A cheese ball is only as good as what you serve it with. Crackers are classic, but that’s really just the tip of the cheese ball. All that flavorful goodness that’s rolled up inside has the potential to be spread onto and dipped into countless tasty snacks. Here are 7 to inspire your next party.
Freshly baked cake coated with thick buttercream frosting is the dessert that comes to mind when most of us think about birthdays. It’s far from the only party-worthy dessert, though. When baking isn’t in the cards, these are the sweet treats that will make your celebration special.
We continue to profess our love for the cheese ball — it’s a party food that’s versatile, easy, and, most importantly, fun. But after the party is over, even if that cheese ball was a hit, remnants often remain. You could have a party for one the next day — just you and the last bits of that cheese ball — or you could use what’s left over to build something new, like a frittata or cheesy baked chicken. Here are five smart, tasty ways to finish your cheese ball.
For 30 days this month we’re exploring Whole30, the 30-day reset and refocus on whole foods. Whole30 isn’t a diet or a judgment of foods as “good and bad.” It’s actually a short-term reset that has helped many of our readers cook more and figure out the foods that make them feel their best. Read more about our coverage here.
Dinner on Whole30 really can be quite similar to dinner when you’re not following the program. How, you ask? We’ve got a few ideas.
Why not put protein at the center of the table? Round it out with some veggies and you’ve got a meal that’s geared to feed all the mouths at the table. If you’re looking for something a bit more comforting, we have a shepherd’s pie that’s creamy, carby, and 100 percent Whole30-approved. And, if all else fails, almost everyone can agree on a bowl of chicken soup.
Here are 15 great dinner recipes to try.
Have you ever wanted to go behind the scenes here at the Smitten Kitchen? Like, really behind the scenes, watching me cook, listening to me chatter about how the recipe came about and grimacing at my terrible knife skills? Phew, I was hoping you would say no because I’m excruciatingly awkward in person and also on camera and since we all agree, you can just come back in a day or two and we’ll proceed with a new recipe like we always do. Right?
Nope?
Well, if you’re still here, you might be the kind of person who likes today’s kind of crazy news which is that the Food Network has launched a Smitten Kitchen digital series and you can watch the first episode right here:
Here’s the direct link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/spaghetti-carbonara-pie-0260654.html
In this first episode, I am making a wildly inauthentic and only somewhat apologetic spaghetti carbonara pie in the style of this pecorino and black pepper springform-bound one. This one uses crispy pancetta, is heavier on the yolks, just like real carbonara, and then broccoli rabe too, not at all like the real stuff. It’s crunchy and rich and salty and cheesy and because it has greens in it, basically a salad. We inhaled it.
You can make it too; on the recipe is on the Food Network website.*
The brewing conditions of beer impact taste, so it goes without saying that beer brewed on the moon will, quite literally, be out of this world. And while a batch of beer has yet to be made on the moon, things could change if a group of engineering students from UC San Diego have their way.
As part of a competition, students from UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering have created a unique contraption: a vessel that will brew beer on the moon. The idea is to see how yeast acts on the moon — a valuable addition to understanding how to develop yeast-containing foods outside of Earth — but a delicious byproduct will be a batch of beer.
Bottoms up?
There are plenty of times in life when thinking big is best, but not when it comes to making cheese balls. This kitschy, retro appetizer is an exception to the bigger-is-better thinking. Whether you’re feeding the whole crew or just a couple people, here’s why tiny cheese balls make more sense.
I’ll be the first to admit that the Trader Joe’s cereal aisle is top-notch, but it only scratches the surface of what my favorite grocer delivers in the breakfast department. Whether you like to start the day with a meal that’s sweet or savory, hot or cold, or you have the time to cook in the morning or your routine requires an on-the-go solution, you’ll find something in the aisles that’s just right for you. To help you find breakfast inspiration, here are the 10 breakfast foods I always add to my cart at Trader Joe’s.
For 30 days this month we’re exploring Whole30, the 30-day reset and refocus on whole foods. Whole30 isn’t a diet or a judgment of foods as “good and bad.” It’s actually a short-term reset that has helped many of our readers cook more and figure out the foods that make them feel their best. Read more about our coverage here.
The slow cooker is a powerful tool, particularly this blustery time of year when, after a long day at work, all you really want to come home to is a warm, wintery braise or stew. Both dishes are Whole30-approved, along with so many other things that can be made in the appliance, like salmon and even chicken stock.
Here are 10 of our best slow-cooker recipes that fit the Whole30 bill.
