#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Million Dollar Spaghetti {and the Third Annual Apres Thanksgiving Blogger Feast}

December 18, 2013 · Narrative

Looking for a hearty, easy pasta dish that is totally kid-approved? This riff on lasagna just might be the kids’ new favorite.

Millionaire Spaghetti - close up-001

Two weekends ago, friends and food converged once again as Patsy, Sarah, and I got together to celebrate our third annual Apres Thanksgiving Blogger Feast. No food theme this time, it was a total free for all, and we magically ended up with the perfect amount of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts.

Well, ok, there might have been slightly more dessert than the other items, but I don’t think an abundance of dessert is ever a bad thing.

Especially when we divide up the leftovers.

Sarah brought these slightly crispy, slightly soft Cheesy Loaded Potato Bites, Make Ahead Potato Hash, Pecan Toffee Wedding Cookies, and a Lemony Cauliflower Dip. My favorites were the dip (which I polished off the next day) and the cookies. Once she coughs up the dip recipe, I will share it. It would be awesome for raw vegetables or slathered on grilled chicken. Or, you know, pretty much just by itself on a spoon.

Roasted Cauliflower Spread-001

Mexican Wedding Cookies with Pecans-001

Patsy brought Chocolate Earthquake Cookies, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, Martha Stewart’s Snickerdoodle recipe (with Cinnamon Chips added to it), and Apple Pastry Bites. I loved the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, and the leftovers were the perfect time to find out that apparently Madeline loves Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread too.

Patsy's platter-001

Crackle Cookies-001

As for my contributions? I made the Baked Goat Cheese and Roasted Tomato Salad with Grilled Chicken, a recipe I shared last week, along with this Hot Bacon & Swiss Dip, which is a serious no-brainer for any gathering. I mean, really. Melted cheese and bacon? How could you go wrong?

And, because I wanted to make sure there was something that was kid-friendly, since we had three of our six kids in attendance, I made a new recipe called Million Dollar Spaghetti. Sarah’s daughter, Paige, came back for thirds, and Madeline for seconds (which pretty much never happens), so I think it’s safe to say that it is kid-approved. It’s a unique twist on lasagna, using spaghetti noodles instead, and a slightly different filling, that is the perfect main dish when you want something to make ahead. I made it earlier in the afternoon, and just popped it into the oven about half an hour before everyone came. You can find the recipe right here (the only changes I made were to use less butter and *light* ingredients where possible).

After a food prop exchange, countless photos (hello food bloggers!), shop talk, and the ensuing food coma, I’d say it was a pretty successful night. And I’m already looking forward to our Valentine’s Day get-together.

Because, well, Valentine’s Day.

Totally a favorite.

Hungry for more? Here’s the 2012 Blogger Thanksgiving Feast, and our very first one in 2011.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: blogger feast, Million Dollar Spaghetti

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    December 19, 2013 at 7:24 am

    Comfort food central!! Gah that sounds like such an awesome feast!!
    Joanne recently posted..Bagel, Broccoli, and Spinach Strata with Cooper Deli Cheese

    Reply
  2. patsyk says

    December 19, 2013 at 9:34 am

    It was a great time! I am hoping Sarah will share that dip recipe, too…
    Looking forward to our Valentine’s get together!
    patsyk recently posted..A Blogger Thanksgiving – The 3rd Year

    Reply
  3. julia says

    December 19, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    This looks great!! So comforting during the cold winter months in Chicago!

    Reply
  4. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

    December 19, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    I love the idea of a blogger thanksgiving-like feast!
    Lauren @ Healthy Delicious recently posted..Orange Rum Buns + Gingerbread Hot Chocolate #CaptainsTable

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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