I love to make these to take to just about anything, or simply to enjoy at home with family! This recipe is full of the goodness of eggs and Vitamin C of lemons. The sugar can be reduced by using Truvia or another sweetener, but I found that Truvia...
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For many years (40? 50?) no holiday celebration in our family has been complete without the family favorite: Polish Baked Mushrooms. (see below) Not only is it rich with eggs and heavy cream and butter (and everything’s good with butter and cream), but filled with protein and fat. You’d...
This is a great side dish or snack during the winter. It’s also easy to double or halve the recipe depending on what you need. Ingredients: 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon orange or lemon zest 1 cinnamon stick 3 black peppercorns 1/2...
During a Summer like this, I like to keep refreshing drinks in the fridge so I can have a little something sweet without a lot of effort. Lemonade is a perfect Summer drink for almost any occasion. I also tend to think of it as a “happy” drink to...
These are a great cookie for the holidays! One batch makes between 90 and 100 cookies, they are small and they are very easy to throw together. Ingredients: 2 1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup roasted salted peanuts 2...
This is a perfect and easy soup for fall and winter. If you are worried about left-overs, just cool down the soup to room temperature, put in a freezer safe container and freeze for the next time you want a bowl of soup. Ingredients: 1 tsp oil 1 cup...
These are a great fall cookie, especially if you do not want to overload on the pumpkin before Thanksgiving. Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup vegetable shortening 1 1/2 cups granulated...
These cookies are perfect for the start of fall. Not too much work in the kitchen but a nice nut flavored cookie to get you ready for the start of holiday season. Ingredients: 1 vanilla cake mix 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs 2 teaspoons almond extract 1 1/3...
One day I was trying to make easy smoothies for my nieces and nephew when I found some frozen berries. The kids weren’t sure about the blackberries but I just puréed them all togther. The smoothies did not use up all of the berry mixture and I decided to...
1 onion, chopped 1 T. butter 3 (14 oz. cans) chicken broth 1 (32 oz.) frozen hash browns (diced, not shredded) 1 (10 oz. can) Cream of Celery soup 1 (10 oz. can) Cream of Chicken soup 1 1/2 cups milk 1 lb. Velveeta cheese Bacon bits (optional)...
These cookies have extra peanut butter with the chips added in with the nuts. Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 pound unsalted butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter 2...
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have gone with a quick and easy chocolate dessert that will look really impressive. Ingredients: White Chocolate chips Semi-sweet Chocolate chips Dried Fruit (banana chips, Pineapple chips, apricots) Fresh Fruit (strawberries, raspberries, apple slices, cherries with the stems) Oreos Nuts (truly an assortment)...
These are a great quick cookie that can be kept in the freezer before you bake them off for at least a month. Ingredients: 1 pound unsalted butter, softened 8 ounces powdered sugar vanilla extract 1 teaspoon salt 1 pound 3 ounces all-purpose flour Directions: 1. Cream butter, add...
Ingredients: 1 Cup of sugar 1/4 Cup flour 1/8 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 Cup butter (1 stick) 1 recipe for plain pastry or 2 Pillsbury Pie Crusts (1 pkg.) 4 large fresh peeled peaches (when in season) 1/4 Cup water Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg. Cut in butter until “crumbly”. Sprinkle...
The holiday season is the perfect time for gingerbread. This cake is wonderful for parties or the family Christmas dinner. Ingredients: 3/4 cup molasses 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup canola oil 1 large egg 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons...
2 pkg. Frozen chopped spinach 1 large pkg. Cream cheese (8 oz.) 1 stick of margarine, divided in half grated rind of one lemon Pepperidge Farm dressing crumbs (herb seasoned) Blend cream cheese, ¼ stick of margarine and lemon rind. Cook spinach according to directions. Drain well. Squeeze out...
This is an all-time family favorite! Just use a deep dish pyrex or other oven-safe pie plate. 1 pie dish (or aluminum pie pan) Pie Crust (from Pillsbury’s “All-ready Pie Crust”) 2 heaping tablespoons flour 1 pkg.(2 or 3 cups) Of grated, mixed cheese (colby-jack, or 4-cheese Mexican Blend...
These are great cookies to start the fall season, not too heavy but the right amount of spice to get you ready for the chilly fall weather. They are also incredibly easy to make since they start with a cake mix. Ingredients: 1 spice cake mix (18.25 oz) 2/3...
You can use almost any kind of summer fruit for these shortcakes, whatever you can find that is fresh! Ingredients: 8 cups pineapple, slices thin 5 tablespoons sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons sugar 8 tablespoons...
Make a half of a cup of simple syrup. Let it cool to room temperature. Use 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar. Simmer (cook slowly) over low heat until the sugar dissolves. (Do not stir the sugar while it is dissolving, just keep an eye on it to...
This is a recipe for two 8″ cakes for one tier of cake.To make a 6″ tier half the recipe, for a 10″ tier double the recipe. Ingredients: 4 eggs, room temperature 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2...
These are super easy and a quick special dessert for Valentine’s Day. Ingredients: Fresh Strawberries (make sure they have the leaves, for holding) Dipping Chocolate (it comes in a microwaveable container) various toppings: nuts, toffee, chocolate chips Directions: Lay out the strawberries on a cookie sheet with parchment or...
These are a great light cookie for the winter, it works as a gift or just to have around the house. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup shortening 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup firmly packed light...
This is a bit more complicated than the recipe on the can of pumpkin but the flavors of the pumpkin and spices really come out. Ingredients: 1 partially baked 9″ pie crust 2 cups (16 oz) plain canned pumpkin 1 cup dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2...
Salt Water Taffy is something that I always identify with summer and the beach. My dad’s family lives around the Philadelphia area so we would go to Ocean City, New Jersey for a week in the summer. The boardwalk has stores selling salt water taffy about every ten feet....
Amazingly easy and a great summer treat! Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups flour 1/4 cup plain yellow cornmeal 2 tablespoons sugar 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2/3 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon orange marmalade 16 ounces fresh...
This is a great sauce that works with pork, chicken, sausage and burgers. It is also incredibly easy to make and will last a while in the fridge so you can have it all summer. Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced...
This is a great recipe for a quick summer breakfast throughout the week. Just store it in a plastic bag with a twist tie. Ingredients: 2 cups All-purpose Flour 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional) 3...
Everyone’s Favorite Quiche”! 1 pie dish (or aluminum pie pan) Pie Crust (from Pillsbury’s “All-ready Pie Crust”Ô) 2 heaping tablespoons flour 1 pkg.(2 or 3 cups) Of grated, mixed cheese (colby-jack, or 4-cheese Mexican Blend is great) ¼ tsp. Salt dash of pepper 3 eggs or egg substitutes...
These are a great spring/summer cookies which use preserves so you do not have to wait for the peach crop to come in! Ingredients: 1 package vanilla cake mix (18.25 ounces) 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup peach preserves 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 egg Directions: Sift the cake...
This is a nice light tea with an adaptable recipe. It can be divided or multiplied, the amount of sugar can be adjusted depending on taste and the peach nectar can be played with. Ingredients: 2 family-size tea bags 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves 2/3 cup sugar 3...
Sometimes springtime will have a week or so of really cold weather or even snow which we name “Blackberry Winter.” Here in the South that does not happen often, but perhaps that is why the name sticks with us because it is such an unusual event. While Blackberries do...
These cookies are super easy to make and a great spring or summer treat! Ingredients: 1 (16.5 oz) roll of refrigerated sugar cookie dough Zest from 1 lime Lime Glaze Preheat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. Break up the cookie dough in a large bowl,...
This is a quick bread that is amazingly easy to make. It works great with soups and stews as well as toast with a good jam. Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; plus more for work surface 1 cup cake flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1...
These are a great mini dessert for Valentine’s Day! Ingredients: 1 package brownie mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/4 cup water 2 eggs 2/3 cup cherry preserves 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons milk 40 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry, reserved juice Preheat oven to 350....
This time of year always makes me crave the smell of ginger and spices baking into a cookie. These cookies take the idea of gingerbread and simplify it down to the perfect pairing with a cup of warm tea or coffee. Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons...
When I was about 12, my mom decided that she wasn’t going to make any Christmas cookies because she didn’t have time. I fetl the need to rectify that because nothing says Christmas like fresh baked cookies. Now that I have nieces and a nephew I like making sugar...
While these do not have peanut butter, they do have the peanut butter chips you find in the baking aisle. For those of us who don’t like raisins, this is a great way to still have and oatmeal cookie! Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup butter,...
This is a simple and easy salad that works great as a side or solo for a light lunch. Ingredients: Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette 1 cup orzo pasta 3 cups seeded and diced watermelon 4 cups arugula 4 oz crumbled feta cheese Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette Stir together 1/2 cup lemon juice and...
May, June, July and August are the prime months for weddings and one of the things that sometimes gets lost nowadays is the comfort and love of both families coming together to form one family. The wedding celebration should bring in both the bride and the groom as well...
This is one of the best “fancy” dessert for spring and summer. Making the curd in the microwave also makes it incredibly easy. Any lefover curd can be used to spruce up waffles or biscuits. Lemon Curd Ingredients: 6 lemons (zest and 1 cup juice) 1/2 cup butter, softened...
I love the flavors of the muffins, the lemon and strawberrys play off of each other very well. Be sure that your self-rising flour is fresh so the muffins have the right fluffy-ness. Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup sugar 8oz of sour cream 1/2 cup butter,...
These are incredibly easy to make and go great with coffee or tea. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground allspice 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1...
This is an easy soup to make and a great soup for fall! Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups chicken broth 15 oz pumpkin puree 1/2 onion, chopped 1 clove minced garlic 1 tsp cajun seasoning 1/2 cup heavy cream Directions: Sauté the onion and garlic in a little olive oil...
This is a great sandwich for the fall season and super easy to make. If you don’t have a panini press, don’t worry. Ingredients: A good sturdy bread like sourdough or rye Sliced roasted turkey Cranberry sauce Blue Cheese Arugula Olive oil Directions: If using a panini press, warm...
This is a great fall cake! It is also fairly small so there isn’t too much left over and the cream cheese icing is optional, you can just dust it with powdered sugar. 1/2 cups All-purpose flour 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4...
This bread is so good it works as a morning bread like banana bread or even as a dessert. Ingredients: 1/2 cup canola oil 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup pure pumpkin...
These are a great way to start off the fall season! Ingredients: 1 refrigerated sugar dough, chilled 2 eggs 15 oz (1 can) pure pumpkin 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground cloves Preheat oven to 350, prepare a 13×9...
These are super easy to make and have a great spicy kick to them to get the fall season started. Ingredients: 1 small ripe banana, mashed (about 1/3 of a cup) 1/4 cup shortening 1 egg 1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon...