Cooking from scratch: healthier, cheaper, and a great creative outlet
I love cheesecake. It's probably my all time favorite dessert, and what I will most often order when eating out, just to see how well the restaurant can make it (or defrost it anyway). However, I don't make a big cheesecake very often - it's too much for 2 of us to eat, and too … Continue reading A Surprising way to make Cheesecake – in a Pressure Cooker!
Spaghetti and meatballs - an iconic dish. But I really dislike trying to make and fry meatballs (I often just bake them or drop them straight into the sauce, which I do make). But a spaghetti pie, is so easy! It's a spaghetti casserole, part cheese like lasagna, and part meat sauce. And more cheese … Continue reading Cook up a Super Easy Spaghetti Casserole
We don't eat a lot of pasta based meals (to my chagrin) due to dietary restrictions, but stuffed shells and meatballs is one of our favorites, after spaghetti and meatballs. I tend to make a lot of stuffed shells at once, and then freeze a couple meals worth. This time around I had a bag … Continue reading How to Make Perfect 3 Cheese Stuffed Shells with Meatballs
I love cornbread. And since it's made with a lot of whole grain, it's not unhealthy for those of us watching simple carbs. But the sugar in in can be unhealthy. I have found I can use golden monk fruit to replace half the brown sugar in it without altering the taste or consistency. I … Continue reading A new Sweet Southern Cornbread
It's a late fall day in the Northeast. Cold, even a few snow flurries are present. Which makes me think of big pots of warm deliciousness on the stove top, making the whole house smell good. And my 3 Chile Chili fits the bill perfectly. I learned to make chili from my mother in law. … Continue reading How to Make the Ultimate Secret 3 Chile Chili
I love pasta - it's a comfort food. And I love the Italian view of food and cooking. It's my own ideal. Cooking and food is love. I cook with purpose to give my family and friends something special to show how much I care. Bolognese sauce takes hours to make it a traditional way, … Continue reading How to Make a Lovely Bolognese Sauce
Soup is just a great food. Easy to heat up for a quick meal. Usually easy to make. Uses up left overs and transforms them into a wonderful new meal. And a perfect fall food. I made a large corned beef this past week. We've eaten all the chicken noodle soup form last week. So … Continue reading The Easiest Beef Barley Soup
Rainy and fall is approaching now in earnest. Time for a childhood comfort food - Mom's Apple Sauce Cake. It's one of those kitchen smells that takes me right back to the farm house I grew up in. And remembering that we all wanted the middle pieces, not a crusty edge or corner. It's a … Continue reading The Best Cake – Making Mom’s Awesome Applesauce Cake
I watch all kinds of cooking shows on TV. My So Yummy channel (YUM for short) has a program recently called How to Cook like an Italian with Silvia Colloca. I've become fascinated with this show even though it was on only a couple seasons. Today one episode had 'Pasta e ceci con cavolo nero' … Continue reading How to Make Tuscan Chickpea Soup with Kale and Pasta
Switzel - I've seen it mentioned in several magazine articles lately. What is it? It's an old time drink from the1600's made with water, vinegar, usually ginger, and in this case, also with honey. All things I always have in my house. And if you add a little seltzer before drinking it does resemble soda … Continue reading How to Make Honey Ginger Switzel