How to Properly Cook Store-Bought Pasta Here are the basic steps for cooking great noods for pasta salads or hot dishes. How to Properly Cook Store-Bought Pasta Fill a large pot with about 4 quarts of water. Add 4-5 teaspoons of salt Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. After the […]
If you try these Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting, I’m pretty sure you will decide to eat dessert first. They are as pretty as they are delicious. Let’s get started right away. Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting Makes 24 cupcakes. 1 recipe Red Velvet Cake 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting 2 […]
Strawberry Shortcake Strawberry Shortcake Makes about 1 dozen. Preheat oven to 400°F. 4 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar (or 1/4 cup for less sweet shortcakes) 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/4 cup butter, diced 1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream 1 egg, well-beaten (for brushing the tops) […]
Barbecue Chicken Wings are the perfect tailgate party treat or game night snack. These yummy wings will please all your friends & family! Barbecue Chicken Wings Preheat oven to 375°F. 1 recipe Spice rub (recipe below) 2 pounds chicken wings 4 tablespoons olive or grapeseed oil 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce Prepare the Spice Rub […]
Layered Taco Dip is one of the easiest dishes to make for family game night or the perfect party food. Either way, everyone wins! This time I put it on a round platter for a different look. Super fun. Layered Taco Dip Beautiful romaine lettuce leaves (optional but pretty if you are making the dip […]
Oh, Betsy, this Red, White, and Blue Salsa is scrumptious! Flag down your neighbors and have them over for this perfect summer evening treat. Red, White, and Blue Salsa 2 bosc pears, fine diced Juice of one small lime 1 cup blueberries 1 1/2 cups strawberries, fine diced 1 or 2 jalapenos, minced 4-5 sprigs cilantro, minced […]
I love a dark, moist German Chocolate Cake. The real magic, though, might be the penuche topping. I can still almost see it on top of my great aunt & uncle’s bar… a 9X13 pan of chocolate cake – all messy and perfect and messy. German Chocolate Cake Makes one double-layer 9-inch round cake or […]
Pineapple Upside Down Cake. I collect old church cookbooks. I figure if you can’t trust the old recipes of good, Christian women trying to show off to their congregation, who can you trust? One day I went hunting for a pineapple upside-down cake that would not harm any boxed cake mixes. I, of course, started […]
Homemade Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. I admit, my memories of carrot cake are a bit abnormal. When a bakery shelf becomes your natural before-school nap habitat, you catch glimpses of bakers taking full sheet cakes out of a room-size, Ferris-wheel oven. You watch your mom carefully remove parchment papers the size of a […]
Sweet, humble, colorful, and healthy… Old-Fashioned Fresh Coleslaw is all that I strive to be. This dressing is also fantastic for other salads. One might consider making a couple of batches and keeping some in the fridge for BBQ nights on the deck. Old-Fashioned Fresh Coleslaw Slaw 1 cup green cabbage, sliced fine 1/2 cup purple […]
Here’s the answer to your prayers… Fresh Roasted Restaurant Salsa. I haven’t met a soul yet who can resist Mexican restaurant salsa and chips. We get full before our meal comes. Amirite? How spiffy would it be to make your own salsa at home and have the power of making your salsa as mild or […]
This super dooper easy salad option flew off my radar for years. In fact, this very post has been a draft in my reserves waiting for me to publish since 2012. And then I saw how gorgeous it was again and here we are. If you dislike Miracle Whip, please avert your precious eyes. If you […]
Old-Fashioned Date Bars. The date. Strong and subtle. Pair him with sugary, oats-y goodness and you have the perfect escort for your next potluck. Old-Fashioned Date Bars Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 pound dates, pitted & diced (pre-chopped in the package is fine) 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 3 cups oatmeal 1/2 cup flour […]
This Magic 7 Layer Bars recipe has a creative Halloween twist at the end. At a potluck this weekend I had memories of a classic – Magic Bars. No church cookbook (or blog) would be complete without this recipe so let’s have some church. Magic 7 Layer Bars Preheat oven to 350F. 3 cups graham […]
Chocolate Chip Cookies. Basic but not boring. Golden brown disks filled with dreamy chocolate nuggets. Childhood memories all in one perfectly baked cookie. Deliciousness that makes the whole household come to a complete halt almost as fast as homemade rolls or bacon. Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup white sugar […]
As the oldest child, I remember having special privileges – privileges like staying up late with mom to watch Dynasty. Once a week, we would make lemon bars, snack ourselves into the world of shoulder pads, and male stunt doubles in awful wigs playing the roles of over-privileged, fighting women. Lemon bars never made me […]
This delightful Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting is nothing short of fabulous. Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Strawberry Cake Preheat the oven to 350°F. 1 box Betty Crocker Supermoist White Cake Mix (16.25 ounces) 1 three-ounce box strawberry Jello 4 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour 1 cup strawberries, diced 1 cup […]
Waldorf Salad. It appears I am not the only person on the planet who has the gift of making incredibly healthy food unhealthy. I am happy to carry on the tradition which has obviously been going on for decades. The proof? The Waldorf Salad – a must for every holiday table and a perfect snack […]
Applesauce Spice Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. What if you could take all of the fallish flavors of a comforting mug of apple cider and pack them into a glorious cake? What if you could then smother that cake in the world’s best cream cheese frosting? Well, preheat your ovens, pour a cup of coffee, […]
White Cheddar Cheese Ball. The best hors d’oeuvres are gorgeous, filled with flavor, easy to make, and able to be prepared ahead of your dinner parties. This cheese ball has it all. She is gorgeous, gourmet, and practical to prepare. Party on, my friends, party on in style. White Cheddar Cheese Ball 8 ounces cream […]
Black Bean Salad. If I were voted president, the world would be less consumed with guarding wetlands and more focused on saving cilantro fields for I have never met a cilantro dish I have not loved. Of course, if I were voted into office, Nutella crepes would be on the food pyramid, every ladies’ restroom […]
Mediterranean Pesto Pasta Salad. What does one serve at a party in the fall? Why, a summer-y Mediterranean Pesto Pasta Salad, of course. Who would do such a thing? Maybe a person who just can’t let go of summer. Maybe a person who plays Christmas music in October. Maybe a confused person. Or maybe someone who […]
Homemade Blackberry Pie. If there’s one thing a girl needs to know how to bake, it’s a Homemade Blackberry Pie. The good news is that it’s easier than it looks. Not to mention, it’s practically free if you have berries growing nearby. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make it perfect. There is something, well, […]
Sweet Red Cherry Pie. Summer at its best. That is unless you count the time I used dish soap so I could go faster on our Slip & Slide. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen our kids laugh as hard as they did that day nor have I embarrassed myself more – at least not […]
Tuna Pasta Salad The three-day weekend. A time for gardening. A time for barbecuing. And a time for pasta salad with tiny American flags in it. Tuna Pasta Salad 1 pound of your favorite-shaped pasta, cooked & cooled 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 3-4 tablespoons mustard 2 cans of tuna packed in water, with juices 1/2 […]
Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies are a balance of both fiber and bunches of brown sugar hence what a cookie should be. Sometimes my posts are healthy and sometimes they are not. Today’s recipe is a mix of both. Please see the easy vegan change-ups if you prefer a vegan cookie. Oats and seeds and raisins. […]
About a year ago I promised to share my cherry limeade recipe from Dotter’s graduation. I have no excuses for the delay. But I come bearing glad tidings of fresh limes. And cherries. And pretty straws. Cherry Limeade 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 cups fresh lime juice (from about 7-8 limes) 12 ounces […]
Oven Baked BBQ Pork Ribs. On a rainy day in Seattle, you can hear the raindrops fall upon the outdoor barbecue. To make things feel better and cozier and yummier, make these slow-cooked ribs and have friends over and play games. Or skip the friends and the games and just eat ribs. Oven Baked BBQ […]
Cornbread Muffins and Whipped Honey Butter. When I was little, the only thing I was allowed to order off the menu was grilled cheese and a glass of water. This was how my parents were able to take our family out to eat but still keep things within the budget. It might sound like I […]
Was there ever a potluck where the seven-layer salad was not present when we were kids? Although similar, it seems everyone has their own special take on how a seven-layer salad should look. Mine? Well, I prefer 3 times 7 – hence an abundant 21 layers. The trifle bowl is the very best bowl for layered […]
The girls in our family were looking through old cookbooks this week. Almost everything in certain books were combinations of processed foods with corny names… naughty names even. If there is one dessert that every girl should know how to make, it’s Better Than Sex Dessert. Good Christian women call it “Better Than Robert Redford […]
Blackberry Crumble Bars are an old-fashioned favorite. Traditionally a summer treat, we don’t have to wait for the sunshine anymore with frozen blackberries available year-round. Let us celebrate blackberry crumble in January and February and March, and… well, you get the idea. Blackberry Crumble Bars Berry Filling 6 cups blackberries 1 1/2 cups sugar […]
Tater Tot Casserole. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who adored church potlucks. She really couldn’t decide which she loved best, hugs from snuggly grandmas, or their comforting dishes that sat upon the potluck table. One dish always stood out in the crowd, okay, maybe two. The first was blackberry crumble bars. […]
What would the holidays be without a perfect gingerbread boy cookies recipe? Sugar, spice, and everything nice… we could all use a little more of these things in our lives. Start celebrating today with these Gingerbread Boy Cookies which win in the category of “Most Likely to Make Someone Smile.” Gingerbread Boy Cookies Preheat oven […]
What’s not to love about hot cheese dip? Cheese Dip Preheat 350°F. 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened 8 oz sour cream 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced 4 tablespoons grated yellow onion 3/4 teaspoon oregano 3/4 teaspoon basil Mix ingredients together well and bake until hot & bubbly. […]
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes. So many potatoes, who can choose a favorite? This is my grandmother’s recipe that has been updated to be creamier and cheesier than the original. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Preheat oven to 350°F. 2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes Cold water with 2 teaspoons sea salt in it (to prevent potatoes from browning) 1 […]
These Easy Party Meatballs are one of the simplest and yummy treats you can make for a gathering. With party season upon us once again, let us be prepared. This recipe is very forgiving and tastes a little different depending on what kinds of jelly you use and what brand of sauce you choose. You […]
I learned how to make dinner rolls from Mrs. Jensen in 7th grade. I learned to never add hot liquids ingredients to yeast since hot liquids will kill the yeast’s ability to rise. I wish I could say that I caught on quickly, but I can remember at least two more times after Mrs. Jensen’s […]
Cheesy Asparagus Dip. What is a Labor Day BBQ without a dip? What is a three-day weekend party without an appetizer? Here’s a great way to use the woody ends of asparagus that you might normally throw away and make sure you have that yummy dip for friends & family while they wait for the […]
Nothing warms the tummy and starts the school year off like old-fashioned homemade Old-Fashioned Macaroni & Cheese. Cheesy goodness. Old-Fashioned Macaroni & Cheese Makes 6-8 servings. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 pound pasta (penne, shells, or macaroni all work well) 2 cups pasta water 2 cups heavy cream 6 eggs 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 […]
If there was ever a dessert meant for strawberry season, it would be the Strawberry Pudding Tart With Fresh Strawberry Glaze. Strawberry Pudding Tart With Fresh Strawberry Glaze This recipe will make one 9-inch tart or about four 4-inch personal-size tarts. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shortbread Crust 11 tablespoons high-quality unsalted butter, softened 1 teaspoon […]
Basic Yeast Biscuits. I’m always trying to improve on good things, specifically recipes but here’s a recipe that needs no adjustments. This is in many old cookbooks yet does not seem to be a commonly used biscuit recipe as most biscuits that I have tried are dry. I love how tender and delightful these biscuits […]
Picnics mean Sweet & Spicy Baked Beans. These beans bring sweet and spicy together in a pleasing simmer for summer. Sweet & Spicy Baked Beans 1 pound kidney beans (can also use black beans, red beans, etc. if you’d like a variety) 1/2 pound bacon, diced 32 ounces vegetable, beef, or chicken broth 1 Walla […]
I’m all for convenience but is almost a sin to make some things from a can and Strawberry Lemonade is one of them. If you have ever stirred a powder and called it lemonade, you are forgiven. Turn the other way and enjoy summer the way it should be enjoyed, with sin-free strawberry lemonade made […]
Ranch Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad. One of my favorite memories is from the Fourth of July. My parents would take us to the local parade and we’d grab the best seats on the street – in front of the doughnut shop. We’d stand in honor of the American flag as the troops opened […]
Easy Fried Chicken and a Graduation. This week was Dotter’s graduation. I am excited to see the professional’s shot of this one. Finding the kids we know in my copy is like playing Where’s Waldo. Besides the graduates tossing their caps in the air to celebrate, there were grad parties throughout the town. Parents went […]
Their love was mean to be… Oatmeal Cookies With Raspberry Filling. They met in a kitchen. Raspberry and oatmeal. People often mistook them for a famous couple found on grocery store shelves. Oatmeal Cookies With Raspberry Filling Makes about 40 cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (or 3 sticks), softened 1 […]
Tailgate Ham Sliders are the perfect recipe for your party and they start with the world’s most delicious dinner rolls. Tailgate Ham Sandwiches Makes 12 sliders. Preheat oven to 350°F. 12 King’s Hawaiian Rolls 4 oz cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped 1 1/2 pounds Black Forest sliced or shredded ham (not honey […]
Mini Corn Dogs. Hello, my name is Deanna and I own a deep fryer. There, I said it. Truth be told, I try not to get too carried away with grease dipped goods but football season is the time. Let’s make some cutie mini corn dogs! Mini Corn Dogs Makes 70 mini corn dogs. Preheat […]
This Beautiful World Bread will become one of your very favorite recipes. It goes with everything. Beautiful World Bread 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 2 teaspoon of Beau Monde Seasoning (beautiful world) 2 teaspoon mustard 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 tablespoons of grated onion (use a cheese […]
