Holiday Recipes
Parmesan Mushroom Polenta
A former White House chef shares his recipe for a versatile side dish, which can be easily transformed into a winning meal. A must make! Early in my marriage, my husband was amused by how I could read a cookbook as though it were a best-selling novel. Well, I recently discovered a cookbook that…
Old Fashioned Gingerbread with Citrus Glaze
This is one of those recipes that I have made over and over again, tweaking many times until I arrived at an end result that my family loves. It is moist and full of flavor, and I get requests for it often. The citrus glaze is a delightful addition. When I first made a glaze…
Wild Rice and Sausage Casserole (or Stuffing/Dressing)
Initially created as a side to poultry, we enjoy this hearty recipe throughout the year as a main dish. It’s equally delightful paired with a green vegetable or salad. It’s hard to believe that my year of delving into the Top 10 Food Trends as a Sargento Flavor Journey Correspondent is winding…
Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable tags included! A delicious cookie-in-a-jar recipe was harder to devise than I expected. Not only did the cookie have to taste great, the mix…
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats (with easy day before method)
Easy prep-ahead method and slow cooker tip results in ready-to-eat oats with toothsome texture and easy cleanup. The classic spice combination is holiday worthy! The best part of this recipe? Lift the bowl of perfectly cooked oatmeal out of the slow cooker, cover and refrigerate for a wholesome breakfast at-the-ready. Done! As…
Holiday Crafts
So many fun craft ideas for the holidays! Button snowmen and beaded candy canes make fun present toppers, stocking stuffers, and thoughtful gifts for kids to give to their friends. A fun project and great for hand-eye coordination too! Growing up, my mom came up her fair share of clever craft ideas. The projects…
Slow Cooker Maple Applesauce
A small amount of maple syrup is the key to a wholesome applesauce that allows the natural sweetness and flavor of the apples to truly shine. My grandmother was known for her amazing applesauce. She used transparent or “early” apples－the varieties that appear in our local farmers markets in mid-July. Their appearance never fails to…
Chocolate Acorns
These adorable fall treats are easy to make and fun to eat! Chocolate acorns are great project for kids and make a lovely host gift. Just place in a cellophane bag and tie with a bow. My kids and I made these festive fall treats for the first time last year and, like the…
Pumpkin Recipe Roundup
Knowing that I am not alone in my love of pumpkin, it occurred to me that having all of my pumpkin recipes grouped in one convenient place would be rather helpful. So, I present to you my ever-growing list of favorite recipes using pumpkin! Though autumn is the traditional time to partake of this nutrient-rich…
Fun Holiday Snacks
A few years ago, I was asked to bring the “healthy treat” to a school Halloween party for my older son. Well, when you are the mom bringing the healthy food amidst the cookies and other treats, you sort of figure there may be leftovers! I pondered the orange foods I could bring and thought of…
Apple Crisp Baked Oatmeal
By now, my love of baked oatmeal has been well established. Truth be told, I hold back some of my variations because I don’t want to over-oatmeal people. I think the time has come, however, to release another! My sister-in-law, Melissa, is to thank for this delicious creation. She is a nurse who leaves…
No Bake Butterscotch Haystacks
Three ingredients are all you need for this salty-sweet, crunchy treat that takes mere minutes to make. No baking required! Butterscotch Haystacks are, without a doubt, my younger son’s favorite cookie. I always make them over the holidays and he frequently requests them throughout the year. When his science class organized a nature-themed bake…
