When the Kitchen's a-Rockin...

So my parents have been in town, which has been FABULOUS, but I've been busier than ever. In a good way. I love, love, LOVE to cook and entertain so between having company for dinner nearly every night and a certain 3-year-old's birthday party to throw, this Kitchen Diva has been cranking out some good eats. Here are a few of the items that have received rave reviews.

Quick Fruit Dip

1 part whipped topping
3 parts strawberry yogurt (or any flavor you like)
1/5 tsp vanilla extract
Dash of cinnamon

Mix all ingredients and chill at least 2 hours.

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Baked Spaghetti

I've been making this one for ages and it's still a crowd pleaser.

1/2 lb. spaghetti
2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup shredded Mozzarella or Monterrey jack cheese
3/4 c Italian-style bread crumbs
Olive oil for dish and to drizzle on top

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook the pasta, drain and reserve.
3. Lightly oil a two-quart casserole dish.
4. Spread half the pasta in the dish. Top with half of the sauce, half of the cheese and half of the bread crumbs.
5. Repeat layers.
6. Drizzle top with olive oil.
7. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until top starts to brown.
8. Turn oven broiler on and brown the top evenly. Rotate dish as needed.
9. Remove from oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

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Asian Burgers

I made slider versions of these for Brogan's birthday party. I served them on little King Hawaiian dinner rolls. They went over really well.

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 lb ground pork
1/2 cup bottled Sesame or General Tso's sauce, divided
3 scallions, green and white parts used separately
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup mayo
Splash of soy sauce
Lettuce leaves, options

For the mayo topping:

1. Slice the scallions very thin. Reserve the white parts for the burgers.
2. Mix mayo, 1/4 cup of bottled sauce, thinly sliced scallion tops and soy sauce. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

For burgers:

1. Dice the white parts of the sliced scallions.
2. Mix beef, pork, remaining 1/4 cup bottled sauce, diced white parts of the scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt.
3. Make into patties and refrigerate to let them set up a bit. (I made my patties the night before.)
4. Grill to your liking! If you make sliders, they only take about 4 minutes per side. Top with mayo topping and lettuce, if desired.

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On a side note, I love the vintage aprons at JessieSteele.com (as seen in the photo above). Hint, hint, Hubs.