Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I’m in Chicago today. I’m excited to be on WGN-TV later this morning cooking up recipes for a super fun and delicious Super Bowl! I’m still not sure which team I’ll be cheering for but I am ready for my Super Bowl spread. If you are looking for some fun new ideas check out my blog post Throw The Ultimate Super Bowl Bash. In our house it will just be a few of us and Arlo the dog watching, but my plan is to still make it fun, delicious and easy breezy!

There are some MUST HAVES for a good game day party. Let’s start with dips and munchies. My Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is a total winner! It’s all the flavors of wings, but so much easier. Just throw it all together in your slow cooker for a few hours and it’s done. Serve it with lots of fresh veggies and chips for dipping. Makes big batch but like most of my recipes you can easily cut it in half.

If you are doing wings, instead of frying them, try it my way and make my Baked Buffalo Wings. So good! Healthier too! I make super good sweet and savory baked Chinese Chicken Wings too. My kids gobble these up.

Don’t buy the dip. It’s so easy to make your own and tastes so much better too. Pick up a wedge of bleu cheese and I bet you have everthing else to make my Best Bleu Cheese Dressing. It’s nice and thick for dipping wings and veggies. Any extra is delicious on salads! Click Appetizers for more delicious dips and nibble recipes.

My Chili Mac is perfect for game day! You can make it even healthier by using ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef. You can also make it ahead and keep it warm and cozy in your slow cooker. I serve it with all of our favorite chili fixin’s. Just set it all up on your kitchen island or counter. Then everybody can top their bowl with what they like. Click Soups for more of my chili, soup, and stew recipes.

A big messy sandwich is also a game day must! My hot Italian Beef Sandwiches are my FAVE! The au jus for dipping is so yummy! Super quick too. Just throw it all in your slow cooker early Sunday morning and it will be all ready by kickoff. I might even make it Saturday and then just warm it up Sunday!

Sliders are also super fun for game day. They're great because you can eat more than one! My Ham and Cheese Sliders are always a HUGE hit. I make killer Cheeseburger Sliders too! Click Sandwiches and Slow Cooker for more of my best hot recipes.

On the side, we love my Loaded Baked Potato Salad and my Ranch Deviled Eggs. Now that’s a party! Click Salads, Sides and Appetizers for lots more recipe ideas.

Don’t forget dessert! My Football Brownies will look so cute on your game day buffet. How adorable are these? Now all we need is a good game, reat commercials and a seriously good half time show!

Click Desserts for more delicious dessert recipes. Speaking of desserts, Valentine’s Day is coming up! In the newsletter next week I’ll share some of my tantalizing recipes for date night and a sweet Valentine’s Day at home!

Join The Cooking Mom in Ireland in April 2022! Just a Couple Rooms Left!

I’m so excited to be hosting amazing vacations! Let’s meet new friends and travel together on these trips of a lifetime. Click to read Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom to find out what makes my trips so unique. Have you always dreamed of going to Ireland? It’s still not too late to join in the fun this spring! We just have a couple rooms left. We’ll fly direct from Chicago to Dublin. Hurry if you want to get in on this trip as time is running out. We’ll see and 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!

Make It the Best Summer EVER! Join The Cooking Mom on Mackinac Island in June 2022!

Last summer I hosted a group 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! No cars. Gorgeous Victorian homes and Inn. It’s like you’ve stepped back ion time! 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.

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!

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

Have you ever dreamed of going on a river cruise? It’s the ULTIMATE way to see Europe! 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. 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 intriguing 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 just got back from the most wonderful culinary trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. From taco tours to cooking classes and whale watching. It was incredible! Let me know if you want to go with me next January. 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! My TV spot on WGN in Chicago is coming up at 10am CST. Next week, I’ll be cooking up more Super Bowl recipes on TV in Milwaukee, San Antonio, and Nashville! If you live in those cities I hope you'll watch! You can always see what I'm up to on Facebook and Instagram. Check out my videos on YouTube, too.

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

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom