Author name: The Food Charlatan

Green Enchilada Sauce

This authentic homemade Green Enchilada Sauce recipe is surprisingly easy to make. You need tomatillos, tomato’s shy cousin who is hiding some incredible flavor behind those crinkly coats. They have that flavor you will recognize right away. You also need Anaheim chili peppers, cilantro, lime, onion, jalapeno, all the good stuff. Roast it, blend it…

My New Favorite Chicken Enchiladas

There are chicken enchiladas, and then there are THESE Chicken Enchiladas. The secret to this recipe is having flavor in every layer: Tender, flavorful chicken, wrapped up in charred, buttery corn tortillas, and then smothered in a tangy Green Enchilada Sauce made with roasted peppers and tomatillos. And of course, the final layer: two kinds…

Mexican Rice Better than a Restaurant

Making restaurant quality, authentic Mexican Rice is so much easier than you think. And SO much better. You will be judging future Mexican restaurants on their rice after making this, no joke. It has a secret ingredient that is key. It’s the perfect side for entrees like Chicken Tacos, Carne Asada, Chicken Fajitas, or even…

Ham and Bean Soup of My Dreams

Sometimes nostalgia just hits you in the mouth right? That’s what this recipe will do for you. It’s pure comfort in a bowl. Homemade ham and bean soup is hearty and full of flavor, with a surprisingly short ingredient list for all the massive flavor it packs in. It’s all about the ham bone, that…

Texas Beef Brisket In The Oven

Hallelujah! I’ve found a way to make KILLER Texas-style smoked beef brisket…without a smoker. Yes, for real! This recipe is magic. Use your gas grill to smoke it, then move it to the OVEN to get the most amazing, mouth-watering, tender, smoky brisket that will make you cry happy tears. I have tons of pictures…

Easy French Onion Soup

Do not underestimate the glory that is French Onion Soup. Something magical happens when you combine the simple elements of this recipe: a killer savory beef broth, perfectly golden caramelized onions, and of course, enough toasty bread and melty cheese to make you weep. I’ve got details and photos to show you exactly how to…

Shamrock Shake

If you don’t know what a Shamrock Shake is, sit yourself down for some learnin. A smooth, creamy, minty milkshake, in an Elphaba-worthy shade of green, topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry just because. It’s quite possibly the best thing to come out of McDonald’s besides the Big Mac. This recipe is even…

How to Make Whipped Cream

Whipped cream is basically the pixie dust of desserts. A dollop here, a swirl there, and suddenly your entire life is better. It’s surprisingly easy to make homemade (like, charlatan easy.) All you need is heavy cream, a little powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla. Seriously, once you’ve tasted this recipe, you’ll be ignoring…

My Favorite Lemon Bars are Ridiculously Tart

If I had to choose a last meal, it would be Lemon Bars for appetizer, main, and dessert. You don’t even KNOW how fast I can finish off a pan of these bad boys; it’s embarrassing. There is just some thing incredibly bright and cheerful about them, from the crumbly-tender buttery shortbread crust, to the…

Best Sliders Recipe

These easy cheeseburger sliders are what dreams are made of! Soft Hawaiian rolls stuffed with extra cheesy beef, and a butter and mustard glaze to go on top. They are so easy and come together in just a few minutes. Perfect appetizer for your Halloween party! Or really, any party! Originally posted October 17, 2017.…

Super Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup is usually the thing at a Mexican restaurant that I WANT to order, but can’t, because tacos. (I mean, you get this, right?) But I’m tellin you guys, don’t sleep on this recipe. IT’S SO GOOD. Like a party in your mouth. It’s perfectly spiced, creamy, warm and comforting, and healthy to…

My All-Time-Favorite Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread Cookies: do not sleep on this classic! You might think shortbread sounds boring, but that’s because you haven’t watched Rebecca’s face as she eats it on Ted Lasso yet. I’m telling you guys, classic shortbread is to-die-for. It’s simple, it’s easy, there’s not much to it…but that’s not an apology. Sometimes the simplest things…

How to Stock Your Pantry and Fridge

Some people are good at sports. Some people are amazing artists. My flex? I’m really good at having 5 tubs of sour cream on hand at all times, and enough butter to spread a thousand rolls. 🤣 Read on for all the items I keep in my fridge, pantry, and freezer, plus a long list…

Pariserwafiers (Swedish Cream Wafer Cookies)

I am O B S E S S E D with these Swedish Cream Wafer Cookies, you guys!! (Pariserwafiers? Vanilla Cream Cookies?) This is a recipe the world forgot, and I’m still mad about it. How could the previous generation have let us down so hard?? Perhaps because until you taste them, they look unexceptional:…

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies (Chocolate Snickerdoodles)

These Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies could also be called Chocolate Snickerdoodles. A moist and tender chocolate cookie, with slightly crisp edges and a perfectly crackly top, rolled in cinnamon sugar for the perfect chocolate-cinnamon combo! Originally published August 24, 2018. I just bought a dresser from someone on Craigslist yesterday. Charlotte and Truman share a…

Pumpkin Dump Cake with Cake Mix

It really doesn’t get any easy (or tastier!) than this Pumpkin Dump Cake!  The two main ingredients are pumpkin and cake mix.  Mix up a can of pumpkin pie mix with a few simple ingredients, then “dump” a dry yellow cake mix on top. Drizzle with butter and bake! Voila! If you are not into…

How to make Pancake Muffins

These muffins really do taste just like Blueberry Pancakes! Not the rubbery, gummy, flavorless kind. The moist, fluffy, give-me-that-whole stack kind! The buttermilk flavor really comes through and they are irresistible with a drizzle of maple syrup on top! Originally published August 2, 2017. We recently visited Eric’s family up in Montana. We were driving…

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

The peanut butter pie to end all peanut butter pies! It’s frozen but still smooth and creamy, has a Nutter Butter crust (!!) and a thick layer of fudge at the bottom. Oh my! Did I mention it’s a no bake?? Originally published July 29, 2017. I was looking for my planner everywhere this morning and…

Cheese Tortellini Pasta Salad

A classic Italian pasta salad, made with cheese-filled tortellini, tons of pepperoni, Parmesan, olives, cherry tomatoes, and more. A very simple balsamic dressing pulls it all together. It’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, family gatherings, and lunch all week! Originally published May 4, 2017. We went camping last weekend. I always forget how much I love camping!…

Turkey Bone Broth (or Turkey Stock)

Learn how easy it is to make Turkey Stock from the bones of your Thanksgiving turkey! All you need is a picked over turkey carcass and some vegetables and herbs that you probably already have on hand from cooking your turkey. You are going to love using this flavorful turkey stock in your next soup!…

Prime Rib Recipe To Impress Your Guests

I thought prime rib must be overrated. But boy-oh-boy does it live up to the hype! There is something magical about this roast! The whole process can seem daunting, but I’m here to show you how to cook it step by step, with tons of pictures. With the right techniques (plenty of time + salt),…

The Only Caramel Apple I Will Eat

I am a Caramel Apple snob. So much of a snob, actually, that I usually don’t even bother eating them. But all that changed recently when I discovered the secret to the BEST homemade caramel sauce. These caramel apples are easy to dip, a dream to bite through, with the most FUDGY caramel texture; they…

Soft Homemade Caramel Candy

I’ve had my fair share of ho-hum Caramel Candy. Caramel is all about the texture, and too often, wrapped caramels are hard to bite into, locking your jaw in place, pausing all conversation. Even if the flavor is good, it doesn’t make up for the unpleasant chewing experience. THIS recipe, however, is absolute perfection. My…

Thick & SOFT Sugar Cookie Recipe (That Holds Its Shape)

A secret ingredient in this sugar cookies recipe makes these cookies the SOFTEST and most flavorful cookies of your life! And they even hold their shape after baking, so you get exactly what you want instead of sad blob cookies. (Frost them with The BEST Buttercream Frosting for Sugar Cookies or Royal Icing!) Originally posted…

Biscotti For People Who Thought They Hated Biscotti

Guys, don’t judge me, but I went for years thinking that Biscotti was for old ladies only. Maybe even just the Italian ones. I mean who is eating this cardboard? People whose tastebuds have all died off, obviously. But ohhhh was I wrong. Fresh, home baked biscotti is a delight to the soul. A crispity,…

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