The Blue Willow Pantry

06/14/2026

We celebrated grandson Ethan’s 20th birthday yesterday - his birthday was June 2nd, but this was his day off!
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Tacos with Avocado Crema recipe from Plum Street Collective and Restaurant Style Mexican Rice recipe from Foodology Geek.
Because it’s his celebration, and I didn’t think he’d ever had one, I made The Café Sucre Farine’s Best Ever Homemade Flour Tortillas. He helped make them and also the Avocado Crema!
Ethan has always been very patriotic, so we had a photo shoot on my favorite old bridge on Messmer Street.
Ethan asked how old the bridge is — I found out it was built in 1919!
Once again, I made those Salted Caramel Rice Krispie treats because he and Don absolutely love them.
The meat was made the day before, and so was the rice. I bout the pico at Aldi, because it’s very good!
Recipe links in the comments below.

06/11/2026

Breakfast for supper on a hot, steamy day! This vintage recipe, for Sunday Morning Pancakes, is delicious any day of the week!
Yes, it’s Essner's Custom Butchering bacon!

06/10/2026

Two simply delicious meals…pork tenderloin in the slow cooker.
Seasoned with salt and pepper, browned in bacon grease in my cast iron skillet. Placed in the slow cooker, along with the meat juices/grease, and baked on high until temp tested to 145°.
If you like a crisp crust on the top of the tenderloin, try this.
Place a double thickness of paper towel under the lid during the last hour of baking.
I enjoyed a nice salad the next day, with ranch dressing — not from a bottle! Equal parts Dukes Mayo and milk, and enough of one of those ranch dressing packets to make it taste really good!
Stuffed peppers on the menu again this week, and Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli — and more Refrigerator Pickles!

06/08/2026

Wings, Etc…Kelso style!
The recipe deserves an encore because these wings are so easy and delish! When the temperatures heat up, I make a lot of dishes in the slow cooker.
Just 2 hours in the slow cooker with garlic and melted butter. Brush with your fav sauce and crisp them in the air fryer for about 5 minutes.
Yes, I use a liner in the slow cooker for easy cleanup 😊
Essner's Custom Butchering has various sizes of the packaged wings.
Recipe link in the comment below.

06/04/2026

I’ve made this decadent chocolate cherry dump cake in my favorite cast iron skillet…but today’s version will be in the slow cooker this afternoon! I am baker has millions of followers! This recipe is one of my favorites.
Note: be sure to check the ounces on your cake mix box. I’ve added extra cocoa to make up the difference from the cake mix boxes in the recipe.
These photos from one of my cast iron skillet versions.
Recipe link in the comment below.

06/02/2026

Love every recipe I’ve ever tried! Thank you, Sally!

🎉 Here we go! A new month, a new Sally’s Baking Challenge! 🎉 Everything you need to know for June is here, including the previous winner: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/category/sallys-baking-traditions/sallys-baking-challenge/ 💛💛

06/01/2026

Ten years ago, I began making Sourdough Belgian Waffles. The sourdough starter was a gift from a friend — it’s fed with whole milk and flour, instead of the usual flour and water.

2 cups sourdough starter* (fed the evening before making waffles)
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons melted butter

Just mix it together and you’re ready to make waffles!

*Don’t forget to keep 1 cup of fed starter

These waffles are so light…and nice, crisp and delish!
I’ve included a few waffle recipes, just in case you don’t have a sourdough starter.

05/30/2026

Stuffed peppers and mashed potatoes are comfort food to me!
This version includes Essner’s very lean ground beef, onion, garlic, cumin, medium chunky salsa, rice, corn and pepper jack cheese.
Sometimes, I add black beans, too.
A traditional, and very good recipe, is in the comment below. I use it as an ingredient guide.
I put the rest of the filling in the freezer for now…later, it may be more stuffed peppers, or turn into taco soup!
Baking these stuffed peppers in the air fryer takes 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the peppers and if the filling is warm.
I’m definitely having a potato pancake tonight!

05/28/2026

Supper in the air fryer ~ ready in minutes!
Who doesn’t love toasted ravioli! I’ve been making this marinara sauce for years -~ it’s delish!

05/25/2026

I’ve been making Cookie’s Red Onion Garnish for years…so delicious!
Started some Essner's Custom Butchering pork steak on the grill, yesterday, and finished in the slow cooker with sauce. Simmered for several hours until tender. We shared a pork steak, to have room for dessert later!
Spent several days sewing with friends last week at Bohemian Scrapsody 573.398.9117. One morning, I took time to make a little patriotic decor, from a vintage spool, fabric scraps, raffia, a flag, and a few embellishments. Mostly, sewing, cutting fabric, good food, and girl talk galore. Sew much fun!