Making a Half Sheet Pan of Baklava is a delicious make-ahead dessert you can have ready up to two days in advance to feed a crowd.

Mom’s Easy Weeknight Lasagna is something I remember having often as a kid. Mom’s version is different from most other lasagnas because it does not have a layer of ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, or bechemel. Meaning, it’s a very simple three-layer lasagna consisting of noodles, …

This Warm Spinach Dip for a Crowd is the perfect recipe for a large gathering. Serving the dip warm so the cheese is oh-so gooey is only one secret to this spinach dip. There are at least two other secrets to this recipe—feta cheese and …

As I become more of a nutrivore (someone who pays attention to the nutrient density of their food), I tend to challenge myself to make family favorites from scratch with the healthiest most nutritious ingredients. This recipe for homemade cranberry sauce is healthier than the …

If you want to host a memorable and fun party without too much cooking, raclette is the answer. Raclette originated in Switzerland and is a type of fondue. Not the type where you dip bread in a communal pot. Instead, there is an electric table …

I have been making my Mom’s Classic Deviled Eggs for years. Mom would make them for almost every family gathering and party. If people were coming over for Christmas dinner, New Years Day, a Superbowl party, Easter dinner, or a summer barbecue then most likely …

Why hard boiled eggs can be challenging for home cooks Something that seems so simple, boiling an egg, can be a challenge. On the one hand, there are two ingredients eggs and water. Yet, I’ve had under cooked, over cooked eggs with a green ring, …

When I did my first Whole30 challenge I wasn’t sure if I would like chili without beans. How silly. Yes, chili tastes just fine without beans! This turkey chili has such a unique flavor profile my husband and my guests rave about it. What’s funny …

This Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing is a Whole30 and Paleo friendly version of America’s favorite dressing. We use it for salads and dips, for chicken nuggets, veggie trays, and more. If you tolerate dairy products, check out my original Ranch Dressing and Dip recipe. There are …

This is one of our favorite meals to serve to guests.  I’ve served this hearty salad after-church for a Sunday lunch as well as a weeknight dinner for guests. Actually, this is more than a mere salad. It’s a meat-and-potato salad. This is a meal …

Finally, a whole-food healthy version of nachos. These delightful bites are grain-free and dairy-free. Plus, peppers are a good source of vitamin C. Whether you want to enjoy a nutritious appetizer or introduce others to a healthier option these mini-pepper nachos are easy to make …

What do you think of when you hear the word “meatloaf?” For some, it may be an all-beef meatloaf with a ketchup glaze. Others may think of  a meatloaf with a thick gravy on the side. This recipe is not all beef, does not have …

The first time I had blistered shishito peppers was at a speak-easy in Ft. Collins, Colorado called The Social. My husband and I celebrated many special occasions there: birthdays, anniversaries, and out-of-town guests. They had the best atmosphere (in the basement of a building like …

I love getting the wonton soup that comes with my dinner at Chinese restaurants. It qualifies as comfort food. If we are honest with ourselves, some wonton soups are better than others. Who knows what’s in the soup from restaurant to restaurant. Does it have …

We shouldn’t automatically brine a turkey. It depends on the turkey. If we buy a self-basting turkey then we ought not to brine because it will be too salty. Essentially, it’s already brined. This year I bought a heritage turkey from a small family operated …

Leaving behind processed foods and embracing a more whole and real food diet can sometimes be a shock to the wallet. Why is it that food not good for us costs less? Why does eating healthy cost more? Hmm. I’ll have to save that for …

I periodically get nostalgic for my Mom’s Juicy Ginger-Beer Ham. She served it to our family both at Christmas and Easter. As a child I remember grumbling to my mom about having ham and potato salad twice a year while only having turkey and stuffing …

I thought I bought three packs of chicken breasts. But, no, turns out I bought boneless skinless chicken thighs. I must say that thighs are not my favorite. As a matter of fact, it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started liking …

My husband and I love hosting big parties at least once a year. By big, I mean big. We hosted over 60 people on July 4th last year, and we counted 56 this year. We host other dinner parties throughout the year but this one …

The first time I had Pan Pizza—Restaurant Style at a friend’s house I begged shamelessly for the recipe. When I make this for guests they tell me it’s better than what they get at restaurants. You see, the “pizza lady’s” husband actually managed Pizza Huts …

I love the convenience of bottled salad dressings, but equally important is knowing exactly what all the ingredients are in those type of convenience foods. If I buy salad dressing from a store I prefer to buy the kind that needs to be refrigerated. The …

This is one of my favorite tried and true recipes. I’ve been making this recipe for over 10 years and I’ve made it dozens and dozens of times. I make them just for my husband and me. I make them for guests and they love …

I’ve made “Pulled Pork” for sandwiches a few times. The spices that I use in that recipe are great for roasts and sandwiches, but not so much for Tex-Mex applications.  I love the pork served at Chipotle and wondered if I could even come close. …

In a quest to bring a Chipotle restaurant experience to a very large dinner party, I included “Cilantro-Lime Rice” on the menu.  I have a Chipotle restaurant near by from which my husband and I periodically enjoy tacos and salads. Someone at my party said …

Instead of opening several cans of “Baked Beans,”pouring them into a slow cooker and reheating them, (which I’ve done before for pot-luck parties) I wanted to make something from scratch. I was looking for bean recipe that was more savory than sweet, rich with the …

In full disclosure this is a semi-homemade salsa because this recipe uses canned tomatoes. Someday if I run across amazing tomatoes from a farmer’s market, or if I grow my own then I’ll make a 100% homemade version. That said, this salsa tastes so fresh …

Now here is a flavor ice cream that you don’t see in the store, “Cinnamon Ice Cream.” Well, I never have seen it. My husband and Father-in-Law like—no love—ice cream, and during my Father-in-Law’s recent stay I made ice cream not once but twice. I …

Have you ever gone to the store and seen chicken on sale because the “sell by” date is in the next day or two? Or, maybe chicken is on sale “just because.” A few days ago I saw boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for …

My husband and I had the privilege to vacation in Costa Rica a couple of months ago. One of many activities that we enjoyed was going to Rainforest Spices. Of all the things people can do on vacation you probably wouldn’t think that going to …

I have to confess that I’ve made this guacamole recipe a few times. The problem is that I’m usually whipping it up so fast I forget to take pictures of all the steps. Now, I think I have enough pictures to piece together for a …

When recently volunteering to prepare fresh fruit for 50 people, at first I thought I would create  a couple of  extra large fruit salad bowls similar to my “Strawberry, Orange, and Grape Salad with Basil” post.  After doing some shopping and seeing what looked fresh, …

Friends recently came over with a large pot of gumbo in hand. I loved it, and after a brief interview, I began forming this recipe in my mind. My friend used different proteins, but shrimp and sausage gumbo sounded so good to me. However, I …

Homemade Turkey Gravy is the “Thanksgiving Sauce” that brings everything together on the plate. It’s notorious for helping to hide overcooked and dry turkey breast meat. But, made with quality ingredients can be intensely infused with the best savory Thanksgiving flavor—the turkey neck, defatted drippings, …

Turkey Chili—Texas Style is Made with leftover Roaster Turkey. The day after Thanksgiving means that people are out shopping, putting up Christmas decorations, working on Christmas cards, looking for leftover turkey recipes, or all of the above.  I typically make soup with my leftovers, like …

My husband and I have been having 4th of July open house parties for the last five years. Now that we live on a golf course with an excellent view of our local fireworks the party is better than ever. For the last two years …

I never had corn pudding before, until my husband and I had this at a friend’s house for dinner.  Our hosts served corn pudding with spiral sliced ham.  I can hardly believe that I haven’t experienced this combination before.  I’m very grateful to have received …

One of the more popular posts on this site is for a steakhouse baked potato.  It’s a recipe for a crispy-skinned Russet potato. However, there is more than one kind of potato that you can get at most steakhouses.  Let’s not forget the sweet potato! …

Homemade no-knead breads are hugely popular nowadays. No wonder. In about 4 hours you can have a homemade boule.

Some friends invited my husband and I to a party recently. Their menu called for heavy hors ‘doeuvres. That is one of my favorite kind of party menus because you can usually get many different kinds of small bites in one evening. That makes my …

I’m not sure where this tradition started, but I’m glad for it. I was introduced to “ham buns” around the first of February last year. The youth group in our church sold them for $2.50 each (and they freeze well). Until that point in my …

I have made some version of this recipe at least a dozen times in the past 6 months. I’m not even sure if I’ve made it the same way twice. The original Chicken Capri recipe is on page 214 of The South Beach Diet Cookbook. …

Everyone loves my Mom’s potato salad—even when I make it! I have been making my mom’s potato salad for several years, mostly for large gatherings. I’ve made  it for 4th of July parties, potlucks, and even a wedding with hundreds of people. This is one …