Provolone cheese has a distinctively smoky aroma and flavor.  I like it on any sandwich where I use rye bread and ham.  It’s one cheese that can stand up against other strong flavors.  Even if you add a thin slice of onion to your sandwich, you’ll still taste the Provolone!

What I’m wondering about is if Provolone cheese is a cheese that you’d want to use in casseroles.  I use a lot of Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese, but haven’t tried Provolone cheese in my casseroles as yet.  One recipe my daughter made quite a bit when she lived in Oregon, was Grilled Portebello Mushroom Burgers, served on a nice bun like a burger with all the trimmings.  Her cheese of choice was Provolone because of the smoky aroma, which mimics the smell of a burger on the grill.  Clever!  I’ve also talked to some friends who prefer Provolone over Swiss cheese on Reuben Sandwiches, because of the smoky flavor and how it stands up to the corned beef and sauerkraut in the Reuben. 

What do you think?  Is there a whole new world of Provolone cheese to explore?  What am I missing?

October is “National Popcorn Poppin’ Month” and The Popcorn Board would like us to learn more about popcorn.  Did you know that popcorn is a whole-grain food?  Popcorn has not been milled into oblivion, so it contains the entire grain, kernel and all.  Did you also know that popcorn is low in fat and calories?  That is why health and weight conscious people are snacking on popcorn.  Of course, if you are on a strict diet, you’ll want to enjoy popcorn in its most delicious, natural state… limiting the butter and seasonings. 

But, when you and your family want a special treat, The Popcorn Board has recipes galore for every popcorn fan and fanatic.  One of the recipes that I love for Halloween will probably put you off your diet, but it will be worth it just this once.  This treat includes peanut butter, so it’s not without added nutritional benefits.   Be sure to make double batches… the kids (and adults) will be begging for more long after Halloween!

POPCORN CANDY-CORN STACKS
7 ounces marshmallow cream
1/2 cup peanut butter
8 cups popped popcorn
1 cup candy corn

Put marshmallow cream and peanut butter in large bowl and mix until smooth.
Stir in popcorn and candy corn and mix until everything is coated evenly.
Drop spoonfuls of mixture on wax paper or non-stick cookie sheet.
Allow to cool and store in airtight container.

There are more popcorn recipes like this one, along with some main dish recipes, on The Popcorn Board’s website at popcorn.org. It makes sense to include popcorn in your diet when you consider not only how nutritious popcorn is, but how inexpensive popcorn is, too.  Do you have any favorite recipes using popcorn, or any stories of how popcorn has become a part of your life?

When we enter the months of hurricane season, we make sure our cupboards are stocked with non-perishable supplies of all sorts.  Unfortunately, my husband’s idea of a hurricane survival-kit is a case of Vienna Sausages.  As interesting as I find that concept, it isn’t something that I can really wrap my head around.  The thought of eating those little sausages for countless days while we wait for the power to come back on is a little unnerving, to say the least.  But, now that I have numerous cans of Vienna Sausages in my cupboard, I’m thinking I will need a way to cook and eat them.

I’ve seen a few recipes for appetizers using Vienna Sausages, or other types of little sausages, but I’m wondering if there isn’t some kind of recipe that is more of a main dish.  I’m having trouble picturing such a meal, but I hope you good folks will be so kind as to share any recipe you might have  for using this unique sausage product.  Thank you!

Goldfish are a snack staple around here. They are not quite as bad as some other snack options and make quite the portable food item as well. Most importantly, my daughter will actually gobble them up even if she is having one of those picky eater days were she refuses to eat almost anything else.

I usually serve them either by themselves or with some cut up fruit and chicken and the likes to turn them into a more filling meal. Any thoughts on what else I can make with goldfish crackers to keep things interesting and create more snack and meal options?

P.S. I just edited the title from “What Can I Make with Goldfish” to “What Can I Make With Goldfish Crackers”. After  posted it I realized that it could be misread …. Let me assure you, I have no intention of cooking up “Goldie” the goldfish swimming in a big glass bowl.

We had the most wonderful romantic dinner last night. We went to a thai restaurant and the food was absolutely delicious ( the leftovers are waiting for me in the fridge), and I loved the way the cook incorporated peanuts into the dish.

That made me wonder if there are any dishes I could make at home that have peanuts in them. We almost always have some of them in the pantry, so I might as well use them to spice up our dinner routine.

Do you have a recipe you’d care to share?

I’ll start… this is a recipe I’m planning on making later this week. Doesn’t it sound delicious?

Asian Lettuce Wraps

* 2 teaspoons peanut oil
* 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
* 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 2-inch strips
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic
* 1 teaspoon grated peeled ginger
* 1/4 cup chicken broth
* 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
* 2 tablespoons mango chutney
* 18 large Bibb lettuce leaves, cleaned and dried
* 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 2-inch thin matchsticks
* 1 cup snow peas, trimmed and cut into 2-inch thin matchsticks
* 4 green onions, trimmed and cut lengthwise into 2-inch thin matchsticks
* 3/4 cup honey roasted Georgia peanuts, roughly chopped

Directions: Heat oils in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and saute 1 minute more or until chicken is no longer pink. Lower heat and add chicken broth, peanut butter and chutney; stir until smooth and heated through about 3 minutes. To assemble, lay the lettuce leaves on work surface; then place equal amounts of the bell pepper, snow peas and green onion matchsticks in the center. Next spoon the chicken mixture on top then sprinkle with peanuts. Roll each lettuce leaf up and serve 3 onto each of 6 plates.

We’ve always loved popcorn and usually have a few bags of microwavable ones sitting in the pantry. There’s just nothing better than watching a movie together as a family while sharing a bowl of popcorn. But as much as I love it, I’d like a little more variety than plain popcorn and the buttered version.

Do you have any ideas on what to make with popcorn, or how to give it different flavors like some of the gourmet popcorn available? I also love caramel corn. I get a big tin of it for Christmas every year, but would love to make it in small batches throughout the year.

If you have any popcorn recipes or ideas, please share them as a comment below.