Mexican-style sandwiches of refried beans and cheese, served on sturdy rolls and toasted, then topped with pico de gallo, make for a nice snack, though they are often served at breakfast, lunch or dinner as well. Add your own favorite toppings!

Molletes - Mexican-Style Bean and Cheese Sandwiches

I am an animal lover. Most of y'all who have been hanging with us know that because you've heard me talk about the TNR program I have participated in the past 7 years since moving and discovering a neighborhood filled with strays and discards that needed to all be fixed. 
 
My dog Boo has been with me since he was found as a puppy, left behind in a box, inside a buggy in a Walmart parking lot in 2008. Hurricane Katrina had already changed the course of my life and I was just entertaining the idea of Deep South Dish. Boo and I have literally been together 24/7 ever since, so we became best buds.

We're both aging and it shows, but it's the natural course of life isn't it? You don't think about that much when you're younger.

Ropes of dough made from refrigerator biscuits, tied in a knot and baked, finished with a seasoned blend of butter and olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Garlic Parmesan Knots

It's very rare that I use canned biscuits on a regular basis for biscuits.

I understand people love them, and yeah, they make quick biscuits for sure, but personally I prefer to make my own biscuits from scratch for biscuit consumption. There's just no comparison.

My garlic bread butter blend is made using unsalted butter and some great seasonings, it's easy to make and full of flavor!

Garlic Bread Butter Blend

Okay, yes, I know. It's only garlic bread.

Melt some butter, brush it on some bread, sprinkle a little garlic powder on top, pop it in the oven and you're done. True.

But, this is a step up from that and it's the butter blend that I've been using for my basic garlic bread for years.

Tangy Crab Bread Appetizer

 

Crabmeat mixed with a tangy blend of sour cream and mayo, layered on French bread with cream cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. Cut into slices and serve hot for a great appetizer!

Tangy Crab Bread

There once was a local seafood restaurant called Catch of the Day, where us gals used to gather on occasion after a long day at the office.

Okay. It may have been more often than occasionally that we gathered to gossip, moan and complain about work and co-workers, over a nice tall glass of Long Island iced tea and listen to a little music.

It was quite a popular after-work place there for a few years.

Thawed frozen bread dough or refrigerated pizza dough, makes this appetizer bread stuffed with seasoned hot sausage and cheese super easy.

Sausage and Cheese Bread

A perfect appetizer for any party, this Sausage and Cheese Bread made from homemade or refrigerated pizza dough or thawed frozen bread dough is a definite crowd favorite.

Regular Italian sausage works great for this, but I prefer to use the hot version of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage and add shredded pepper jack cheese for the extra kick they both give. Together with the onion and bell pepper, that is really all the seasoning you need. If you're making it for tailgating, bake it, let it cool, wrap it in foil and warm it up on the grill before slicing.

French bread stuffed with gooey cheese and smeared with a garlicky, parsley butter blend. An indulgence for sure, but so worth it!

Hasselback Cheesy Garlic Bread

Now, when I make this Cheesy Garlic Bread, I don't generally do the whole loaf, because, well... it's just me and The Cajun, and I would definitely eat the whole loaf! Besides being a book addict, I am also a lover of bread. All kinds. Especially freshly baked bread. And freshly baked French bread, most especially. And let me tell you. This bread is some kinda good. So if you're feedin' your family, or having a party, go right ahead and make the whole loaf. Since you have other folks to share it with and all.

French bread, topped with a creamy white sauce with Parmesan and Swiss cheeses and tossed with shrimp and crab, baked and then finished with a sprinkle of pepper jack cheese.

Seafood Appetizer Bread with Crab and Shrimp

This is just a bit of a different take on my Beefy Pizza Bread by bringing in some seafood elements with the use of crab and shrimp. 

Now if you have access to fresh shrimp and crab, absolutely use those, but you can use frozen already cooked shrimp and canned crab if that's what you have access to. I did decide this one needed a creamy base to it though, so the sauce is much different from the pizza bread.

This would be an unexpected and delicious surprise for any party menu, so include it on your menu and watch it disappear! Here's how to make it.

French bread, topped with a mixture of ground beef, onion, bell pepper, Parmesan cheese & pizza sauce, and topped with mozzarella cheese for gooey goodness!

Beefy Pizza Bread

Another great party food! Arrange slices on a platter and watch 'em fly off at your next football party or other gathering.

French bread, topped with a mixture of ground beef, onion and green bell pepper, that has Parmesan cheese, Italian seasonings, and pizza sauce stirred in to it. Bake it, top it with slices of Mozzarella, return it to the oven just long enough to melt, then slice and serve.