15 bleu recipes

Blue pumpkin!? We got one from our local farm and came up with this recipe to give a try cooking with it. Regular pie pumpkin can be used but if you find yourself with a blue pumpkin here's a good way to use it.

Carrot cake loaded with crushed pineapple, coconut, and walnuts. Soaked with hot buttermilk glaze straight out of the oven and finished with orange cream cheese frosting.

Texas-style chili loaded with cubed brisket and ground chuck, simmered low and slow in beer, beef stock, and toasted cumin. No beans, no tomato sauce, just bold, meaty heat that's worth every minute of the 4-hour cook.

Blue corn sopapillas made with whole wheat flour, blue cornmeal, yeast, and honey. Rolled thin and fried until puffy and golden, these New Mexican pillows of dough are irresistible drizzled with honey.

Bread machine whole wheat bread studded with crumbled blue cheese and toasted walnuts. A savory, nutty loaf with bold flavor in every slice.

Spinach calzones with blue cheese, sliced mushrooms, Vidalia onion, and garlic on refrigerated pizza dough. A 22-minute vegetarian dinner that folds into four golden personal pockets.

Loaded potatoes au gratin with tangy buttermilk blue cheese sauce, sliced mushrooms, Monterey Jack, and a crushed potato chip topping. Rich, layered, and unforgettable.

Blue corn muffins studded with cranberries and sweetened with honey. Finely ground blue cornmeal gives these a striking purple-gray color and earthy, nutty flavor.

Santa Fe blue corn casserole layers blue cornmeal batter with cumin-spiced pinto beans, green chilies, tomato sauce, and a generous topping of cheese. A Southwestern vegetarian-friendly bake with serious New Mexico flavor.

Three-cheese ball with blue cheese, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese rolled in chopped walnuts or pecans. A classic make-ahead party appetizer with bold, savory flavor.

Pressure cooker barley risotto with dried mushrooms, blue cheese, and Parmesan, no stirring required. Creamy, chewy alternative to classic Arborio risotto ready in under 20 minutes of pressure time.

Blue cheese potato salad with red-skinned potatoes, sour cream, scallions, and celery salt. A tangy, creamy potato salad with no mayo, skins on, and bold peppery flavor.

Buffalo chicken lasagna layered with hot sauce-spiked tomato sauce, ricotta, and crumbled blue cheese on top. Wing-night flavor in casserole form, no frying required.

Mushroom tart with caramelized mixed mushrooms, thyme cream, Parmigiano, and crumbled blue cheese in a flaky puff pastry shell. A showstopper appetizer or light dinner with deep earthy flavor.

Blackened portobello mushroom salad sears Cajun-spiced caps until deeply browned, then slices them over greens with white beans, tomato, red onion, and blue cheese. A hearty vegetarian steak-salad swap.