Not Sure What To Make For Game Night? Try This Twist On a Classic Slider!

I would have never thought to use a potato as a bun! I cook for a family and they want me to try to add more gluten free recipes into their menu. When I came across this flavor packed and tasty morsel I knew I had to try it! It is perfect for a family of any size because you can easily adjust the ingredients to meet your crowd’s size.

Whether you are watching the game at your house, or having everyone over for a get together Nobody can resist this creative finger food!

Won’t they be surprised when I serve up a small platter of this with some sliced fresh fruit on the side! And if you are anything like me you are probably wondering what to do with the potato that you scoop out. I am such a frugal cook when it comes to using everything I can. So what I did was to save it for the next day to use in potato pancakes!

And since I knew I was going to do that, I went ahead and cooked up extra bacon for the morning as well. Seriously, life is way to short to always be cleaning so I try to plan ahead and cook ahead as much as I can.

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Quick Tip: We LOVE pepper crusted bacon or maple bacon but if bacon is not on your list of favorite foods, you can always swap out the hamburger for chicken or turkey sausage.

The post When My Family Bit Into These They Were In For a Bacon Surprise appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

This Bowl of Soup Will Really  Warm You Up!

I love being able to toss a handful of ingredients in a slow cooker and know that in 5 hours we will have an amazing soup ready to eat. This is the kind of meal I love putting together during the week when it feels like you are running out of time and the last thing you want to do is make a meal and clean up a mess! I mean, sure you will have to deal with the empty cans but I can totally handle that!

Ree Drummond always pulls together the easiest meals that are bursting with flavor! And this is one soup that does not disappoint! Ree knows that having a family dinner together is important and being able to take the frazzled mess out of meal planning is a huge benefit.

I love that this recipe can be made while you are out and about, but in a pinch, you can always make this on the stove top in a Dutch oven and let it simmer for a while. Since this recipe makes 12 servings you can count on having leftovers to take for lunch, or enjoy another meal!

This is what Ree says about her recipe.

“It’s my favorite kind of slow cooker recipe in that it requires no pre-cooking or sauteing or browning. You literally throw everything in, turn it on, then go live your life until it’s done.”

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Quick Tip: Make some cheese quesadillas to serve with this soup.

Image and recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond at The Pioneer Woman

The post One Taste and My Mother-In-Law Asked for the Recipe appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

Better than anything you can get in a can

The other day I made a big Dutch Oven full of chili beans and a batch of cornbread muffins. I was afraid I had made too much since there are only three of us at home now. I figured whatever we didn’t eat for dinner and take for lunch I could always freeze. But, it was such a hit that we ended up eating it until it was gone. I have to say, I did end up putting in an extra can of pinto beans because I love having the two kinds.

When I picked up my son Jack from football practice I had a small mason jar of chili, a cornbread muffin, and a spoon. All he had to do was unscrew the lid for a hot meal that he could just enjoy after a long day.

I know when my teenager tells me that the meal was really good, I hit on a winner and this recipe really hit the spot. For our next Football night I am already planning to make another batch of this hearty classic.

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Quick Tip: Want to swap out ground chicken or turkey for beef? Go right ahead!

Image and recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

The post Super Easy and Incredible Tasting appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

Need to Bring a Stellar Side Dish To The Next Potluck? This Is One That Is Sure To Impress!

Is it just me or is trying to come up with creative ways for my family to add more vegetables a chore. Seriously, I have grilled zucchini, sautéed carrots, and steamed broccoli, but this recipe takes creativity to a whole new level.

The think I love about buying a cauliflower is that they really last a long time in the fridge. Even after they are cut up they are super hearty. You can eat them raw with a dip, or even riced as the base of a dish. Talk about functional!  I love that this dish is actually more along the line of a loaded baked potato. All the familiar flavors of your favorite stuffed spud are in this cheesy casserole that is low in carbs and high in flavor.

The other day I say that the store I was shopping at started carrying multi colored cauliflower. There are shades of green and purples. Talk about a color splash. I think that it exactly the kind of thing kids would love trying. And adding bacon to the top is just flat out brilliant. I know my kids will eat just about anything that has bacon on it and chances are so will your family. So roll up your sleeves, pick up some of this versatile yet understated veggie and make something memorable.

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Quick Tip: This recipe makes quite a big dish, so for a smaller crowd, just cut the ingredients in half!

Image and recipe courtesy of Food Network.com

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If You Grew Up Eating Campbell’s Mmm-mm-Good Soup, You Will Love This

I was perusing the soup isle at the grocery store the other day because I needed a can of cream of chicken soup. When my eyes landed on the Bean and Bacon soup I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I loved eating Bean and Bacon soup when I was a kid, it was so creamy and satisfying. I almost picked up a can but when I saw how much it cost for what was sure to be one meal I hesitated. I knew I could make a whole pot of soup for my family and have enough for leftovers if I made it myself, and even though I grew up on the taste of the Campbell’s version I know that anything made fresh tastes so much better and is better for you.

Boy was I right. This soup is really easy to make and is so delicious that I am already looking forward to making it again. There is something about a bowl of this, cupped in your hands, that just warms you to the core. So while the commercial jingle says “Mmm..Mmm..Good.” I am now singing a new tune that states “Ahh Ahh Amazing!”

I love that this uses canned northern beans, but for you die hard Insta-Pot chefs, go ahead and start with dry beans and cook them up first. Talk about stretching your food budget dollars.

This is what Deborah of Taste and Tell has to say about this childhood favorite.

“Skip the can – Filled with veggies and chunks of bacon, it’s the soup that blows that soup of my childhood out of the water. Seriously – this bean and bacon soup was so good – there will be no more cans of soup in my future!”

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Quick Tip: This is seriously so good you might want to go ahead and make a double batch in your crock pot or Insta-Pot and freeze some for later.

Recipe and image courtesy of Deborah of Taste and Tell.

The post This Soup Was So Good I Ate the Leftovers For Breakfast! appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

Buttermilk Biscuits to Warm Up you in the Morning

When I saw that Julia, Julia was coming out I could not wait. I absolutely love Nora Ephron and was excited to see how she blended the two stories together. I was not disappointed. As much as I love Nora Ephron who produced such classics like the movie  You’ve Got Mail, I absolutely adore Julia Childs. If you haven’t read My Life In France that Julia wrote with her nephew, run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore of library and get it.  The book really captured all the things that people love about that great American legend.

Did you know Julia didn’t know how to cook at all when she was first engaged to be married to the love of her life, Paul Childs? She took classes so she would be able to tackle basic homemaking skills. It wasn’t until she became bored with learning how to make hats and play bridge during their time in France that Julia decided to take a culinary class, because the one thing she knew she had a passion for was eating! After enrolling in the class for housewives she decided she need more of a challenge and moved to the next level. I love that about her. She was willing to roll up her sleeves and learn something new. She never gave up. She was passionate and persistent in all that she did and she never forgot the basics. Like this simple recipe for biscuits.

This is what Susie said about the recipe she submitted to the Food Network.

“This is one of the first recipes I made by Julia Child and I still use it often. I like using these for a brunch or stuffed with ham & cheese for breakfast on the go.”

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Quick Tip: These are perfect for egg breakfast sandwiches, but you can add a little fresh parmesan cheese and serve with potato soup!

Recipe and courtesy of Food.com

The post Savory Chive Buttermilk Biscuits: Breakfast Recipe appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

Want To Make Something For Dinner In Less Than 30 Minutes.. Set Your Timer!

Don’t you love it when you make something that takes a long time and people comment on how amazing it is? Well, what about when people rave about something you served or brought to a potluck and it is so simple you are almost embarrassed to tell people your recipe.

That is exactly what makes this recipe so great. It tastes great and is so simple you won’t believe it. Why? It starts off with things you can pick up at the store and might even already have on hand in your fridge or pantry. I remember when my husband invited someone over for dinner and I didn’t have very much notice. I panicked! What should I fix? I knew I didn’t have a ton of time and I really didn’t want to make a huge mess. I wish I had this recipe back then. It would have been perfect! I guess the only thing I would add to it is to mix in some crumbled bacon, but that is just my opinion!

And being able to start with a rotisserie chicken? Hello! That is just genius. In fact, I am going to go ahead and pick up a rotisserie chicken next time I am at Costco and cut it up, measure 3 cups into a freezer bag and save until I want to make this.

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Quick Tip: This impressive dinner bake is easy and delicious. Serve with a side salad and steamed vegetables.

Recipe and image courtesy of Pillsbury.com

The post These Chicken Roll Ups Are So Good People Will Want Your Recipe appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

The Taste Of a Classic, Only In A Soup

I love making and eating soups. I think that on a brisk day nothing beats a big bowl with some fresh breadstick to just warm you up from the inside out. We lived in MN for nine years and believe me, there were lots and lots of soup days.

When we moved back to Northern California we lived in the Sierra Mountains. It was a wonderful feeling to have a big pot of soup or stew on the stove when snowflakes started to fall.  The perfect meal after a day of sledding or shoveling the walkway!

Then we made the move to San Diego area. I have to admit I miss the seasons. Not only is it hard to think of fall or winter when you are still wearing flip flops and short sleeves, we don’t eat soup very often. At least not as often as I would like, but thankfully I hear temperatures are going to be dropping soon. We might even have a few mornings where you will be able to see your breath when you walk outside. If there is a dusting of frost, well down in SoCal they refer to that as a weather event.

This is what Jen of Yummy Healthy Easy has to say about her recipe.

“If you’re like me and struggling to find new meals to make during the week, you MUST try this lasagna soup! My boys absolutely loved it and it’s now a new soup on the menu rotation.”

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Quick Tip: You can substitute chicken sausage for ground beef if you prefer. I LOVE a chicken sausage I just tried with basil. Yummo. It would be great in this and good for those watching their calories as well.

Recipe and Image courtesy of Jen and Yummy Healthy Easy

The post Take The Chill Off With A Bowl Of This Hearty Dish appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.

Any Fresher And I would Have To Slap My Dish

I was so excited when my aunt and uncle said they were going to be driving past our house in a few hours and wanted to stop in and say “Hi”. . I knew they would be so happy to see everyone that they really wouldn’t mind hat we had for dinner, but I wanted our meal to be special and memorable.

The only problem is that I didn’t have time to go out to get special groceries and tidy up the house, so I looked through our pantry and refrigerator, knowing that I should be able to find something.

I had a package of chicken I could toss on the grill, frozen dough for French bread, and the ingredients to this super yummy salad. I also added in sliced olives, peas, and diced bell pepper. The salad went together so quickly that I had time to get everything cleaned up before I saw them turn into the driveway. No mess, meant having more time to spend together so it was a super win. John manned the grill and was able to get those started right away.  And the salad? My aunt said it was the best she had ever eaten and wanted the recipe before they left.

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Quick tip: Don’t have Rotini? Use whatever pasta you have on hand and if you want to try a gluten free version that is totally great!

Recipe and Image courtesy of Rebekah at The Kitchen Gidget.

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If You Love Tomato Soup, You Are Going To Flip Out When You Taste This

I never knew how much I loved tomato soup until several years ago. My mom used to use the canned soup in recipes but she never made it to serve as a soup. I hadn’t really tried it until I was an adult. I just remember the first time I tried it at my favorite restaurant. It was the Soup of The Day so I figured it couldn’t hurt. But, after only one spoonful I knew I loved it. Seriously! On a chilly day there is nothing like that creamy soup that just warms you up from the inside out. I love adding in a few spoonfuls of my favorite salsa to heat things up a bit more and a small dollop of sour cream on the top to stir in.

I guess I had never thought to make this from scratch, which is hilarious since I make everything from scratch, including marshmallows!  Ree Drummond takes this recipe up a notch by making adorable croutons to float on top. They remind me of a smaller version of what I make for French Onion Soup.  Ree goes the extra mile in so many of the things she does. I hope one day I will have the opportunity to visit her Mercantile Store, because if it is anything like she is I am sure it is down home, practical and very personable.

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Quick Tip: If you are having a huge crop of tomatoes and are not sure what to do with them, consider lightly rubbing with oil, cutting them in half and placing them cut upside side down on a baking tray to place under broiler until blistered. It is a great roasted tomato taste.

Recipe and Image courtesy of Ree Drummond and Food Network

The post This Easy TO Create Recipe Takes Just Like The Soup At My Favorite Restaurant appeared first on Urban Retro Recipes.