Cooking

Garlic Butter Mushroom Shrimp Pasta

June 4, 2025 •

This Quick and Easy Dinner is full of flavor and ready in 15 mins.


15 oz medium shrimp peeled, deveined and tails removed
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons butter
7 mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup chopped white onion 
3 cloves shopped garlic
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
8 oz spaghetti or pasta of your choice

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package instructions
While the pasta cooks, 
Take a medium pan and add the olive oil, butter and onion cook cook for about 3 minutes, until the butter is melted and the onions are soft
Add the shrimp into the pan and cook on medium heat until almost pink. 
 Remove only the shrimp from the pan, leave the buttery sauce in the pan. Set shrimp aside. 
Add mushrooms to the buttery sauce and cook until tender. You may need to add more butter at this point, I always do.
Add the shrimp back into the pan 
Add salt & pepper
Add stock
Pour the shrimp and mushroom mixture over the pasta and enjoy!

This is an amazingly easy dish and so quick.
Make it your own, add more butter, add more onions, just enjoy a good home cooked meal.

Cheers!
Dana






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Garlic Butter Mushroom Shrimp Pasta

June 4, 2025

Easy French Meringues

July 17, 2024 •

 For years, I have adored these cute French Meringues, but never thought I could make them.
 
They look so delicate!


I used this recipe from Preppy Kitchen and, they turned out perfect!

I colored mine pink

Tips for the perfect meringue

Eggs must be at room temperature-cold eggs tend to reduce merinque volume

Never let any yoke get into the whites

Don't over beat the eggs

And maybe the most important tip is to add the sugar slowly, very slowly!



Love, 
Dana



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Easy French Meringues

July 17, 2024

Simple Pasta Salad

July 10, 2024 •

I love pasta salad! 

The thing about making pasta salad is you can do your own thing.

 This is my version with all my favorites!


 

12 oz Tri Color Rotini Pasta

16 oz Italian Dressing

1/2 Red Onion Diced

1 Small Can Black Olives

1/2 Block of Sharp Cheese cubed

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 cup of Pepperoni


Love, 

Dana 

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Simple Pasta Salad

July 10, 2024

Homemade Pimento Cheese

March 15, 2023 •

Before we get to the good part, let me tell you a little about pimento cheese.



What is Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a very popular Southern spread made with shredded cheese, mayo, and pimentos. Here in the South we put it on crackers, use it on sandwiches, and we have also been know to fry into the worlds most delicious little balls as an appetizer. 

What is in Pimento Cheese?

Block Cheese-please for the love of it, don't cheap out and use pre shredded, trust me it ain't the same thing.

Mayo- here in the South we only use one kind, and you know it by heart, Duke's. But really I am sure you can use whatever you have on hand. 

Cream Cheese- this makes your pimento cheese spread like warm butter 

Pimentos-a tiny jar of pimentos, they are found in the grocery aisle with the pickles and relish.

Seasonings- salt & pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic are added to your taste


How to make Pimento Cheese from Scratch

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until they are well combined. I have a mini food processor that I use to grate my cheese. Just cut the block into smaller pieces and give it a few soft pulses.

How to store Pimento Cheese

Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Ingredients

2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz cream cheese softened

1/2 cup of Duke's mayo

1 (4oz) jar of drained pimento

1/4 tsp of garlic powder, cayenne pepper 

Salt & Pepper to taste

Enjoy!


I love a good pimento cheese sandwich on some fresh white bread, yummy! I grew up eating homemade pimento cheese, my Dad always made it best. 

Enjoy!

Dana
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Homemade Pimento Cheese

March 15, 2023

What is Mirepoix and why you should be using it!

November 22, 2022 •

Hello again friends, as life happens and takes us on detours that we never want to be on. It has caused me to be absent from posting. I will speak more on that later.

Today, I wanted to tell you about something I learned about,I mean I just turned 55 and had for some reason, never heard of Mirepoix. My family was gifted some meal kits and I was preparing one of them and the recipe said to add the Mirepoix and so, you can say after that I have kinda been obsessed with it.

What is Mirepoix?

Mirepoix is a mixture of onions, celery and carrots at a 2:1:1 ratio using butter until caramelized.
This is essential for adding flavor to soups, stews, and stir-drys.

How to Make It?

Chop the vegetables. If your recipe requires a sauce or frying method, you'll want a small dice, approx. 1/4 inch. For soups or stews, a medium dice, approx. 1/2 inch, works best

Other Versions of Mirepoix

The Holy Trinity(Cajun):onion, celery, green bell pepper with olive oil or butter
Soffritto(Italian): onions, carrots, celery with olive oil often contains parsley
Sofrito(Latino):onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomato with olive oil
If your dish calls for tomato paste it could be added during this step for extra flavor

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Add the vegetables to butter and cook low and slow until they become caramelized




With wintertime here it is the perfect time to try making mirepoix for your next pot of soup. I promise you it will give you flavors that you have only tasted at fancy restaurants or your Momma house.

Cheers until next time,

Dana  

 




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What is Mirepoix and why you should be using it!

November 22, 2022

Eating at Mattie's

May 26, 2022 • ,

Mattie's, is a diner car in Charlotte, formally, located at the Music Factory, the diner closed in 2015 and was put into storage, It sat that way for more than 6 years. Matt King, owner of Mattie's spent all of his time looking for a new home for the diner. 

He wanted to be a fixture in a community in Charlotte, and not just a place for outsiders to come. Matt bought the diner car from a used car lot in NJ in 2005, it was named, The Bound Brook Diner back then. Matt loaded the diner up and had it brought south to Charlotte, where it now has a home forever.


Matt was driving around one day and he saw a Tire Depot building with a lease sign out front and you can say the rest is history, mixed with a bunch of headaches, sweat and tears. The final product is nothing short of amazing. The diner car gives this old homey vibe, it just feels good. The large patio area offers a place to eat and catch a breeze thru the large bay doors.
 My favorite spot is in the diner car at the bar, so I can see all the action and mouth watering meals as they are prepared.

Carolina Burger

On our visit, on a very busy recent Sunday, Matt and another guy were busy making meal after meal.
 We watched them make egg omelets, burgers, tuna melts and much more. 
I skipped breakfast cause I wanted to try all the food.
It was delicious. So good to have Mattie's opened again.



Jukeboxes

Me & Matt


Stop by and grab a bite, I promise you will love it!

Mattie's Diner
3100 The Plaza
Charlotte, NC 28205 

Dana






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Eating at Mattie's

May 26, 2022

5 of Charlotte's Oldest Restaurants you must try.

February 13, 2022 • ,


What is it about a good ole restaurant that has been in business to spite growth and hard times. I'll tell you what it is, It is some of the best food you may eat, besides you Mommas and Grandmas.

If nostalgic is your thing, you are going to right at home with these classics.

1961-Pressley Park Restaurant

740 Pressley Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Pressley Park is a classic small town restaurant in the middle of the  city. The staff knows most of the customers name by heart and the food instills a comfort like you are at Grandma's.



740 Pressley Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217


1959-South 21

3101 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205

Old School drive in on Independence Blvd that makes you dream of the car hop days. 

South 21 Charlotte, NC


3101 E Independence Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28205


1958-Beef N Bottle

4538 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Don't let the outside fool you, inside waits some of the best steaks you may ever eat. Think Old School Swanky. 

Beef N Bottle Charlotte, NC

4538 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28209

1945-The Diamond

1901 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
This adorably cute retro diner is located in the Plaza Midwood area. Extensive menu and bar. The Diamond is one of my families favorites.
The Diamond Charlotte, NC

1926- Green's Lunch

309 W 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Iconic Uptown hot dog counter that's been around almost 100 years. Everyday around lunchtime the restaurant gets slammed with everyone from construction workers to bankers looking for a quick bite.

Green's Lunch Charlotte, NC



We need new restaurants, and we need old places too. 
I love the nostalgic old diners and restaurants, the thoughts of eating there with my family growing up and feeling a moment of sadness at the thought of one of these Charlotte icons closing. Enjoy them while we can, with the boom that is going on you never know when the day will come and they will close the doors forever.

Do you have a favorite Charlotte restaurant, new or old?
Drop  a comment below. I would love to chat.

Cheers until next time,

Dana







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5 of Charlotte's Oldest Restaurants you must try.

February 13, 2022

6 Easy Blackstone Recipes

December 29, 2021 •

Y'all understand how much I love cooking, and I got my Christmas wish, a Blackstone Griddle and I am beyond excited. 
Do you have one? Lets talk about all things Blackstone. 
I have watched way more than my share of YouTube videos about it. 
I am looking forward to cooking all kinds of goodies.
The day after I got my griddle, I made bacon, eggs and biscuits for breakfast and it was easy and delicious. Then I made Quesadillas for lunch and Austin made burgers for dinner.
I think we are going to get great use out of it.
Here are a few things my family is looking forward to enjoying.

Smashed Potatoes(Delicious by the way)
Hibachi Night
Pizza Night
Slider Burgers
Chicken Fajitas
Griddle Desserts

Stayed tuned for all of our cooking adventures!

What is your favorite thing to cook on the Blackstone?

Cheers!

Dana



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6 Easy Blackstone Recipes

December 29, 2021

3 Easy Recipes Using a Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken

December 6, 2021 •

Do you like leftovers? I mean yes, it is a given that you like leftover pizza and spaghetti. I am not one to take leftovers home from a restaurant, but I do like re-heating food that I prepare here at home. 
But, this is not really about leftovers so, I don't know what I am going on about.



Today, I am going to share 3 easy recipes using a store bought rotisserie chicken. 

I know you have been at your local grocery store, just about the time they pull out those delicious smelling chickens. The smell draws you to the deli. Rotisserie chicken is fresh and affordable, so let me share with you some other options to get a wide range of meals out of a chicken.

Let's start with this soup, easy and delicious.


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Chicken and Cannellini Bean Soup

This soup is going to be perfect on a cold winter day when the weather outside is just nasty and it is time to stay inside.

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup onions, diced

1/2 cup carrots, diced

1/2 cup celery, diced

1 Tablespoon garlic, minced(I cheat and use garlic powder and it works just fine)

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup of celery

Fresh pepper taste

8 cups chicken stock

1 cup cannellini beans(8 oz can undrained)

2 cups Rotisserie Chicken, diced

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and sauté until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaf, and season lightly with pepper. Increase heat to medium high, slowly add chicken stock, cover and bring to a slow boil. Add Cannellini beans and boil uncovered for about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add chicken , and heat through again. Add seasonings to taste and serve and enjoy. 

Chicken and Cannellini Bean Soup made using store bought rotisserie chicken
Chicken and Cannellini Bean Soup
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Next up, Chicken Salad

By far, this is my favorite sandwich to enjoy here at home, or while out on an adventure.

2 Cups Rotisserie Chicken, diced

1/2 cup celery, diced

1/2 cup onions, diced

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Salt and Pepper to taste

I like to add just a squirt of ranch dressing into mine also.

Add it all to a bowl, mix well.  Season to taste and enjoy.

Cover and keep refrigerated!

Enjoy on crackers or a sandwich.

Chicken Salad made using store bought rotisserie chicken
Rotisserie Chicken Salad


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And finally, my son's favorite.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 cups pulled Rotisserie Chicken, shredded or chopped

1 package 8oz cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles

Serve with tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9  inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a mixer, add chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles. Mix well.

Spread mixture into the baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes.

Buffalo Chicken Dip made using Rotisserie chicken
Buffalo Chicken Dip

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Those are easy enough for any night of the week. I like using a rotisserie chicken because it is moist and nicely seasoned. So, grab chicken on your next trip to the store and discover a new recipe.

Until next time,
Cheers!





















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3 Easy Recipes Using a Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken

December 6, 2021
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