Vegetarian/General

Classic Pizza Dough

Pizza is one of my favorite food, and I have enjoyed making homemade pizzas for years with this pizza dough. Nothing is more fun than inviting over a few couples, having them bring some toppings, then bellying up to the pizza-making bar. 1 cup lukewarm water 2 T. olive oil 1 packet dry yeast 3… Continue reading Classic Pizza Dough

Crock Pot · On the Side

Refried Beans Without the Refry

My sister Tracy made this for us, and it was shocking how good they were, especially without meat! I'm going to be real honest and say that sometimes I don't even puree them. They are great just as beans over rice, etc. This recipe is from AllRecipes. 1 onion, peeled and halved 3 cups dry… Continue reading Refried Beans Without the Refry

Pick-Em-Ups

Roasted Rosemary Pecans

I adapted this recipe from my beloved cooking show host Nigella (is it wrong to say I have a teensy crush on her?). I added sugar to balance the herby/savory taste, and I think they are great as little gifts. I usually double the recipe, as it freezes beautifully. 2 1/2 T. unsalted butter 2… Continue reading Roasted Rosemary Pecans

Pick-Em-Ups

Crisp Rosemary Flatbread

If you want to impress your friends with a recipe that really isn't that hard, please make this recipe. I bet you have all the ingredients on hand right now. The only tricky ingredient is rosemary. Now please don't go buy some cut rosemary. Spend your money instead on a rosemary plant. Stick it someplace… Continue reading Crisp Rosemary Flatbread

Breakfast · Sweet

Can’t Resist Coffee Cake

This is an old standby coffee cake recipes that comes from my friend Sandy Parker’s mother’s bridge group. She says they go crazy over this one. If you have a stand mixer, it's easy to make. Otherwise, I can't imagine having the patience to mix the batter for 10 minutes. Serves 12 Batter: 1 package… Continue reading Can’t Resist Coffee Cake

Pork

Szechuan Green Beans with Ground Pork

This is probably my favorite way to eat green beans. I think it gets even better if you sort of leave it on the stove on low for awhile (found that out by accident). If you haven't cooked with hoisin sauce, you don't know what you've been missing. Buy it for this recipe, then go… Continue reading Szechuan Green Beans with Ground Pork

Pick-Em-Ups

Polenta Cups

I'm sure we've all been there (please tell me I'm not the only one!)... you're at a party, and someone brings out an app, and you literally can NOT Step Away from the Appetizer! This happened to me years ago at our beloved wine tasting group in Portland. Iva-Marie brought these, and I can still… Continue reading Polenta Cups

Dips

The Perfect Guacamole

We know, you make guacamole , but never write down how much you add of this and that.  We were in the same boat until Barbara served it at a Pokeno party and had something down on paper for proof!   Barbara is a wonderful cook and shared her perfect Guacamole recipe....that she found in a Southern… Continue reading The Perfect Guacamole

Crock Pot · Poultry

Easy Chicken Stroganoff

Another great recipe for the crock pot!  Feel free to use fat free cream cheese and cream of chicken soup.   Also,  leave the chicken in whole breasts. Serve with a green veggie and salad.  Great for a Winter day. Easy Chicken Stroganoff * 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed * 1/8 cup margarine *… Continue reading Easy Chicken Stroganoff

Breakfast · Sweet

Snow Day Monkey Bread

We discovered this recipe during the ice storm of 2011.  Chasidy posted it on Facebook and it grabbed us.  Why is it great for a snow day?  Enjoy the simplicity....and who could go wrong with biscuits, butter, and sugar?   My entire family loves this.  Chasidy knows good and simple,  she has 3 children and they are far from monkeys. … Continue reading Snow Day Monkey Bread