Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! We have had the most amazing week. We’ve been traveling around Europe seeing and doing things I’ve always dreamed of. It’s been so fun to eat our way around Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Budapest! Hoyt and I are in search of hidden gems and the best food for upcoming Culinary Vacations with The Cooking Mom!

We are also on our very first river cruise. This truly is THE ULTIMATE way to see Europe! We are taking a Uniworld river cruise on U.S.S. Maria Theresa. It’s a small beautiful ship. There are only 80 passengers on our boat right now. We have the best crew. They take care of our every need, leave treats in our cabin and have just made us feel so special. The food on the cruise is fantastic! From the freshly baked breads and pastries to big beautiful salads for lunch. At night, we’ve had gourmet dinners paired perfectly with exquisite wines. I’ve been trying to save room for desserts, homemade ice creams and sorbets too. So yummy! We’ve also been treated to beautiful music. There have been guest musicians on board from all over Europe who have absolutely WOWED us!

We started our river cruise in Budapest. It’s was my first time here and it is a city I quickly fell in love with. It has it all, especially at night it’s pure magic! We've had delicious goulash with spaetzle, and a huge meat and cheese platter; but our favorite was the grilled braided Hungarian Sausage served with roasted potatoes, freshly grated horseradish, a crispy vinegar coleslaw and a cool cucumber sour cream salad with lots of paprika. It is a lunch I will never forget! I’ve just got to come back here! Who wants to join me? This cruise on the Danube River has been spectacular! We sit up on the top deck, and with a glass of wine or a beer and look out at the most gorgeous scenery and sometimes giant castles too. We’ve had perfect weather and we’ve met the nicest people. That’s one of my favorite parts of traveling and my group culinary trips - the new friends we meet! We’ll keep in touch long after the trips end!

To be honest, we are starting to miss our dog Arlo a bit and Wisconsin. When we get home I've got to go the farmers market so I can try to re-create some the the food we’ve eaten here. Getting back to that Hungarian cucumber salad. I LOVE a crisp refreshing cucumber salad. Even better when it’s hot out and those baby pickling cukes are in season. LOVE THEM! My Cucumber Dill Salad is a family favorite. It’s super easy too! Love the sour cream and fresh dill in there. It’s the perfect summer side at your backyard BBQ. Next time I may add some of the Hungarian Paprika I just bought here too!

Are you growing mint? We are! Sometimes I have no clue what to do with all of it. Use a little fresh mint and those garden tomatoes in my Cucumber Mint Salad. It’s got a little feta cheese on top that makes it even more tasty! It is a nice ’n lite side dish that goes with whatever you are grilling!

For a nice, light lunch, how about making my Cucumber Sandwiches? They are a taste of summer. Perfect for a ladies lunch, book club or a shower too! They look so pretty, don’t they?

Got spaghetti in the pantry? Use it to make my Spaghetti Salad. Throw in tomatoes, cukes, zucchini and whatever else you have from the garden or produce that needs using. So bright and colorful, and kid-friendly too!

Speaking of spaghetti my Sesame Noodle Salad is also a HUGE winner. Kids love it too! It’s got a little peanut butter in it. Pasta and peanut butter. Most kids' favorites! Growing up it was my daughter’s favorite. I used to pack it in her school lunch bag. Click Salads and Nice ’n Lite for more summer pasta salad, side salad, and fruit salad recipes.

I love a good sandwich for dinner in the summer! When it’s hot outside, I don’t like to turn on the oven. Instead, get out your slow cooker and make my hot BBQ Beef Sandwiches. They are crazy easy and so good. Serve them with my Loaded Potato Salad. Now that’s the perfect summer dinner! Click Appetizers, Sandwiches, Dinner and Slow Cooker for more super good summer recipes.

For dessert, the peaches are here. My Peach Crostata is even easier than homemade peach pie!

Use canned peaches to make my Coconut Peach Dump Cake. You can even do it in a foil pan on the grill.

Cool off with my quick and easy Peach Smoothies. Click Desserts and Drinks for more delicious summer sweets and drink recipes.

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! The Ultimate Way to Travel.

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!

Would you like to join me on a river cruise through Europe? Or what about a quick budget-friendly trip to Nashville next spring? I know all the secret spots. Let me know the bucket trips you’d be interested! Just email me at [email protected]!

Gotta run! Our river cruise on the Danube continues today! We’ve got another full couple of days visiting beautiful small towns on this magical river. I can’t wait! I promise to post lots more 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