Casserole recipe includes cayenne, jalapeño and chipotle chile powder to give it a kick that delivers. This trio of flavor allows for easy adjustment depending on your preference for spice.

In our house, the flavors must be kickin at all times. I do not want everything spicy but I do adore flavor. I am not a fan of bland foods. Is it wrong to want my taste buds to tingle or sing? I think not.

What inspired Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole?

Long ago my Grandmother and I discovered a corn and rice casserole from a Southern Living magazine. The recipe became one of her favorites to cook. I had forgotten about Theda Faye’s dish until recently while scanning one of my Aunts cookbooks from 2000 titled The Samson  Garden Club, I ran across “Billie’s Corn-Rice-Jalapeno Casserole”.

Billie’s recipe triggered a food memory that demanded I cook a version of it soon. My recipe is adapted from The Samson Garden Club cookbook.

Every time I serve this dish, someone will always ask for the recipe. Dish is delicious and economical to make. Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole is yummy even if you decide to leave off the bacon.  Thick crispy bacon does add a flavor all of its own but it may be avoided if you choose to do so.

In summary , add Mimi’s Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole recipe to your list for your next dinner party, July 4th celebration or any event that requires a covered dish.  One recipe provides a serving large enough for an average dinner party. Certainly, your guests will love it and come back for more.

Summer is a great time to enjoy being outside enjoying friends while serving BBQ and Mimis’ Kickin Corn and Rice Casserole. Alexa Shout out to Bob Marley and the Wailers for Sun Is Shining.

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Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and requires a Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa that is delicious. Since I love Mexican food whipping up a salsa would be easy. Using fresh ingredients and the flavors that I love in Mexican food are easy to combine until you reach just the right amount of spicy heat and flavor magic.

Princess is planning a Cinco de Mayo party so this Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa will come in handy. Maybe preparing a dish ahead of time will allow me to focus on an adorable outfit instead of grabbing the closest item that fits.  Every Cinco de Mayo party needs a spicy senorita and salsa.

What goes into a Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa?

Poblano and jalapeno peppers marry well together with tomatillo and tomatoes. Throw in seasonings, onion, garlic, chipotle with adodo sauce and it is a party in your mouth. During Spring and Summer I love the wide variety of fresh ingredients that are available at local farmers market. Ingredients that make you want to reach out and touch them. Or is it just me?

My market had vine ripened tomatoes that smelled delicious as I walked down the aisle. Tomatoes that screamed to be joined in a salad, sauce or salsa. Poblano and jalapeno peppers were so beautiful that I grabbed a bunch without having any idea how I would use.

Roasting the poblano peppers, tomatillo and whole garlic in the oven will intensify the natural flavors. Prepare the other ingredients while roasting and it will shorten your time in the kitchen. Warning the smells from your oven will make you hungry. Recipe is so easy to make and once your finished reward yourself with a icy cold margarita, chips and Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa.

Alexa Shout out to Roman Street for Cinco off of the latest album Bohemia. Cinco goes well with Smoky Roasted Poblano, Tomatillo and Tomato Salsa.

Lagniappe: If you need an easy meal to make ahead for a large crowd check out recipe for Working Mom’s Chicken Enchiladas. Pair with a fresh salsa, guacamole and pitcher of margarita’s. For a different salsa choice, try this version Tres amigas Salsa. 

Happy Cooking Y’all.

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While visiting friends in Laguana Beach, we were served Ham and Polenta Spoonbread and Mimosas one morning. The host was gracious and shared the recipe from www.finecooking.com by Bruce Weinstein and Marc Scarbrough.  I enjoyed Fine Cooking’s version. Ham and Polenta Spoonbread inspired the recipe that I  adapted. Polenta is a new ingredient for my kitchen.

I think that “grits” may be the country version of the city relative of “polenta”. Whether you choose grits or polenta, as with any food ingredient, it is important  that you choose quality and cook properly. Always add flavor whether it’s vegetables or spices to blend with other ingredients.

Many of the ingredients in this dish are typically on hand in a well stocked pantry. Polenta may be adapted easily deleting or swapping items. I prepared this dish for breakfast but it would easily serve as a side dish for company.

Breakfast Ideas for entertaining

While entertaining guests, I love having a variety of breakfasts casseroles and egg pies recipes to serve in the morning. Prepare Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe ahead  and bake as needed.

Pop the Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe in the oven after you stumble to your coffee pot. I love to enjoy my coffee time with house guests before we start the busy day. Coffee time on the porch is a perfect way to celebrate your morning.

Last week, I was happy to celebrate my mornings with my parents, baby sister and her family. My nephew Super-Baby is absolutely adorable. Happy babies are the best and are a joy to be around. Breakfast Spicy Sausage Polenta Recipe will serve your morning breakfast well. Pop in the oven, reheat another day and it is just as good.

Alexa, shout out to Caitlyn Smith’s soulful rendition of “This town is killing me”. Caitlyn Smith is part of the Listen Up Campaign Artist’s to Watch for 2017. If you’re not familiar with Caitlyn Smith, check out this talented emerging artist.

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Soon the summer sun will beat down on my plants and they will whither away. Until then, I am cooking the little yellow gems.  Yellow squash are delicious just about any way that you may cook them, grilled, smothered, fried, baked, sautéed, pickled or raw in a salad.

Grill Man prepares the garden and plants. I watch over the produce and process the offerings. He would love me to help with his part but I am a delicate flower. Not a real big fan of playing in dirt. Although I recall making mud-pies in my back yard a lifetime ago. Although, I wasn’t playing in dirt, “I was cooking”. Imagination  and playing is a wonderful thing.

Why is play important?

Imagination and creativity are vital to all of us. We need to remember that  the “child” in us still wants to play. Even though you are wise in years it is important to play and have fun. Be spontaneous. Be creative. Break out of your mold, it will do you good. Plus, if you have children, it will keep them guessing.

And if for some reason you want to play in the dirt, let me know, please.  I have some plants that need moving from my garden. Some people call them weeds, I call them uninvited guests to my garden party. I’m begging you to move out the uninvited guests (weeds), I will prepare you a lovely lunch and a refreshing glass of sweet Peach tea.

As a bonus, I will send you home with some yellow squash so that you may try my Spicy Squash Pudding Recipe. What a deal, right? Call me, the garden is waiting. Until then, I am going to have to figure out someone to “Tom Sawyer” the weeds out of my lovely garden. Come over, we will have a garden party!

Shout out to Alexa for Ricky Nelson’s Garden Party. This song has a great piece of advice in it. Look it up on you-tube if you’re not familiar with the tune. It’s an oldie.

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