Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. We sure have! I’m waking up in gorgeous Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There are about 20 of us here on one of my group culinary vacations. What a fun bunch! The weather has been perfect. Our small boutique beach front resort is over the top amazing, and then there’s the food!

From street tacos to ceviche and so much more! We wake up to cooked-to-order breakfast almost too beautiful to eat. And yes, the cocktails have been mighty tasty, too - cucumber, jalapeño and even hibiscus margaritas! Yesterday our group went whale watching. I've never seen so many whales! Just incredible! Today we’re headed to a farmers market to shop, and then we’ll use the ingredients in an authentic Mexican Cooking class. I’ll post pictures on Instagram. Also, join me LIVE this afternoon at 6:15 pm CST on Facebook! Just follow me and watch on LIVE Facebook. Tonight there’s a fiesta at our resort with live music! I’ll give you a behind the scenes peak! Our resort is very small and they have lots of protocols in place. They are doing a great job of keeping us safe!

If you missed out on this trip, don’t worry I’m planning more! Click to read Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom to read all about what makes my group trips so unique from the rest. Join me on the next one in Ireland this spring! I’m also planning new trips for 2023. We’ve had such a great trip we may even come back here next January. Email me at info@thecookingmom.com to let me know if you’re interested in going to Mexico or on another warm weather beach vacation next winter.

Tomorrow night we’re having a special Italian dinner at our resort, but after that we’re all excited to watch the big game. My Green Bay Packers are playing the San Francisco 49ers. It’s gonna be a great game! We’ll all be watching!

If you’re going to be watching at home, I've got some great crowd-pleasing game day recipes. It’s not a good game day party without a few good dips. This time of year I want something ooey, gooey, and warm. If you like pizza, you’ll love my Pepperoni Pizza Dip! It’s super easy and you can make it today. Then just bake it right before kickoff. I serve it with crusty bread or crisp crostini for dipping. So yummy!

Another family favorite is nachos. I make The Ultimate Nachos! I just brown the ground beef, and make the cheese sauce and throw it in my slow cooker to keep warm. Why not set up a nacho bar? Set out a slow cooker full of sauce with your favorite nacho toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, and jalapeño peppers. Then, let everybody ladle that creamy, cheesy, beefy goodness over tortilla chips, and they can pile on their favorite toppings. Total yum! Click Appetizers for more of my favorite game day munchie and appetizer recipes.

A big messy sandwich is also a game day must. My hot French Dip Sandwiches with au jus for dipping are a game day favorite. Super easy breezy too! On the side, make my Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad and my Southern Style Mac ’n Cheese. Now, that’s a party! Click Sandwiches, Salads and Sides for lots more recipe ideas.

For dessert, if you’re a Packers fan, how cute is my no bake Green and Gold Trifle? You can use food color gels to make the trifle in your team's colors too!

Or have the kids help make and decorate a Football Field Cake. How adorable is this? What fun! Now all we need is a good game. GO PACK GO! Click Desserts for more delicious dessert recipes.

Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022!

I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime. Have you always dreamed of going to Ireland? I have! Let’s experience it together. We just got AMAZING airfare for this trip. We’ll fly direct from Chicago to Dublin. Hurry if you want to get in on this trip as time is running out. We just have a few rooms left. From Irish cooking classes, to scone baking, Irish cheese, and Jameson whiskey tasting, we’ll do it all. We’ll even stay in two real castles! Click Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland to read more. Don't wait! If you are interested, call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com to make your reservation!

JUST ONE ROOM LEFT! Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany in September 2022!

If you are interested in joining me in Italy in fall 2022, now is your chance! This trip is going to be over the top amazing! From wine tastings, to truffle hunting, pasta making and finding the ultimate gelato. We’ll do it all! Plus, we’ll stay in a gorgeous Italian Villa resort! Read Join The Cooking Mom in Tuscany for details. The remaining room can accommodate 2 people. If you are interested call Brittany TODAY at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880 or email her at brittany@bonvoyagebt.com to make your reservation!

Mackinac Island for Lilac Fest in June 2022!

Back in June 2021, I hosted a trip to one of my favorite places, beautiful Mackinac Island, Michigan. It was amazing! I LOVE this island. Have you ever been? If not you need to go! There’s no place like it! Join me this summer because I’m going back. We are staying at my favorite resort on the island. It’s fabulous! We’ve even added an extra night so there will be more time on this trip to sightsee, shop or just relax! This trip is already filling up. We can only take a limited number of people. Click Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island to get all the details. We’ll be there in June during lilac season. It’s absolutely gorgeous that time of year! I hope you’ll join me.

Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023!

Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. It’s the ULTIMATE way to see France! In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers. It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates, pricing and tantalizing details. This trip is going to be so wonderful! Join me! Plus, there are special discounts if you book now. Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel 920-725-2880.

Future Trips!

I'm starting to plan now for more culinary vacations in 2023 and 2024! I want to know where you want to go. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at info@thecookingmom.com!

Gotta run! We’re off to a Puerto Vallarta farmers market and cooking class. I promise to share loads of pictures from my trip to Mexico so follow me on Instagram. Don’t forget to join me LIVE later today at 6:15 pm CST on Facebook. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

Have a great weekend! Stay warm and healthy and cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom