Spiced Muffins with a crunchy, nutty topping and a little apple butter surprise inside! Apple Butter Muffins 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp. ground allspice 1/8 tsp. ground ginger 1 egg, lightly beaten 3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup…

This is the beginning of my Cottage Garden.   I love, love, love blue flowers!  I found a garden plan on-line but most of the plants are only sold in the UK, so I had to subsitute.  I can’t wait for it to fill in!   Jebediah – Keeping things neat and tidy. His Gnome Home…

Quickly simmer a pot of soup to enjoy on a cool Spring evening.  The kind Germans call “Eintopf” – one pot meal.  Easy to make, easy to clean up, very economical and very, very delicious! 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 slices bacon, minced 1 large onion, minced 2 ribs celery, minced  2 large carrots,…

The asparagus looked so fresh in the market today,  I decided to make a Spring Risotto. Before I get on with the ingredients, we all know we need to have a good broth simmering.  I had some chicken broth but not enough for the 6 cups I needed.  I went to the freezer and had…

Spiced Muffins with a crunchy, nutty topping and a little apple butter surprise inside! Apple Butter Muffins 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp. ground allspice 1/8 tsp. ground ginger 1 egg, lightly beaten 3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup…

Since I started roasting broccoli, I rarely make it any other way now.  It’s wonderful on its own, but I added the addition of grape tomatoes which made it even better!  I bought 4 broccoli crowns, but it never seems to be enough. The roasted broccoli is crisp-tender, the florets become little crunchy bits, the…

Shepherd’s Pie is traditional British Pub food usually made with minced lamb.  I’m not a lamb fan so this casserole is made with ground beef – which makes it a Cottage Pie.  Whatever you want to call it, this pie is bubbling, warm and filling.  I just love the topping of the fluffy, creamy mashed…

I can’t tell you the last time I went to McDonald’s.  I really try to stay away from fast food.   Once in a while, you still get a craving for two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce……………you know the song.  Here’s how to make a fresh Big Mac at home with ingredients you most…

The creamy dressing for this potato salad is what makes it taste similar to deviled eggs! This is a cool, creamy potato salad with great old-fashioned flavor. 3 lbs. red-skin potatoes cut into 3/4-inch chunks Salt and Pepper 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. yellow mustard 4 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled…

Tacos are a quick, easy summertime meal.  Instead of piling up those favorites on a taco shell that usually falls apart and makes a delicious mess, try it on a pizza! While the dough is baking, make the beef filling, get all the condiments ready and your done! You will need:   2 pkgs. refrigerated crescent…

Not very long ago, I made the effort to try and duplicate KFC’s Mashed Potato Bowl at home.  I managed to get something quite close to the original.  I had the chicken, the biscuits, even the gravy – but not the coleslaw!  This makes my copycat recipes complete! KFC Mashed Potato Bowl Recipe 4 cups…

Are we ready for some Football?!!! I may not get excited over the Superbowl, but the party menu for this week is a Home Run! – No wait, that’s baseball.  I’m not a football fan.   A homemade sausage mix takes the place of cocktail franks. Pigs in Sleeping Blankets 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4…

These glazed kielbasa bites makes a great appetizers for game day or any occasion. Sweet and savory, and easy to prepare. Ingredients: 2 rings Polska Kielbasa, sliced into 1/2″ pieces 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup Heinz Chili Sauce 1/4 cup BBQ sauce 1-1/2 cups brown sugar Cooking Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees…

This recipe is a leftover  spaghetti make-over!  This frittata can be served hot, but tastes better at room temperature.  Great to have for lunch or even to take on a picnic.  No leftovers?  It’s worth boiling some fresh. 1 tsp. olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, minced 6 large eggs 3 Tbsp.…