My vegetable garden was a complete flop this year.  Probably due to the excessive heat we had.  Luckily, I have a Farmer’s Market nearby where I can get lots of fresh produce.  I have been waiting for the little kirbys to arrive so I can make my pickles.  They finally came in yesterday!  I recycle…

I remember my Mom telling me about her mother’s rice pudding.  She used to bake it in the oven and it was one of my mom’s favorites.  She could never remember how she made it, and unfortunately, it was never written down.  If any of you know of a good recipe for a baked rice…

Enjoy the treats of the holiday season without the trouble of baking them all.  Invite family and friends to a Cookie Swap Party – it’s easy and fun and everyone takes home some delicious cookies with very little effort. Make a list – Give guests plenty of notice (say, like now). Have your guests let…

Check your shopping list and buy non-perishable items. If you’re serving pie for dessert, make the crusts now.  Prepare the dough, roll it out, and place it in the pie dish (don’t forget to crimp the edges).  Put the dish in the freezer.  When the dough is completely frozen, wrap the dish tightly with plastic. …

When I stumbled upon this recipe, the first ingredient that caught my eye was Roasted Broccoli. This is the only way I prepare broccoli now – so this recipe had my attention.  This is an easy casserole that can be made ahead and frozen.  Now who doesn’t like broccoli and cheese!  With crispy potatoes on…

Resistance is useless. The zucchini are coming. It’s just the beginning.  Soon we will be overloaded with zucchini and fresh garden tomatoes (which is a good thing). Something lighter for a delicious lunch or dinner on hot summer nights. 4 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium) 1/2 cup grated onion 1 tsp. kosher salt 1…

This is a great recipe I found from one of my blogger buddies Brandie @ The Country Cook.  I tried them once and they have been a hit ever since!  Every one loves them and everyone asks for the recipe!  It’s understandable really – a butter and brown sugar glaze with warm ham and melted cheese!! Your…

Grilled lemony, garlicy chicken with a refreshing Tzatziki sauce and a simple salad, makes a cool summer supper. Tzatziki Sauce 2 cup good quality plain yogurt 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and grated Salt and Pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill Put the yogurt in a strainer lined with cheesecloth, coffee filter…

I’ve searched the internet for ways to make homemade sauerkraut the old-fashioned way – in a fermenting crock.  Frankly, I don’t have the patience to wait!  It was hard enough waiting for my Naturally Fermented “Crock” Garlic Dill Pickles to be ready!  This recipe is so simple – there is some waiting time – but I…

I’m speechless. Ingredients: 1 package (3.9 ounces) chocolate instant pudding and pie filling 1-1/4 cups milk 1-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided 1 package devil’s food cake mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3 eggs 1/2 cup water 1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided 1 pint fresh raspberries or strawberries Directions: Preheat oven…

Some recipes just never die, and this is a perfect example.  Use the freshest carrots available (the ones that come with their green tops) and good mayonnaise and freshly squeezed lemon juice and you will have a sweet salad that is anything but boring! 1/2 cup golden raisans 2 lbs. carrots, peeled 3 Tbsp. sugar…

Here’s a new twist on a crust for Chicken Pot Pie – Phyllo Dough!  Light and flaky layers replace the usual pie crust or dumplings. 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. olive oil 3 cups diced red potato 2 cups diced onion 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced carrot 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 2…

Stuffed peppers are a Polish dish that I grew up with.  Bell peppers stuffed with beef and rice and a sauce made with tomato soup (that was my mom’s way).  This is my Italian version of stuffed peppers using cubanelle or “Italian frying peppers”.  They have a slight kick to them and are thin walled.…

The focus of this dish – is the dumpling.  Smothered with gravy..yeah!  I could have absolutely done without the chicken!  Here is a version of how my Mom used to make her Chicken Paprikash.  Simple and delicious. 4 split chicken breasts, bone-in, skin on 1/2 large onion, chopped 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 Tbsp. olive…