This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Kimchi Deviled Eggs

In our homeschool experience, we meet amazing, creative families, and one of them brought kimchi-deviled eggs to a homeschool presentation. They were tasty, and I was inspired to make them.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Zucchini Kugel Muffins

Passover Seder is a festive celebration of freedom and a symbolic, ritualized meal commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. We eat specific foods in a structured order of events, including retelling the Exodus story. Behind every single Jewish holiday is this simple mantra, "We fought. We won! Let's eat!"  if you know you know, that in a rush to leave Egypt, the Israelites could not wait for bread to rise so nothing leavened is eaten during the week-long commemoration.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Salmon Croquettes (GF/DF)

I'm the Jew that does not love gefilte fish, especially from a jar. I've had homemade, which is slightly more palatable to my taste, but I would rather eat just about anything instead of what I call the hot dog of fish.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my magic kitchen: Cheese Blintz Casserole 

I was introduced to this masterpiece by my friend Wendy. We met in Memphis when our tiddlypeeps went to the same preschool. She's a doll, a living doll. And she doesn't gatekeep! Many years ago, when we both still lived in Memphis, she invited my family to her family's Yom Kippur Break Fast and served a lot of great food. This blintz casserole? I had never had it before! This dish is magnificent and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or brinner! It's one of those easy-to-make meals that will have everyone at the table asking you for the recipe. Tell them!

In the 90s, for a short spell, I lived in Nashville on White Ave., around the corner from The Sutler, where I worked. My roommate and still longtime friend, Max Hutchinson, and I were invited to our next-door neighbor's holiday potluck party. Our neighbor, Keith Urban, had a friend (whose name escapes me) who made this luscious fruit dip. I couldn't get enough of it, but I also had a hard time figuring out the ingredients. I kept asking him, and he said, "It was a family secret." I eventually got the recipe from him. It was too easy; I almost didn't believe him. I don't make it much. There's a lot of sugar, which I usually avoid, but y'all, it's worth every calorie. It should come with a warning label because it is addictive. Seriously, addictive. Make it for a party so you don't eat it all yourself!

This is Mama Miche, and today, in my magic kitchen: Applesauce

With Hanukkah starting in two nights, all Jewish households will smell like oil—deep-fried goodness. There will be a lot of food cooked in oil. One of the most popular Hanukkah offerings is the potato latke. The latke is traditionally served with sour cream and applesauce. Everyone has a preference except for those special people who love it with both toppings. I'm special! If you want to level up, combine them. Sour cream AND applesauce on your latke. Thank me later. Anyone who has made latkes knows it is a labor of love. It takes hours to make, but it's worth every minute. If you're putting in all that work to make a homemade latke, isn't it worth having delicious, homemade applesauce? It takes no time compared to the main attraction, but it will make it much better than any store-bought applesauce could. You can make it up to a couple of weeks before. I make homemade applesauce all year, but it's extra special at Hanukkah.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Charcuterie 

Sharkcoochy? Qu'est-ce que c'est? What is it? How do you say it? What is this magical French thing? Technically, the word charcuterie refers just to the meat; in French, the word literally means "pork butcher's shop," from char cuite, "cooked flesh." Yum. 

A charcuterie board typically contains a beautifully arranged assortment of meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits. You'll also often see bread or crackers, jams, kinds of butter, and other dips or spreads.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Crack Green Beans.

When a recipe has the word crack in the name, you already know it will be delicious and addictive and might become a favorite. Something you can’t stop eating. Crack green beans are no exception. Easy prep. Like, beyond easy. Tasty AF! I have only met a green bean I didn't like if it was mush. Even if you don't like green beans, I dare you not to love them. I dare you to make these and not love them. 

Let Mama Miche make your kitchen magic. MMMK, Let's eat!

This is Mama Miche, and today, in my magic kitchen: Smoked Turkey Leg

I love family traditions, and one of my love languages is food, so the holiday food traditions warm the cockles of my heart. BUT.  Turkey doesn't rock my world, and the only time we stuffed & roasted a turkey was for the Thanksgiving feast. I always preferred the sandwiches and Turkey a la King leftovers to the bird served at dinner. I make a moist, never-dry, and tasty roast turkey; however, if you want an orgasmic flavor, smoke and serve the most popular part: the leg! It's one of the quickest meats you can smoke on a smoker, and it's fantastic. Try this easy recipe. It's great any time, including Thanksgiving.

I don't make this enough, and I have no excuse or reason why I don't make this more often. I love stuffing vegetables with yummy fillings. It looks lovely, and it tastes divine. This stuffing is easy to make while the acorn squash cooks, and honestly, when these ingredients combine, your taste buds and your belly will be like, “Damn! You love me! You really love me.”

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Smokin' Ham

I need to preface this recipe by saying it does not fall into my usual category of quick and easy meals. It doesn't have many ingredients, but this bitch takes a week just to prep! And a day to smoke. This bitch needs constant love and attention and is the very definition of high maintenance. Is this bitch worth it? Yes, she is.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Shrimp Creole 

This recipe comes from the recipe my MIL cooked for her kids. For the hubster's birthday through the years, she would make him the dinner of his choice and this was a frequently requested meal. If you make it, I think you'll know why. I use our Twice Stolen spice blend, and yes, it's that versatile. It replaces plain salt in the original ingredient list. It's a delicious update to an already great, comforting meal. That's one way we redefine comfort food in Mama Miche's Magic Kitchen.