New Year's Recipes
Pepper Jack Tomato Soup
Bright tomato flavor is balanced by a hint of creaminess and mild kick in this takeoff of a restaurant favorite. Easy to make and especially tasty with the optional toppings. Those who live in the South Central, Pennsylvania area may be familiar with the pepper jack tomato soup at Isaac’s, a small chain of restaurants…
Pork & Sauerkraut (with lots of options)
Get ready for a New Year filled with luck and good health with this traditional dish, which can be customized in several ways to keep everyone happy! (slow cooker and oven method) There seems to be two distinct camps where pork and sauerkraut is concerned: those who love it and those who…well…tolerate it. Growing…
Mustard Sauce for Crab Claws
With just four ingredients, this speedy dipping sauce is the perfect match for crab claws yet versatile enough to jazz up shrimp, fish, chicken, sandwiches, and more. This sauce was inspired by summer vacations on the Jersey shore and the appetizer I’ve considered a special treat since I was a little girl. The bite-size yet…
How to Prepare King Crab Legs
Learn the best way to cook tender, juicy king crab legs for fun and festive meals any time of year. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, birthday celebrations, and “just because” special dinners. If you want to make a statement, king crab legs will do it. The massive crustaceans, which are caught in the…
Jeweled Salad
This stunning salad adds fresh flavor and visual appeal to weeknight dinners and holiday meals alike. And while the recipe is delightful as is, there are many ways to customize depending on what you like and have on hand. Any meal can benefit from the crisp crunch and visual appeal of a good salad. Perhaps…
Jack’s Favorite Bloody Mary
A pitcher-full of outstanding Bloody Marys is easy to make and infinitely tastier than store-bought mixes. Bloody Maria, Dirty Mary, and Virgin Mary variations are included and are customizable by the glass. For added fun, offer a make-your-own garnish station! An olive loaded Bloody Mary with a crisp stalk of celery and a generous amount…
Slovak Kolache (Cold Doughs)
Think of these cookies as a smaller version of a danish, with a heavenly cream cheese pastry and dollop of your favorite jam. Until recently, I had never heard of a kolache. For those who may be in a similar boat, kolache (pronounced kuh-‘laa-chee) comes from the Czech and Slovak word koláčky, meaning little cake…
Salmon Verde
This stunning meal comes together quickly on a single baking sheet and is brimming with fresh flavor and wholesome appeal. Minimal ingredients and low effort, it’s equally perfect for busy weeknights and easy entertaining. The vibrant color palette is this easy meal’s first attention grabber. My husband thinks it looks Christmas-y, while a friend claimed…
Sangria Spritz
Enjoy the fruity, sweet-tart flavor of classic sangria in this light, refreshing, 3-ingredient spritz – and then customize according to season with your favorite fruit garnishes. The concept of a spritz dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans; it is believed that wine was often diluted with water to keep people from becoming…
Cold Pan Seared Steak
Perfectly cooked steaks with a gorgeous crust and tender, juicy insides are easy to achieve with this unorthodox method. No smoky, splattered mess on your stovetop either! Steak night isn’t a weekly occurrence in our house – although the guys likely wish it were! So, when steaks are on the menu, they should really…
Easy Lemon Pie
Fresh, cool, and creamy lemon filling balances perfectly with a graham cracker crust (easily adapted to gluten-free!) in this easy-to-make pie that will brighten anyone’s day! Don’t get me wrong, we love chocolate in all its glory. But some members of my family are sensitive to caffeine, so much so that they have a strict…
Butterscotch Rum Ripple Cake
Butterscotch Rum Ripple Cake reinvents the classic pound cake with the addition of caramel-like swirled layers and an irresistible glaze. This recipe goes WAY back. As a newlywed, my husband, Jack, and I drove to Philadelphia to see his niece, Judy, perform in a play. She was in elementary school and had a part…
