Sunday, June 12, 2016

Planning To Can and Freeze – Stocking Our Pantry From The Garden

Planning To Can and Freeze – Stocking Our Pantry From The Garden

by oldworldgardenfarms
Garden season is starting to heat up, and that means it won't be long until the produce starts to roll in! As much as we love creating meals from all of the fresh berries, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and more during growing season - it's also time for us to start planning for what we will preserve in order […]

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Southern Barbecue Spaghetti Sauce


Southern Barbecue Spaghetti Sauce
"I revamped our favorite sloppy joe recipe into this thick spaghetti sauce that simmers in the slow cooker. The flavor is jazzy enough to be interesting to adults, yet mild enough for the kids to enjoy."
—Rhonda Melanson, Sarnia, Ontario
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Taste of Home Recipes


Skinny Slow-Cooked Dinners
Zesty Orange Beef
Zesty Orange Beef
Slow-Cooked Pork Burritos
Slow-Cooked Pork Burritos
Sweet Potato Lentil Stew
Sweet Potato Lentil Stew
Freezer-Friendly Pasta: Each Recipe Makes Two Casseroles
Cheesy Rigatoni Bake
Cheesy Rigatoni Bake
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Pizza Pasta Casserole
Tortellini Bake
Tortellini Bake
25 Potluck Salads to Feed a Crowd
25 Potluck Salads to Feed a Crowd
Try crowd-pleasing potato, pasta, vegetable, taco and fruit salads that serve 12 or more for your next potluck.

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Top 10 Strawberry Desserts
Top 10 Strawberry Desserts
Celebrate berry season with 5-star strawberry desserts! From pies and cakes to trifles and tortes, there's a lot to love.

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Loaded Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats

Loaded Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats
Averie Sunshine, 06 Jun 12:01 AM

It’s that time of year when everyone’s gardens are exploding with zucchini.
Except mine because I don’t have a garden. But the zucchini are inexpensive and plentiful at the grocery store.
Rather than making traditional enchiladas, I put a spin on things by hollowing out zucchini and piling them sky high with toppings rather than using enchilada wraps or taco shells.
You won’t miss the carbs in these healthy enchiladas that are ready in 30 minutes and exploding with flavor. My family gave them a ten out of ten and asked when I’m making them again.
The enchilada sauce soaks into the chicken to keep it extra moist and juicy, there’s corn and red and yellow bell peppers for flavor and texture, and the melted cheese is my favorite part.
Feel free to add black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, or your other favorite Mexican-inspired fixings. My boats were already loaded to the max and couldn’t hold any more goodies even though I was tempted to try.
Loaded Chicken Enchilada...

Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

by oldworldgardenfarms
Italian salad dressing is hands down the most frequently used condiment in our kitchen. Not only do we use it to top our garden fresh salads, we also use it as a marinade for grilled chicken breasts and as the main flavoring agent in our homemade pasta salad.  However, one look at the ingredient label […]

Monday, June 6, 2016

Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip

Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
"These fall-off-the-bone-tender wings have just the right amount of heat. The cool blue cheese dressing creates the perfect flavor combination for dipping."
—Kevalyn Henderson, Hayward, Wisconsin
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Taste of Home Recipes

More Favorite Chicken Recipes
30 Ways to Cook Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Turn a basic dinner staple into these extraordinary family meals.
22 Buffalo Chicken Recipes
Take inspiration from your favorite chicken wings to make these dips, sandwiches, appetizers, lasagnas and more.

Yesterday's Recipe
Blueberry Zucchini Squares
Blueberry Zucchini Squares
"I saw a bar recipe using apple and lemon peel on a muffin mix box. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It's a nifty combo."
—Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
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Mr. Food Recipes

Totally Wacky
Desserts
Berry Ugly Pie
Glazed Zucchini Cookies Missing Ingredient Cake
All right, these desserts may sound weird or even look a little “ugly,” but don’t be fooled because they’re surprisingly delicious! Who knew the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” applied to food too?!
  1. Berry Ugly Pie (Psst... it's amazing!) - This is an impossible pie, which means that all the ingredients get mixed together and it magically bakes ...more
  2. Glazed Zucchini Cookies - This savory-sweet melding of flavors creates the most original-tasting cookie you've had all year. Glazed Zucchini ...more
  3. Missing Ingredient Cake - Take a no-bake shortcut and build a fancy looking and tasting dessert torte from store-bought frozen ...more
  4. Secret Ingredient Raspberry Cake - We can bet that no one would ever guess this heavenly cake is made with this secret ingredient--because we sure ...more
  5. Upside Down Strawberry Cheesecake - Fresh strawberries add a light taste to this clever, strawberry cheesecake recipe. Our Upside Down ...more
  6. Breakfast for Dessert - Now here's a recipe that's worthy of an extra-special brunch occasion. These are kind of like a cross between stuffed French ...more
  7. Pineapple Right Side Up Cake - This made from scratch cake includes a creamy ingredient that's sure to make your cake extra moist and rich ...more

Easy Crab Cakes

Easy Crab Cakes
Easy Crab Cakes
"Ready-to-go crabmeat makes these delicate patties ideal for dinner when you are pressed for time. You can also form the crab mixture into four thick patties instead of eight cakes."
—Charlene Spelock, Apollo, Pennsylvania
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Taste of Home Recipes

More Quick & Easy Dinner Ideas
30 Beef Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
Need ideas for dinner tonight? Try these easy skillet, grilled and stir-fried beef dinners.
30 Pasta Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
Make weeknight meals easy with pasta recipes the entire family will love.

Yesterday's Recipe
Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Spicy Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
"These fall-off-the-bone-tender wings have just the right amount of heat. The cool blue cheese dressing creates the perfect flavor combination for dipping."
—Kevalyn Henderson, Hayward, Wisconsin
Get Recipe

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Cooking for Keeps Recipes

Homemade Salted Caramel Oatmeal Cream Pies
Nicole, 01 Jun 04:53 AM

One of my biggest character flaws is the ability to find blame on someone other than myself, no matter what. Kevin receives the brunt of all the displaced blame, and it’s become quite the ongoing joke in our relationship, so much so, that whenever anything goes awry, Kevin will immediately ask how we can trace fault back to him. Luckily, I’ve realized this shortcoming in myself, and I’m happy to report that I’ll now accept at least twenty percent of the blame…
One thing I know I can absolutely blame on Kevin, is my unwavering sweet tooth. Before he came along, I could pass up any cookie, piece of candy, or chocolate that came my way, and now, I’m like a weak five year old who can’t keep her hands out of the cookie jar. Pregnancy only accelerated my love of all things sweet, and I indulged in one of my very favorite confections – an oatmeal cream pie – at our neighborhood bakery at least once a week.
Even with my absent sweet tooth as a kid, I was always a sucker for an oatmeal crea...

Spicy Tuna and Mango Soft Spring Rolls
Nicole, 26 May 10:20 AM

It’s my job to make food look pretty, so it’s a rare occasion when something I create is deemed too pretty to eat, but sometimes, it happens. So is the case with these spring rolls.
The way the rice paper is perfectly translucent, showing off the sliced avocado. The deep, red, almost purple raw tuna shining like jewels. The vivid yellow mango that screams summer. All makings of a bite worthy of a magazine cover – if I do say so myself.
But…nothing is ever too pretty to eat, for me at least.
I’ve been pushing aside my more ambitious recipe ideas for a few months now in lieu of easier ones I can easily start and finish during naptime. I was feeling comfortable with my scaled back content, but recently I started to miss the challenge that something daunting brings to the table, so I made a compromise with myself – one challenging or time consuming recipe per week.
Soft spring rolls have been something I’ve wanted to tackle for eons, but the mere thought of it, gave me anxiety. Rice ...

Mozzarella Stick Chicken Burgers
Nicole, 24 May 04:45 AM

Today was one of those days where time completely got away from me. Typically I’ll shower and get ready when the baby goes down for his morning nap, but he’s become a nightmare of a napper, so today, I didn’t get to shower. I didn’t get to brush my teeth. Or make the bed. Or even look in the mirror.
When Kevin got home at 5:15, I was completely confused because I was sure it was only 3pm. He was a little taken aback when he saw me, still in my pajamas with a messy ponytail sticking out from the side of my head, and a half-dressed baby on my hip. Him being the wonderful husband and father that he is, sensed my flustered demeanor and without a word, took the babe for a walk so I could shower and feel like a human – god bless that husband of mine.
The only items I managed to check off my list today were a few blogging housekeeping items, tidying up the babe’s nursery, emptying the dishwasher, and assembling and photographing these insanely delicious mozzarella stick chicken burgers.
...

Five Ingredient Creamy Chicken Marsala
Nicole, 20 May 04:23 AM

I have friends that cook, and friends that don’t cook. Obviously.
The friends that don’t cook, love to eat, and while we have great takeout options around the city, occasionally they’re forced to put a skillet to a stove. For those handful of friends, a recipe must include ingredients that are commonly known, even to the most novice of cooks, it must take 30 minutes or less, and preferably, the ingredient list shouldn’t have an obscene amount things to purchase outside your standard pantry items.
I have a few five ingredient recipes within the archives of this site, and, according to those friends that “don’t cook,” these are the most prized items lurking around. They’re not intimidating, they don’t require a trip to a specialty store, and they’re still a heck of a lot more impressive than some greasy fast food.
Because I want my friends to be able to actually cook some of the recipe I create, I’ve made a promise to them to create more five ingredient meals, plus now that I’m a ne...

Sweet and Spicy Baked Ribs
Nicole, 17 May 04:36 AM

My Dad makes killer ribs; they’re tender but don’t fall apart. They’re smoky, but not overpowering. They’re spicy, but not too spicy. They have a wonderful char on them, but they aren’t burnt.  In short, they’re pretty flawless – although I’m sure he’d argue otherwise. The only problem?? He uses a smoker, and I don’t own one. So, typically, that means I only get ribs when he makes them, or, as a close second, when I make the trek to our favorite barbecue joint, which, as you can imagine, isn’t often enough.
Can I let you in on a little secret I’ve recently discovered though?? You don’t actually NEED a smoker to make perfect ribs to serve at your next barbecue. You need an oven, a good quality cut of pork ribs, and a great recipe – and guess what? I’ve got the recipe.  Bonus? Besides the ribs and one or two other ingredients, all the items you need are staples probably residing in your pantry this very moment.
As most rib recipes go, you want to start off with a super flavorful dry ...

Corn, Crab, and Lobster Quesadillas
Nicole, 13 May 04:26 AM

Crab. Lobster. Corn. Cheese.
Do I need to say more?? I could, but I won’t.
Happy weekend!
Corn, Crab, and Lobster Quesadillas
 
Print
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
35 mins
Total time
50 mins
The most decadent quesadillas on the planet. Crab. Corn. Lobster. And so much cheese.
Author: Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Serves: 15 quesadillas
Ingredients
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
½ cup sliced red onion
2 - 6 oz. lobster tails
1 tsp. olive oil
2 large poblano peppers
3 ears of corn
8 oz. lump crab
½ lb fontina cheese, grated
1 large avocado
2 tsp. lime juice
¼ tsp. salt
5 burritto-sized tortillas
Instructions
Heat a gas grill to a medium-high heat.
Add red wine vinegar and sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and add onions. Cook until starting to wilt, stirring frequently, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside and let rest in liquid.
Use a sharp knife to cut lobster tails lengthwise down the middle. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Add lobste...

Teriyaki Salmon Burgers
Nicole, 10 May 04:45 AM

About a month ago, I was finally able to finagle my engagement ring on and off my finger without it getting stuck below my knuckle. It was one of the lingering side effects of pregnancy that just wouldn’t go away. I was extremely close to making peace with the fact that I’d just have to go get it re-sized since my finger was forever swollen – and then one day, boom, it slid right on.
It’s been coming on and off every day since. Except for tonight.
Tonight when I went to go take my ring off before I washed my face and got ready for bed, it stayed firmly on my finger no matter how much I tried to wrangle it off. I immediately became frustrated, why wasn’t it coming off?? Did I put on MORE weight? Was I dehydrated? Did my ring shrink?
And then I remembered…I pretty much drank the homemade teriyaki sauce I slathered on these salmon burgers.
It was a good ol’ fashioned sodium overload.
I’d never made homemade teriyaki before – at least not with the intent of making teriyaki – and man...

Creamy Cobb Pasta Salad
Nicole, 06 May 09:41 AM

Ahhh … spring (and almost summer!)…
We’ve said goodbye to the last of the snow, chill and heavy winter coats; now, warmer weather, sunshine and plenty of backyard barbecues are standard – and I love a good barbecue. Give me hot dogs, hamburgers, deviled eggs, salads, good friends and cold beer, and I am one happy lady – I imagine you would be too.
Of course, like any other red-blooded American, I’ve hosted and attended my fair share of backyard barbecues, and the one item that — without a doubt — I always serve or bring along is some sort of pasta salad. I don’t know if it’s my unwavering love for different shapes of starchy carbs or what, but I don’t feel like a barbecue is complete without a pasta salad. The type of pasta doesn’t usually matter to me, but I have to say I’m a total sucker for creamy-based pasta, regardless of whether it’s cold or hot, and today is no exception.
One requirement I do have for all my pasta salads?? They must have lots of “stuff” in them, and by “stu...

Five Ingredient Watermelon Margarita Granita
Nicole, 05 May 04:30 AM

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
In my former pre-baby life, I would have planned at least three Mexican-inspired recipes to share with you well before the actual holiday, but since I have a tiny human, planing ahead is something of the past. Maybe I’ll get with it when Teddy goes off to college.
Since you probably don’t share my procrastinating traits in your party planning, maybe I can tempt you with a last minute dessert/cocktail addition to your menu?
I’ve had a margarita-inspired granita recipe in the depths of my recipe idea journal for years now, and each time summer or Cinco de Mayo rolls around, it gets pushed away for some reason or another. But this year, I made it my mission to follow through, even it was at the eleventh hour, and I had to wear my fussy-I-refuse-to-nap little Teddy while I tried to capture the perfectly light flakes of granita before they melted.
Have you heard of granita before?? It’s a frozen Italian dessert similar to a snow cone of sorts. It typically starts ...

Fizzy Blueberry Basil Punch
Nicole, 02 May 04:24 AM

There are at least a dozen items to check off your to-do list when you’re throwing a party, but if you’re anything like me, the two most important things — the food and drink — are the first items I plan.
When it comes to drinks, I always like to offer my guests the standards — water, soda, beer and wine — but I also try to have one “signature drink” that can be served either with liquor or as a mocktail for those who aren’t of legal age or want to abstain for other reasons. I used to go with a store-bought frozen juice, mix it with whatever liquor I had on hand, and then top it off with a bit of bubbly (or seltzer water), but I’ve come to find that making a fun drink from scratch is just as easy, and SO much better.
Typically every drink I make correlates to the season we’re in, so now that we’re deep into spring and making our way into summer, something fruit-based is exactly what I’m craving. Plus, you’ve got to buy up that fresh fruit while it’s available!
When I think of a “c...