I’m such a sucker for snacks, you have no idea. I love them so much that I tend to go all out on the snacks themselves, and end up getting so full that I don’t have any room for dinner after that. It happens to me all the time, and because of this, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting snack recipes. These Quick Bacon Cheddar and Jalapeño Soft Pretzels came about because I had to shoot these quick breadsticks for Genius Kitchen and after I made them, it hit me that that particular recipe would make unbelievable homemade soft pretzels. They’re so much easier to make than the traditional pretzels, with only 20 minutes rising time and no-boiling required. And although, the texture of course, isn’t the same as the classic soft pretzel, this recipe more than gets the job done. The best part is that they’re completely customizable and can get flavored many different ways.
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I fairly recently tried the magic that is Spam Musubi, which is mind boggling because I grew up loving (and hating) Spam all throughout my childhood. I live in Pasadena and right down the street from me is a small hole-in-the-wall place called Top Restaurant, that serves Thai and Indonesian food. It’s so good! Anyhow, I mention this because when we moved to Pasadena two years ago, we tried this place and I ordered Spam musubi for the first time and it was incredible. If you’re ever in Pasadena, which I highly recommend because it’s a great city in general, then you have to take a tript to Top Restaurant (on Colorado BLVD). It’s one of the best in the city. I highly recommend the 
I feel like dips are one of those universal appetizers that you can’t ever really say no to. Especially if cheese is involved, which most dips do require copious amounts of melted cheese. That’s what makes them so good! I’ve teamed up with my friends over at 
There’s no point in me saying it, because we already know, but the best part of any “game day” or watching of a sport just so happens to be the food. I’m trying to convince my husband to join a local softball league just so that I can go watch his games and bring the team snacks, and you’d better believe that they would be some great snacks at the games. If you’re gearing up to watch the upcoming super bowl, or just pretending to watch it so that you can enjoy the appetizers, perhaps you’d like to include this very Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Dip? Did I mention bacon is involved? It would be the best centerpiece to any tailgate, game day party, or family get together. Potlucks? They don’t even stand a chance. You’d knock out the competition. Your potlucks are competitive like mine are, right? Well, if they are, you’d win with this dish. Hands down. 
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I get the weirdest cravings sometimes and they always hit me at the oddest hours. Normally, it’s right before bed, just after I’ve brushed my teeth and I’m already tucked in. Which I think is just a cruel joke the universe likes to play on me. It’s not like it’s possible to satisfy such a craving so late at night. These yearnings are never sweet. They always end up being savory, cheesy, and fried and bread is always involved in some way, shape or form. The other night I had an intense craving for pizza, but not your every day normal pizza with sauce and what not. This was more of a heartier pizza…like fluffy bread topped with cheese and onions. The kind of onions that are so caramelized they’re like jam. Then out of nowhere I was like, wouldn’t it be awesome if the bread was made with beer?! How delicious would that be? Then I told myself to go to sleep because hello, it was like 11:30PM and I had to wake up early to work and take care of my nephew. The craving eventually went away, but we now have this Caramelized Onion Beer Focaccia to show for it. Apparently dreams do come true. 
With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, I figured we’d all be on the lookout for appetizer recipes that are just as simple as they are delicious. A no fuss no muss type of starter without all the frills and fancy ingredients that some over-the-top recipes have. These Buttermilk Chicken Fried Potatoes are made in the same way fried chicken or chicken fried steak is prepared, which just so happens to take potatoes to the next level. They remind me of my childhood because my sisters’ and I loved going to this pizza, fried chicken and potato place when we were young, and if you’re in SoCal, then you might know just the place I’m talking about. It reminds with Blakey’s and is quite delicious. This year, let’s forget about those fancy appetizers, and let’s go back to the simple comfort classics that we all know and love. I hope you give them a try and I hope you all have a safe and very fun New Year’s Eve!
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