Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! We made it! With the election, I know it’s been a stressful week. When I get stressed I get cooking. I’ve been working on a bunch of brand new fun recipes for the holidays.

I can’t believe it’s November already. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it! Now is a great time to start planing your holiday menu. I always love to add a few new dishes that will really WOW everybody! This year I’ve got the perfect new dish! It’s super easy and you can get a lot of it done ahead. LOVE THAT! Click Spice Up The Holidays with Bacon Wrapped Green Beans to see more pictures and get step by step directions in my latest blog post. These beans go great with whatever you are serving this Thanksgiving. I guarantee this dish will be a WINNER!

It’s been an absolutely gorgeous week here in Wisconsin! It may be November but it feels like summer here. I’m lovin’ it! We decided to fire up the grill. We may do a little surf and turf this weekend. Why not? I think it’s so important to make weekends feel a little special! For us that means getting outside for some exercise and planning fun date nights in. I’m a steak lover! My Ginger Soy Flank Steak is my FAVE! Easy on the wallet too! I use the leftovers in lettuce wraps or on top of salads.

You know what they say, everything is better with bacon. I agree! Fire up the barbie and treat the family to my Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. These babies are so YUMMY! Great on the side with steak, as a main course or as appetizers too!

When I grill steak, I gotta have potatoes! Why not make them a little fancy? My Fancy Baked Potatoes are super fun and so good! Click Dinner, Sides and Appetizers for more delicious recipes.

I start almost every dinner with a big beautiful salad. I change them up for the seasons. Got apples? Use them in my Apple Gorgonzola Salad. The super easy homemade apple cider and mustard dressing makes this salad really special! Click Salads and Soups, Chilis and Stews for other recipes your family will love.

No matter what the weather, my slow cooker always gets a workout. Even for breakfast! Have you ever made oatmeal in your slow cooker? My Slow Cooker Apple Oatmeal is AMAZING! Just throw it all together before you go to bed and in the morning breakfast is done. Not to mention your house smells so good. LOVE THAT! Oh yeah, and you can heat up the leftovers in the microwave for easy breakfasts during the week. Click Breakfast and Brunch for recipes to start the day out right.

For dessert, got leftover Halloween candy? We always seem to have it. Use it to make my Snickers Dip. I serve it with crunchy apples, graham crackers and pretzels for dipping. It’s the ultimate no-bake dessert. Everybody will go nuts over it!

Another great way to use up that candy is make my Fall Snack Mix. Just pop some popcorn, throw in some pretzels, candy corn, Reese's Pieces, and some dried cranberries and almonds if you like. Put it in a large bowl and watch it disappear. Perfect for movie night or the big game. Click Desserts and Appetizers for more of my recipes.

Join Me Next Summer for a Culinary Trip to Mackinac Island!

Have you heard I’m hosting culinary vacations? I’m super excited for my next trip in June 2021 to gorgeous Mackinac Island, Michigan. We’ll catch the ferry over to the Island and then check into the absolute best hotel! The Mission Point Resort was even voted one of the best hotels in the Midwest! We’ll spend 3 nights. We’ll have plenty of time to experience it all. We can take a carriage ride around the island, rent bikes, and take a sunset cocktail cruise. We’ll learn how to make Mackinac Island fudge at one of the island's best fudge shops. If you like wine, you’ll want to enjoy a 5-course gourmet wine dinner! We’ll be there when the lilacs are in full bloom, too! It’s going to be magical! The trip is already booking up! Click on Join The Cooking Mom on a Trip to Mackinac Island to read my blog post with details, pictures and pricing for the trip.

In September 2021, if it’s safe to travel I’m planning another big trip! Have you always wanted to go on a river cruise through Europe? It’s been on my bucket list! We’ll take a trip to Germany for Oktoberfest and a top-of-the-line river cruise through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! In 2022, I’m working on trips to Ireland, Italy and more! To find out more about my other upcoming trips, click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom. I’d also love to hear where you’d like to go, so email me at info@thecookingmom.com!

Order My Cookbooks for The Holidays!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Order one for yourself and they make great gifts too! Both cookbooks are filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. They're available on Amazon. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

This weekend we have no major plans but to get out and enjoy this unseasonably nice weather. That means Arlo, our black lab, is going to get treated to some nice long walks. I promise to post pictures.

You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Check out my videos on YouTube, too. Follow me!

I hope you all have wonderful weekend. Stay safe and as I always say cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom