Now that summer is winding down, we have to savor the bounty we have been given.  Maybe 3 or 4 tomatoes still ripening on the vine and delicious Vidalia onions. This is a warm vinaigrette that can be used on a fresh spinach salad, a warm potato salad or just a fresh garden tomato salad.…

 Easter Butter Lamb – Baranek Weikanocny The Easter Lamb bearing a Resurrection Banner – like marshmallow Peeps, the butter lamb is an Easter icon of Polish Tradition. Isn’t he cute? When I was growing up, I would be the one to make the lamb.  I made it free form, by hand and most of them…

Cheese and crackers are always a hit for appetizers before dinner.  Ina combines the two in a savory, delicious cracker that is the perfect small bite with a glass of wine or champagne.  You can make the roll ahead and freeze for up to 6 months. 1/4 lb. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature…

Down the Produce Aisle near the bagged lettuce, you will find Mann’s Broccoli Cole Slaw.  It consists of hearts of broccoli, carrots and a small amount of red cabbage.  This recipe was on the back of the bag.  I’ve been meaning to make something with ground turkey in it…and voila!  I thought the veg in…

If you have never invested in a pressure cooker, you really should consider it.  The new models are so easy to use and take all the fear out of making a quick meal.   This quick meat sauce with all the flavor of Bolognese, is cooked with the uncooked pasta and is ready is 5…

When I see a recipe for sweet and salty I just have to go for it.  Four ingredients and you are in sweet and salty heaven! Cooking spray 35 to 40 saltine crackers 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter 1 cup light brown sugar 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (1-1/3 cups) Preheat oven to 425…

Here is a different way to enjoy a juicy burger.  Refried beans combined with the ground beef make this burger almost like the consistency of meat loaf.  It also makes one pound of ground beef go a long way.  I got 5 huge burgers from this recipe! 1 cup cold leftover rice 1 lb. ground…

Vodka-marmalade glaze turns this “creamsicle” cheesecake into a grown-up dessert. For the crust: 1-1/4 cups shortbread cookies crumbs (about 15 cookies) 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted For the filling: 2 pounds good-quality whole milk ricotta cheese, at room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup orange marmalade (plus 1/2 cup for glaze) 1/3 cup all-purpose…

 I never try a new recipe when I cook to feel better, and I don’t think most people do. The familiar is what soothes.  When I found out the theme for this week was “Soul Warming”, this was the first recipe that came to mind.  Our host this week for #SundaySupper is Susan @ The Girl…

This recipe came about while I was searching for recipes using Ritz Crackers.  It’s a version of the Elvis Presley meatloaf from Paula Deen’s website.  This meatloaf contains NO egg, but sour cream instead.  I didn’t have any sour cream but I did have some French Onion Dip – French Onion Meatloaf.  The cheese choice…

Don’t buy the super-expensive balsamic vinegar to make a reduction.  A little of the reduction goes a long way. 1 cup balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled 4 center-cut pork rib chops about 1″ thick 1 large red onion, cut through the core into about 8 wedges 2 ripe, firm…

I’ll admit, I am not good at making homemade cakes from scratch.  They always come out dry and dense.  My sons were born 1 day apart – 4 years apart.  They actually could have been born on the same day!  My first son was 2 weeks late – emergency C-section and my second son two…

I belong to a Cookbook of the Month club and the latest addition to my collection is Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain Cookbook.  His recipes personalize French brasserie classics with American ingredients.  A hearty crock of onion soup is sure to warm you up.  Break through the crust of sharp Vermont Cheddar into the molten interior…

If you have tortellini in your freezer, a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano in the fridge, and a can of diced tomatoes on the shelf, all you’ll need to do is pick up a bag of triple-washed spinach on the way home for this terrific soup. 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/2 medium onion, diced 1-2 cloves garlic,…