Just~One~Donna

Don't you love it when Cinco de Mayo falls on the weekend?  That way you'll have plenty of time to kick back and enjoy the fun as well as the robust flavors of all the yummy foods.  Are you looking for some food suggestions?  Here are five of my favorite dishes to make at home anytime, but especially to help celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Plan Your Cinco de Mayo Celebration with These Five Recipes (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  Thanks for shopping!) Slammin' Guacamole OK, I know guacamole is not technically a dish, but I can't imagine a Cinco de Mayo spread without a large bowl of tasty guacamole.   This is my favorite guacamole recipe, but I encourage you to make this one your own with a little bit of this and that. Add caption Add a bit more jalapeno pepper to kick up the heat index.  Add a little more, or less, chopped tomato, or substitute parsley for the cilantro.  I happen to love the cilantro, but I know there a

For quite a few years we were a take-it-or-leave-it, corn-on-the-cob family.  That was the case until we discovered the wondrous flavor of grilled corn.  Now we are corn-on-the-cob obsessed.    We particularly love our grilled corn-on-the-cob slathered with Chili-lime Butter .  Oh, yeah!  That's some good food. Southwest Shrimp with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad Grilled Southwest Shrimp with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad Today's recipe uses our favorite grilled corn in a black bean salad served with skewers of Southwest grilled shrimp.  The Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. This is a perfect way to use any leftover grilled corn you might have. The Southwest Grilled Shrimp takes only minutes to prepare, making this Southwest Shrimp with Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad a perfect summer dinner.  It's easy, flavorful, and perfect for eating on the deck. Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad Print Recipe Grill

One of my goals in publishing this blog is to provide you with family-friendly food that fits the busy lives we all lead.  I have a repertoire of meal plans that are super easy to make, but full of flavor.  As the primary cook in the Just One Donna house, I am often tired by meal prep time from a day full of activities. While I no longer work outside the home, when I did, I needed quick, easy dinners that would satisfy my family.  This oven-baked BBQ Pork Chops with Southwest Vegetables is one of those dinners that satisfies my need for easy preparation while being substantial and flavorful.  That means this dinner will work for bloggers and other busy people, no matter what leaves you time-challenged. Easy Oven-Baked BBQ Pork Chops with Southwest Vegetables BBQ Pork Chops with Southwest Vegetables You'll need about ninety minutes from start to table with this recipe.  Most of that time is oven cooking time.   I also like to think about cleanup as I plan my meals, For th

Brownies are one of my favorite indulgences.  Pretty much any brownie will satisfy me.  I'm not fussy. It can be a fancy-schmancy brownie or a brownie from a box.  I don't like nuts in my brownie. Nuts distract me from everything I love about brownies.  The brownie just needs to be full of fudgy chocolate flavor. Decadent Caramel Ganache Brownies Decadent Caramel Ganache Brownies Occasionally, I like a kicked-up brownie.   Sometimes I'll add a chocolate buttercream topping to a basic brownie and that is yummy.  When I want to go over the top, I'll add a layer of caramel and top that with a layer of chocolate ganache.  Does that sound kicked up enough for you?  The resulting brownie is delicious...decadently delicious.  Oh, yeah, baby!  I am not kidding.  This is one heck of a brownie. There are three steps to this brownie, so you'll need to plan accordingly.  Start by making your favorite brownie recipe.  You can even use your favorite boxed brownie in th

As the weather warms and you start to think about gathering friends and family for parties and celebrations you'll want to think about signature cocktails. This rum punch cocktail is an ideal cocktail for a large gathering because the flavors are irresistible. Don't you think a warm-weather cocktail should make imagine yourself sitting by the shore on a tropical beach with your toes in the sand? Fruity rum drinks are perfect and rum punch is one of those perfect cocktails.  Cool and fruity, rum punch will make a party! One sip and you'll be transported to the beach. Rum Punch Cocktail (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) Rum Punch for a Party! Can you make a rum punch ahead of time?  This rum punch recipe is a make-ahead recipe I use whenever we are having a large group for a summer picnic or barbecue.  Use the recipe below as your baseline and double or tripl

Do you ever order something in a restaurant that you love so much that you can't stop thinking about it? Asiago Pesto Potatoes is a side dish offered at a favorite restaurant of mine in Florida.  Once I tasted these potatoes they became my obsession.  We love twice-baked potatoes at my house and in my opinion, these fall into that category.  If you are looking for a  twice-baked potato recipe that is a little different you'll want to try these.   They are cheesy, garlicky, and packed with basil flavor.  Yum! Golden, Cheesy, Asiago Pesto Twice-Baked Potatoes Asiago Pesto Potatoes Naturally, I wanted to find a way to replicate those tasty potatoes.  Fortunately, they are a simple-to-make potato dish, packed with amazing flavor.  They make a perfect accompaniment to a hearty dish. You can also make them your main course paired with a side salad if you become as obsessed with them as I have. Choose medium-sized red potatoes. Cut them in half and go from there.   The r