Creamy Macaroni and CheeseIs there a child on this earth that does not like Mac & Cheese?  I think not.  This is a great creamy Mac & Cheese that will please all members of the family.   I have seen this recipe in several places, but it is a standard for creamy cheese sauces.   You can also brown some ground beef, drain well, and put into this recipe.  Th...

This is a great tasting chicken dish with a slightly different flavor.  It is a change of pace from plain, old chicken.  Try it; you will like it. This dish takes about 35 minutes to prepare and serves 4. Ingredients: 3 1/3 to 4 pounds chicken, cut into 8 pieces Kosher salt and freshly ground pepperAll-purpose flour for dusting. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 pound shallots, halve...

This dish sounds so fancy! Well, it is not. It is simple a beef stew with vegetables and maybe wine.  The word bourguignonne comes from the French meaning Bourgogne Burgundy, so bourguignonne means prepared or served in the manner of Burgundy.  Now, do you feel educated on this French dish?  You can call it Beef Stew if you wish, but for company, let them think they are getting an e...

As you know, gratin means with cheese, so this is a potato and leek recipe with cheese.  This is made in the fry-pan and if you have a fry-pan that will transfer to the oven, then this dish is a one pot dish.  This is a different twist on potatoes with cheese.Ingredients: 5 tablespoons unsalted butter4 pounds leeks, white and light green portions, rinsed well, cut into 1/4-inch rings.1 1...

Did you grow tomatoes this summer and into the fall and have so many that you are giving them away?  Well if the answer is yes, then this casserole will be a great use for tomatoes.  If you love tomatoes, then this casserole is an answer to prayer.  It is simple and tasty and is something the kids might eat because it has crunchy on top.  Tomatoes are very nourishing and c...

This special recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen hushpuppies that anyone will love. Preparation time is about 10 minutes, and 4 minutes frying each batch.  Ingredients: 1 cup self-rising yellow cornmeal mix 1/2 cup self-rising flour 1 cup peeled medium-size raw shrimp [ 21/25 count] chopped 1 tsp Creole seasoning 1/2 cup frozen diced onion, red and green bell peppers, and celery th...

A frittata is a flat omelet  in Italy and can be filled with a variety of vegetables and cheeses.  It is a great, quick meal for a brunch or supper.  You can use feta or ricotta in place of the goat cheese.  This dish is also for those watching their sugar intake.  Good for people with diabetes. Ingredients: 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided1 cup diced ...

This salad is very colorful and makes for a nice table display.  It is healthy and goes well with chicken and fish.  Cornbread might be a nice addition. Actually hot dogs and hamburgers would give this salad a Mexican flare.  Find a pretty red serving dish to accent the color in the salad. Preparation time is about 12 minutes.  Ingredients:  3 Tablespoons fresh lime ...

This salad is so easy and great for left-over turkey from the holidays.  This tasty addition to any meal is a favorite for the family.  Serve with colorful plates and different colors of lettuce.  I prefer Bibb or Boston lettuce for this salad, but endive or romaine would also be great. Many of these items can be bought pre-diced, even the ham or chicken.  this is another ...

The is a beautiful salad to put on the table and mix after your guests have seen it. Depending on the plate and the colors in the serving plate and the flower arrangements on the table, this could be very outstanding, as well as a very healthy addition to any meal. It is relatively simple to fix with lots of rewards for presentation, and most of the ingredients you can buy already diced or cut up....

This dish is an easy tasty side dish for any meal.  It only takes 30 minutes and less than 15 minutes to prepare.  Red, new potatoes have a buttery taste by themselves and it is a wonderful blend of flavors with the balsamic vinegar that came from Northern Italy and is made from white, sweet grapes.  This amount serves 8 people and is approximately 135 calories per serving. This dis...

This is a wonderful dish that a friend sent me from Food Network.  It is great for company or a week-day dinner.  This dish would be lovely with a thin pasta and a green salad.  Serve a crusty bread to add to the flavor. Ingredients:2 pounds shrimp in the shell [12 to 15 ]3 tablespoons good live oil2 tablespoons dry white wineKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper12 tables...

Have you every wanted to fine another dish for a holiday meal that wasn't the same old thing? Have you served the same 5 dishes for the holiday meals for the past 5 years? Well, here is a good recipe to start your meal makeover.  Most everyone loves Asparagus, but does not know how to prepare it unless it is steamed or simply fixed. This is a make-ahead casserole that will please the entire f...

BASIC QUICHEIngredients: 1/2 pound grated Pepper Jack cheese8 beaten eggs1 pound bulk hot sausage [ if prefer, use mild]1 cup milk1 cup BisquickSalt and pepper to tasteDirections: Cook sausage in skillet.  Drain Well.  Add other ingredients and mix well.  Pour into a 2-quart, oblong Pyrex dish and bake at 375 degrees until solid. Cool; cut into squares. Yield: 6-8 servings. BLENDER ...

This salad is a staple for most cooks.  It is a make ahead recipe.  It is always good and most people find it attractive and very tasty.  This salad is a staple because you can have all the ingredients on hand all the time and if unexpected company or if you are too busy to cook, this salad can almost be a meal with some french garlic bread and ice cream with fruit for dessert. Ingr...

ENGLISH PEA SALAD These two salads are pea salads.  Children will say "yuck", but these salads are very good and they will like them if you can get them to taste them.  They are refreshing and pretty to serve. Ingredients: 1 [ 15 ounce ] can baby peas, drained. 1 [ 11 ounce] can shoe peg white corn, drained 1 [ 14 1/2 ounce ] can French-style green beans, drained. 1 gr...

These two dishes compliment each other very well.  If you do not want to have cornbread, buy the bread bowls and have Chili in a bread bowl.  Serve with a salad, and you have a complete meal.  This dish is good on a chilly day, no pun intended.  :)Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef [ if you are on a diet, you can use ground turkey, and have turkey chili]1 large onion [ chopp...

This recipe is a good company recipe.  It is easy and can be put together in seconds.  Everyone loves a good pasta and seafood.  This recipe could be done with clams, scallops or other fishes.  Serve with a green salad and hot rolls.  Surprise the family with this tasty dinner.  If the children do not care for all the ingredients, serve them pasta with butter and...

Everyone loves corn; they love it creamy, on the cob, canned, just about anyway.  Kids and all family members love corn.  This is a fun way to serve corn.  Corn is plentiful in the summer, so stock up and freeze for a quick starch for a meal.  Before preparing this recipe, stand the corn on end and with a sharp knife, slice down to remove the kernels.  Slice again to get t...

This Apple Bread is a tasty bread to serve with coffee or as a dessert; it can be frozen and kept for special occasions.  It is a pretty bread and can be made for  Christmas gifts with a pretty cellophane and colorful ribbons.  Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1 [ 8 ounce] container sour cream 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract 2 c...

This recipe is a great recipe for the holidays.  It is colorful and hearty for company and the family.  It serves 8 or more, and should be served with grits,  and the family's favorite fruit. For brunch, serve with grits, fruit on skewer, and a variety of Danish and cookies.  This is a family favorite, but it is labor intensive, but well worth the time. Ingredients: ...

Chicken dishes are very popular today because most people are trying to eat healthy.  This dish qualifies as good comfort food with vegetables to satisfy the family cravings.  If you use the low-sodium soups, then the dish is rather healthy.  Here are two recipes: one for the family and one for company or a larger group. Ingredients: 4 ounces uncooked spaghetti2 cups chopped, cooked...

This soup is a hearty meal and so easy to make.  It is mostly cans.  Once the meat is cooked, all the time is used opening cans.  This is a meal for the whole family, or a great soup to take to pop-luck dinners.  My friend B.J.Stevens from Precepts Bible study shared this recipe with me, and it is especially good on a cold night with some crackers or hot corn bread. Ingredients...

This salad is a refreshing lunch or complement for a dinner of fish or any meat for that matter.  Fruit is healthy, but do not tell the children, and they will probably eat it also.  The creamy texture of the dressing complements the lettuce and fruit for a tangy taste.Ingredients:1- 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, divided1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1/4 cup red-wine vinegar1 small clove ...

Fruit salads are refreshing at lunch time or any time for that matter.  These two salads were favorites when my children were in high school. The mothers at the school submitted recipes and these two are splendid.  The blueberry salad is also a great dessert.Cranberry MoldIngredients: 1 pound fresh cranberries1 orange 1 tart apple1/2 cup pecans, chopped1 cup sugar2 tablespoons lemon juic...

Salads with vegetables are healthy and tasty.  They do not taste like diet food, and can be made quickly for you or the family.  Enjoy these tasty treats.  Summer Vegetable Salad  Ingredients:1 1/2 cups cauliflower florets [ cooked crisp]1 1/2 cups carrots sliced1 cup celery chopped16 ounces sweet peas16 ounce green beans- bias cutFrench DressingDirections:Combine all ingredien...

This Chicken Salad Marinate can be made the night before. It is an easy salad for lunch or a girl's get together.  This salad would be good for a dinner served with yeast rolls and butter.  For dessert have a bowl of mixed fruit. Ingredients: 8 chicken breast halves 1 [14 ounce] can of chicken broth or 1 pint chicken stock.1 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1 cup French or Italian dressin...

Spinach Salads are very easy to make. A simple spinach salad is simply to toss spinach and use a store-bought vinaigrette dressing.   Other ingredients that can be added to spinach salads are; boiled eggs, water chestnuts, mushrooms, alfalfa sprouts, red onion, and almonds.  Strawberries are a good fruit to add to a spinach salad. Place spinach and strawberries in a glass bowl and t...