Food, fun, friends, and a 3-day weekend. What could be better than that?!

This year want to host the Memorial Day Barbeque. But there's just one catch ...

You don't want to spend all day in the hot sun, slaving away over an even hotter grill. You want to enjoy the party!

Now I love to host a good party. Feeding people is something that has been part of my DNA since birth.

But being Irish, I also love to be part of the party, rather than watching it from the kitchen. So when I'm hosting a big food event like a Memorial Day barbeque, I'm all about serving foods that can mainly be made before my guests even arrive.

That way I can kick back and enjoy the food, fun and friends like everyone else!

Last year my Memorial Day menu was a big hit. Luckily, I put together a mini cookbook so that this year would be a snap. And today, I'm passing that cookbook on to you.

So the next time you plan on hosting the Memorial Day barbeque, get ready to enjoy the party with your guests. You've got the perfect recipes for EASY party that can be pulled together before your guests even arrive.

Until our next meal,
Rebecca

Five Delicious Recipes for Your Memorial Day Festivities

The first official holiday-free week of 2010 is over.  How did you do?

Were you able to keep up with your New Years resolution to eat healthier?

If so, good for you!  Keep it up!

And if not, don't worry.  It's only the first week. You can totally get back up on that horse without anyone noticing.

To help keep you focused, I've put together a mini cookbook of my five favorite healthy - yet awesome - dinner recipes from 2009.  All five will ensure you stick to your New Years resolution, and at the same time make you look forward to dinner time!

So the next time you're planning to cook healthy dinners for a few weeks, don't be surprised when your family and guests exclaim, "wow I love this!"  You have five healthy recipes that are so full of flavor, you won't even miss the fat and calories.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Healthy Recipes to Keep Up Your New Years Resolution to Eat Better

Healthy New Year Resolution Recipes

And you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year.

You want to do everything yourself … from the turkey to the sides.

People continue to ask, “what are you thinking?”

But you don’t blink an eye.

You’re actually looking forward to the challenge!

But since it’s just you doing the cooking, you’d like to do as much as possible before the big day actually arrives.

And on the day of, you want to properly manage your oven, stove and microwave to ensure everything gets served hot at the same time.

Well my gusty cooking friend, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to help you get through the biggest cooking challenge of the year.

This collection of Thanksgiving recipes actually allows you to start prepping on Tuesday, with most of the sides completed the day before.

That way on the big day, you’ll be making fond memories with your guests, instead of scrambling around like a chicken without a head.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

P.S. Of course you don’t have to do it all yourself. You can also just send these recipes to your guests beforehand, and tell everyone to bring something. You do the bird, and let them do the rest!

Thanksgiving Recipe Collection

Cranberry Sauce

Green Bean Casserole

Homestyle Thanksgiving Turkey

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing

Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup, Walnuts and Brandied Raisins

You can also download the entire Thanksgiving Recipe Collection in a handy mini-cookbook by clicking the image or link below:

Flavorful Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

You're throwing a Labor Day party this weekend and need recipes.

I've put together two mini cookbooks for the occasion ...

The first will be perfect if you're having more a foodie dinner party.  From the appetizer to the dessert this menu is sure to please the palate ... and your wallet!

The second will be perfect if you're having an open house party where your guests will be arriving at various times.  It includes finger-friendly appetizers that can be made in advance and simply set out to allow guests to "graze" all day.

Both booklets contain some of my favorite recipes from this site, that combine interesting flavors, and a variety of ingredients.

Recipes that will cause your guests to “ooo” and “ahhh” and exclaim things like “there is an explosion of flavors in my mouth!”

Yet at the same time, recipes that can be made in a without complicated cooking techniques …

That won’t cost you an arm and a leg  …

That won’t leave you with a mess of ingredients in your pantry that you’ll never use again …

And that won’t have you working in the kitchen all night!

Plus for an extra bonus, I'm giving you the mother of all Labor Day desserts ...

The most AMAZING rum cake recipe you've ever had.  

Warning: This dessert is not for the timid!  Don't even bother with this one if you don't like the taste of rum.  But if you do like rum, ooooo boy are you in for a treat.  

So the next time you're planning a Labor Day party, whether foodie-centric or open house style, get ready to kick back and relax with friends.  You've got the perfect recipes for a Labor Day extravaganza!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Labor Day Recipes for Foodies

Labor Day Recipes for an Open House Party

Rum Cake

Ingredients:

Rum Cake

• 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
• 1 Package Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 5 Oz Package Instant Vanilla Pudding
• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 Cup Cold Water
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Rum (Dark, Light or Spiced - Pick Your Fave!)
• 2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Glaze:

• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1/4 Cup Cold Water
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Rum

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease and flour bundt pan.
3. Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan.
4. Mix all cake ingredients together.
5. Pour batter over nuts and bake 1 hour.
6. Let cake cool and then invert on serving plate.
7. Let sit for about 10 minutes, and then prick holes on the top of the cake with a skewer, chopstick, or toothpick.  (This is so the glaze will seep into the cake)
8. Melt butter in saucepan.
9. Stir in water and sugar, and boil 5 minutes stirring constantly. 
10. Remove from heat, and stir in rum.  
11. Let sit for a few minutes to cool a bit.
12. Spoon the glaze over the top and sides of the cake.  It may take 4 or 5 times to get all of the glaze soaked in. 

And you're throwing a party this weekend ... quite possibly the last one of the summer!

Everyone RSVP'd yes so you're expecting a big crowd.

And even though cooking for large groups can be a challenge, you want a menu that your guests will rave about.

But you want to be able to enjoy the party too!

The key to a stress-free party is to create a menu of items related to one another.

For one, it makes it easy to narrow down the choices, and all of the flavors will go together.

And two, it ensures you won't have to buy a ton of extra ingredients, since many of the recipes will have ingredients in common.

Well get ready to celebrate, because this summer party "easy button" recipe collection allows you to prepare everything in advance, so that you can kick back and relax with your guests.

It's a collection of some of my favorite recipes - all of which I'll be serving this weekend!  Even my husband commented just last night how easy this party seems, despite the large number of guests.

It's all thanks to the WhatToCookWhen.com Easy Button!

Well that and my awesome friends who always round out the menu with delicious desserts and a few extra appetizers.

So the next time you're looking to throw and easy summer party, have no fear your "easy button" is here.  You have the perfect recipes for a summer finale guaranteed to ensure you'll be throwing the party again next year!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Summer Party "Easy Button" Recipe Collection

Pulled Pork with Sweet and Tangy Barbeque Sauce

Get ready, because this pulled pork recipe is to die for! And if you like sweet and tangy barbeque sauce, then hold on to your hat cowboy. Because you are never going to want to buy pre-made sauce again. This sauce would rock on ANY meat you pour it on. Brisket, chicken, ribs, whatever.

The Best Baked Beans Recipe Hands Down

You’ve searched for the perfect baked beans recipe before … and now you’ve found it. Beans with the perfect blend of salt and sweet. Not too over-powering. And no one flavor standing out above any others. Not too runny. And just sticky enough, to ever so gently grip the fork.

Broccoli Salad With Bacon & Sunflower Seeds

This salad will be adored by party guests -- the guys and gals will equally love it.  (That’s correct guys, it has bacon.)  The broccoli base gives you something a little different than your typical salad, the combination of salty and sweet is perfectly blended, and the crunchy finish ties the perfect little bow on this wonderful package of flavors.

Sweet and Creamy Coleslaw

There are so many great coleslaw recipes out there, ranging from tangy, to tart, and even spicy. But this recipe is for a classic simple and sweet coleslaw. It's very similar to what you would find in most barbeque restaurants, and therefore pairs perfectly with the strong smokey flavors from the grill.

Here's to a wonderful (and easy) party!

Thanks to the super-cheap travel deals out there, you were able to escape with a few friends to Cancun for the weekend.

The weather was beautiful.  The ocean felt great.  And the sand was so soft it was like walking on powder.

But now you're back to reality, and you need to stay focused at work, and not long for more vacation time.

Why not bring the flavors of Mexico home with you?  Plan for a little escape on Saturday by fixing up some of my favorite Mexican recipes, so that you can pretend you're still on vacation.

Maybe invite some friends over to play "we're on vacation" with you!

Below are the recipes you'll need for the perfect Mexican meal, as well as a new one for Mexican Martinis, just in case you feel like kicking up the festivities a notch.

And the next time you're longing to be back in Mexico on holiday, grab some salt and a lime.  You have the perfect recipes for a pretend getaway -- no passport required!

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

The Perfect Mexican Recipes

Guacamole

What I love about guacamole is you can totally make it your own.  What you’ll start with is this base recipe, and then start experimenting!

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Incredibly flavorful, amazingly tender, and absolutely delicious, this recipe has become a staple in our house and is often requested at pot lucks. And don't let the title scare you off.  Even sour cream haters will fall in love with this recipe.

Mexican Bean Salad

This Mexican Bean Salad is refreshing for the summer, and yet has a slight kick that will pair nicely with other traditional Mexican dishes. It’s great by itself, as well as over chopped tomatoes and romaine lettuce.

Homemade Mexican Martinis

If you like margaritas, you'll love mexican martinis.  They're the classic beverage here in Austin, Texas and along with being delicious, are much lighter than their sugary friend.

• 2 Oz Tequila
• 1 Oz Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 2 Oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 Oz Orange Juice
• 1 Oz Sprite
• 2 Olives (I know, it sounds weird, but trust me)

Mix it all in a shaker with ice, and pour into a large salt-rimmed martini glass.

You can download these recipes in this handy mini cookbook:

The Perfect Tex Mex Recipes

Time for good food, good friends, good times, and fireworks!

That's right, it's time for the Fourth of July!

This year you're attending the party, rather than hosting for a change.

You want to bring something delicious that travels well, will be raved about at the party, and can be made in advance so you don't spend too much time in the kitchen.

Well look no further!

I've put together a collection of my favorite picnic recipes that fit the bill.  

So get out your red, white, and blue, and plan to celebrate with no stress and a guaranteed good meal.  You have the perfect recipe for a Fourth of July picnic.

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Fourth of July Recipes

Three-day weekend ... sun and fun with friends ... laughs, memories, and of course ... good food! This year you're hosting the party.

You want a menu that people will rave about. Yet you want to enjoy the party with your guests.

Why should you be stuck in the kitchen or hovering over the hot grill!

Well, as promised, I've got you covered ....

In fact, I've created a handy WhatToCookWhen.com cookbook just for you!

This collection features recipes that will allow you to make everything in advance, so that you can kick back and relax with your friends and family.  

So the next time you're hosting the picnic holiday party, get ready to chill. You have the perfect set of recipes. 

Until our next meal,

Rebecca

Five Delicious Recipes for Your Memorial Day Festivities