in the holes.
Add your pomegranate pearls to your brie cheese round.
Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Happy Holidays!

Strawberry and Jalapeno Pico

Rosie — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000

A sweet take on the traditional Pico De Gallo! This pic is made with fresh ripe strawberries and spicy jalapenos. It pairs well with cinnamon and sugar-dusted chips or fruit chips.

The delicious Pico De Gallo inspires this recipe! Traditionally it is made of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, spicy peppers, and lime. However, since it’s summer, l want y’all to put those fresh strawberries to use. Therefore we’re making this delicious strawberry and jalapeno pico.

How to Make Strawberry and Jalapeño Pico

Grocery list

3 cups Strawberries, sliced, stems removed
1 Lime, zested and juiced
4-5 Jalapeños, diced, seeds removed
White onion, diced
Red Onion, diced
½ cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste

What if I can’t eat strawberries?

Can’t have strawberries? No problem. You can replace the strawberries with sliced blueberries, blackberries, and even cherries!

Can I use frozen fruit for this recipe?

Honestly, I’d suggest sticking to fresh fruit for the best result. I’ve tried using frozen fruit before, and the pico was slightly watery.

Other recipes to try

Print my Strawberry and Jalapeño Pico Recipe below!

Strawberry and Jalapeño Pico

A sweet twist on a summer staple. Fresh strawberries are the star of this show! Serve with cinnamon tortilla chips for the ultimate snack.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword strawberry and jalapeno pico

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Chill Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings people

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

3 cups Strawberries sliced stems removed 1 Lime, zested and juiced
4-5 Jalapeno’s diced seeds removed
1/4 cup diced white onion
1/4 cup diced red onion
½ cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare all of your ingredients and set to the side. In a large bowl add your ingredients and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Serve and enjoy!

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Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board

Rosie — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Got some leftover BBQ from those spring, and summer cookouts? Make this stunning leftover BBQ charcuterie board!

Hey cousins! It’s that time of the year again. Everyone and their uncle is out grilling ribs, smoking brisket, and making the best-ever barbecue chicken. I don’t know about y’all, but I never get tired of BBQ! I can eat cookout food every darn yet. I sometimes go overboard whenever I have a cookout, and I make too many items. This results in having lots of leftovers. Especially on Juneteenth, or the 4th of July. So what do I do with my leftovers from Indepence Day? I create a delicious Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board! I simply gather up all of my leftover ribs, slices of briskets, and sides, and create the most amazing BBQ board.

I actually got this idea from a good friend. She always makes delicious charcuterie boards, and she blew my mind with a BBQ board that she created for me. I guess you can say she inspired me, so I started to create my own. You can do the same thing! Believe it or not, you don’t need a whole lot of ingredients, tools, etc. You simply just need your leftovers, and a few items to make a delicious leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board. Let me tell you what you need to get started.

Ingredients Needed to Make a Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board

BBQ Leftovers: you’ll need your mains, sides, and condiments.
Board: You don’t need to buy one of those fancy boards! Hunny, when I first started creating charcuterie boards I tried to be fancy, and I quickly learned that those fancy boards were definitely not in my budget. I’m not saying that I couldn’t afford them, but I refused to buy a tiny board for $200. I actually just use inexpensive chopping/ cutting boards! My favorite board to use is my LARGE Bamboo Cutting Board. It has a convenient handle, and it’s approximately 19×13 inches.
Small and medium-sized bowls: You will need to have bowls in different sizes for items such as your side dishes, as well as for your condiments.
Napkins: Not for the actual board, but you’ll definitely want to place some napkins on the side of the board.

BBQ Recipes + Sides for Your Leftovers Charcuterie Board

Best Condiments for a Leftover BBQ Charcuterie Board

Bread: You can use sliced bread, dinner rolls, or cornbread!
BBQ sauces: try to have more than one BBQ sauce. I like a nice smokey sauce, but my husband likes honey barbecue. Therefore I make sure to have a few small bowls of different barbecue sauces.
Pickles: It’s no secret that pickles pair well with BBQ. Add some pickle slices, wedges, or whole baby pickles to the board. They taste good and look great on the board.
Hot Sauce: My son is a huge fan of hot sauce, so I try to make sure to have his sauce on or near the board
Vegetables: It can’t all be meat (or can it?), so try to add some of your favorite vegetables to the board. Some of my favorites to add to my BBQ charcuterie board are green beans, collard greens, corn, and grilled zucchini.

The possibilities are limitless! Next time you have some leftover BBQ, definitely try making a charcuterie board!

Leave me a comment below, and tell me what you think!

Fresh Blueberry Salsa Recipe

Rosie — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 16:29:58 +0000

Fresh blueberries combined with sweet peppers, onions, and citrus. This fresh blueberry salsa is perfect to enjoy any time of the year, but especially at those summer gatherings!

Hey cousins! Although it’s still winter, I’m over here dreaming of those warm summer months. I’ve been thinking about those family barbecues y’all! You know, the ones with unlimited good food, drinks, and plenty of laughs? One of my favorite appetizers to make and serve at my summer gatherings is my fresh blueberry salsa recipe. I must admit that the first time that I served this blueberry salsa, my family was skeptical. They couldn’t see themselves eating salsa with blueberries. However, it was love after the first bite! It quickly became a family favorite, and I whip up this fresh blueberry salsa recipe for every summer gathering!

Ingredients for This Fresh Blueberry Salsa Recipe

For this salsa recipe, you will need:

3 cups fresh blueberries
1 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only, chopped
3 jalapeños, minced, seeds removed
1 large red onion, diced
1 large red bell peppers, diced
2 large roma tomatoes, diced
½ tsp. salt
1 large lime, juice only

What to Serve with Fresh Blueberry Salsa

Whenever I make this salsa, I serve it along with tortilla chips. My favorite tortilla chips are the ones with a hint of lime!

Blueberry Salsa Recipe FAQs + Tips

Can I use frozen blueberries?

For best results, I highly suggest using fresh blueberries when making this salsa. Frozen blueberries will not hold up as well, and if you use frozen blueberries, you might end up having a watery salsa.

What gives salsa more flavor?

It really depends on the salsa. Most salsas get their flavor from the juicy tomatoes, onions, and lime ( sometimes lemon) juice. Another ingredient that adds flavor is jalapeno peppers. If you’re not a fan of the heat that jalapeno peppers give, you can remove the seeds. Cilantro is another great ingredient that gives salsa an amazing flavor.

For this recipe, the sweet, juicy blueberries give the salsa a lot of flavor. The combination of the blueberries, sweet Roma tomatoes, onions, and lime juice truly gives this salsa a ton of flavor.

What can I do with a lot of blueberries?

During the summer, I usually have a lot of blueberries on hand. Of course, I like to make this fresh blueberry salsa recipe, but I also make a ton of other recipes with blueberries. One of my favorite blueberry recipes is my Blueberry Cheesecake Muffins. I love serving these muffins in the morning and pairing them with coffee. I also make Southern Blueberry Cobbler, which is always requested in my house. A few other things that you can make with blueberries are:

Blueberry french toast
blueberry lemonade
blueberry syrups
blueberry coffee cake
My blueberry cornbread waffles (which is in my first cookbook, I Heart Soul Food)
blueberry pancakes
blueberry based cocktails

The options are pretty limitless when it comes to blueberries! Did I miss something? Let me know what you like to make with blueberries in the comment section below!

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try

If this recipe sparks your taste buds, be sure to check these out as well

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Fresh Blueberry Salsa

This zesty blueberry salsa recipe will be a hit at any party! A flavorful combination of juicy blueberries with sweet tomatoes, peppers, onions, and citrus.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Tex Mex

Keyword appetizer, blueberry salsa, salsa

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 0

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Author I Heart Recipes

Ingredients

3 cups fresh blueberries
1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves only, chopped
3 jalapeños minced, seeds removed
1 large red onion diced
1 large red bell pepper diced
2 large Roma tomatoes diced
½ tsp. salt
1 large lime juice only

Instructions

Wash the blueberries thoroughly, then pat dry.
3 cups fresh blueberries
Take 1 ½ cups of the blueberries, and cut them in halves.
Toss all of the blueberries into a large mixing bowl, then set to the side.
Next, dice the roma tomatoes,red onion, red bell peppers, and jalapeno. Toss into the bowl with the blueberries.
1 large red onion, 1 large red bell pepper, 2 large Roma tomatoes, 3 jalapeños
Chop the cilantro, then add it to the mixing bowl.
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Add in the salt, and lime juice.
½ tsp. salt, 1 large lime
Fold the ingredients until combined.
Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to let the flavors marry.
Serve, and enjoy!