Witches Brew Snack Mix

Happy Saturday Friends!  Who celebrates Halloween?  While I don't celebrate it anymore, I knew someone would love an easy snack mix for the little ghosties, superheroes, and princesses in your life.  We can just enjoy it as a fun fall treat as well!

Did your mom or grandmom ever give out homemade treats?  I remember a year or 2 that my mom gave out caramel apples I want to say.  Maybe it was something else, but boy are those days gone.  Those are the first things that hit the trash (well right after 3 musketeers bars)!  Sometimes I love for the days of old but am always blessed and excited for the time I have been given by waking up each day.  

I have been a clown, cheerleader, referee, ballerina, little bow peep, did I mention clown?  Some of the costumes I remember as a kid.  There were things we were not allowed to dress up as, and we probably shouldn't have been allowed to dress up as. HAHA!

So, where I got this recipe.  My sister's mother-in-law came to visit, and she had a little breakfast get together at her house.  Her mother-in-law, queen of entertainment and games had this "thing" we were going to make.  I thought it was a beverage, but no, snack mix. HOORAY!  As she read off one ingredient at a time, oh wait, she had given us a Ziploc bag first thing.  THEN she read each ingredient as it was passed around the table, and you could take how much you wanted, etc.  I think I took 2 raisins which I switched out for chocolate chips in my recipe.  They really do look like bugs, and at 48, I am still not adult enough to get that out of my brain!  So, we continued with each ingredient until our mix was done.  Then we played a game seeing who could name the 10 body parts with only 3 letters and the winner got to add whatever ingredient they wanted to their bag.  Btw, you think this is an easy task, naming 10 body parts that only have 3 letters.  Guys, the M&M's were staring at me, my favorite ingredient was on the line, and I biffed it!  BAD!

I am going to insert your ingredients and their "Halloween" names.  This would be fun to play with kids or to serve with the written recipe stuck in it!Either put this into individual bags, or into a large bowl with an airtight lid!

ENJOY and don't let the blood drops drip!  Chew your chicken toenails well and PLEASE don't choke on the bat bones!

The EASIEST Dill Dip

Goooood Evening!  It is me again, a new recipe, an easy versatile recipe that I thought you guys might like.  We got some fresh amazing dill at the farmer's market a few weeks ago and my husband had asked for pickles AND dill dip.  I couldn't think of two things I like better with dill so I got the pickles done and set off to make my own homemade dill dip.  Homemade is just best, don't you agree?  I like controlling what is in our food, real food.  Just reading the ingredients on any product in the store gives me anxiety.  What is that?  Is that a fancy name for bugs?  Is that sawdust?  Yeah, I just prefer homemade whenever possible.  I mean I am a food blogger and recipe developer.....kind of a requirement that I love cooking!  Honestly, like anyone else, sometimes I don't love cooking and baking.  Sometimes I want to take 3 days off from making dinner and I do.  Anyone else go through short periods of time like this?

Well, along with the dill, I found delicious tomatoes, and baby cucumbers for dipping in said dip and so I got started.  Pretty easy.  Kind of all of the usual suspects of dill dip but I just did the measuring for you!  As with any recipe of mine, always, ALWAYS adjust it to your tastes.  Not big on garlic, add less.  No salt?  Add zero.  And so forth.  Here we go folks!  

Side Note: If you eat salmon, make extra, you might enjoy this shmeared on top or thin out with some milk and use as salad dressing, you are welcome!

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 TBSP fresh dill
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• 1 TBSP onion flakes
• 1 tsp parsley (same amount dried or fresh)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl with a lid.  Make sure all spices and herbs are completely mixed in.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but up to 12 hours if you like!  The flavor will grow stronger the longer it chills!!

ENJOY!

Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes

 Good morning my friends, it is good to have you.  Welcome to my website!  Make sure before you leave to click the JOIN button!  No spam, no ads, and only an email update when I post if you wish!  I have over 600 recipes, here!  It kind of jars me to think about that number!

I pray this finds you all doing well and being happy!

This recipe is brought to you courtesy of my hubby.  He asked me if I could make mashed potatoes in the oven with bacon and cheese and something on top.... here it is.  These are AMAZING, and I am grateful he is so supportive and technically, my most viewed and popular recipe here on my website is HIS recipe for Baked Spaghetti and Stuffed Meatballs!  He knows his food let me tell you and I am never amazed at what he comes up with next!

Let's get to the recipe, shall we?

MASHED POTATOES

• 4 med-large russet potatoes
• 3 TBSP melted butter
• 1/4-1/3 cup milk (depends on the consistency you prefer)
• 1/2 cup chopped bacon pieces
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reserve approx 1/4 cup for topping)
• salt and pepper
• 1 green onion

For the TOPPING:

• shredded cheddar cheese (1/4 reserved from your 1 cup of cheese)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs of your choice
• 4 TBSP melted butter

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.  Get a pot of cold water, WELL salted, ready for you.  Peel your potatoes, and cut into about 1-inch pieces, they will cook much faster.  Keep them a pretty uniform size.  Bring your water to a boil and boil for about 10-15 minutes.  Check with a fork to see if they are done.  Drain and place potatoes into a mixing bowl.  Using a hand mixer, mash potatoes, adding in all of your ingredients, sour cream, milk, cheese, bacon, and pepper.  Mix until well combined.  Place into a buttered or sprayed (nonstick cooking spray) dish.  I used about a 9-inch round baking dish, use what you like.  Spread potatoes to cover.  Now, sprinkle your cheese on top evenly, sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top, and drizzle it all with your melted butter.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown!!!  When you remove from the oven, top with green onions and dig in!

Hope to hear from you if you try this recipe.  It is perfect next to a steak, a thick pork chop, a grilled chicken breast, and a salad!!

ENJOY!