Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a great week! We sure have. I’m waking up in gorgeous Vienna, Austria today. Have you ever been? It’s my first time here in Vienna and I am WOWED! Earlier this week we were in Munich, Germany. So fun! The schnitzel, spaetzle and German sausages are AMAZING! The German beer too. I haven’t been to this part of Europe since I was 17 years old. It’s so wonderful to be back! I’m in Europe for the next week scouting out locations to find the best spots and hidden gems for my future culinary vacations. This weekend I’m taking my very first river cruise. We’ll be taking the Danube river from Budapest to Passau, Germany. I can't wait! I promise to take loads of pictures and post them on Instagram and Facebook. Follow me to see fun and fabulous food!

I have to admit it was a bit hard to leave Sheboygan. It’s been such a gorgeous summer in Wisconsin. Earlier this week, before we left, I went to the Sheboygan Farmer’s market. It seems like everything is coming at once! The cucumbers are finally here. Those little pickling cucumbers are my FAVE! They are so crunchy and full of flavor. I love serving fresh sliced cucumbers, bright colored peppers and sugar snap peas with my homemade Dill Dip. It’s the BEST EVER veggie dip. Super quick and easy too. You just gotta try it! Click Appetizers for more of my favorite summer dips and appetizer recipes.

I LOVE homemade pickles! But, canning is a lot of work. I have a short cut! My super Quick Fridge Pickles are the way to go. You can have fresh pickles in a couple of hours. These are so crazy easy and so good. Everybody loves them and they stay nice and crisp. LOVE THAT!

I pile the pickles on my Super Easy Pulled Pork Sandwiches. SO YUMMY!

They are great on my Sloppy Joes for a Crowd too. Click Sandwiches and Slow Cooker for more super good sandwich recipes.

Summer is all about a good salad! My mom’s been visiting from Arizona all summer. We’ve LOVED having her. She’s so much fun! My Best Ever Layered Salad is my mom's favorite. It was a recipe passed down from my grandmother. It’s always a hit. I love that you can make it ahead. Perfect for potlucks and backyard BBQ’s.

My mom loves chicken. You know what they say, everything is better on a stick. I agree! My Chicken and Veggie Kabobs are ALWAYS a WINNER! Healthy too! They are a great way to use up all those garden veggies. I load them up with bright colorful chunks of peppers, onion, zucchini, and mushrooms. The two-ingredient marinade is the secret that makes these so tasty. I even make extra sauce and heat it for dipping the chicken and veggies. I’m getting excited just thinking about these! They look so pretty piled on a platter. Nobody needs to know how easy they are. I also love that you can make them ahead!

Speaking of chicken, If you haven’t made my Best Ever Lemon Chicken, you need to. In the summer I make this on the grill in a foil pan. It’s super easy, full of flavor and so juicy!

On the side, pick up some big baking potatoes and bake or grill my fancy Fancy Baked Potatoes. They look so fancy but they are crazy easy to make. Try it! Now that’s one delicious summer dinner! Click Dinner, Nice ’n Lite and Casseroles for more super good summer recipes.

For dessert we LOVE chocolate! My Death By Chocolate Cake is loaded with chocolate. I bake it in a bundt pan and when I serve it I fill the center with fresh berries. So pretty! Delicious with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

No time to bake? Pick up brownies from the store or bakery and make my Chocolate Raspberry Trifles. Lovely layered in pretty wine glasses! Click Desserts for more delicious summer sweets recipes.

Please Invite Me!

I'm doing live cooking demos again! I'd love to come to your town and meet you. Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

Order Amy's Cookbooks!

If you like my recipes, I think you will love my cookbooks. Both of my cookbooks are full color, and each is filled with nearly 200 unique recipes. Lots of secrets, tips and fun stories, too! Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

The Cooking Mom Vacations Are Coming!

Join The Cooking Mom in Puerto Vallarta in January 2023!

With summer in full swing, I’m sure you don’t even want to think about winter. But, now is the time to plan your escape from the cold and snow! I’ve planned the ULTIMATE winter getaway. Beat the winter blues and join me in beautiful Puerto Vallarta! It’s one of my favorite cities in Mexico. It’s got history, charm, beautiful beaches, and an incredible food scene. I took a group there last winter and it was over the top FANTASTIC! We had perfect weather with sunshine every day. Great news. We were even able to negotiate a better rate on this trip than last year. YIPPEE!

We’ll fly out January 15 and stay 7 nights at the most beautiful small boutique 4-diamond luxury resort right on the beach. This trip is also a really great value because ALL of your meals at the resort, fine wines, beer and even top shelf cocktails will be included. You’ll have the options to join me for an authentic Mexican cooking class, personalized food tours, tequila tastings and even whale watching! Or, you can just sit on the beach and relax. Either way it’s going to be fabulous! We can only take a limited number of people. Time is running out to book this trip! Click The Cooking Mom’s Culinary Trip to Puerto Vallarta to get the full itinerary and pricing information. You can also call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel (920)725-2880 for more details or email her at [email protected] for more details.

Join Amy on a River Cruise in France in April 2023! SALE EXTENDED!

Have you ever dreamed of going on a river cruise? It’s the ULTIMATE way to see Europe! Bring on lots of wine tasting, gourmet meals, fresh croissants and pastries and so much more! Join me on a river cruise through Southern France from Burgundy to Provence. In April of 2023, we’ll cruise the Rhone river on a gorgeous new boutique ship with only 150 passengers! It’s first class all the way and it’s a true ALL-INCLUSIVE river cruise, meaning all your food, drinks, and excursions are included. Gratuity too!

Plus, you’ll have the option to stay a couple days after the cruise to experience Paris. It will be spring and the blossoms will be in full bloom. It’s going to be stunning!

Great news! You can still save BIG on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. The pay-in-full sale has just been extended through September! Click Join The Cooking Mom on a French River Cruise to get all the dates and details. This trip is going to be so wonderful. Join me! Call Brittany at Bon Voyage Boutique Travel at (920)725-2880 for more!

Planning New Trips for 2023 and 2024!

I’m so excited to be hosting group culinary vacations! My trips are so special and different from the rest! To find out more about my trips and what makes them so unique click Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom.

In June, I hosted a wonderful trip to gorgeous Mackinac Island for the Lilac Festival. Have you ever been? If not, you need to go! Let me know if you are interested in going with me back to the island next summer. Email me at [email protected]. In April, I hosted an incredible group trip to Ireland! Would you be interested in joining me on another trip to Ireland in the future? I’m definitely going back. Maybe to Scotland too! I’m planning my trips for 2023 and 2024 right now. Stay tuned!

I LOVE Nashville! I know all the secret spots. Let me know if you’d be interested in a trip to Nashville next spring. Email me the trips you’d be interested in at [email protected]!

Gotta run! There’s lots to do in Austria today and tomorrow we leave for Budapest! I promise to post lots of pictures of my trip on Facebook and Instagram. Check out my food videos on YouTube, too.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom