Quick and Easy Recipes
Coconut Macaroons
These melt-in-your-mouth meringues are a super easy to make and always a big hit for coconut lovers! (If you're like Grandma Izzie, who wouldn't touch the stuff, these are not for you. As the story goes, she and her brother, Great Uncle George, swiped a whole pound of...
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Madeline’s Quarantine Pot Pie
Quarantine met school work (and dinner) when Madeline received this Practical Living Class assignment to make a one pot meal. We are grocery shopping only once every two weeks while sheltering-in-place and, I will confess, we were nearing the end of the second week...
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Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
I always try to keep a few packages of sun-dried tomatoes in the pantry because they pack so much flavor and can be added to all kinds of dishes to punch things up. (They create a whole new dimension of flavor when added to Basil Pesto pasta.) You can also dry...
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Pumpkin Cheesecake Layer Pie (No Bake)
There are never enough ovens on Thanksgiving Day, so I love to make this easy, no-bake pumpkin pie! I adapted the recipe from one I got from my aunt many years ago. Mostly, what has changed is the elimination of as much of the processed ingredients as possible. The...
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Porcini Mushroom Pasta Sauce
Porcini mushrooms have a wonderful, rich and earthy flavor that turns this simple creamy sauce into something really special. Above it is pictured with cheese ravioli that came in the refrigerator case at the grocery store. This combination offers a quick and easy,...
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As You Wish Crustless Quiche
We're calling this "As You Wish" because you really can get creative with this crustless quiche. I have offered several variations at the bottom of this post, but just about any ingredients that you think sound good are worth a try added to this basic cheese quiche....
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Homemade Salsa
One of our favorite summer indulgences – when we have lots of fresh, ripe tomatoes in our garden – is to make homemade salsa. We find it is tastiest straight from the bowl we mix it in. Even after refrigeration, it is far superior to any store-bought, jarred version....
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Chop, Mash, In-A-Flash Guacamole
Talk about "super foods" and avocados are way up there on the list. They're delicious, they are available all year-round and they pack a nutritional wallop! And this isn't news to anyone. While these days we tend to associate guacamole with Mexican dishes, it actually...
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Turkey Oven Sandwiches
These Turkey Oven Sandwiches are a great weeknight meal. We like to cook one pan the night we make them and save the other for the next night in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for an easy meal in the further future. Distributing tomatoes and celery for...
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Grandmommie’s Cherry Chocolate Cream
Nabisco introduced their Famous Chocolate Wafers in 1924 and, not long after, the original "Icebox Cake" recipe appeared on the back of the Famous box. This "cake" became popular during the World War 2 era because of its use of premade ingredients and its simplicity....
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Baked Potato Soup
Baked potato soup with all the fixings makes a fantastic meal on a cold winter night. This recipe is also great for parties or to take to potlucks because it works well in a slow cooker on a low setting. It does not have any meat in it to get dry and the base does not...
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Basil Pesto
This pesto recipe is very versatile. It is pictured here with Cavatappi pasta, cherry tomatoes and some fresh mozzarella. We like to make lots of pesto in the summer when fresh basil is readily available and freeze it for use throughout the year. Having pesto on hand...
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Holiday Holly Treats
Every holiday cookie plate needs these festive holly treats. They are simple to make and so yummy – but not too many, kids. If your tongue starts to look green, it is said you may be turning into The Grinch! Ingredients for Holiday Holly Treats 1/2 C. butter 30 - 35...
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Parmesan Scallion Popovers
These popovers make a great side to a dinner salad or even with eggs for breakfast. With Parmesan cheese, scallions and a touch of cayenne pepper, they pack so much flavor that they don't even need butter! Ingredients for Parmesan Scallion Popovers about 1/4 C. grated...
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Pear Asiago Spinach Salad
Everyone loves this salad! The balsamic vinaigrette dressing is so good that we like to keep it in the refrigerator and use it with any recipe that calls for a vinaigrette Ingredients for Pear Asiago Spinach Salad 5 T. olive oil 3 T. balsamic vinegar 1 T. honey 1 t....
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Three Tasty and Simple Veggie Sides
Here are three veggie side dishes that we make on a regular basis. They are flavorful, but what we like most about them is that they are simple. With just a few fresh ingredients we can quickly prepare a hot vegetable side to go with dinner. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive...
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The Day After The Day After Thanksgiving Panini
This turkey panini puts a new twist on the leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich. The cranberry relish adds a nice sweet, tartness while the melty fontina cheese offers richness and flavor variation. Ingredients for After Thanksgiving Turkey Panini Leftover turkey...
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McGuire Cranberry Relish
This fresh cranberry relish is very easy and always on our Thanksgiving table. We like to make extra and can it for the rest of the season. Put a bow on a jar of cranberry relish for a nice holiday party hostess gift. Ingredients for McGuire Cranberry Relish 1 quart...
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French Bread Pizza
I try to keep a loaf of French bread from the store in my freezer for those nights when real cooking is just not going to happen. Making these can be a no brainer when my brain is finished! You really only need three ingredients to make it work, but many additional...
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Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce
Using refrigerated or frozen tortellini and homemade sauce that was canned in the summer offers a quick option for a fresh tasting, healthy meal. In a pinch, use your favorite store-bought tomato sauce. Ingredients for Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce 1 clove...
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Pasta with Walnuts
Our whole family loves this recipe! The ingredients can be kept on hand for a night when you need a quick, satisfying homemade meal. Add a side of sautéed spinach or steamed broccoli (see Three Tasty and Simple Veggie Sides) for balance and nutrition.Ingredients for...
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Tomato Pie
Starring two of our favorite garden crops, tomatoes and basil, this recipe is a great summertime side dish. Use Roma or other paste variety tomatoes to keep your pie from getting runny!Ingredients for Tomato Pie 9" pie crust 2 - 3 large tomatoes or 6 - 8 Roma tomatoes...
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