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.

This is Mama Miche, and today in my Magic Kitchen: Peachy Mango Roast Cornish Hens.

I was going to make the Thai chili chicken thigh recipe on my YouTube channel and in the cookbook to be released soon, but I felt adventurous. I decided to play around and concoct another poultry dish for Rosh Hashanah this year. I'm so glad I did. The whole famdamily loved it, which is always a sweet way to celebrate a new year, with content bellies nourished, full, and happy. This is what I came up with. I hope you love it too!

This is Mama Miche, and today in My Magic Kitchen: Honey Sweet Chili Chicken

Wait a minute. It's not deja vu. We shared this recipe last year and I say it's worthy of a re-share. It's that good. It's that easy and I hope it becomes a staple on your menu like it is on mine. Perfect for Rosh Hashanah! This recipe is for 4 but it's easy to quadruple for a large gathering. 

I love a good quiche! It sounds fancy because it's French, and foreigners and their Romance languages make everything sound so purdy.

One thing that is truly important on most days in my magic kitchen is ease. Shit has got to be easy. I'm not a trained chef; I'm a simple home cook. I've got a boarding house reach and NY middle-class manners, and I'm not fucking apologizing for who I am.