I love growing lavender, but I am not really a potpourri person. Loathing waste, I did some research to find alternative uses for lavender. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it can be used in cooking! English Lavender is best for culinary purposes, because it has the sweetest fragrance, but I just useRead More
Cola Cake
If you haven’t ever tried cola cake, you’re in for a real treat! When I was growing up, we called this Rocky Road Cake, but I discovered that it was also called cola cake when I lived in the south. It is extremely decadent; after looking at the ingredients you will tell me that IRead More
Dinner Menu for the Week of 6/15
I replaced last week’s scrambled eggs night for frittatas. Monday – Teriyaki Chicken, Basmati Rice, Glazed Carrots Tuesday – Use leftover chicken and carrots in stir fry, use leftover rice to make fried rice Wednesday – Use leftover chicken to make a version of Asian Chicken Salad Thursday – Roast Beef, Bacon Ranch ChoppedRead More
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Nothing says Chocolate Cake Quite Like a Zucchini! Those of you with a garden know that one zucchini plant can produce so much that it challenges you to find ways to use them. There are many delicious and nutritious way to serve zucchini; I recommend cooking it in chocolate cake! It is easy to eatRead More
Reusing Butter Wrappers to Grease Pans
Revisiting the Idea of Reusing Butter Wrappers: I know you are thinking, “can’t she just throw some things away”. Well, actually, no I can’t. At least not without thinking hard about any potential uses the item might have. When baking I set the butter (or margarine) wrappers aside and use them to greaseRead More
Skillet Meatballs and Vegetables
This skillet meatballs recipe is a complete one-dish dinner with potatoes, carrots, and peas. This Skillet Meatballs Recipe with Vegetables is a favorite from my childhood. When we were young, my sister and I called it “Kitchen Garden Skillet,” but that wasn’t the recipe’s name. I don’t remember why we called it that, or theRead More
Dinner Menu Plan Again
Monday – Teriyaki Chicken, Basmati rice, corn, and garden salad Tuesday – Use leftover chicken in tacos, use leftover rice to make Mexican Fried Rice, refried beans Wednesday – Use leftover chicken in Asian Chicken Salad Thursday – Kitchen Garden Skillet (This was a hit last week, so I am repeating it again thisRead More
Hooked On Making No/Low Sugar Jam
Are you looking for a great no-sugar-added or low sugar jam recipe? Here’s how I make homemade jam without added sugar, and our family just loves it! This is a repost with an update. I decided to try Ball’s Natural Gel No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin ($1.56 at Walmart. There is a .50 cent couponRead More
Raspberry Lemon Scones
Scones are a teatime treat that also works for breakfast and dessert. Here’s a tasty recipe for Raspberry Lemon Scones. My daughter will be hosting a Jane Austen themed tea party for her college friends later in the month. We have been reviewing recipes trying to finalize the menu for her tea. There are manyRead More
Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce
Here is a classic favorite recipe – Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce. I made pork chops with mustard sauce this evening. There wasn’t time to take a picture of our entire meal because we were running late for a graduation party. I quickly took a picture of a leftover pork chop, so you could seeRead More
Dinner Menu Plan
Monday – Grilled Pork Chops with Mustard Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, and Peas with Green Onion and Basil. I was supposed to make this yesterday, but I decided to stink up the entire house baking Salmon for my husband instead (I am such a loving wife). Tuesday – I am not sure what I willRead More
Baked Chicken With Rhubarb Sauce
Rhubarb gives a savory twist to this baked chicken recipe. Baked Chicken With Rhubarb Sauce Recipe Ingredients: 6 chicken breasts, trimmed 2 Tablespoons butter 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 2 Cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch thick pieces 1/3 Cup sugar 1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch 1 1/2 Cups water 2 teaspoons lemon juice Directions:Read More
Strawberry Cream Pie
Like most pies, this Strawberry Cream Pie Recipe takes a little time, but the result is well worth it! This pie is my daughter’s specialty. We frequently ask her to make it for us. We feel a little less guilty about eating pie when it is filled with fresh strawberries. She adapted her Strawberry CreamRead More
The Secret to Creamy Mashed Potatoes
I learned the secret to creamy, lump-free, mashed potatoes from my mother-in-law. The secret? She doesn’t mash potatoes, she rices them. Scoop a couple spoonfuls of cooked potatoes into the ricer and then squeeze. Repeat until all of the potatoes are riced. Stir in butter, milk, and pepper to taste. That is it! It isRead More
Menu Plan
Monday – Garlic Chicken (I am going to bake this the night before according to the directions and then have my husband “grill” it to heat it up and put stripes on it on Memorial Day), Roasted Potatoes, Baked Beans, Strawberry Spinach Salad, and Corn on the Cob. (I am making lots of side dishesRead More
Weekly Dinner Menu Plan
Monday – Spaghetti with Red Sauce, Nutty Broccoli Salad (inspired by the local deli), Gluten Free Breadsticks with Dipping Sauce (wish me luck!) Tuesday – Tacos, Refried Beans, and Spanish Mexican Fried Rice Wednesday – Use leftover taco meat and cheese to make Taco Salad Thursday – Use leftover taco meat,Read More
Fried Rice Recipe
Ever wonder what to do with the leftover white rice you get from Chinese take out? It is usually dry and unappetizing. Instead of tossing it out you can add it to soups or casseroles. However, my favorite way to use it is to make Fried Rice! Fried Rice is actually better when madeRead More
Miracle Leftover Night
Miracle Leftover Dinners are served a day or two before shopping day. The goal is to use up as many foods near expiration as possible in one meal. Impromptu Chinese Chicken Salad Some weeks the foods are so diverse in flavor that I create a smorgasbord, other times I may only have one or twoRead More
Salvaging a Dry Roast
Every once in a while a roast just doesn’t turn out as I planned. Maybe I tried a new recipe or a different cut of meat, but whatever the reason the roast came out of the oven a little tough or too dry. That night I will serve it as planned with extra drippings pouredRead More
Breakfast Pizzas
Here is a quick recipe for turning bagels into pizzas for breakfast! This is a great way to use up leftover spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, and vegetables. Breakfast Pizzas Recipe Ingredients: 4 bagels, sliced in half 1 Cup spaghetti sauce 1 Cup cheese (I use Mexican cheese blend) Optional: vegetables, diced Directions: Grease the bakingRead More
