New Year's Recipes

Easy Winter Fruit Salad

A straight-forward combination of fresh fruits with a little something extra to elevate the simple salad into something sublime.   From the time my kids could hold a crayon, I helped them make the gifts they’d give their loved ones on Christmas morning. My hope was that amidst all the material trappings of the holiday,…

Rosemary Roasted Cashews

Rosemary, salt, and a hint of heat makes these easy-to-prepare nuts a snacking favorite. A jarful provides a welcome gift, too!         When I visit my parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas, my eyes always scan their kitchen counter for a large, red canister. I keep my fingers crossed that…

Party Salmon

Enjoy hot out of the oven for an easy weeknight meal or serve at room temperature for a delightful addition to any buffet table. For a delicious breakfast or brunch, serve in place of lox with an assortment of bagels, cream cheese, chopped hard-boiled egg, capers, minced red onion, and thinly sliced cucumber. Party Salmon…

Roasted Beet Hummus

Serve this gorgeous show-stopper as a make-ahead appetizer, a satisfying snack, or as a base for an anything-but-boring lunch.   When I first laid eyes upon this colorful sister of the traditional middle eastern dip, I was smitten by its vibrant ruby hue. Thanks to the addition of a humble root vegetable, the color is…

Blistered Green Beans

Cook green beans in a flash while bringing out their very best flavor with this minimalist but effective approach.   Need a 10-minute side dish that tastes great and goes with practically everything?  For years I steamed my green beans. Occasionally, I roasted them.   For the past year or two, however, broiling has been…

Shrimp Creole

Easy to make but company-worthy, a spoonful of rice is all you need to complete this flavor-packed meal. Convenient prep-ahead options included. Shrimp Creole was one of my mom’s “special dishes,” a meal she served when company came or there was something to celebrate. But the flavor and ease of this southern Louisiana staple makes…

Dulce de Leche Latte

Since I stumbled upon the overwhelming hit of Crock Pot Dulce de Leche a few years ago, the kids regularly enjoy this caramel-like dip on sliced apples and we drizzle it over ice cream and pound cake.  One reader loves it as a topping for Crunchy Top Apples and Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal. I even concocted…

Lucky Cake (or Peanut Butter Chip Cake) with Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting

A secret ingredient (that no one will guess) makes this cake delicious AND lucky…and who couldn’t use more luck in the New Year?   Would you keep reading if I told you that there’s sauerkraut in this cake? When I see a recipe with an oddball ingredient or an offbeat method of preparation, I’m often…

Overnight Buckwheat Groats — a crunchy, delicious option to oats

If you happen to be a fan of the ever-versatile, no-cook overnight oatmeal, you must try this novel twist.  (And if you haven’t ventured into the easy breakfast world of overnight oats, I have several recipes for you!) For those who enjoy steel cut oats, buckwheat groats are quite similar in taste. In raw form,…

Overnight Granola Cups

Bob’s Red Mill has graciously offered to give eight pounds of granola to three lucky readers. (This will include four one-pound bags of both the gluten-free honey oat and apple blueberry varieties.)  To enter, simply leave a comment below by noon EDT, Saturday, July 12.  A second entry may also be made on LancasterOnline.  The winners will…

Butterscotch Bread Pudding

Crispy edges, tender insides, and notes of caramel and butter take the classic bread pudding to new heights. Easy and irresistible! Last fall, I mentioned that I was all set to share a recipe for butterscotch bread pudding when a thoughtful reader emailed me the recipe for her prized beet cake. Like my chicken in…

O’Brien Irish Stew

This classic Irish stew was passed down from the decades old recipe box of an Irish friend. The tried-and-true recipe offers oven and slow cooker options, and the flavor improves over time, making it a great make-ahead meal.   Most Americans think of stew as having a thick gravy base. But traditional Irish stew is…

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