Best of the Month May 2014

A recap of my most popular posts from last month (May 2014)

No chocolate recipes this month but I am happy to see that every post (except the great idea thursdays) got 100 or more views and at least 1 comment, many have more.  The biggest contributor to this, I believe, is link parties.  I changed my link party strategy about 2 months ago.  I now try to post my links as soon as the party opens.  Before I was more lackadaisical and would just link up when ever I thought about it.  Now, thanks to some blogging tips I read, I have my favorite link parties and their start times on my google calendar and I get a notification when they are soon to start.  I'm still working on my social media presence but there is always room for improvement.

followers:  968             followers:  197

likes:  117                     followers:  56

followers:  480 (169 Joybee, What's for Dinner Blog Posts board)

My best of May:

Tequila Lime Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp marinated in tequila and lime juice atop a lightly grilled corn tortilla with toppings of your choice.  210 views, 64 +1s, and this was  accepted to TasteSpotting.

Leftover Rice Pudding

A creamy pudding made with leftover rice, milk, sugar, and raisins.  173 views and 4 +1s.

Bean and Rice Taco Salad

A vegetarian meal of tortilla chips and lettuce, topped with spicy rice and beans, and finished with avocado sour cream and cilantro.  149 views and 41 +1s.

17 Great Ideas for Grilling (for Memorial Day)

A roundup of 17 recipes to cook on the grill for Memorial Day or any time you feel like grilling.  From the archives of Great Idea Thursdays.  143 views and 18 +1s.

Open Faced Reuben Melts

All your favorite Reuben ingredients piled on crostini and ready for a quick meal, appetizer, or football snack.  128 views and 21 +1s.

Enjoy.

Linked to:  Two Cup, Tasty Tuesday, Brag About it, Teach me Tuesday, Lou Lou Girls, Whimsy Wednesday, The Wednesday Roundup, Cook Craft Share, Eat Create Party, Freedom Friday

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Open Faced Reuben Melts

All your favorite Reuben ingredients piled on crostini and ready for a quick meal, appetizer, or football snack.

My husband loves corned beef.  The real stuff not the creepy "meat" in a can.  So of course when he sees it reasonably priced it makes it home with him.  I'm indifferent towards corned beef but I know he loves it so I'll suffer through.  One great thing about corned beef, since I don't really care much for it, is that he is the one who cooks it.  Not that it's difficult.  I believe the corned beef in this recipe was put in the slow cooker with some cabbage and left to cook most of the day.  Another great thing about corned beef is that it gives me an excuse (as if I need one) to make deli style rye bread.  Because, I think, my husband's favorite thing about corned beef is the Reuben Sandwich.

This corned beef was made back in February so we had plenty for Super Bowl Sunday.  I think I saw this idea on another blog or on pinterest but I don't remember who to credit.  I decided Open Faced Reubens would make a perfect football snack.  There were only the two of us so these 6 crostini were plenty filling.  Each grilled slice of rye is topped with thousand island dressing, corned beef, sauekraut, and swiss cheese.  Then it's broiled until the cheese melts.  They were a simple and delicious snack that was easy to munch on while watching the big game.  They also make great party food for any event. 

Open Faced Reuben Melts

Ingredients:

Rye bread, sliced

Thousand island dressing

Corned beef, sliced

Sauerkraut

Swiss cheese

Butter, optional

Optional:  butter both sides of the bread slices and grill in a frying pan until lightly browned (on each side).

Arrange the rye slices on a baking sheet and top with the dressing, kraut, corned beef, and lastly cheese.  Add as much or little of the toppings as you like.

Place the pan under the broiler until cheese melts.

Allow to cool slightly and serve.  Goes great with beer.  Make as many as you like or until your ingredients run out.

Enjoy.

Linked to:  Two Cup, LouLou Girls, Brag About It, Tasty Tuesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Wednesday Roundup, Full Plate, Freedom Friday, Eat Create Party, Best of the Weekend, Show Stopper, Share it Sunday, Saturday Night Fever, See Ya in the Gumbo, Much Ado Food on Friday potluck

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