Fresh Pineapple Upside Down CakeIt's pineapple season! My mother bought me several pineapples at only a dollar each and I didn't know what to do with it all so I decided to throw them into this cake.
Make Frozen Lasagna Taste HomemadeThis is a tip I thought I would share since I did this over the week-end and my dinner guests loved the lasagna dinner. They all thought it was homemade! Little did they know, I purchased the Stoffers large frozen lasagna when it was on sale at my favorite store.
Bubble and SqueakWe got this recipe from British friends who were camping with us one year. It is filling, healthy, and makes a great one-pot dinner for potlucks or camping. It is as easy as can be, fairly inexpensive, and uses only 4 ingredients.
Add Carnation Instant Breakfast to CoffeeI made the Carnation with 1/2 cup of milk, then filled my big ol' mug the rest of the way with my coffee. Well, it was just delicious!
Lemon Jell-O Pound CakeI pulled out some old recipes and stared cooking more foods that are not gluten free. I don't get to enjoy them myself, but my family does.
Baked Spaghetti Pizza PieThis recipe for Baked Spaghetti Pizza Pie is an adaptation I made from other baked spaghetti recipes. Most recipes I found called for mixing the noodles and leftover spaghetti together.
Prevent Mold on Cheese with VinegarIf you are like me and prefer to purchase a "chunk" of cheese instead of already shredded cheese, this tip is for you.
Rolled Cherry PieThis is a favorite pie in my family, and it's very easy to make. When the cherry season arrives, I often make it and we enjoy its taste. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare, and about 40 minutes to bake.
Monastic Hut CakeI want to share with you a recipe for a cake that everyone in my family loves very much. This cake has a pyramid shape, with so-called pastry "tubes" that have sour cherry (tart cherry) filling and sweet cream outside. This cake looks impressive, is very delicious, simple, easy to assemble and can be made ahead.
Bulgarian MesenitzaI have a friend who taught me how to cook the very popular Bulgarian national dish Mesenitza, it's also called Tutmanik. It is bread stuffed with cheese. This is a very tasty and cheap meal. The recipe varies, but the basic ingredients are flour, yeast, oil, milk, butter, eggs, yogurt and cheese. Bulgarian cheese is called sirenje or sirene, it can be replaced with Greek feta.
Hibiscus GumpasteEverybody wants to have the best looking cake. Since it's summer season in my country, I get a few demands of tropical or summer themed cakes. Today I'm gonna show you how to make realistic hibiscus flower gumpaste, beginner level.
Ukrainian Hand Pies (Prizhky) With ApplesI want to share with you a recipe of my family's favorite meal. These Ukrainian hand pies are called pyrizhky or pirozhki or piroshky. They are made from yeast dough, stuffed with apples and fried to golden color. The pyrizhky also can have other fillings, such as mashed potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, ground meat, jam, and others.
Sprouting BeansEveryone can do this. You only need a container with a cover. You may use many kinds of beans. I used lentils this time.
Sauteed Butternut Squash With OnionsThis recipe is easy to prepare and tastes great.
Cranberry Apple Oat and Quinoa Breakfast BakeThis is a very filling dish. The cranberries and apples complement each other nicely. Quinoa is on sale at my supermarket, so this was economical as well. I did not use nuts and substituted powdered ginger for the crystallized ginger.
Japanese Style Chocolate Roll CakeMy whole family loves this dessert because of its super soft, fluffy cake and very delicious chocolate ganache. For this dessert you need to spend money on 200 g (0.44 lb) of dark chocolate, but this is the only expensive ingredient and it is only used in the ganache. My family has a very humble life, but I think that it is very important to please our loved ones with something very tasty at least 1-2 times a year.
Chewy Caramel Apple CookiesI love these cookies because they're kind of like a cross between caramel apples and warm apple pie. The freshly cooked cubes of apple really stand out under the gooey ribbons of caramel. My family enjoys these warm with vanilla ice cream- it tastes just like fresh apple pie a la mode (without the hard work). Give them a try!
Curried Apple BisqueGreat recipe for the coming Fall season! Apples bring in a sweet taste to a warming soup.
Crockpot Peanut DropsChocolate and peanuts in a cup. Great for gifts!
E-Z Refrigerator BeetsThis simple recipe makes great use of all the beets from the garden and provides lots of great vitamins (like IRON!) too!
Poulet au Pastis (Chicken with Anise Liqueur)Once again, here is a recipe from the south east of France. I know this one is going to be complex to make for non French, but it has two important culinary elements from my region:
Moldovan Placinte with Three FillingsI want to share with you a recipe for a dish that I think many of you will hear for the first time, perhaps as well as about the homeland of this recipe. Placinte (in singular Placinta) is the traditional dish of Moldova (officially the Republic of Moldova). The word placinta comes from Latin placenta, which means "cake", from the Greek plakount - "flat cake". Placinte are really very tasty, especially when they are still warm.
Osso BucoOsso buco (hollowed bone) is a simple and very tasty dish of Italian cuisine. This dish originated from the Lombardy region in the 19th century (for those who don't know, that's the time when the traditional recipes in France and Italy were defined). Today it is known and appreciated not only throughout Italy, but all over the world.
Keep Cucumbers Crisp and FreshTo keep cucumbers fresh and crisp, I wrap them in a paper towel before putting them in the refrigerator. They keep so much longer this way. This cucumber has been in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Coq au Vin (Rooster in Red Wine)Coq au vin is a real star of traditional French recipes, known internationally as one of the best examples of French gastronomy. This dish combines two symbols of France - rooster and wine!
Crockpot Baked PotatoesIn the past, I seldom baked potatoes because it takes so long to bake them in the oven, however, I do love them. Today, I tried baking some in the crockpot and they were scrumptious.
Velouté de Potimarron et MorteauI am French and I really love to cook simple but delicious dishes. This recipe is about Velouté de Potimarron et Morteau. Most this dish would most likely translated as Pumpkin Soup with smoked sausage from Morteau, but in French we do not call it soup, namely velouté because of its special creamy texture.
Piquant Four Seasons PizzaFour seasons pizza is my favorite pizza. This is an internationally known Italian pizza (Pizza Quattro Stagione). The four toppings represent the four seasons of the year, dividing the pizza into 4 equal quarters. Several fillings in one pizza, in my opinion this is a brilliant idea! But since I like spicy food, so I decided to try making this pizza with hot peppers.
No Mix Homemade Brown SugarBeing frugal isn't complicated. It tends to be just the opposite. Over the years, I've shown appreciation for tips submitted by littergitter, Sandi/Poor But Proud and others, that make things unbelievable simple. Here's one from me.
How to Freeze Pulled PorkWhen you make pulled pork, you usually make more than you can use at the time. If you put it in containers, there is often too much for when you want it. When I make it, I put it on a cookie sheet in clumps'to equal one serving. That way, you can take out just how many you need and keep the rest frozen.
Vegan Lentil MeatloafIf you are a former meatloaf fan from the past, try this Vegan Lentil loaf Recipe because it's over the top delicious!
Healthy ChocolatesUsing only healthy ingredients, this easy (and keto friendly) recipe is a perfect and easy snack for the whole family! Just melt, mix, cool and ENJOY!
French Onion MeatballsThis is a wildly popular recipe in a neighborhood food group I belong to. I used ground turkey, fresh parsley from my garden instead of the thyme, chopped onions I had frozen previously, and Swiss cheese instead of the pricey Gruyere.
Get the Most from Your LemonI love a fresh lemon slice in my iced tea but the lemon usually spoils before I can use the whole thing. I'd slice it up and put it in the fridge but, by the end of the week, it's slimy and spoiled. Until I thought of this trick.
Crockpot Toffee Apple CrispI had some toffee chips I wanted to use up and I also had a lot of frozen apple slices in my freezer. So I looked for a recipe and found this one to try out.
Roasted Carrots with Carrot-Top PestoThis is a beautiful side dish with vibrant flavours. Use the carrots' own greens to make a pesto to serve with it. I added a bit of mint and lemon to really make it pop. I used pine nuts, but you can use cashews or something similar, too.
Simple Tomato SoupWe have an abundance of tomatoes growing in our backyard. A great way to use up most of the tomatoes is to make tomato soup! I paired tomato soup with with grilled cheese sandwiches, yum!
Check Produce Labels For DateAnyone having issues with produce spoiling much quicker than they should? I have made a few Costco trips and each visit I'm always left with something spoiling much sooner than they should (especially oranges).
Keeping Green BeansI love the farmer's market in our little town but it is only open on Fridays. I purchased some green beans. As I was getting ready to leave, I saw some more green beans that looked even better so I bought them too.
French Onion ChickenThis recipe has only 5 actual ingredients (minus the spices), 6 if you like it a bit thicker by adding spuds. It is delish!
Mexican Street Corn TacosThis is a delicious twist on tacos. I used Mexican street corn as my inspiration to fill these tortillas. It's creamy and zesty and really hits the spot when you don't have things like guacamole or sour cream on hand. It pairs very nicely with the meat, cheese, and salsa inside.
Fried Sweet Potato Shrimp CakesWith a few ingredients you can make these tasty fried sweet potato shrimp cakes! You can serve this with fresh vegetables and your choice of sauce: chili sauce, hot sauce, mixed fish sauce, etc. Or you can eat alone as an appetizer, snack or pair with rice of course too!
Easy Whipped CoffeeEveryone has been making this budget-friendly coffee delight as we are all stuck at home. I have some tips on how to make the most luscious puff with some techniques. Give this a try. It's a tasty and beautiful treat that beats any coffee shop's $5 version.
Peeling Fresh Garlic is a CinchPeeling fresh garlic really slows you down when you're cooking dinner. Try this tip the next time you use fresh garlic! It works.
3 Ingredient TrufflesThese beautiful little truffles will blow you away. They are creamy and decadent, yet so easy to make. You just need a pack of Oreo cookies, a block of cream cheese, and a bag of chocolate chips. Sprinkles are totally optional. I only used them to make them pop for my Valentine!
Tyre PuddingA "handed down" English main dish pudding recipe from my great grandmother Lydia Butcher Seager. I had my first bite of the pudding when I was about eight years old. I was hesitant because it didn't look very appetizing. But I was wrong! It was delicious. The salt pork crust is the secret to the recipe's great flavor.
UFO Cow Abduction CakeThis UFO cake is just out of this world! The saucer and grassy ground area are two different cakes, so there is plenty for a big party. I saved a couple hundred dollars making this cake from scratch instead of calling up the local cake artistry. Plus, it was super fun. Here are the steps on how to make your own!
One Minute Microwave MeringuesSuper simple and incredibly fast way to make a bowl full of scrumptious meringues that you can munch or mix with fruit and other toppings for a very fast dessert!
Cheese and Crackers Mini PiesThese little cheese and cracker appetizers are super delicious. They double up as great presentation as they imitate little slices of pumpkin pie. They are sure to bring many oohs and aahs to your parties!
Make Beef Patties Inside Ziploc BagOne of my absolute favorite meals is hamburgers. I always mix in at least 1-2 seasonings, the most flavorful for me being ranch and onion powders. I dread the mixing and shaping part though because bits of the ground beef sticks to my hands, as I roll and flatten.
Quickly Dry Herbs in Your CarMy car sits in an open sunny spot and frequently is quite warm when I go to use it. Since I had lots of basil to dry, I thought I'd try to dry it in the car and it worked perfectly!
Snickers-Stuffed Peanut Butter CookiesEvery year around Halloween, I like to come up with a sweet treat that uses candies from trick-or-treating events. Either you have kids that end up with lots of them, or you have loads leftover from handing them out. My favourite candy has always been Snickers, so these peanut butter cookies are stuffed with them. The outside is a lovely sandy, crumbly cookie, and the middle is gooey and chewy from the baked Snickers. I've had a dozen people ask me for this recipe after an event I made them for last week, so be ready to share if you make these, too!
Frozen Yogurt BarkThis is an enjoyable and healthy dessert for all ages! You can customize your yogurt bark with any toppings you have at home, or a great way to use up any last ingredients you have.
Freezing Corn in a PillowcaseDo not hesitate to stock up on corn when there is a sale. Corn can be frozen, in the husks, in a pillowcase. Load up the pillowcase, fold the top over so it is closed, and place in the freezer. It will stay as fresh as the day it was picked.
Spaghetti Squash FrittersI've been getting a bit tired of spaghetti squash in the usual form I prepare it; with spaghetti sauce or as a layered lasagna. I tried turning them into crisp fritters and they were delightful. You can add whatever bits you like in them, I went with onions, bacon and Parmesan cheese.
Purple Sweet Potato PieI'm sure many of you have had sweet potato pie. This pie is very similar but uses purple sweet potatoes. Baking the sweet potatoes in the oven (in lieu of boiling them) gives this a beautiful creamy consistency and not at all watered down. Baking them also retains their beautiful purple colour. Purple sweet potatoes can be found in grocery stores labeled as Okinawan, Hawaiian, or purple sweet potatoes. They are packed full of potassium, B6, vitamin C, and fiber.
Pulled Pork SwineappleWhat do you get when you cross pulled pork, pineapple, and bacon? Swineapple! This is a fun stuffed pineapple recipe for these hotter months that will make your friends and family squeal. Give it a try!
Converting Family Recipes for 1 - 2 peopleIf you are like me, you have a lot of recipes for larger families. Then people move out, get divorced or even die and you are left with only one or two people in the home. Or you may be just starting out on your own or with a new spouse and you find very few recipes for one or two people but hundreds for larger families.
Cauliflower SaladThis is a low carb alternative to potato salad. It's a great dish to prepare for a potluck, a picnic or to serve your family.
Ready Bacon AnytimeI see pretty expensive pre-cooked bacon in the stores now and decided to make it myself since I don't always have the time to make bacon for a quick, hearty breakfast.
Creamy RatatouilleThis is a beautiful vegetable ratatouille that is immersed in a tomato sauce, swirled with a homemade Bechamel sauce. It's lovely and crisp on top, and soft and creamy on the bottom. This is a delight to enjoy any time of the year.
Easy Butter FrostingThis recipe is super easy and sweet yummy. With using 3 to 4 ingredients.This frosting can be made ahead and put away in the freezer for later use, for those upcoming surprises.
Sprouted Seeds from your Kitchen CabinetI always sprout seeds, especially in the winter. I add them to sandwiches, salads, soups, or even eat as snacks! I normally just use a mason jar with a piece or cheese cloth or a little screen material under the jar ring/cap to allow me to rinse and drain daily until they sprout.
Pulled Pork BarbecueThis is a wonderful recipe that can be made in the crock pot or oven. Made from a cut called Boston butt, that is great for slow roasting and goes a long way. The left over pulled pork can be frozen, and pulled out of your freezer. Serve for lunch, dinner or for those unexpected guest.
Japanese Jiggly CheesecakeThis is called Japanese Jiggly Cheesecake because it actually jiggles like crazy when it comes out the oven. It's like a cross between an angel food cake and a pound cake, with a lightly sweet cheesecake flavour. In Japan, this is more widely known as a soufflé cheesecake, and has been around for decades.
Turmeric Morning ShotThis is my morning turmeric shot I have every morning. I make little batch and store in the fridge. This lasts 1 week for 2 people. Turmeric is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used for thousands of years - even as medicine.
Herbed Chicken Rolls in Cherry SauceHere comes a winner-winner chicken dinner from my personal cookbook. This chicken breast is rolled up with herbed garlic butter, then cooked in a tart cherry sauce. It's a beautiful meal for these colder evenings... and I think quite pleasant visually! Enjoy!
Pop Your Plastic LidI have a hard time getting the lids off my Tupperware! Dollar store containers are a good buy but nearly impossible to pop the lid on. I save the rubber bands that come around broccoli and other vegetables for further use. Cut the rubber band and put it under the lid and snap the lid shut.
Caramel GrapesThis is a delicious twist on caramel apples. I love caramel grapes because I get everything I want in caramel apples in one bite, with so much less mess. Plus, they're so cute!
Easy Peel TomatoesTo peel tomatoes to use in stews and sauces, or if you just prefer them skin-free like I do, this is an easy way to get the job done quickly. Remove the stem, score the bottom with a big X, then dunk in boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds. Transfer to an ice bath to cool. Right when they're cool, remove from water and the skin will slide right off.
Butternut Squash with Macintosh ApplesI just love winter squash. I like it a bit sweet, but do not like having to sweeten it with so much sugar. I thought maybe I could cook apples with it and sweeten it naturally. This is so good, you will love it and you will have the kids eating their veggies like never before!
DIY Organic Food ColouringI was chatting with a friend recently about how his kids are allergic to red food dye. It made me do some research, where I found that it contains plenty of chemicals, including petroleum. I decided to make my own food colouring from organic fruits and vegetables, and it was a total success!
Cream of Overgrown Zucchini SoupIf you have reached the stage where neighbours are leaving zucchini on your porch or if a few have grown too large to grill, it's time for this creamy and delicious soup. It is simple and you can return to it again and again. These days I encourage a few larger fruits to form just so I can make it!
Pineapple Upside Down PancakesThis is a fun twist on pancakes. They are so decadent, they can be served for dessert. Caramelizing the pineapples not only gives them a nice rich flavour, but also creates a sticky toffee in the pan that you can use as a drizzle in place of syrup. When you cut into a stack of these, the little Maraschino cherries pop out onto the plate. What a lovely surprise!
Freezing Tortillas Without BreakageWhen I buy tortillas, I may not always use them right away, so I freeze them to keep them fresh and in one piece as the day I bought them.
Japanese Chicken CurryJapanese curry is different from Indian curry because it's more of a hearty stew. It tends to be much less spicy and has big soft chunks of veggies and meat. This is the way I make it when I'm in a rush to make a lot of food in a short amount of time. A dollop of cooling yogurt and a drizzle of citrus preserves make for the perfect accompaniment for this dish. I hope you try it!
Cashew Basil PestoYou can make fresh basil pesto without expensive pine nuts, cashews work just as great! Easy to whip up and pesto has many uses.
How to Make Sushi CakesYou don't have to be a professional baker to make professional looking decorative cakes. I made these sushi cakes using regular cake batter, frosting, and candies you can find at any shop. It cost me 1/10th of the price that I would have paid had I ordered them from a custom bakery and they were absolutely delicious!
Pistachio HummusI've come up with a few hummus recipes where I replace the tahini with something else due to allergies or high cost, but this one is by far my favourite now. This hummus uses pistachios to replace the sesame paste and gives it an amazing flavour. I've also added green peas for colour, texture, and dimension. I urge you to try this recipe!
Baked Crispy TofuThis is a 3 ingredient recipe. It is a healthier alternative to frying tofu while still achieving the nice crispy texture!
When Life Gives you Lemons (or Raspberries)There is quite a story behind this little bottle of raspberry wine vinegar. About 12 years ago we bought a house in Slovenia with a vineyard- an actual vineyard of about 60 vines. We were very excited by the prospect of growing our own wine until we realised we didn't have a clue how to care for the vines or make the wine.
Make Boxed Cake Taste HomemadeSometimes I bump into a boxed cake mix on sale for SO cheap, I can't say no. Having it handy helps save precious time, but it just doesn't taste nearly as good as a cake made from scratch. Here are some tips on getting your boxed cake tasting homemade.
Bring Cooler on Grocery Shopping TripsEvery time we restock our weekly groceries, we make sure to bring our cooler. We place the cooler in the trunk with ice packs.
Mini Taco FrittatasI came up with these frittatas because I love egg breakfasts and adore tacos, but don't have much time to hang around to make both. These are so delicious, guilt-free, and gluten-free. I love to make a batch and keep them in the fridge. They're perfect for days you are on the run.
Cantonese Ginger Orange CakeThis is the perfect dessert combination cake and cheesecake with Asian flavors. Just in time for Chinese New Year coming up next week.
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed WafflesI got this idea for a bacon and cheese stuffed waffle after I saw my brother use leftover Christmas ham and cheese inside of a waffle... and it was awesome! I used a simple pancake mix and just added water to make the batter. I used cheese that melts nicely; smoked gruyere and mozzarella. These waffles are fabulous on their own or with a dipping sauce of equal parts mustard and mayonnaise. Enjoy!
OrangettesIn Europe Christmas means citrus, the green grocer's shelves are filled with citrus of every size and shape. The smell of the peel brings back happy memories of Christmas past. For me this is also the signal to do what I love the most; making something out of nothing and making a delicious festive treat to help my friends and family celebrate Christmas. Don''t be daunted by all the steps, the ingredients are few and the delicious results and compliments make it well worth spending your time!
Putting Foods in a BaggieWhen I need an extra set of hands to hold open the baggies so I can put in the soup that I want to freeze, and don't have my hubby around, I just use a giant quart size cup and place a baggie inside of it. I'm able to drop anything into that "baggied cup" and then pull it right out when it's filled, and do that for as many batches as I want to freeze.
Cauliflower Cheese CrispsI'd say more than a sweet-tooth, I have a salt-tooth! This can be an issue for someone like me who tends to be more low gluten and low carb. These are an awesomely delicious snack that work well for gluten-free and low carb diets. To compare them to something you might be familiar with, they taste like a more complex, adult version of a Cheez-It cracker. Give them a try!
Use Paper Plate As Mixer Splash GuardWhen you're using your mixer, sometimes things tend to splash around. Put a hole in a paper plate. Put your beaters through the hole, to protect from messes.
Cream Cheese Sweetheart CakeSweetheart is a type of cake with a cookie-like texture; more like a brownie. It is just a simple cake, but what I like most about it is the white glaze on top.
Blackened Salmon and Fried Green Tomato SaladA tasty salmon salad which features fried green tomatoes, so popular in the summer and all dressed up with an herbed avocado ranch dressing.
Brownie BrittleBrownie brittle is my dream come true as it's just the crispy, crunchy, sweet goodness of the edges of brownies I always tend to fight over. I love it but why does it cost more than brownies? It has less ingredients, less substance, but costs more money. Let's make our own! Here's how to make them using a box of brownie mix.
Homemade Panko BreadcrumbsI had never used panko. I bought a can out of curiosity. I thought it was OK, but I also thought I could do better. I did do better. This homemade panko made with fresh baked French bread is far better than what you buy after it sits on a shelf for who knows how long.
Cheddar Cheese Shell TacosYou won't need regular tortilla shells for these super low carb tacos. These shells are made of one ingredient: cheddar cheese. Fried until they are crispy then hung upside down to form a taco shell shape, they are the perfect treat for anyone on a low carb diet... or just loves cheese!
Bring Fruit to Potlucks or Church DinnersWe recently attending a cookout at church People often pick up cookies or cokes or something processed to bring. I think blueberries are a great food to bring because they have so many vitamins and antioxidants in them. So I will be bringing blueberries, strawberries, and other wonderful real food to all the meals I attend.
Easy No Knead BreadLately, I have been baking this bread and making little innovations to it. There is no need to knead the dough in this recipe, eliminating the most exhausting and time consuming part of baking bread.
Save Lids for LeftoversOver the years, I found I had more casserole lids than I had casserole dishes. I found an excellent use for them besides filling in for the odd pot lid. The smaller lids work great for covering a bowl or a plate of food when microwaving. I especially like it for microwaving my leftover oatmeal. Comes out like it is freshly made, same with rice or potatoes.
Vietnamese Shrimp, Pork and Egg Noodle Soup (Bun Rieu)Typically authentic bun rieu contains crab but it is optional. This is a delicious and healthy meal.
Crispy Eggplant "Bacon"I've tried to make fake bacon out of so many products and eggplant seems to mimic the texture of bacon the best. Here is how to make your own eggplant "bacon" at home!
Lemon Vanilla Layer CakeA light, simple cake to usher in spring on the last of these cloudy, winter days. Enjoy!
Baba GanoushBaba Ganoush is a delicious eggplant dish that originated in Lebanon. It's super easy to make and tastes phenomenal. I love it extra because it's full of fiber!
