Cucumber Bites

Cucumber Bites- A crunchy cucumber slice on top of  a dollop of flavorful Italian cream cheese and a cocktail size slice of rye bread. Great anytime!

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These bites are perfect for your next party or simply lunch at home!  Quick to make and really flavorful. 

Ingredients Needed

• Cucumber
• Cream cheese
• Dry Italian dressing mix
• Cocktail rye bread

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Do I Have to Use Cucumbers?

• Really, you don't.  Slice up your favorite cold veggie and top these off with it.  Sometimes, I make these and just eat them with just the seasoned cream cheese.  Still yummy ;) 
• When it comes to your cucumbers...slice them thick, slice them thin.  Whatever makes you happy. 

Cream Cheese

• I like to use a whipped cream cheese for recipes like this.  However you can go with your preferred type. You can also use a low fat/fat free version, if desired.
• You can make the cream cheese mixture the day (s) before you want to serve it, if you wish. 

Where Do I Find Cocktail Rye Bread?

In my experience, it is easier to find cocktail breads in the fancier cheese section in the produce section of the grocery store. However, some stores have them in their regular bread section.  If you are unsure, be sure to ask someone or you can purchase online. 

Italian Dressing Mix

You only need 1-envelope ( approx. .7 oz in size).  Do not make the dressing! You only need the dry mix.

Storage

• Keep any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. 
• If you already made your bites, I do recommend eating them the day of making or the next. The sliced cucumber may get a little soft sitting on that cream cheese/bread for an extended amount of time.  
• The bread and cream cheese mix can be store in the fridge for up to a week

sharing at weekend potluck

Cucumber Bites

Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)

Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)- A hearty salad filled with lettuce, tomatoes, cooked chicken, bacon, pasta and blue cheese. It's all topped off with a perfect sweet Italian dressing. Just like the classic Portillo's restaurant version! 

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This salad brings me back to the time my sister and I worked close together. We would head to Portillo's and eat way too much food. This salad included. 

Portillo's= A Chicagoland based restaurant that serves burgers, hot dogs, fries and more. It's been around forever and is soooo good. 

Ingredients Needed

• Romaine lettuce
• Bacon
• Chicken
• Bleu cheese
• Tomatoes
• Ditalini pasta
• Sweet Italian Dressing

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Ok, so, I am not giving you exact measurements for this recipe, with the exception of the dressing. Because, it's a salad. You can put as little or as much of the ingredients into your salad as you wish. The dressing recipe below will make you about 1.5 cups of dressing. 

Guide to Make Salad for a Group (4-6 servings)

• Lettuce: 2-3 cups, chopped
• Pasta:  1 cup, cooked
• Tomatoes: 1 cup, chopped
• Cheese: 1/2 cup
• Bacon:  2-3 slices, cooked and chopped
• Chicken: 1-2 cups, cooked and chopped

Storage

• Keep any leftover dressing in a covered container in the refrigerator after using. It's best used within a week or so.
• I don't recommend keeping a prepared salad longer than a day in your refrigerator. However, you can keep the ingredients in your refrigerator for a longer time period. Simply mix yourself up a batch whenever you wish! 

Dressing Shortcut

I do recommend the below dressing recipe for this salad.  However, I know that not everyone wants to make your own dressing.  If you wish to skip that step, you can use Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing or use the Aldi version. 

shared at weekend potluck

Chicken Chopped Salad (Portillo's Copycat)

Double Baked Potatoes

Double Baked Potatoes- Creamy potatoes baked up in a crunchy skin.  A perfectly dreamy side dish for the holiday season! 

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These were a holiday staple in our house growing up.  They take a bit of time, but, are sooo worth it!

Ingredients Needed

• Russet potatoes
• Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Butter

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Recipe Notes:

• Sour Cream: If desired you can use Plain Greek yogurt as a substitute.
• Cheddar Cheese: Not a fan?  Use your favorite flavor of cheese instead. A easy melting variety will work best.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within a week.
• Freezing? Yes! Prepare the potatoes and fill them. Do not bake them a second time!  Store them in a freezer safe, covered storage bag or container.  When you are ready, remove them from storage and let them come to room temperature.  Bake as noted in recipe.
• Topping Ideas:  Cooked bacon bits, green onions, additional sour cream, or additional cheddar cheese.

Do I Have to Bake the Potatoes in The Oven?

Honestly, no. If you want to cut back your time, pop them in the air fryer or microwave them for a bit before baking them in the oven.  You do want a crispy potato skin, so, avoid cooking them completely in the microwave. 

linking up and weekend potluck

Double Baked Potatoes

Simple Herb Stuffing

 Simple Herb Stuffing- Buttery stuffing baked up with a few simple herbs. A perfect side dish for whatever you are serving. 

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With Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to share this recipe.  We are kinda unique in our house, we eat stuffing quite a bit, not just for holidays.  My youngest is a huge fan.

This is a simple stuffing that can be made for a small group or a large gathering. Easy and so buttery good!

Ingredients Needed

• Stuffing cubes, herb seasoned 
• Butter
• Chicken broth
• Dried spices: Minced onion, garlic powder, sage, salt and pepper

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Stuffing Cubes

If you don't wish to use stuffing cubes or can't find them, you can also use a classic stuffing mix. I do recommend using a herb seasoned variety. 

Dried Herbs

We are pretty basic when it comes to our herbs.  However, feel free to increase/decrease the amounts as you wish.  A few additional herbs you could try are rosemary, parsley or celery salt.

Can I Add Anything to This Stuffing?

This stuffing is a really basic recipe and can be used as a jumping off point to make it your own. You can add in cooked sausage, chopped celery, dried cranberries or roasted nuts...whatever suits your fancy!

linking up and weekend potluck

Simple Herb Stuffing