Pigs in a Blanket and Mummy Dogs

Thursday, December 28, 2017
I love an easy appetizer and these are such fun little hot dog biscuit rolls!

Halloween fun foods are a favorite that’s almost too fun to eat!

These delicious little mummy-wrapped hotdogs are one of the kids and young-at-heart adult's favorite party foods.

You may also know these referred to as pigs in a blanket, Halloween-style.

Easy spooktacular mummy dogs are baked in crescent dough strips and made to look like a classic  Halloween mummy ghoul.

Using a dollar store kind of squeeze bottle just add a favorite condiment to create the eyes after baking them and enjoy!


little hotdogs wrapped in dough called pigs in a blanket


5

Baked Beer Chicken Legs and Thighs

A very tender Baked Beer Chicken Legs and Thighs, this is the juiciest chicken ever, it's the only way to make a great baked beer chicken.


You can use any pieces of chicken you like and the meat comes out so tender, wings are another
favorite way to make this recipe!


If you are a wings lover, try this recipe with them.


I am considered the wing Queen and make them many different ways anything from cutting my own wings, (which is so economical when you makeover 50 at a time) to baked wings, Italian 4 flavored wings, wing stew and you won't want to miss my wings spectacular 24 wings showcased in my last competition, with dipping sauces.


It comes out crispy on top and full of flavor baked in the oven.


Don't miss trying this delicious Bake Beer Chicken Legs and Thigh recipe.


Another big reason besides how tender these are with beer is how perfect these are for a barbeque.


If I have to bring something to a picnic, these are the favorite, they can be reheated on a grill, and become a big hit at any party!


These are also a great alternative to watching your calories, the beer evaporates while cooking, the chicken is healthier.


This chicken recipe has been made often when my family get-togethers have been rained out especially on a summer holiday.


Baked in the oven is easy, economical, healthier, and convenient, it that enough reason to try this?


There are so many great reasons to have this recipe on hand, scroll down to print this off!




Beer baked chicken legs and thighs  is  the best chicken baked in the oven so crispy it tastes like it fried. The coating beer keeps the chicken juicy and tender.


23

Best Ever Snickerdoodle Cookies

Monday, December 18, 2017
I have made many recipes for Snickerdoodle cookies.

Nothing compares to this one in taste and texture.

The buttery cookies are tender crunchy mouth-watering while baking cookies.

The Snickerdoodles are by far the best ever cinnamon fall sugar cookie ever!

I can't tell you how many I have made that never compare to this recipe.

If you bake these until set they stay soft inside, and crunchy outside, baking longer makes them more like sugar cookies.

Either way, they taste great but everyone is different in preference.

Scroll down to get this easy recipe and hit print to avoid ads for easier access...then get in the kitchen and make these cookies.





17

Macadamia Coconut Chip Cookies

Friday, December 15, 2017

Whether it's holiday season or just because you love these kinds of cookies, they're always a hit! These Macadamia Nut Coconut Chip cookies are all dressed up for the Holiday season.

These delicious golden White Chocolate Macadamia Coconut Cookies are chocked full of white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts and coconut. The island flavors will blow you away with one bite. Crispy around the edges and filled with a taste of the tropics!

These won't last long, so make a double batch!



these are how to make a macadamia nut coconut white chocolate chip holiday cookies.


7

Graham Cracker Houses

Tuesday, December 12, 2017
These easy Graham Cracker Christmas houses are a great project for the kids to make at Christmas and perfect for gift giving.

We love making these easy festive edible houses and they are perfect for gift giving or a wonderful centerpiece on the holiday table.

The kids are so excited to make these with me every year and so proud of their finished project that just shouts the Christmas season.

Not only are these adorable and fun but they're delicious too and believe me the kids devour them quickly.

Using graham crackers is so easy and a fun project for the little ones, and they really makes a memorable experience.

Just get creative and make a walk way, use some candy canes on the sides and build a little dream of Christmas magic with your little ones.

If you love homemade gifts, do check out my Mason Jar Ideas and Gifts with Free downloadable recipes!




this is an adorable little house kids can make their own individual personalized  at Christmas with the candy cans, colored coated green and red candy, santa, marshmallows, graham crackers with cinnamon, powdered sugar frosting that is the glue,and tootsie rolls for the look of a log cabin




8

Bacon Sour Cream Cheese Potato Casserole

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Yes everything is better with bacon. This bacon sour cream cheese potato casserole goes great with any meal or even as a dip!




this is a cheese, bacon, sour cream potato casserole in a glass see through bowl









1

Coconut Cake Mix Cookies

Saturday, December 9, 2017
Coconut Cake Mix Cookies with just 3 ingredients are so easy to make! The easiest fastest cookie ever! I love coconut! The look of the funfetti is so fun with the taste of them being frosted with vanilla icing and coconut. These are so soft and delicious!



1

Copycat Captain Crunch Chicken

Friday, December 8, 2017
Copycat Planet Hollywood's Captain Crunch Chicken is a true game-changer when it comes to coating chicken fingers and we've made it simple to recreate this popular menu item right in your own kitchen!

Back in the early 1990s when this debuted on the menu at Planet Hollywood we were a little skeptical to even try but being huge Slyvestore Stallone fans, we just had to take his word for it using a sweet coating on chicken no less being cereal than dipping in honey mustard but he was right, it was addicting and unforgettable.

Both my kids and myself were hooked and it took me several blunders to get the recipe right even trying the ones online but they were never quite right in taste or texture.

First of all yes, it was deep-fried in the restaurant but we've perfected a two other healthier version.

Then through trial and error to keep the coating on I hit the jackpot baking it and the rest is a delicious cereal coated chicken history we make often with no problem.

Baking these on an oil sprayed parchment paper still kept that delicious flavor, however, we have provided an air fried version and pan fried instructions for the original recipe method of cooking.

Whichever style you prefer we have you covered for making the perfect Cap'n Crunch Chicken.

The honey mustard had to be made from scratch to get that whole experience because the store-bought ones just weren't that same taste we remembered.

Over the years after trial and error, the chicken comes out just the way we love the crunchy sweet and salty coated chicken and honey mustard recipe is super easy I promise.

If you're a fan of the 1950s-style Cornflake Chicken or Church Chicken, you're going to love this addition to your recipe collection.

Don't take my word for it, just try it once and get hooked like our family is.

Plus the chicken is moist, tender, sweet, and simply delicious and we even included the homemade Honey Mustard recipe in our printable card below, so let's get started, you're going to love the simplicity of our recipe and taste.


how to make captain crunch chicken this is cooked and on a white plate with honey mustard


2

Christmas Eve Pan Fried Smelts

Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Christmas Eve is celebrated with 7 fishes in our home.

Fried smelts is just one of the many fish we cook.

There are seven Traditional fried, baked, and raw fish we eat as a family.

Born and raised in America, my parents continued the Rome and Bari traditions every Christmas Eve.

For our traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we have no meat until the morning baby Jesus was born.

Also, smelt is usually fried whole, but last time I fried them there was something in the heads that seemed quite gritty, so I decided to cut the heads off this time.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the recipe on how to prepare and cook fried smelts.



these are small fish floured and fried called smelts


3

Cherry Almond Snowball Cookies

Friday, December 1, 2017
There are several names for butterball cookies, these are pretty much the same recipe except they are cherry almond and a bit of chocolate in the cookies.

The cookies are crunchy butter cookies loaded with flavor and certainly a pretty addition to the Christmas cookie tray for the colors.

Of course you can also leave them plain with just the classic pecans in them but we decked them all out for the holiday with this pretty bright red color to match the Christmas theme.

You could even chop up some green maraschino cherries to really add some spark to your holiday colors.

We also make an Amaretto Butterball Cookies and Orange Coconut Butter Balls you may also like to try.

The recipe is at the bottom of this post and if you hit print all the ads will dissappear for a quick copy!



2

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Monday, November 20, 2017
I had always wanted to try making these with sweet potato gnocchi instead of regular potatoes.



this is how to make sweet potato gnocchi homemade from scratch





4

Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

Saturday, November 18, 2017
These Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas are recipes we make every year for our Thanksgiving Day dinner table.

This roundup of recipes has just about everything you need to have a beautiful Thanksgiving Day meal before and after the Holiday.

Each family had been working Retail for years.

This was our first Thanksgiving Day altogether and no one had to work.

We all got to spend the day off together and were truly blessed with a delicious menu.

Each one of us contributes their favorite recipe we make on this Thanksgiving Day, as a tradition.

During the past years, I worked for 31 years in Retail and almost every Thanksgiving Day the store was open.

My kids would make me a meal that would consist of Turkey Covered Sandwiches, and I love them.

Those suggestions and recipes are all below for those working, dinner for two and what to do with leftovers.

Everything from Fried Turkey, Herb Mashed Potatoes, Mom's homemade Amaretto cranberry sauce, gravy and many desserts to choose from.

Our favorite pie is pumpkin and apple, there are even some cookies we make, appetizers and much much more.

If you're too busy right now to get through them all, go ahead and save this roundup to Pinterest.

This is pretty much a one-stop Thanksgiving shop of recipes.

Have a delicious and blessed Holiday Season. Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers, hope you all have a delicious day with family and friends.





How to fry a Turkey safely for Thanksgiving Day recipe  This is a fried turkey recipe




43

Bow Tie Mock Lasagna

Monday, November 13, 2017
Bow Tie Lasagna is the perfect easy solution to your favorite lasagna recipe fast and easy!



Actually, even make Homemade Bow Tie Pasta and it's pretty easy to do them.



The dough is delicious, however, you can certainly use the supermarket brand.



Check the ingredients and make this quick mock lasagna that everyone in my family loves.



Perfect for even a take-along for a side dish at any picnic gathering.








this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.






Traditions





It wouldn't be Sunday without eating some kind of macaroni, meatballs, and sausage.


This comes together quick and easy and leftovers are fabulous too!


I like to make this often at Thanksgiving as a side dish, everyone always loves a side of pasta!


Traditionally my Grandma always made bow ties from scratch and we made them once a year around Easter or Christmas.


this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.



Love How Pretty These Look!



When I was a little girl, I only asked mom to make this pasta, I always thought it was so such a pretty pasta.


I actually still to this day still feel the same way.



Bow Tie Mock Lasagna is made all in one pan like lasagna



Bow Tie Mock Lasagna Pin for later




this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.



Fun Pasta Shapes



If you have a picky eater, this is the pasta to choose to cook!


My kids and grand children never turn away from eating this fun shaped pasta.


Anytime I make it, it's a perfect meal that everyone loves.


Mom's memory of making fun foods and dinners lives on, making bow ties reminds me of those fun times and days.


this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.



Our Family Sauce Recipe




Traditional Sunday Sauce or store bought around 3 jars of your favorite


Bow Tie Mock Lasagna, is the best fast Italian food you can make.


It will be just like a quick lasagna with thus perfect and pretty pasta.


No one will complain that you used bow tie pasta.


Bow Tie Mock Lasagna is made all in one pan like lasagna




If You Make them Homemade



This kind of pasta is great no matter whether you leave it plain with tomato sauce or into this delicious lasagna.


Grandma even used to make her own bow tie pasta from scratch on holiday, of course those were always a special treat and the best.


Yes they require a little more work, but a light and fluffy little bow tie pasta made the best mock lasagna!


As I said earlier, we had homemade bow tie pasta during the Holiday seasons.


Bow Tie Mock Lasagna is just a quick and easier way to make a fast pretty lasagna using this delicious bow tie pasta noodle.


this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.



Check Out These Homemade Family Pasta Recipes




Stuffed Shells
Mom's Lasagna
Manicotti Shells
Grandma's Authentic Fettuccine Alfredo
Grandma's Homemade pasta photo update
Bow Tie Pasta







pasta, macaroni,
pasta,
Italian

this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.

BOW TIE MOCK LASAGNA

prep time: 25 minscook time: 35 minstotal time: 60 mins
This is an easy version of lasagna

ingredients:

Traditional Sunday Sauce or store-bought around 3 jars of your favorite



1 pound cooked loose Sausage and Meatballs mashed together (if you don't have meatballs, use seasoned fried hamburger around 1 pound after it's cooked pour around 1/2 cup tomato sauce in it)
2 cups Mozzarella Shredded
Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
Fresh Parsley for garnish

Ricotta filling:
1 lb Ricotta Cheese mixed with 2 eggs beaten, 1/4 cup grating cheese, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic or use granulated garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste and a handful chopped fresh Italian parsley. Mix all together set aside.



1 pound any pasta homemade or store-bought cooked in salted water and drained to package instructions we like Al dente.

instructions:

Cook pasta in salted water and drained according to package instructions we like Al dente.

Cook pasta, drain. In a large baking dish start to layer with sauce first, pasta, add dollops of ricotta on top, more pasta than sauce, crushed meat mixture, some mozzarella, some grating cheese, more sauce. Continue layering with pasta, ricotta, meats, sauce, and cheeses until all used up with pasta on top then ending with mozzarella cheese, more grating cheese, and garnish with fresh parsley. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is bubbling and melted.

calories
185
fat (grams)
4
carbs (grams)
3
protein (grams)
8
sugar (grams)
4
Created using The Recipes Generator






Bow Tie Mock Lasagna Pin for later




this is a homemade bow tie pasta made into lasagna in one big baking deep lasagna pan. This pasta is baked with ricotta cheese, crushed meatballs and sausage and lots of mozzarella layered and baked.


16

Charcuterie Boards

Sunday, November 12, 2017
When we have the family get-together these Charcuterie Boards are a family favorite.

The best thing about cheeseboard appetizers is they can be perfect for snacking, before the big dinner, or on a special romantic evening.


I love to prepare a cheese board with some unique fruits, meats, cheeses and so much more.


Come take a look at these ideas and how easy they are to assemble there is no right or wrong, it's built and tailored to whatever you like fancy or plain it's all GOOD!


Most of the time these Cheese, Meat, and Fruit Tray Appetizers are eaten on a Sunday for us.


Paired off with a good bottle of our favorite Chianti wine, it's the best way to start off the day before a big meal.


This is a cheese, wine, fruit, olives and board built with all kinds of appetizers to include raw and washed fruits and vegetables


6

Chicken Chipotle Avocado Sandwich

Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Winter time tends to pack on the pounds eating comfort foods. I found this delicious sandwich that awesome on your waistline, filling and low in calories! Chicken Chipotle Avocado Sandwich is a sure taste please when your counting calories. Get your summer body ready!



1

Baking Mix Cinnamon Sugar Banana Muffins

Sunday, November 5, 2017
I love these combination of flavors. Baking Mix Cinnamon Sugar Banana Muffins are sure to be a hit for all banana bread fans out there and this recipe is so much easier!


Baking Mix Cinnamon Sugar Banana Muffin  are an easy muffin starting with baking mix. There is the addition of bananas and cinnamon to make these muffins semi homemade quick and easy



3

Grandma's Holiday Rice Pudding

I love Grandma's Holiday Rice pudding. She always put some pineapple and a cherry on top to look festive for our rice pudding! It's a delicious treat dessert. You can add other suggestions if you're not a pineapple fan! Use Red and Green Cherries for Christmas!



Grandma's Holiday Rice Pudding all dressed up with maraschino cherries and pineapple for a festive holiday treat



1

Slow Cooker Potato and Bacon Soup

Wednesday, November 1, 2017
What's more comforting than a bowl of potato and bacon soup on a chilly day?


This is so easily made in the slow cooker.


The best part is not only is it easy, but it's also done in around 2 to 3 hours.


While you go out shopping or at work, turn this big pot of soup on and it's waiting for you after a long day.


It really is the best potato soup recipe, ever.


I came up with it after enjoying baked potato soup at one of our favorite restaurants but added way more bacon and shredded cheese on top.


I have always been a big loaded baked potato person and this soup reminds me of just that!


Kick back and stroll through this deliciously easy recipe that is a hearty bowl of rich thick creamy bacon and potato goodness.


Just scroll down to the recipe card to print this off.





this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.




So Thick It's Almost a Side Dish!



This is a very rich soup with so much cheesy deliciousness inside this slow cooker.


I was amazed at how filling it is but we often use this as a side dish with chicken or fish.


It is that thick to be just like a cheesy scallop potato side dish.




this is a hearty easy creamy slow cooker potato and bacon soup recipe





Ingredients You Will Need

  • potatoes
  • cream cheese
  • garlic
  • cheddar cheese soup
  • bacon
  • cheddar cheese shredded
  • flour
  • milk
  • parsley


this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.




Other Cooking Methods

  1. Instant Pot
  2. Stovetop 
  3. Slow Cooker



this is the base recipe for how to make a creamy rich easy potato soup




Everything Taste Better with Bacon



There is no rule on how much cooked bacon to add, we love it.


The rich smokey flavor of applewood bacon is our favorite to use, you can also substitute ham if you have leftover spiral ham.


I have a smoker so we sometimes when we have leftover ham steaks, I use that or even left ham for the holiday, I have also used leftover smoked pork.




this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. The crispy bacon is on top of the creamy soup in a crockpot




Partially Cooked Potatoes



Awe yes, this is the secret of it cooking so fast.


I microwave the potatoes first, or if you want to boil them that's fine too.


Just until they are slightly cooked but still firm so they cut easy.


Cool the potato first under cold water then slices and make them into chunks.


Even if you overcook the potatoes, it will still taste amazing!


If you like the potatoes firmer then don't precook them!




this potatoes pre cooked to show this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.




Tools You Will Need

  1. measuring cups
  2. knife
  3. potato peeler
  4. measuring spoons
  5. slow cooker or instant pot
  6.  saucepan
  7. strainer


these are potato in flour to show how to make potato soup in a slow cooker easy creamy recipe





Try Some More of My Favorite Recipes



Potatoes Twice Baked

Baked Parmesan Potatoes

Best Potatoes Recipes




this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.




Bacon and Potato Soup Pin for later








Topping Suggestions

  • more shredded cheese
  • sour cream
  • chopped fresh tomatoes
  • crumbled tortilla chips
  • oyster crackers
  • crumbled bacon




pre cooked whole potatoes this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.




Comfort Food



Potato soup is pure comfort food and best part, it feeds a crowd and super easy to make.


We just love potato recipes like Loaded Mashed Potatoes.


Everyone loves it loaded with bacon, who doesn't love bacon.


My kids even love this topped with tortilla chips, chopped tomatoes, and sliced olives so get creative!





Author:
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 2 hourtotal time: 2 H & 10 M
When I think of comfort food, my mind goes right to this creamy potato and bacon soup. It's thick rich and so easy to make in no time. Using anything from stovetop to slow cooker or even the instant pot, you can have a hearty bowl of bacon and potato soup in no time!

ingredients:

  • 4 lbs of yellow potatoes partially microwaved, cooked then sliced
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 can cheddar cheese soup
  • 8 strips of cooked bacon cut up
  • 1 cup extra sharp shredded cheddar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh or dried Italian parsley
  • Optional garnish: Shredded cheddar cheese, oyster crackers

instructions:

How to cook

  1. Heat the slow cooker on high, then oil spray your cooking pot. (you can make this in a soup pan, slow cooker, crockpot, instant pot or pressure cooker by following the instruction manual, Cooking times will vary)
  2. In a large bowl add the potatoes and toss them in the flour with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. In another medium-sized bowl, add the milk, soup, and parsley stir to combine.
  4. Starting with the potato add a few to the bottom, pour some of the soup mixtures, sprinkle with half the shredded cheese and half the cream cheese.
  5. Repeat with potatoes, soup, cheeses until everything is used. Top with bacon.
  6. Set the slow cooker on low for around 2 to 3 hours, stovetop around 25 to 30 minutes until potatoes are softened. For pressure cooker, this takes around  9 to 10  minutes.
  7. Check and make sure potatoes are soft enough. Ladle into bowls.
  8. Serve with oyster crackers. and garnish with shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Calories
325
Fat (grams)
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
19
Carbs (grams)
19
Net carbs
11
Sugar (grams)
9
Protein (grams)
15
potato and bacon soup, slow cooker potato soup, loafed potato soup, slow cooker loaded potato soup, loaded bacon and potato soup in the instant pot, pressure cooker potato soup
soup, comfort food, potato recipes
American
Created using The Recipes Generator







Bacon and Potato Soup Pin for later





this is how to make the best creamy potato soup with bacon. This soup is easy and done in a slow cooker and this recipe shows step by step instructions on how to make potato soup in a slow cooker.



Don't Forget to Visit MyBest Soup Roundup





this is a hearty easy creamy slow cooker potato and bacon soup recipe
17

Baked Artichoke Hearts

I love old fashioned stuffed artichokes and the heart is the best part when I can't find whole fresh artichokes I used canned to make this baked artichoke heart casserole.



They are the perfect solution in a pinch as they take hardly any time to prepare and so delicious!



Once you try these you will be amazed how easy they are and no fuss with the great flavor of stuffed artichokes.



The topping is fabulous and pretty much the same ingredients you would use for Italian stuffed fresh artichokes except you have all hearts!



I really love this side dish and artichokes so if you love them to try this out and keep some cans on hand so you don't have to wait for artichoke season or holidays!



These make the best side dish and done in minutes!



Scroll down for this printable easy recipe to the bottom of the page.







this is how to make stuffed baked artichoke hearts for a side dish. These are baked in a white ramekin oven proof baking dish  These canned baked artichoke hearts are perfect alternative to stuffing artichokes





9

Halloween Pistachio Witches Finger Cookies

Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Get in the Halloween spirit by making these easy yet delicious Halloween Witch Fingers.

Easy step-by-step instructions and you'll be on your way to making a ghoulishly witchy fun treat.

These also make a great centerpiece for that Halloween get-together or party

These cookies are delightful for the young and old! I just love making ghoulish treats for Halloween.

Witches fingers are green and very tasty for any party you're hosting or need to bring something to a fun event.

Everyone will rave about your creative skills.

Trust me these Halloween Pistachio Witches fingers are perfect for a Halloween party just like our No-Bake Witch Hats the kids love so much plus don't miss trying our Wizard of Oz Cupcakes.

They easily mold into crooked fingers and look frightfully bewitching!

So fitting for any Halloween treat!

One taste and you'll be hooked on the cookie itself if you're a pistachio lover!

Scroll down for this delicious printable recipe below!


Halloween Pistachio Witches Finger Cookies scary crooked pistachio cookies buttery pistachio green tasty cookies topped with pumpkin seeds for fingernails. The pistachio cookies are molded into fingers. the Halloween decorations are ghosts, pumpkins, a witch, rip gravestone and carved pumpkin heads




6

Halloween Spooky Spider Cake

Monday, October 30, 2017

Halloween is such a fun time to cook! I am making a Halloween spooky spider chocolate cake for the table! It's easy check it out!

this is a spider cake made with chocolate cake and chocolate frosting


6

Slow Cooker Beef in Wine Sauce

Tuesday, October 24, 2017
I absolutely love a tender roasted fork-tender beef, don't you?


This slow cooker beef marsala is so flavorful, and it just like that.


The slow cooker makes any cut of beef fork-tender and I just love not having to use a knife!


This roast makes a delicious juice that is great as a meal with sides and perfect leftover for a delicious sandwich in garlic toasted bread.


Scroll down to print off this recipe





slow cooker marsala delicious with green beans mushrooms





2

Best Clay Dough Ornaments

Thursday, October 19, 2017
This is the best clay dough to make ornaments and shapes I ever made.

Nothing like the salt dough this looks so much better!


Hardens perfectly drying or baking. The kids will love this! If you're creative, the sky's the limit on what you can mold, shape, and create.


Paint them, leave them plain, and color the dough.


Add a clear coating to preserve them and voila, you have some pretty cute memories to make with your kids or favorite art-loving family and friends.






3

Italian Anisette Cake

Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Mom's Scratch Anisette Cake is an all-made-from-a-scratch cake I grew up with and was a staple in our home served with demitasse coffee just about every Sunday for dessert.

Anisette is a very strong flavoring that resembles black licorice in taste and I just love the aroma of this homemade cake baking.

The cake was always served plain, mostly baked in a bundt pan back in the vintage days of the 1960s which was a huge craze in those days.

This is a bundt cake mom made using all pantry ingredients with anisette flavor was my Grandmother's recipe originally from Rome, Italy she adapted it as I have over the years.

Dad even enjoyed the leftover with his morning cup of coffee as he read the daily newspaper, the smell, and the taste of this cake were the best memories of this cake.

This old-fashioned basic recipe can be flavored any way you like, the cake is plain until you add the anise flavorings so if you're a fan and found this, you'll love the cake if not you can add anything you like to the batter!

If you are a fan of anisette flavoring like our family, you may also like to try Italian Anisette Biscotti, another delicious cookie we always had in the cookie jar.

Read through the tips and suggestions, this will be the only cake recipe made from scratch you'll ever need, and if you're not a baker try the "Doctored Cake Mix Anisette Cake" version.


pound cake anisette flavor made from scratch


7

Halloween Sweet Potato Fun

Monday, October 16, 2017
Perfect for your picky vegetable eater! Halloween Sweet Potato is delicious and fun to make!

When you can't get the kids to eat any vegetables, make it fun by carving them out for fun shapes, perfect for Halloween fun!

You may also like our Stuffed Peppers Carved like a pumpkin~!

We have also done this with any kind of squash, carrots, fruits or vegetables that are easy to cut and I will also give you some tips on the harder ones to cut!



1

Pasta e Fagioli or Pasta Fazool

Sunday, October 15, 2017
One of the first recipes I ever learned to make is Pasta Fagioli.


It’s on heavy rotation at my house (especially during those colder months) because we all love it so much!


It has incredible flavor and it’s jam-packed with a garlic tomato sauce, making it more like a bean and pasta stew than a soup.


Every Region in Italy makes it a little different.


I have two versions today for you Red Tomato Sauce version and a White Cannellini version.


Italian classic recipes like this one were considered depression food by my grandma and family.


Mom made wonderful pasta dishes quickly like pasta ceci, baked cavatelli, pasta with Italian sausage, quick lasagna, and a favorite Italian goulash.


Back in the 1960s when money was tight, we ate this very often.


It would feed many people including, family, friends, and the neighborhood kids on the block.


We always had a huge pot of this on the stove. I still make this pasta fagioli often and think of my mom and grandmother, precious memories were made.





this is Italian pasta fagioli with ditalini and white beans in a tomato red sauce in a white dish



12

Slow Cooker Venison Cacciatore

Venison Mushroom Cacciatore is slow-cooked perfectly and will taste very much like beef stew.

My husband loves hunting in the woods in Upstate New York.

When he came back to Florida from the New York woods of  Rome New York in the fall of 2015, I was eager to learn how to prepare venison all different ways.

This flavorful cacciatore was a big hit!

I have had a ball making my venison Italian style all winter long all different ways.

The meat is tender, melt in your mouth delicious.

If you already love venison try my fried venison steaks, they're totally addicting!

Don't forget you can use beef, chicken, pork or whatever meat you like, but it sure is fabulous if you happen to have deer meat on hand!

Easy to make in a slow cooker, you will be amazed it's really deer meat and not beef!





this is a plate of venison cacciatore with peppers and grated cheese. The peppers are red and green




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Donut Hole Halloween Eyeballs

Thursday, October 12, 2017
Here are some delicious and scary donut hole eyeballs easy to make with homemade or store-bought donuts.


These eyeballs are filled with red raspberry jam, so when you bite into them they bleed raspberry jam (of course you can use strawberry if you prefer that flavor!).


Such a great family project for the kids during the Halloween season for parties or just because they're so darn yummy.


Our family has always been a big fan of jelly donuts, so that's what gave us the idea to turn these plain donuts into eyeballs for Halloween for some ghoulish fun.


If you want easy, I will show you my step-by-step easy version on how to get all the ingredients and make this such a fun Halloween night that everyone can help create evil eyeballs!


I will include a printable copy of instructions in the recipe card below so you can save this for next year!!


donut holes filled with jelly made into eyeballs for Halloween foods


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Broccoli Lemon Chicken Pasta

Wednesday, October 11, 2017
An easy under 30-minute meal with Broccoli Lemon Chicken Pasta over bow tie pasta bursting with great flavors that look and taste gourmet.

The creamy ricotta and lemon sauce brings a fresh citrusy taste to the pasta and the chicken is boneless, diced or shredded, and precooked so the meal is super quick and easy.

We love using fun-shaped pastas like bow ties, and wagon wheels for this dish, and the kids love it.

If your family prefers a different meat or vegetable, just substitute any cooked meats and steamed vegetables.

Enjoy this any weeknight as this is perfect for a busy lifestyle with big bold hearty flavors.

My grandson is a very picky eater and loved this dish.

Get the recipe and avoid ads by scrolling down and hitting print.



lemony chicken and broccoli over pasta


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Chicken Fried Chicken

Thursday, October 5, 2017
This is one of my husband's favorites. Whenever we go for breakfast or lunch he looks for Chicken-fried Chicken.


You know you’re in the South when Chicken Fried Chicken with peppered milk gravy is on every Restaurant menu you go too!


It's a uniquely delicious meal to us,  we just had to try and wondered what the craze is all about.


One bite and we were hooked on it, now it's my husband favorite menu item.


I had to learn how to make it for him and adapted it my way!


Made with boneless chicken pieces it the provides the perfect foundation for a generous drizzle of rich peppered milk pan gravy.


This chicken is so good even without the gravy, but everyone who eats this loves the recipe and asks for it.


Definitely a keeper and the perfect comfort food but not totally an Authentic Southern recipe, it does have a bit of Italian adapted to it.


If you have never heard of it or had this dish, give it a try, all chicken lovers, swoon over this delicious creation.


Check out my easy recipe by scrolling straight down to the recipe card and let's get cooking!





This is chicken fried with a coating and topped with white gravy it has herbs spices and very popular in Southern States


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