Shrimp Boil

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This is a classic shrimp boil with fresh shrimp, potatoes, corn, and sausage, boiled in a flavorful spicy broth, plus an abundance of additional fresh vegetables!

This stovetop shrimp boil is based on my cousin Rick’s crawfish boil recipe which also includes an abundance of vegetables. The vegetables turn out so flavorful, that I’m often left wishing I’d added even more to the pot.

Overhead close-up shot of shrimp boil in silver tray

Shrimp Boil on the Stove

I was determined to recreate our Louisiana crawfish boil as soon as we were home again, but guess what? Crawfish are a bit difficult to source in Ohio. Just in case you were wondering.

I’m happy to tell you that after learning from Rick, our family’s crawfish expert, my first attempt at a Louisiana shrimp boil on the stove turned out fabulously and we will be doing this on repeat in the future.

It turns out that a seafood boil is a heck of an awesome experience for everyone – expert or amateur!

Overhead shot of shrimp boil in silver tray

Stovetop Shrimp Boil Equipment

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

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Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

a photo of a square piece of gooey pumpkin butter cake with dollop of whipped cream on top with several pieces sitting in the background.

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is a yellow cake crust topped with a creamy pumpkin layer and the most popular pumpkin dessert at our Thanksgiving table.

This is the very first recipe I had ever made from the Food Network. Paula Deen inspired something in Cade and I and that is the only reason this blog exists.

Cade’s from the South and as super poor newlyweds we didn’t have much entertainment that didn’t cost money and since cable was free in our apartment we would watch Paula cook up delicious foods and I got to learn about Cade’s Southern side.

It was so fun to surprise him with classic southern dishes like, Fried Chicken, Southern Macaroni and Cheese, Perfect Pecan Pie and Tomato Basil Pie. But then we saw a few pumpkin recipes using pumpkin puree like, pumpkin cake, pumpkin gooey butter cake and other pumpkin dessert recipes.

We just knew Thanksgiving was going to be extra special.

Our First Thanksgiving Home as Newlyweds

Cade and I had been married for just shy of a year and we had gone home to Washington for the holidays. It felt so special to finally be a married couple enjoying the time with family. We had been thinking up pumpkin ideas for weeks.

I can’t remember why I was making pumpkin recipes, it must have been that we decided to not do pumpkin pie or something but either way this gooey butter cake ended up being what I chose and my whole family has been hooked on Paula Deen’s Gooey Butter Cake recipe ever since.

Now, I’ve waited this whole time, choosing to not post any Food Network recipes because I totally get how hard those chefs work, but after almost 12 years I decided that:

  • it’s one of our favorites
  • it’s already all over the web
  • you want to know the recipes that people are obsessed with so you can make it a family favorite too!

What Ingredients for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Crust

  • Egg
  • Butter
  • Cake Mix

Start off by making the crust with the above in

Cajun Dipping Sauce

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Cajun dipping sauce is the supporting star of the seafood boil show, providing a fiery, smoky punch with each bite. (Not a fan of too much heat? Just dial down the cayenne in the recipe below!)

Overhead shot of whisk in bowl of Cajun Dipping Sauce

Cajun Dip

My cousin Sydney made this Cajun dip to accompany Rick’s crawfish boil while we were in Louisiana. I asked her for the recipe within minutes of first tasting it. It’s irresistible and I’ve already paired this dip with much more than seafood.

Drizzled over hot roasted potatoes, as a dip for fresh vegetables, and served with grilled chicken, it’s been delicious in every possible way and it’s now a staple in our refrigerator.

As you dip each bite into the sauce, you’ll immediately taste the rich combination of spices, featuring the bold heat of cayenne pepper and the earthy depth of the Creole seasoning.

This sauce packs a punch, making it the perfect complement to the natural sweetness of boiled or steamed seafood like shrimp, crab, crawfish, and lobster.

A hint of lemon juice adds a refreshing tang, enhancing the seafood’s natural flavors. Worcestershire sauce provides an additional distinctive, complex undertone.

Overhead shot of bowl of Cajun Dipping Sauce with silver whisk

Seafood Boil Dipping Sauce

Whether you’re enjoying a traditional Southern seafood boil or simply indulging in a plate of fresh seafood, this Cajun dipping sauce is a flavorful, spicy, and creamy companion that will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Its combination of richnes

Baked Cheesy Onion Dip

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Baked Cheesy Onion Dip

a photo of a large cast iron skillet fully of golden baked hot caramelized onion cheese dip.

This delicious, easy baked onion cheese dip is great for a last minute appetizer. You guuuuyyyyssss, it’s SO good, I almost ate the whole pan myself! Serve it with tortilla chips, fresh bread, or pita chips.

Five different cheeses go into this fabulous hot onion dip, and there is no such thing as too much cheese!

Help!!

Ok, awhile back a darling reader reached out to me and shared her baked onion cheese dip which I’ve been holding onto to try. The problem is, I can’t remember her name!! So, if this recipe was from you and you DM’d it to me on Instagram:

  1. Tell me who you are!
  2. THIS IS THE BEST DIP!!

I adjusted things a bit to my family’s likes but my goodness, you weren’t kidding, this dip is everything.

Recommended Equipment

Before You Begin…

Slice up the onion and get them caramelizing and then pull out all your cheeses to prep. The cream cheese needs to be softened, so get that out on the counter so it can come to room temperature. You’ll also want to grate the parmesan, Swiss and sharp cheddar cheeses yourself if you can. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well as cheese you grate yourself. The Mexican blend will always be a pre-shredded bag.

The Secret to Onion Dip

Caramelized onions.

Do not just throw those onions in there, caramelize them first! And in fact, if you want to really make your caramelized onions top notch throw in a little Worcestershire sauce. It adds a depth of flavor to those onions that you will love!

What Do I Need for Baked Onion Cheese Dip?

You will need cheese, cheese and more cheese!! Grab a sweet onion, a few simple ingredients and you’re on your way! Here is what you will need:

  • Onions: Sweet Onion, Butter, Worcestershire Sauce
  • Cheeses: Cream Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Mexican Blend Cheese
  • Dip: Mayonnaise, Sour Cream
  • Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, Herbs (thyme and chopped chives)

Keep scrolling to see the complete recipe card with all the measurements for each ingredient.

How to Make Cheesy Onion Baked Dip

  1. Caramelize Onions: Preheat a cast iron skillet on the stove and add the butter to melt, then add the onions that let them get tender. Season them with a little salt and let them cook. Add Worcestershire sauce and allow the onions to caramelize stirring every few minutes.

Peacemakers Needed

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Peacemakers Needed

Peacemakers Needed

It sounded like they (gosh, who even were “they”??) were charging down the hallway right outside my door.

What was happening?!

Were we under attack??

Months ago my family and I traveled to Israel with religious leaders from my church. That night my heart began to pound in my ears and I held my breath as I slowly turned in the blackened room to see if the girls in the bed next to mine were awake with the fear I was experiencing.

I Felt Ok?

Mouths hanging slightly open and covers tucked up under their chins, my two daughters were sound asleep while our hotel in Israel was clearly under attack.

Or so it sounded.

Cade and I had to be separated each night for two weeks as we traveled around Jordan, Israel and the borders of neighboring countries.

No hotel had a room big enough for 5, so boys slept in one room and girls in the other.

I felt responsible.

Frozen.

Confused.

And ok?

I wouldn’t say I felt peace, but I did feel calm as the noise rose and fell for a few hours.

I didn’t dare step out of our room to peer down the hallways at Cade’s room. What if they were out there and three girls, alone but together would become an obvious target.

My texts wouldn’t go through to Cade and then a loud explosion ripped through the air and I glued my eyes to the ceiling while I silently prayed.

Standing Guard

The next morning our entire tour group began to share stories.

Unanswered phone calls to the front desk where workers had abandoned guests, all of whom were from another country and didn’t speak the language or know how to seek help.

Cade had a front row seat to all of it.

Slipping a camera carefully between the curtains to capture images and video here and there.

He waited up all night. Ready, listening, and standing guard at windows and hallways to watch over those, including his family who hid away in their rooms.

Little did I know, this was a fight on the road outside. A barricade and late night surprise attack that ended in an explosion, gun fight and armored vehicles.

One Fearful Night

I’ll never know if anyone was lost that night, but I hurt knowing that my one fearful night pales in comparison to what they are enduring now.

That night another man, a leader in our church also walked the halls, watched, prayed and stood ready to protect those in his care.

I do not understand the things happening in the world, but I understand this:

In the midst of danger there were men I could trust, listen to and who stood between me and them. Looking to truth, and those who lead with it may not have kept the danger from ever happening, but it does give you a source to look to for guidance, peace and yes, even protection.

Peacemakers Needed

Never in the history of the world have we needed those who are able to stand upon watchtowers and walk through abandoned halls more.

My heart has been absolutely destroyed to watch a place I just wandered, discovered, and loved be turned to war. It’s not right. It’s not fair, but it is not “them”, it is all of us. We need

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