southern living

Although I'm not in a relationship, that doesn't mean I'm not going to celebrate Valentine's Day! This year I'm helping my sister and her BFF plan an all girl party. To make things festive and sexy, we're serving fondue. A fondue party appeals to everyone because guests can pick and choose what they want to dip into the melted cheese pleasing both vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

For our party, we will be serving the classic Swiss version of fondue as well as two other variations: a goat cheese fondue and a beer cheddar fondue. Cubed bread — both wheat and white — vegetables, fingerling potatoes, and pear slices will be used as dippers. For these fabulous fondue recipes, read more

This Valentine's Day, instead of buying a box of chocolates for your loved one, make them! Experimenting with candymaking is super fun and simply rewarding. This recipe for chocolate caramels isn't difficult; you just need time and a candy thermometer. If you really want to get fancy, turn them into chocolate lollipops by placing a small stick into the ball before the final chilling. To take a look at the recipe, read more

One of the reasons I love making meatloaf is for the scrumptious leftovers. A meatloaf sandwich with all the fillings is just as tasty as the original meatloaf! For extra flavor, jazz up store bought mayonnaise with chopped basil. Although the recipe doesn't call for it, I would definitely add some shaved Parmesan to this sandwich. It's delicious served cold for lunch and divine when warmed up for dinner. To get the recipe please read more

Having an excellent recipe for coffee cake in your repertoire is a must. Coffee cake is wonderful on many occasions, it's delicious at brunch, scrumptious in the afternoon, and tasty after dinner. Basically, it's good anytime you would want to drink coffee. Coffee cake is also a wonderful gift because it is simple to make and easy to transport. To ensure you add a recipe to your collection, I've found two — a really easy one for beginners and another for experts — so choose one and read more

Like shoes in a closet, one can never have too many salad recipes in her repertoire. The latest addition to my collection is this recipe for a mushroom, apple, and goat cheese salad. Doesn't it sound crisp and delicious? Toasted walnuts add a nice crunch to the peppery arugula. The apple provides a flash of color, and the meaty mushrooms are coated with a honey-balsamic vinaigrette. Pair this salad with roast poultry, pork, or a bowl of soup. To get the recipe, read more

Fill a table at your Ugly Sweater party with sweet treats for guests to snack on throughout the night. Stay away from serving anything too complicated or showy that will require more than a cocktail napkin for eating. Choose your favorite classic, holiday candies — red and green M&Ms, peppermint bark, candy canes, etc. — and serve along side one homemade dessert. These chocolate-peanut bars are a no-bake, delicious dessert. The combination of chocolate and peanut is always a crowd pleaser. For the recipe, read more

There is nothing quite like a big plate of comforting lasagna. Perfect on a cold, Winters night, it makes for a delicious meal this time of year. With its many layers — thick tomato sauce, chunks of meat, melty cheese — lasagna can be an intimidating task. It doesn't have to be though! I've got two recipes for you to choose from, one for the beginners and one for the experts. All you need is a bit of time, a glass of wine, and a baguette for garlic bread. Let's get cooking, just read more

No, these monster eyes are not cookies, they are delicious little savory bites of cheese and sausage! The secret to these super fast and simple to make appetizers is Bisquick. They make a great afternoon snack or a wonderful hors d'oeurve for a ghoulish party. I'll be pairing mine with an icy cold vodka martini for happy hour on Halloween. The recipe is pretty basic so feel free to jazz it up to suite your tastebuds. Take a peek at how they are made when you, read more

The cookie party I am planning in honor of National Cookie Month is more than just a party. It is also a challenging bake off where everyone's cookies will be judged and voted on. Although DearSugar says the hostess can not win her own contest, I still want to have some amazing cookies. To entertain guests, make cookies that are a little harder to find or feature fun ingredients. Marshmallows and dulce de leche are my secret ingredients, and my Mississippi mud cookies and butter cookies with dulce de leche will surely be a hit. You know you want the recipes so, read more