This rebooted Slow Cooker Buffalo Pulled Chicken Sandwich delivers bigger flavor and better texture than the original. The chicken gets a full packet of ranch seasoning plus an extra hour of slow-cooking with butter for maximum tenderness. The homemade Creole Blue Cheese Ranch Coleslaw adds creamy tang, a touch of heat, and savory blue cheese to balance the buffalo kick. Serve it with duck-fat air-fried skinny fries for the ultimate comfort-food upgrade.
The Left Hand Cocktail
🥃 Meet the Left Hand — a modern classic that drinks like the lovechild of a Manhattan and a Negroni. Bold bourbon, bitter Campari, sweet vermouth, and a hint of chocolate bitters = rich, complex, unforgettable.
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon with Smashed Garlic Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus and an Arugula Chimichurri
This Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon is the perfect cozy winter meal, rich, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly easy to prepare. Served with creamy smashed garlic potatoes, roasted asparagus, and a bright arugula chimichurri, it brings together comfort food warmth with fresh, vibrant accents. Ideal for chilly nights when you want something hearty, comforting, and impressive without the extra work.
The French Martini (with a twist)
A modern take on the classic French Martini, vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice shaken to frothy perfection. A dash of orange bitters adds balance and complexity to this fruity, elegant cocktail.
Pad See Ew – Thai Stir Fried Noodles
Craving Thai takeout at home? Pad See Ew is a classic street food favorite from Thailand, made with wide rice noodles, savory soy sauce, and just the right balance of protein and veggies. This recipe was inspired by my go-to lunch spot, Thai Garden and it hits all the same comforting notes ,chewy noodles, smoky caramelized sauce, and quick weeknight ease.
Blue Ridge Manhattan Cocktail (Blueberry & Black Pepper)
This cocktail balances the richness of barrel-proof bourbon with the tart brightness of fresh blueberries and a subtle kick of black peppercorn syrup. Bitters tie it all together, creating a drink that is both familiar and refreshingly original, a true taste of the Blue Ridge.
A Summer Twist on Cassoulet
This Weeknight Summer Cassoulet takes inspiration from a date night at Passerelle Bistro in Greenville, SC. By swapping duck confit for pulled pork or rotisserie chicken and adding peak-season vegetables, it’s a lighter, fresher spin on the French classic, easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough to impress.
Fiore e Pepe (Copycat Cocktail from Appalachia Restaurant in Lake Lure, NC)
A bright and cheeky cocktail inspired by Appalachia in Lake Lure, NC. The Fiore e Pepe mixes vodka, elderflower, blueberries, and black pepper syrup for a floral, fruity, and lightly spicy sip that’s as elegant as it is fun.
Slow Cooker Adobo Pernil, Green Banana Mofongo with Chipotle Adobo and Coconut Broth
A Caribbean-inspired twist: slow-cooked lime-garlic pork pernil replaces shrimp in this mofongo bowl, layered with coconut broth and fresh herbs. Comforting, bold, and deeply satisfying.
The Rosemary’s Baby (a Smoked Rosemary Martini)
Rosemary’s Baby is my smoky twist on a Dirty Martini, named after the 1968 classic. Fresh rosemary, a kiss of smoke, and that savory martini vibe I can’t resist. Simple. Bold. Delicious.
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