Served warm, this fruit salad has a surprising twist of flavor.  We like to serve it with brunch, but you could use it as a side for an evening meal.  It’s nice to use in the winter when good fresh fruit is unavailable. Baked Fruit Salad 1 can (29 oz) pear slices 1 can (11 [...]

This is one of those simple, inexpensive recipes that you can put together in just a few minutes, especially if I’m using leftover rice.  It’s also one of my food storage recipes.  It’s certainly nothing fancy, but my children will eat it.  I simplified it recently, and am happy with the results. Ingredients: 1 can [...]

I like to serve these biscuits as appetizers, after school snacks or as a side for soup.   If you want to, you can make homemade biscuits for use in this recipe, but it’s nice to be able to put them together in just a few minutes.  When I use refrigerated biscuits it’s also easy to [...]

This salad tastes fresh, has a TON of flavor and crunch, and is very healthy.   I like to make it at lunchtime so I can eat it for lunch, then refrigerate the rest as a side salad for my family.  It’s also a yummy main dish on those hot summer nights when you want something [...]

A can of store-bought enchilada sauce is convenient, but in my opinion it can be a little pricey unless it’s on a good sale.  This recipe is inexpensive, fast and simple, and makes more than 2 cups.  The only ingredient you need to remember is a can of diced green chiles; everything else is a [...]

This soup was a total experiment. About a year ago a good friend told me about a zucchini soup she was excited to make.  When I asked her later for the recipe, she was disappointed with the results and elected not to share it.  For some reason I remember that every time I cook with [...]

It’s August, the month of sleepy summer afternoons, good books, and lemonade. But not just any lemonade. Homemade lavender lemonade.  Our favorite summertime drink.  Delicious and refreshing. My husband just looked at these pictures and said, “If only you could describe how good that stuff is!” Here’s how to make it: Boil 10 cups water [...]

Have you ever seen a strawberry tart that didn’t look delicious?  It’s one of those summertime desserts that always tempts me.  A hybrid of a couple of other recipes, this one packs some surprise flavor:  a touch of orange. Begin by making my basic shortbread crust.  Allow to cool completely. Spread about 1/3 cup of [...]

This is the basic shortbread recipe I use whenever I need a shortbread crust. It turns out every time. Whip 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter until it’s nearly white in color, light and creamy. Add 1/2 cup sugar and a teaspoon vanilla and whip again. Sift together 2 cups baking flour and 1/4 [...]

A nice twist on a traditional burrito, my family enjoys this dish. In skillet, brown 1 pound sausage and 1/3 cup diced onion.  Drain sausage. Add 2 cups cooked rice, 2 cups salsa and 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained. Stir together and cook for 1-2 minutes.  You can also add some sliced olives [...]