Marinade for Lamb Recipe

Friday, December 30, 2011
A very Merry bunch and more than a few good men!

( Nephew Matthew, brother John, husband Nemo, son Curt, nephew Devin and son Chad on the end)

All with hearty appetites~ my handsome bunch! Who can resist such merry men?


10

Leftover Panettone Recipe Ideas

Wednesday, December 28, 2011
We usually get quite a few boxes of Panettone for Christmas but we also make it! You can just eat so much of this in just toast! Recipe at the bottom for this amazing bread. Here are some recipes to use with leftovers too.
Actually we love this kind of bread in these baked breakfast brunch style dishes. We usually make so much we can't possibly finish all the Panettone with just making it as toast.




18

Fried Polenta Croquette Appetizer

Tuesday, December 27, 2011


Fried Polenta Appetizer:

1/2 cup of corn-meal

around one tablespoon butter

two tablespoons grating cheese

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove of minced garlic

cold water

Slice of Gruyere, provolone, or mozzarella cheese


For coating

Egg

Italian flavored breadcrumbs

grated cheese>

Olive oil or Canola oil blend for frying

In a small saucepan boil( using package instructions)  measure  1/2 cup of corn-meal into boiling water and cook until stiff and before removing from the stovetop add a tablespoon of butter and the grated cheese and mix well.

Pour onto a cutting board by spoonfuls using cold water to form some golf ball size rounds. These spoonfuls will be hot, the cold water will help to mold them.  On each of these croquettes place a very thin slice of cheese, so that the cheese will adhere to the corn-meal wrapping around them. Then allow them to cool in the refrigerator on a baking sheet. When they are cold,  dip into a beaten egg, then into breadcrumbs mixed with more grating cheese. Fry in hot oil and serve with marinara sauce.




19

Baked Italian Sauce Egg Casserole

Monday, December 26, 2011
This Baked Italian Sauce Egg Casserole is made with eggs, pepperoni, or Italian sausage milk baked topped with Italian sauce mozzarella, and the best breakfast, brunch everyone raves about this.


This recipe uses simple ingredients starting with refrigerator biscuits and it's very basic so you can add whatever you like or leave it plain or add my several suggestions below.


Just mix the eggs, milk, and herbs, add the meats, and cheese, or use all vegetables you like, and voila, breakfast is made easy and versatile.


Scroll down for this printable recipe and give this one a try you won't be sorry!



pepperoni and sauce baked eggs



11

Homemade Dad's Eggnog or Almond Nog

Sunday, December 25, 2011
I love homemade eggnog and almond nog, dad made the best and totally cracked the code of this delicious holiday drink.

It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I enjoyed it topping it off with a shot of my favorite liquor.

This is his recipe and a tradition every year to make in his memory.

Dad was a big fan of eggnog and I also absolutely love eggnog plain but Dad loved his with a shot of booze in it!

If you would like to add alcohol to your eggnog, the traditional choice is to add brandy rum or bourbon.

We also make almond Amaretto eggnog which is another family favorite and so delicious!

If you've never ever had eggnog, to me it's a creamy glass of heaven with a buttery scotch flavor, just my thought, and the best to try would always be made from scratch.

Everything is fresh and the perfect holiday drink!





12

Italian Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Recipes

Saturday, December 24, 2011
From start to finish there's always a lot of traditions going on in an Italian kitchen through the month of December. Christmas Eve is all fish with Catholic traditions and on to making homemade pasta, sauce and much much more as you scroll through this gallery of foods. We are thankful every year for our blessings and here are a few of our favorite recipes we enjoy. Buon Natale.




this is a collage of all the holiday foods we prepare in an Italian Household for Christmas Eve and Day


22

Chocolate Covered Coconut Macadamia Rum Balls

Friday, December 23, 2011


A great combinations of flavors to add to your cookie or candy tray!

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups chopped macadamia nuts
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup rum
3 1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 pkg. (12 oz.) chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
Combine crushed vanilla wafers, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, cocoa and nuts.
Mix in the corn syrup and rum.
Shape into 1-inch balls;
Melt chocolate in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds till melted. Using two fork dip each ball into the chocolate, sprinkle with coconut and place on wax paper to dry
Store in the refrigerator for a few days before serving to seep the flavors of the rum.
13

Rocky Road Cookie Peppermint Fudge

Wednesday, December 21, 2011
This fudge with all the additions is so colorful and festive it just shouts holiday flavors with mint, cookies, and nuts

Our chocolate fudge has a hint of mint in it and is topped off with some crushed striped candy canes, it will be the hit of the season to your candy collections.

This chocolate fudge is quite addicting with crusted cookies with a bit of peppermint flavor in every single bite will surely delight any mint lover addiction.

We also love to package this up in tins for hard-to-buy folks we need to give a gift to, it's always a welcome treat.

Of course, you can add any kind of crushed cookies to this we just love our oreo without the centers in it but adapt this to be your own fudge recipe and adapt away.

Scroll down to our printable instruction card for our delicious holiday tradition fudge recipe


easy peppermint fudge with candy canes crushed on top for a festive holiday christmas look


12

Cranberry Holiday Gelatin Salad

Friday, December 16, 2011
This is one of our oldest recipes and a Thanksgiving delightful treat for a side dish, cranberries, fruits, and jello.

This sweet and tart side dish goes great with any meats but it's a traditional with our turkey dinner.

This creation is a combination of unique flavors that you really don't have to work hard for it's super easy and made just with a few easy steps

The nice crunch of fall crispy apples, whole cranberries, and pineapple make every mouthful a delightful experience you will soon not forget.

So don't miss a chance to take a journey with a big bowl of this delicious jello side dish just scroll to the bottom of the page and hit print.


jello salad


15

Mom's Italian Style Gravy

Thursday, December 15, 2011
I always said Mom made the best gravy and I still think so.
Watching her intently growing up and now just recreating it from memory it's pretty darn close to my favorite basic gravy recipe.

Bursting with flavors from roasted Turkey dripping on Thanksgiving, beef dripping for Christmas day or any day of the week roasted chicken, it's the best always made from scratch.


There is nothing compared to making homemade gravy vs bottled from the store, the flavor is magnified significantly.

I always had to hold back from drinking it, it's so good!



17

Nutella Rugelach Pinwheels

Saturday, December 10, 2011
This tasty Rugelach Pinwheel version is a delicious Jewish-style treat but a different-style swirled pinwheel with a filling of hazelnuts and Nutella.

I love the classic croissant butterhorn crescent version style also Rugelach filled with jam, nuts, and chocolate but you may find this mini swirled fun Nutella style to be a delicious new tasty cookie that will become a family favorite in your home like ours.

Rugelach is a Jewish pastry that literally means “little twist” in Yiddish.

I went the non-traditional route and made them in pinwheel-shaped rugelach still using the same traditional dough with real butter, sugar, and cream cheese deliciousness.
Of course, if you prefer that classic cookie we certainly have you covered for that recipe for Rugalach Filled Butter Horns!

This cookie is one of the first to fly off our holiday cookie trays, so don't miss trying this easy cookie, just make the dough ahead of time since this is an overnight chilled dough for best results.

Our step-by-step instructions and photos will make this whole process super easy, just print off the recipe at the bottom of our post.


filled cookie dough called rugelach


25

Irish Creme Holiday Balls

Friday, December 9, 2011
These Irish Creme Holiday Balls are no bake made with vanilla wafers, Irish cream, and just 4 other simple easy-to-find ingredients.


Although I do make my own Copycat Irish Cream, you can use any flavored liquor with my several suggestions below.

For gift-giving, store them in pretty festive tins, but they should only be left out for up to 3 days unrefrigerated, these will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator so be sure to store them properly.


Just scroll down for these easy printable instructions.





21

Italian Style Tuna Macaroni Salad

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Here is one of our favorite ways to eat macaroni salad.

We love it with tuna pasta salad it's perfect anytime with any other meal or by itself.

Sometimes we can just enjoy a big plate full of this macaroni salad with a big hunk of crusty bread and butter and it's a whole meal.

When I was growing up, mom used to make lots of salad, place a scoop of each salad on a bed a lettuce leaves.

That was a filling lunch for sure with all three.

It was a treat to have her tuna macaroni salad, potato salad, and either ham salad or egg salad all on one plate.

You can also add baby shrimp or leave it plain.

The colorful salad is perfect for holiday side dishes or all summer long for those awesome cookouts and parties outside.

To us, this was the best tuna pasta salad in the world, we just loved it growing up.

Through 1960 and present, my kids and family enjoy this retro old school recipe.





This is tri colored spiral pasta made into a macaroni salad with tuna in a glass white casserole dish


26

No Bake Amaretto Cream Pie with Amaretto Hot Fudge Sauce

Monday, December 5, 2011
This No-Bake Amaretto Cream Pie with Amaretto Hot Fudge Sauce is one of the easiest desserts made in no time and perfect for ending a delicious Italian meal for dessert.


This no-bake pie is so simple even the kids can help make it and it's a creamy fluffy pie piled high with a creamy Amaretto flavor in a graham cracker crust.


Don't worry if you want to omit the liqueor you can always substitute am Amaretto Classic Flavored syrup instead however if you are using alcohol you may want to try our Homemade Amaretto Liquor it's super easy to make the real alcohol deal in your home.


In our recipe, we also include a delicious Amaretto Hot Fudge Sauce which you also can use for so many dessert ideas for a topping.


Everyone raves about this Amaretto Creamy Dreamy Pie, and it's a nice light pie, especially during warmer weather for a perfect dessert treat.


Scroll down to get the printable recipes for Amaretto Cream Pie that's no-bake along with our homemade almond crust and hot fudge.




20

Italian Lemon Polenta Biscotti Cookies

Sunday, December 4, 2011
Lemony crunchy twice-baked biscotti cookies are a vintage Roman classic cookie Grandma made for our Christmas cookie platter every year.

This traditional cookie brings the flavors of fresh citrus in every bite with the addition of fresh lemon zest.

Perfect with tea and any hot beverages you prefer.

The cookies are a basic recipe and easy to follow and the taste of Rome, Italy for a classic traditional vintage cookie around any holiday.

These cookies are formed into log shapes baked, sliced, and baked again the typical biscotti but with the addition of cornmeal.

Through the years we have experimented with other extracts and almonds, anise and orange are classic flavors and additional favorites.

For this printable recipe scroll to the bottom of the page and hit print all the ads will disappear for an easy copy.


Italian Lemon Polenta Biscotti Cookies


24

Orange Snowball Butterballs

Friday, December 2, 2011
Orange and Coconut Snowball Butterball cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth orange delight.

This cookie is a butterball cookie, crunchy, buttery rolled into powdered sugar and has an orange zest flavoring along with coconut.

Mom loved this recipe on the Christmas cookie tray because of its snowy look and the cookie was full of fall flavors with the addition of cinnamon and very simple to make.

We all took turns rolling them into powdered sugar for the holiday cookie tray and I can assure you, they almost didn't make it to that tray we ate them so fast.

You may also know these cookies as snowballs, pecan butterballs, Mexican wedding cakes, Mexican tea cakes, Russian teacakes, butterballs cookies, pecan sandies, viennese sugar butterballs.. whatever you name them they are a delicious addition to any cookie collection!.

If you are an orange cookie lover, this is one for your collection.

There is a printable copy at the bottom just click print to bypass the ads and read the story.




22

Leftover Turkey Soup

Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Leftover Turkey makes the best soup after Thanksgiving, it's always well seasoned so the broth is spectacular in rich flavor so this recipe is super easy.

We love to add tomatoes, beans of any kind, carrots, celery, and onion, leftover side dish vegetables, and make a huge pot during the black Friday shopping weekend to have a hearty repurposed turkey meal.

The best part about turkey soup is anything can go into the pot especially if you have leftover peas, carrots, corn, and green beans, you can turn this into a hearty vegetable turkey soup.

Scroll down to get our printable easy recipe.



this is a pot of leftover turkey made into soup



16

Leftover Turkey Tortilla

Saturday, November 26, 2011



2 cups shredded cheddar or favorite mexican cheese blend
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chili powder
24 (6 inch) flour tortillas
 1  bottle of taco sauce or  a (19 ounce) can red enchilada sauce
 4 cups cooked turkey, chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
optional: chopped jalapeno peppers
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the cheese, spices and black olives.
In a small skillet, heat enough oil to lightly coat one tortilla, and just warm each side. Remove and dip in sauce to coat on on side.
Add turkey, olives and cheese mixture to center of tortilla, roll and place in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with more cheese on top.  Place into a baking dish and bake until cheese is melted.   Bake time is around 20 minutes.
24

Easy Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake

Friday, November 25, 2011
I know what you're all thinking, Apple Upside Down cake and not Pineapple the classic version!.

If you're looking for the easiest quick dessert using a doctored cake mix guess what? You can use any pie filling you like or even change it to pineapple using fresh or canned fruit.

Get creative and change it up to a new fruit every time, but the caramel glaze bakes right into the cake and when inverted it has a butter topping that's out of this world delicious.

If you love upsidedown cakes you may also like to try our Mango Upside Down Cake from scratch.

Perfect dessert for unexpected guests, potlucks, and the recipe is printable at the bottom of this post.

caramel apple cake mix cake


29

Coconut Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Wednesday, November 23, 2011
I love coconut and chocolate and these cookies are two of the best ingredients and make best the perfect combinations of flavor.

This cookie is simple, however, we use a secret ingredient for a little more texture, crushed cornflakes.

I have tried so many recipes over the last 20 years and these are so much better than any other coconut cookie out there.

Chocolate chips whether milk, semi-sweet or even another flavor white, or butterscotch chips are all a nice change also.

Keep in mind you will need to make toasted coconut by baking in the oven or microwaving it so do this ahead of time first and cool it.


If you are a cookie jar cookie lover, do try my family's Everything Cookies, Chocolate Chip Shortbread recipe, Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe, and oatmeal cookies!


Scroll down to this easy recipe and give them a try!





15

Grandma's Fresh Apple Lattice Pie

Tuesday, November 22, 2011


Cut the dough into even strips, 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch wide, depending on how thick you want your lattice strips. You can use a  knife with or without a ruler or straight edge to guide you, or you can use a pizza wheel.

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup regular sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Mcintosh, Cortland or Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Crust:
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoons salt mix together with flour
2/3 cups shortening cut into the flour then add
4 1/2 tablespoons ice water

Mix till dough forms a ball...Roll out on floured board to cut.
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add sugar, brown sugar and water; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes.
14

Marshmallow Yam Bake

Sunday, November 20, 2011
4  freshly cleaned and peeled yams or sweet potatoes cubed
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup brown sugar
Salt and black pepper, to taste

  mini marshmallows
 Optional: maraschino cherries
 parchment paper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees .
Peel the yams and cut them in cubes or chunks
Use 1/4 of the oil to grease a 12 x 17 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, coat the yams.
Sprinkle them with salt and pepper and arrange them in the baking pan, flat side down.
Roast for about 40 minutes or until they are, fork tender.
Remove the baking pan from the oven, dot the yams with butter, and pour maple syrup over them.
Sprinkle brown sugar over the yams and bake them or another 10 minutes.
Remove the baking pan from the oven, baste the yams with the liquid in the pan,  place into a pie dish or casserole dish then sprinkle the marshmallows over the top and cherries if using.
Broil a few minutes or until the marshmallows have browned.
14

Brined Smoked Turkey Breast with Bourbon Sauce Recipe

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Smoked Turkey is one of our newest favorite alternatives for cooking. Of course we still love our family Traditional Baked or Deep Fried Turkey...we just love them all!




how to brine and smoke turkey breast


22

Cheddar Cheese Pie

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
This is a basic Cheddar Cheese savory pie that's in a premade crust loaded with cheddar and if you would like to add meats and other vegetables we got you covered.

We love mushrooms and usually add them.

This pie is great with cooked drained loose meat, ham, broccoli, cauliflower, and just about anything else you may have leftover in the fridge that goes great with cheddar especially crispy bacon!

It's basically a quiche with cheddar however the skies the limit on additions.

Whether you are vegetarian or a meat lover, this can be adapted exactly to how you like your baked quiche, after all, it's just like eating cheesy eggs baked but in a crust!




Chocolate Silk Pie with Frangelico

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
Whipped cream and chocolate curls, optional

1 1/2 packages crushed graham crackers( reserve 1/2 cup) or use a deep dish pie crust baked and cooled
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 shot glass of Frangelico

In a medium size bowl add crushed crackers. melted butter and 1 tablespoons sugar. Press into a pie plate. Pour the Frangelico on top of whatsever crust  you use evenly. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and eggs until well blended. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a metal spoon and thickens. Remove from the heat. Stir in chocolate and vanilla until smooth. Cool to lukewarm , stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, beat and cream butter until light and fluffy. Add cooled chocolate mixture; beat on high speed for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
In another large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into chocolate mixture.
Pour into crust. Chill for at least 6 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and crushed reserve graham crackers and or chocolate shavings or chunks.
28

Amaretto Garlic Butter Brussels Sprouts

Monday, November 14, 2011
These are simple to make Brussels Sprouts with toasted almonds,  Amaretto, and very gourmet to serve.

We really love the flavors of this garlic and nutty additions and everyone always raves about these when we serve them around the Thanksgiving holiday.

If you're a fan of brussels sprouts this gourmet version will blow your mind in flavors.

The best part about this easy recipe, the additions can be endless.

During the holiday sprinkling, the top with dried cranberries gives this a green and red festive look and also adds a little sweetness!

Then for those who love a little spice add some red pepper flakes for heat.

If you looking for even more great side dishes to make try our 30 Appetizers and Side Dishes there's something for everyone there!

Scroll down and check out these easy cooking methods on our printable recipe card at the end.




19

Pumpkin Waffles

Sunday, November 13, 2011
The onset of fall is so lovely with the turning colors of leaves, and of course, it's pumpkin season so breakfast is being served today with pumpkin puree in waffle batter all homemade!

As you move into the cooler weather, the smell of these pumpkin spice waffles just makes the most comforting feel as you enter a room first thing in the morning, and there is nothing better other than the smell of perking coffee if you're fans of both.

Our homemade scratch Pumpkin Waffles will not disappoint fans of waffles and pumpkin, it's a family fall breakfast in our home.

Scroll down for this easy recipe.





26

Sheet Pan Peppers and Tomatoes

Friday, November 11, 2011
One of the easiest meals grandmas would prepare usually during the summer harvest is from Dad's garden Sheet Pan of Peppers and Tomatoes.

After roasting them she would serve them with fresh hot bread out of the oven.

This Italian sandwich is one of my all-time favorites and not only delicious but economical to make.




Irish Apple Cake

Thursday, November 10, 2011
Irish Apple Cake, sometimes called a Kerry apple cake, is a wonderful dessert.

The cake is just slightly sweet loaded with Granny Smith apples all throughout and made in a springform-style pan.

This simple recipe is popular around St. Patrick's Day but we love this recipe all year long.

This cake was traditional and can be baked in a cast iron skillet however the ease of using a springform pan is our baking tool of choice.

Irish cake can also be served with or without a custard or whiskey sauce, our cake is plain and served with whipped cream or topped with your favorite ice cream.

Loaded with tart, crisp apples, and crunchy toasted nuts this cake is the first one we make during apple harvest season.

For this super easy Irish Apple Cake recipe scroll to the bottom and hit print!


all homemade from scratch apple cake


36

Butter Pecan Bread or Butter Pecan Pound Cake Recipes

Wednesday, November 9, 2011
We have two recipes for you to try to with a delicious Butter Pecan Bread and another buttery Pecan Pound cake both are a true Southern delight.

We love cakes and quick bread made from scratch and both are full of that all-homemade deliciousness with that old-fashioned vintage taste mom and grandma used to make.

The bread and cake are made with simple pantry ingredients like eggs, loads of butter, and of course a load of pecans.

Served with whipped cream or butter pecan ice cream these two recipes are awesome desserts.

Grandma only made cakes from scratch (you may remember her (Triple Berry Pound Cake), which is divine especially in summer when fresh fruits are available easily.

Scroll down to print off both recipes if you love butter pecan this is a keeper easy recipe to learn how to make it.




17

Carrot Cake Mix Cookies

Monday, November 7, 2011
This doctored Carrot Cake Mix makes the best-tasting carrot cookies super fast and easy just make them with a few ingredients with a delicious fluffy homemade cream cheese frosting.

Carrot cake mix, eggs, cinnamon, and oil are just some of the ingredients in this recipe with some suggestive additions below, the cookies are off-the-charts delicious.

Topped with cream cheese frosting will add the perfect sweetness and we love to make these around Easter time.

If you want something easy to make to take to a dinner party or even one you're hosting, these cookies are a sure hit every time and quick to make.

Soft moist cookies and we love adding a few chopped raisins, coconut, and nuts to the batter for an all-around carrot cake-style cookie.


pumpkin spice cookies made with a cake mix


17

Pumpkin Fritters

Sunday, November 6, 2011
There is nothing better with the onset of fall other than making pumpkin recipes, and we have so many wonderful recipes in our collection, but pumpkin fritters are made the most all season!

These little fried pumpkin fritters will grab you just by the aroma of the seasonal spices while frying and it's an immediate addiction to all pumpkin lovers.

Little bundles of moist pumpkin spice fritters rolled in cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar while still warm makes these melt in your mouth a perfect bite.

We just can't get enough of these litte fried gems, they are sure to win a pumpkin lovers heart.

Just in case you are an apple lover, try our Apple Fried Donut Holes also, they are fantastic!

Scroll down to our recipe card for this easily printable recipe for fried pumpkin mini heaven fritters.




18

Homemade Italian Sausage Mom's Recipe

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Homemade Sausage baked in the oven with roasted potatoes or just make patties out of it with peppers and mushrooms grill, baked or fried.




17

Hash Brown Casserole

Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The hash brown casserole is one of that easy throw-it-together and ready with hardly no-fuss baked into a creamy tasty potato side dish.


Everyone raves about this super simple vintage 1970s potato dish through the years and a family favorite you may also have heard these called funeral potatoes so along the way with different ingredients they are all similar ingredients.


This delicious hash brown casserole is loaded with cheese, creamy soup, and sour cream and the perfect side dish for entertaining guests, especially for a  dinner party,  or a get-together for a potluck gathering.


These hash browns baked into this thick cream sauce is also a favorite for breakfast and similar to the hash brown popular casserole you'll find at popular restaurants.


If you prefer a recipe using my homemade soup instead of canned, try my cream of chicken soup recipe below it's the perfect alternative.


We even have suggestions to substitute sour cream for those who aren't fans of sour cream either.


Then if you really want a quick dinner idea, just top this casserole with your favorite cooked like kielbasa, smoked pork chops, or hotdogs for that all-in-one pan meal.


Scroll down to the printable recipe card for this super simple potato hash brown casserole for ingredients and instructions.


this is a old vintage recipe for a hash brown casserole from the 1960 made with sour cream, butter topped with buttery crushed cracker


40

Dirt Cups, Cake or Pie

Monday, October 31, 2011
Here is the easiest Halloween dessert even that kids can make and love and it can be in cups, cake form or in pie!

All you need is instant chocolate pudding, whipped topping milk, and assorted fun garnishes that shout Halloween.


The kids love to decorate the cake with cheap barbies and toys from a dollar store on the cakes and use candies and tombstone windmill cookies for decorating for a ghoulish treat.


Check out these easy instructions and if you're planning a Halloween party, one of these may be the best centerpiece and dessert of the night.





24

Shrimp Stir Fry with Broccoli and Zucchini

Saturday, October 29, 2011
A quick meal, all in one pan, except the rice!


1 pound cleaned and deveined shrimp
1 sweet green pepper; cut in 3/4-inch squares
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
pinch or more of cayenne pepper
1 small carrot; thinly sliced 
2 cups of broccoli florets (microwave with 1 teaspoon of sugar and covered with water for 5 minutes drain)
1 zucchini cut into chunks
1 yellow squash cut into chunks
1/2 cup pineapple chunks and 1 cup liquid
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil


In a large wok style fry pan, add oil and all the vegetable, saute with garlic for 3 to 5 minutes we like the vegetables crisp, cook longer if you prefer. Add pineapple and sherry to pan. In a small bowl mix the pineapple juice, cornstarch and teriyaki sauce together. Add and cook till thickened.  Serve with jasmine rice or other white rice.

15

Old Fashioned Apple Compote

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
This is my first recipe every fall called Old Fashioned Apple Compote it's a buttery cinnamon sliced or diced apple delight.

Growing up in Central Utica, N.Y., we lived close by apple orchards and many neighbors had apple trees, so we had an abundance of fruit that was generously given to us.

We would make Apple Pies, Apple Cake, Apple Handpies, and Apple Cider, and this compote was a favorite, especially at breakfast time.

Although it tastes great right from a spoonful, it's terrific on pancakes, waffles, for topping freshly baked Apple Pie Muffins, and even on vanilla ice cream!

During the winter months, mom did lots of canning apple compote in a mason jars to use for tarts and pies.

This is so easy and perfect for anything you grew up on using butter for these cinnamon-coated apples.

Mom even served them as a side dish with Baked Pork Chops.

So the skies are the limit on possibilities with this recipe just scroll down to the printable recipe card for our yummy recipe it's so easy!


apple slices made into a compote


20

Mom's Fried Veal Cutlet Recipe

Thursday, October 20, 2011

1 1/2 lbs veal cutlets around 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
5 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup dry Italian flavored bread crumbs or more
 (mom made her own breadcrumbs from stale bread click here)
3 tablespoons Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely minced
1 egg
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Combine bread crumbs and  cheese in a pie plate. Add 1 clove finely minced garlic and the fresh parsley together. In another dish beat one egg with a tablespoon of water.
In a large skillet, heat the oil, and butter (optional) with the remaining whole cloves of garlic. Turn the garlic cloves until pale yellow. Mash the cloves into the oil using the tines of a fork when they become toasted, then remove.
Season the veal with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Dip each piece of veal egg then into the seasoned bread crumbs coating both sides well. Dip into the egg mixture once again. Roll in the bread crumbs a second time.
Pan fry the veal cutlets in the olive oil, carefully turning once, until well browned on both sides. Turn down to low heat and fry till brown and tender around 25 to 20 minutes.
 
Note:
A mixture of 1 freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, oregano, black pepper, salt to taste and 1 tablespoon of melted butter make a great sauce over the top.
21

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Tuesday, October 18, 2011
We just love the flavors fall brings with the fragrant smell of cinnamon, comforting spices baked into these Pumpkin Donuts plus it's a super easy recipe to make!


If you're a big donut and apple fan you may also love our recipe for these apple cider donuts, we love to serve these two fall favorites during this time of the year!


These baked pumpkin donuts are great any time of the day and certainly perfect at breakfast time or a treat to bring to any outings, events, or get-together, especially around Halloween and Thanksgiving.


Our easy pumpkin donuts have all the best autumn spice flavors and complement this easy-made from scratch batter.


We love them plain, rolled in cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glazed with tinted frosting, dipped even in white chocolate.


There's no rolling, cutting, just make the batter and drop it into donut molded pans


Baking is so much healthier than fried and you won't notice the difference other than they come out a little flat on the bottom.


Since you've insisted on the healthier version, I will leave a baked or Air Fryer method as an alternative to make these Pumpkin Donuts with that method below.


Scroll down to our recipe card for this easily printable recipe on how to make baked pumpkin donuts!


cinnamon glazed pumpkin donuts


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Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup Recipe

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Rich, creamy and two flavors that compliment each other... served with garlic croutons is my favorite!
6 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoon finely minced celery
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
6 cloves garlic, peeled roasted  garlic see directions here
3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
salt to taste 
Optional:
 grated parmesan cheese
garlic flavored croutons
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Roasted Garlic (for instructions click here)
Place potatoes in a shallow roasting pan and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with peppers, stir to coat. Bake for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are browned. Reserve 1 cup of roasted potatoes.
In a 3 quart saucepan add potatoes, celery, garlic and stir in broth and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Spoon half of broth mixture into a blender; blend until nearly smooth. Repeat with remaining mixture; return all to pot. Stir in milk, cream and season with salt to taste add parsley. Top with reserved roasted potatoes, garnish with grating cheese and garlic croutons.
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Halloween Tombstone Brownie Recipe

Friday, October 14, 2011


1 package of Windmill Cookies ( I bought Voortman)
1 can chocolate icing or homemade recipe click here
1 package of your favorite brownie mix or click here for homemade recipe
1 container of pumpkin mellow cream candies
coconut tinted green
tube of black writing icing (found in baking section of the supermarket)
 optional  Halloween colored sprinkles or crushed oreo cookie crumbs

Gently break or cut cookies in half. Make brownies by package directions, cool, ice.
Assembly:
 Place cookies on wax paper outline the outter edges with icing and write letters on the tombstones R.I.P., HELP, whatever your ghostly pleasure is.  Apply a little icing to the bottom of the cookie and attach to the back of the brownie, flat side facing out. Cover the back with green coconut or crushed oreos for dirt and grass. Place candy pumpkin off to the side.

Have fun, spiders, skulls, hands..you can really get creative... !

Best Halloween Roundup   <Click link

For more Halloween Fun Recipes Click here for some party idea's  !

Grave Yard Ghost Pie


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Easy Pumpkin Fluff Pie

Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Pumpkin and Fall go hand in hand but sometimes the weather isn't so chilly when pumpkin season starts so I always kick off the season with this No-bake Pumpkin Fluff Pie.

I save the baking for later in the month of November for my Homemade Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Roll, and of course everyone's favorite our Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

Fall has such wonderful seasonal flavors and you can adapt the pie with more or less of what you prefer like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, just to name a few.

It's such a busy time of the year with back to school and there is no time for lengthy desserts.

This pie is perfect if you're a busy cook especially on the weekends when you just want to relax, the recipe for this pumpkin fluff pie is super fast and easy.

Creamy cheese whipped topping, and pure pumpkin just brings fall to life with all the best flavors of the season.

This pie won't stop that busy schedule and takes around 6 minutes to prepare with a premade store-bought crust.

This pumpkin fluff is also known as a pumpkin lush pie, pumpkin delight pie, no-bake cheesecake pumpkin pie, you may have heard of those names before for this recipe.

If you're looking for a fall dessert, don't miss trying this super easy pumpkin pie recipe.

Scroll down to our easy recipe card to print this off, and HAPPY FALL!!


this is a slice of pumpkin fluff pie


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Crockpot Pork Mushroom Marsala with Linguine

Tuesday, October 11, 2011



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No Bake Fudge Ball Cookies

Monday, October 10, 2011
The history of these "No Bake Fudge Ball Cookies is simple just like the cookie itself they were the first cookie I ever made in home economics class back in the 1970s.

These have just a few ingredients and really are fudge-like in consistency and probably after all these years considered candy although the teacher said they were cookies.

They are a chocolate lovers' delight and with the addition of fruits and nuts a whole other level of yumminess.

We have so many picky eaters in our home, so I roll them in sprinkles, nuts, and coconut and let them choose what they like.

It is sort of a candy cookie, and perfect for a potluck, a Christmas cookies tray, and just a nice little pick-me-up treat for a sweet tooth fudge cookie lover.

If you're not fond of baking cookies you're going to love this recipe ( this one doesn't have peanut butter) for no-bake cookies.

Do you have a little baker in your home just learning? This is the place to start, it's super easy, delicious and they are fun to make.

We have many suggestions below to make them festive looking for any holiday, or birthday party, and just match the theme of whatever you're making them for by rolling them into colorful sugars.

For gift giving, place them in candy wrappers and in a pretty tin.

Well now let's get started on the oldest recipe I have ever made in my lifetime, and make some memories with your first-time cooks out there!

There are step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.




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Grandma's Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Grandma's Green Beans in Tomato Sauce is a rich tomato sauce similiar to just a stew with any kind of green beans and usually pole beans when we had them.

We had this summer meal growing up as my dad always grew pole beans in our yard but any green beans can be used frozen canned or fresh.

Although money was tight back in the 1960s when Grandma made this meal occassionally we would be lucky to have some cubed pork or chicken added to the pot.

W,e made the basic recipe with just pole beans and fresh tomatoes with herbs today, however there are also many additions you can add to feed a large family.

The best part about this easy recipe, is dunking fresh Homemade Bread into the sauce, it's a bowl of pure delicious Italian comfort food.

During the holiday sprinkling, the top with dried cranberries gives this a green and red festive look and also adds a little sweetness!

For me using pole beans is a treat when I can find them and I am always appreciative when someone that still grows them sends me some this is the first recipe that I will make with them.

Scroll down and check out our easy printable recipe and remember you can use any beans your prefer in Grandma's recipe.


beans in tomato sauce pole beans and green bean recipe


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