Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #200

Thank you to everyone for making last week's Foodie Friends Friday Party a huge success. Did you see all the recipes that caught OUR attention last week? Check out the Host Favorites on the Daily Dish for links to all the recipes. 

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #199

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Giveaway - TWO "Afternoon on the Plaza" Workshop Tickets in Des Moines, Iowa

Winefest has given me the opportunity to giveaway not one but TWO tickets to my readers to this fantastic event in Iowa in early June. Giveaway is at the bottom but first, more information about the sessions and a sponsor.

Thank you Morgan, Event Assistant at Winefest, for this information:

The Des Moines Wine Festival Foundation is proud to have been a part of the Greater Des Moines area since 2003 and we look forward to our fourteenth year of celebrating fine food and wine while bettering the community. Winefest’s signature weeklong series of events has grown into one of Des Moines’ most anticipated weekends of the year. Besides supporting the wine and culinary industry, Winefest has raised more than $400,000 for local charities and cultural organizations. Unique events such as Winefest help to improve our community’s cultural landscape and help to earn Des Moines its national accolades for quality of life.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #198

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #197

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #196

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #195

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #194

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

Meet Our Co-Hosts!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #193

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

Linky Party!!

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #192

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

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Carl's Crazy Skillet Meal

My husband throws together some crazy concoctions.  They aren't always my favorite but my kids seem to like them. This one, though, I do!  Since he came up with the dish I'll give him the credit and name it after him. 

It's a pretty simple dish to throw together and until the ground beef is ready to be broken up the dish is hands off.   If you or your kids aren't big fans of chunky veggies, whack them up a little more before you cook them.   Feel free to change them up as well.  These are what we had on the hand the day he took over the stove top!

Carl's Crazy Skillet Meal                                                                            Printable Recipe

10-12 medium carrots, cleaned (peeled if needed) and cut into 1/4" slices
2 small onions, chopped
3 cups water
2 pounds ground beef

2 cups whole sweet corn (or 1 can drained)

salt and pepper to taste
Mayonnaise
Parmesan

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #191

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50+ Recipes for Leftover Ham

Most families have ham for Easter and there always seems to be leftovers.  Sure, you could eat it plain but I think the best way to have the leftovers is in a new dish.  Running low on ideas to use it up? I'm here to the rescue with over 50 delicious recipes to use up your leftover ham!!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #190

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Sweet Mustard Crock Pot Pulled Pork

I've been looking around for a different flavor for my pork shoulder (butt) roast.  I already have my simple but versatile Crock Pot Pulled Pork which can be flavored any way you like it or mixed with my Whiskey BBQ Sauce for awesome sandwiches or knock yer socks off nachos.  My recipe for Beef Tostadas  can be made with pork instead of a beef roast.  We needed something different, something with more pizzazz so I threw a little mustard in the mix.  Definitely a ton of flavor now!  It's quite a vinegary-mustardy smell when it's cooking but it will mellow out some as the time goes on and it's mixed with the pork.

I used a 3-4 lb roast to work out the recipe.  That way if it didn't turn out I didn't waste a 7 pounder. The meat had a lot of flavor and it reminded me of a wonton appetizer from a chain restaurant.  I knew what I had to do.  Fry up some corn tortillas into taco shells (since I didn't have any in the house) and top it with my Creamy Coleslaw.  Perfect!  The only problem I had was that the roast didn't last long with the family and our lunches!  I knew I had to make another and so I pulled out the large roast this time so we have plenty for our meal, leftovers and the freezer.

Sweet Mustard Crock Pot Pulled Pork                                                  Printable Recipe

1 cup yellow mustard
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
2/3 cup soy sauce (or Fauxy Sauce (soy free))
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried onion powder
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
7 pound pork shoulder (pork butt) roast

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #189

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Chicken Parmesan and Spaghetti Squash Bowls

I've been making this dish ever since I shared my Chicken Parmesan recipe and had spaghetti squash from the garden.  Some years the squash seem to be never ending.  If kept in a dry, cool place they are available during the winter as well as fall.  This dish is great if you are trying to cut down on carbs or want a change up from pasta.

The next time I make this recipe I'll make a batch of my Garlic Cream Sauce to layer with the marinara sauce.  I love the added creaminess of it!

If you are wondering what happened to the other half of my "boat" -- my family is what happened.  They are usually a bit more patient when they know I need photos but my husband was "starving" and started whacking away!!

Chicken Parmesan and Spaghetti Squash Bowls                                Printable Recipe

8-10 boneless chicken tenders

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 beaten egg

1 cup breadcrumbs *

Jar of your favorite pasta sauce ( I used my own Roasted Marinara)

1-2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #188

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Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #187

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday

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Stuffed Mushrooms

They're easy to make and great for parties.  My family loves them as a tiny appetizer with dinner. These mushroom caps are stuffed with creamy yet crunchy mixture and baked until golden brown and hot.  I've seen other recipes without bacon and all I can wonder is...why?

Do make more than you think as these will go fast.  If your family is like my family as soon as they come out of the oven they are grabbing at them and blowing on them so they can eat one (or two!)  There will be some disappear before you are ready to present them.  

Here a tip:  You can have them stuffed and ready to bake ahead of the time you need to cook them.  Having the mess earlier in the day means less rushing around before your party or supper. 

Stuffed Mushrooms                                                                                  Printable Recipe

1 pound whole mushrooms (white or baby bellas (portabellos) are fine)

1/2 cup cooked bacon

1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)

1/2 cup bread crumbs (gluten free works well too)

dash of dried oregano

dash of dried parsley

dash of dried basil

dash of salt

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened (1/2 of an 8 ounce block)

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese