Mindy's Favorite Recipes

I can't believe this is my final post. When I first joined the café in 2012 I had yet to be published. Now, I'm about the celebrate the release of my eleventh book. My, how time does fly.

But while all good things must come to an end, some things live in perpetuity. Like my favorite recipes. Goodness knows I have a lot of them, so narrowing them down was tough. The good news is that while we won't be adding any more recipes to the Yankee-Belle Café, the ones that are here will remain so that you (and our children) can tap into them whenever you like.

So here we go with my top five favorite recipes.

Grape Salsa - 

I know it sounds weird, but this sweet and savory concoction is my most requested recipe. It's super simple and perfect for any gathering. You can find the recipe here. 

Coconut Cream Pie - 

My girls' grandmother was famous for her cream pies. And when microwave ovens became the norm, she simplified her recipe so you no longer had to stand at the stove, cooking and stirring forever. My kids love the Chocolate Cream version, but hubby usually wins out and get his favorite, Coconut Cream. You can find the recipe here.

Pumpkin Bread - 

I'm pretty sure I've shared this recipe every year because I make it every fall to give as gifts. At first it was for teachers and other school staff, but since we no longer have any kiddos in school, friends, neighbors and our adult children are now the recipients of this moist, delicious tradition. That recipe is right here. 

Macaroni and Cheese - 

Credit for this recipe goes to my oldest daughter, but it's definitely a family favorite. You can serve it straight off of the stove or add a cracker topping and bake it a while. Whichever way you choose to serve it, you won't be disappointed. Find the recipe here.

Last but certainly not least is Sour Cream Blueberry Bundt Cake - 

My mouth waters just looking at this. It's so moist and bursting with blueberry flavor. Mmm, mmm, mmm... I wish I had a slice right now. You can find the recipe here.

I've shared and discovered so many wonderful recipes on this blog these past nine years. And I know I'll be back every now and then to retrieve recipes my counterparts have shared over the years. The Yankee-Belle Café has so many great recipes from all across this great country. 

While I won't be posting here anymore, I won't be hard to find. I'll still be cranking out books and hanging out with many of these lovely ladies over at Seekerville. So come and visit us and let's keep the party going. We'll bring the food. ;)

Until we meet again... 

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

Partying with Baby

Guess who paid Grammy and Big Daddy a surprise visit this weekend?

Yes, the delightful Miss T came to wish Big Daddy a happy birthday.

And watch the BIG GAME.

Yay!

Grammy served up her famous meatballs (recipe here).

Along with Big Daddy's all-time favorite, grape salsa (recipe here).

And then to finish things off on just the right note, lemon bars (recipe here).

Some of the commercials had Miss T trying to smile.

While others put her to sleep.

But, oh, the fun we had.

So what did you do this weekend? Did you watch the BIG GAME? It was a pretty good match, even if I had no interest in who won.  

And then there were the commercials. Have you seen any of them? I got a kick out of the Jack in the Box/Martha Stewart one and couple of others. Which one(s) did you like best?

Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com  

Hubby's Retirement Party

A week ago today was my husband's official last day of work, so we threw him a big retirement party over the weekend. Friends and family came together to show Big Daddy just how much we love and appreciate him.

The grand boys came in from Oklahoma ready to swim.

Elijah even did a little flying.

Nice splash.

Though it did kind of mess up his big brothers' game of volleyball.

Once play time was over, everyone was ready for a big ol' spread of Texas barbecue. But, as usual, I was so caught up in the festivities  that I forgot to take pictures. Here's a sampling of what was served, though.

Grape Salsa is the big man's fave, so I had to make that. It sounds weird, I know, but it's really good. You can find that recipe here.

Then we had smoked brisket and sausage (brisket recipe is here),

Cowboy Beans (recipe here),

 And Mexican Macaroni Salad (that recipe is here), along with some cheesy potatoes and all the fixins one needs for Texas barbecue. Things like sauce, pickles and jalapeno peppers are a must.

 All I can say is that if anyone left hungry, it was their fault. However, I do still have leftovers in the fridge, so if anyone would like to join me...

For dessert, I opted to special order a cake. The concept was good (his career started as a naval officer, then he moved into sales and now he's ready for ranching), though I was a little disappointed with the execution.

At least it was tasty.

After cake, it was time for Big Daddy's surprise.

Grammy got him a new toy that made for a special moment of father/son bonding.

I love it when the cousins get to hangout together,

One of the things we did at the party, was give guests the opportunity to make suggestions for the big man's bucket list. Here he is going through them. There were some really creative ideas, along with a few that had us chuckling all night long.

All it all, it was a fantastic, albeit exhausting, weekend. One that went by way too fast.

And what's next for Big Daddy?

My Most Requested Recipe (Revisited)

Do you have one of those dishes that people always ask you to bring to parties?
Hands down, mine is my grape salsa.

People clamor for this stuff. Beg me to make it. Then beg for the recipe.
Yet, no matter how many times I hand out said recipe, they still want me to bring it.
It's quick, it's easy and it is so very, very delicious.

Now, I know what you're thinking, those of you who don't particularly like your sweet with your savory.
But this recipe wins the skeptics every time.

Mindy's Grape Salsa

Here's what you'll need:



• 2 cups roughly chopped grapes, I like red, but you can use green
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup (one small can) chopped green chilies
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (if you don't have red wine, just use whatever vinegar you have on hand)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least one hour. Drain and serve with tortilla chips.

Just look at those colors. I think part of what makes it so good is that blend of sweet and salty. 

And no, it's not hot. Just a subtle kick.

This makes a great appetizer any time of year, but if you're looking for something cool and refreshing--not to mention impressive--for your next outdoor gathering, I guarantee this will be a hit.

Now it's your turn. 

What's that dish people are always asking you to bring?

Party Time at the Ranch!

Tex here, fresh off of a great visit to the ranch where we celebrated my sister-in-law's 60th birthday. We had enough food to feed an army. And even though we didn't have an army in attendance, there were very few left overs. Hmmm.

I'll be sharing recipes from that event over the next couple of weeks, but at the top of my must-have list was one of my husband's all-time favorite recipes. It's so easy and so yummy that I never get by without having to give out the recipe at least once.

Now you may wrinkle your nose when you hear the name of this, but trust me (and all those folks who've demanded this recipe), you're gonna love it.

Mindy's Grape Salsa

Here's what you'll need:



• 2 cups roughly chopped grapes, I like red, but you can use green
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup (one small can) chopped green chilies
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (if you don't have red wine, just use whatever vinegar you have on hand)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least one hour. Drain and serve with tortilla chips.

Doesn't that look purty. I think part of what makes it so good is that blend of sweet and salty. And no, it's not hot. Just the right amount of spice.

Here's the birthday girl enjoying herself, despite the fact that she doesn't like to be fussed over. She's real good about fussing over others, but when she's the fussy instead of the fusser, well, that's a different story. I told her to get over it and just enjoy. After all, with a hat like that....

What's your sure-to-please recipe that you break out at every party?