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.

 

Homemade Hot PocketsUsing a variety of fillings made from "leftover" meat and a few extra ingredients, plus a basic bread dough recipe or frozen bread dough, you can make your own hot pockets.

 

Chef's Delight TenderloinMy father in-law loves tenderloin and when they come to visit, we always have to have one for him! Very easy and so good!

 

Air Fryer Tuna SteaksThis is my first time using an air fryer. Here's an easy recipe for ahi tuna steaks. Easy to make, mess free and you have a meal ready in just minutes.

 

Homemade Accent Seasoning (MSG Free)Accent Seasoning can be made without the MSG, which many believe to be harmful. This is a Cajun version, but you could adjust the heat for your own liking.

 

Leftover Soup Chicken Pot PieI recently had a pretty bad flu. Along with that came a lot of homemade soup. It was comforting when I needed it, but I grew tired of it as I got better. I decided to turn the leftovers into a hearty chicken pot pie. It hit the spot in this cold weather!

 

Lavender Shortbread CookiesThis is one of my favorite recipes because I am able to use my own organically grown lavender and mint. I was searching for recipes to use my lavender and came across this one for shortbread.

 

Popcorn in BagsThis is a fun popcorn recipe. It is very simple and you can make it in your oven. You can of course choose any flavoring you want, butter, oil, spices, etc.

 

Celery Superfood JuiceThis juice is so simple, so good for your health and such a beautiful green color! Understandably it has been quite the rave lately too, with the benefit of lowering blood sugar and cholesterol. It also help boost the immune system and weight loss. It's a natural electrolyte that contains vitamin K, vitamin A, B9 and many more. It's recommended to drink 16 oz everyday but if your just starting out like I am I would start with half a cup. Enjoy thrifties!

 

Mom's Best Chocolate Chip CookiesThese cookies are so good it's hard to find words to describe them! They're not too gooey, not to crisp, not too sweet... just right. My mother tweaked the recipe from a Martha Stewart magazine, adding a tablespoon of vanilla and playing with the measurements until it was both practical and perfect! I like to save making them for a cold winter day, and to eat a couple while they're still warm from the oven. But they taste great any time!

 

Blooming OnionThe simplest food you can prepare is in the spice pantry. Find a large onion and you can have instant snack or dinner. Try this very easy and gorgeous looking onion.

 

Soy Citrus SalmonI learned this quick and super delicious pan-fried salmon technique from my mother. Sprinkling the fish with a bit of flour before frying it not only gives it a crisp exterior, but it also lends to making a nice pan sauce when soy and citrus juices are added. The result is a tender piece of fish with a nice crunch and full bodied flavour. You can use any citrus fruit you like.

 

Egg on ToastIn the past, my husband didn't like eggs for breakfast without some bacon to go with it. Now that we have stopped eating bacon, he has found that he loves egg on toast with melted cheese on top. When I first started making it, I burned the toast but he ate it anyway. I have worked on my timing to get this to turn out just right for him.

 

Bob Evans Chicken Salad (Copycat)This reminds me of Bob Evans chicken salad. It's as close as I can get it at home, but just as good. My husband says he likes mine better! It's a great light summer supper.

 

Chinese Crispy Spicy PotatoesThese Chinese street food inspired potatoes are crispy with a wonderful kick. They're coated in ginger, garlic, and cumin, giving them a lovely flavour and aroma. You can use any type of diced potatoes or whole mini ones for this recipe. Parboil them first by adding them to a bowl of water and microwaving on high for 6 minutes.

 

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.

 

Crispy Grilled Caramel Puffs (Karumeyaki)This is my mother's childhood recipe for a traditional Japanese grilled caramel called Karumeyaki. It is said this recipe is over 400 years old. It's mostly sugar but with a little help and the high heat from a copper ladle, it turns into this beautiful meringue-like cookie. It's actually quite the edible science experiment!

 

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!

 

Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage (Xoi Lap Xuong)This is one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes, called Xoi Lap Xuong which translates to Sticky Rice Chinese Sausage.

 

Corned Beef SandwichMix all ingredients together. Butter hamburger buns and spread mixture on fairly thick. Wrap individually in foil. Broil 20-25 minutes. These are great man-sized sandwiches and they freeze and keep well.

 

Lucky Charms No-Bake CheesecakeThis is a fun and adorable rainbow layered no-bake cheesecake made from a box of the most colourful cereal, Lucky Charms! The cereal's marshmallows act as the cake's crunchy topping, while the cereal bits make up the crust. The middle is a mix of marshmallows and cream cheese that turn into a velvety ice cream like consistency when popped in the freezer. There is no need for an oven here. This is a great dessert to make for these warmer days!

 

Bear Paw PancakesThis is such a fun pancake idea for kids (and grown-ups too). Stir together the first five ingredients in a mixing bowl. Pour milk into a separate bowl; beat the egg and add it to the milk.

 

Dandelion Blossom BreadDandelions are known for their health properties. This is a quick bread that enables you to use 2 heaping cups of those healthy blossoms! It is sweetened with honey and the taste resembles cornbread. Yummy! :)

 

Classy Apple PieMaking a pie from scratch might seem daunting, but it is so worth the effort! When I worked in a bakery at an upscale grocery store, they would feature pies that looked good, yet they came straight out of the freezer. Take the time and love to make a fresh, homemade pie and I swear, the flavor just cannot compare.

 

Homemade Spatini RecipeNeed Spatini, Try This recipe!

 

Ginger CookiesI have been experimenting making ginger cookies and quite by accident I left off 1/4 cup of flour. They came out better, thin and crisp with tiny holes in them. If you like the taste of ginger and molasses, you will love this flavorful, cookie.

 

Doo Doo DropsDoo Doo Drop cookies are a delicious treat and a family favorite. They are super easy to make and so yummy, despite their name!

 

Family Size Chicken Pot PieI am still doing my COVID meals for 4 families in my neighborhood. I am just loving it. I have also received some resource help through church funding which has been a great blessing, and very rewarding! I tried a new recipe of my own to make square foil pan Chicken Pot pies 'Family Size' and they came out great.

 

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.

 

Rice Krispy Treat Watermelon SlicesThese Rice Krispy treats are perfect for a summer party!

 

Indian Pudding Recipe and HistoryThis year my daughter's fifth grade class put on a Thanksgiving meal for their parents and teachers. Each student picked a recipe and brought it home to make or help make.

 

Sausage Kale Spinach SkilletMy best friend and I were doing a 2 week low carb and zero bread challenge, so I had to come up with a lot of filling dishes that went by the rules. This was one of them. So full of flavour and textures, I'd eat this even without a challenge!

 

Strawberry ShortcakeAfter buying a huge flat of strawberries, I realized that I need to find a few ways to use them up. These shortcakes are so delicious, you will never want store bought ones again!

 

Corn Toaster CakesThis is a real NY and surrounding area treat that is hard to find nowadays. It costs about $4 for each pack of 4 when you can find them. This recipe makes 12 for a fraction of the price. The muffin top pans can be used for many other things, and will pay for themselves very quickly, as these breakfast cakes are delicious, and you will be making them often!

 

Oven Baked Stuffed Game HenA delicious and healthy meal to serve for a family of 4!

 

Butter Beans and YamsIt's healthy and nutritious and tasty,can be served with rice, bread or naan.

 

Sour Cream Cornbread (Gluten Free)I have had this recipe for years. It calls for Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. I made it often until I became allergic to gluten. Jiffy Mix became a no-no and I stopped making it.

 

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.

 

Easy Stuffed Green PeppersThese days with the stores not carrying every product we need to cook with, we have to improvise with items we have in the house. So these stuffed peppers came out better than my original, and I had to use box mixes and canned products!

 

Never Fail Pie CrustA friend shared this recipe with me years ago. The ingredients sounded so strange to me, but I gave it a try. I am so glad I did. It is so flaky and delicious. It is very versatile. I use it for pie crusts, quiches, hand-held chicken pot pies, etc.

 

Persian Rice with Potato TadigThis is my late grandmother's recipe for a the most perfect Persian rice that my mother has mastered. Tadig is panfried layer of crust at the bottom of the pot under the rice. It can be made with the rice itself, bread, or potatoes. This recipe uses potatoes, which is one of my favourite ways to have it.

 

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!

 

Tuna TartareThis recipe is one of my favorite because it has a delicious taste of ginger and parsley mixed in with raw tuna fish. This is a simple dish to make and there is no need to worry about raw fish. When you serve this meal, you serve it with lime slices. The fresh lime squeezed over the top of the fish will cook the fish.

 

Pumpkin Breakfast BarsHere's a great make ahead recipe, for a quick breakfast on the go! Not only are these delicious, but they're healthy too.

 

Chocolate Avocado PuddingYes, you read it right... chocolate avocado pudding! Before you say strange, you just have to try this. It is honestly the best pudding I have ever had. I am a die hard chocolate lover and this passed my test. Best of all, it is super good for you!

 

Sour Gummy BrowniesI decided to make sour gummy brownies because my sour gummy cookies were such a hit. This ended up disappearing from the kitchen way faster than the cookies. The texture of the gummy candy turns into some kind of luxurious heaven when baked in the gooey chocolate brownies. The rainbow cuteness on top is also very pleasing to the eye. We love these!

 

Dijon Mustard SubstituteI didn't have any Dijon mustard in the house for a recipe, but had all the ingredients needed for this substitute. It came out really good! I doubled the recipe for my needs.

 

Instant Pot Egg BitesThese are a copycat version of the Starbucks version, which are $5 for two. Since I have never had them at Starbucks, I cannot say whether they taste the same, but I can say they are good. You can get a mold like I used, or use silicone baking cups.

 

Easy Beef and BroccoliWe wanted Chinese food but didn't have too many ingredients on hand. I was able to make this beef and broccoli dish with what I could find in the fridge. It was really good!

 

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.

 

California Blend Vegetable CasserolePut vegetables in oiled casserole, pour soup over them. Melt butter; stir in bread crumbs. Cover soup and vegetables with buttered crumbs.

 

Pork Tenderloin RoastA few days ago, I scored this boneless pork loin for $1.49/lb at Vons/Safeway. This 3 lb pork tenderloin roast was only $5! I used half for tonight's quick and effortless dinner while balancing laundry. We have lots of leftovers! For this recipe all you need to do is mix in some of your favorite spices, rub on the pork tenderloin, pan sear and toss in the oven to bake.

 

Broccoli Mac SoupThis is a classic "clean out the refrigerator" soup. I had some broccoli that was past its prime so I made a simple cream of broccoli soup, and added two boxes of mac and cheese. I will definitely be making this soup again.

 

Irish Soda BreadThis recipe makes a loaf that is light, moist, and a little sweet. It's perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

 

Grated Sweet Potato PuddingMy mother used to make this. I remember eating it as a child and it was so good. This is my cousin's recipe. When her health was good, she would make this and bring it to our covered dish family gatherings. It was enjoyed by all.

 

Barbecued ChickenFor many years, we have enjoyed cooking outside on our Holland Grill, especially during the hot summer months. It cooks much like an oven with no open flame so cooking this chicken in a pan works great. It can also be baked in the oven as well.

 

Salmon Patties Using Cottage CheeseMany years ago, I had a recipe for salmon patties taken from a Lucerne milk carton. This recipe used canned salmon and cottage cheese. I don't remember all of the other ingredients or the amounts. Can anyone out there help me?

 

Easy Baby Back RibsMy friend brought me a big rack of ribs before heading out of town. As it's so hot in Southern California, I decided to make them outside on the outdoor griddle. This was super easy to do and I barely had to tend to them. I gave it a spice rub, put it on the heat, flipped it once, then brushed it with my favourite barbecue sauce. They were perfect!

 

Spinach Crab CasseroleBeat eggs and flour until smooth. Drain the thawed spinach. Mix remaining ingredients into spinach.

 

Hot Cornmeal CerealThis hot cereal is very similiar to another classic type of hot cereal. It has a creamy, no grit texture!

 

Freezer Jam with JelloLet stand until sugar dissolves. Boil over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1-3oz. box of strawberry Jello. Stir until Jello dissolves...

 

Buttermilk MuffinsI found this in a very old Southern cookbook because I had some leftover buttermilk from another project. They are really delicious and soft and rise very well. I highly recommend this recipe.

 

Crispy Peanut Butter ChickenI tried to replicate the crispy-coated chicken served in peanut butter sauce that was on the buffet at a local Chinese restaurant. Most peanut butter chicken recipes I found online were not crispy, or just didn't sound like what I was craving, so I experimented.

 

Stuffed Cabbage RollsThese stuffed cabbage rolls have just a little heat from the tomatoes and red chilies, but they are so good you will want to make this again for sure.

 

BBQ Sauce Using Tomato SoupIn 1964 a friend gave me a barbecue sauce recipe. It was mild and just the best sauce. Somewhere along the line I lost the recipe. I've done searches on the web, but can't find it, and it is impossible to locate my friend.

 

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!

 

Recipe For Girl Scout Soup?Does anyone remember camping out with the Girl Scouts 50 years ago and making Girl Scout Soup over the campfire? It was so good and I have tried to remember how to make it, but I haven't got it correct yet.

 

Easy Cherry CobblerMelt margarine in 8 inch square dish. Beat flour, sugar, milk and baking powder with mixer. Pour into melted margarine. Do not stir. Pour can of cherries in center. Do not stir. Pour 1/2 cup sugar on top of cherries. Do not stir.

 

Free Leftover SoupEven before the quarantine, I have always had two bags in my freezer; one for vegetable scraps and the other for bones. When the bags are full, it is time to make soup.

 

Jackie's Chicken SaladI love crisp cold crunchy chicken salad. I like it on a lettuce leaf, in a pita pocket with lettuce & tomato, or topped on a plate of salad. It is a wonderful cold summertime meal, though I do make it once in a while other times of year.

 

Homemade Baked Ziti with VeggiesMy recipe is made to feed 4 families that are not working. It is made with chopped, healthy vegetables in my homemade Italian sauce. I make my regular Italian sauce and add a finely minced, carrot, zucchini and summer squash. It comes out a bit sweeter, but much healthier!

 

Easy Pork Tonkatsu in Creamy Pepper GravyA long day of work at home, moving things, cleaning up and everything deserves a good treat so I decided to cook a rewarding dish for dinner. We couldn't eat out so the best thing to do is bring restaurant recipes at home.

 

Naughty PuddingDip cookies in sherry and layer on base of dish. Mix melted chocolate or coco powder with custard. Put thin layer of custard to cover.

 

Coca-Cola Garlic Chicken WingsStaying at home makes me become a chef. From time to time they ask me to cook something to eat. I have to be creative to make every meal enjoyable with less leftovers. So I find ways to twist recipes and make it interesting.

 

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.

 

Contest Winning Chicken with Mushroom SauceThis is the best chicken dish I have made in years. The leftovers were even better the next day. You won't need to go to a restaurant after you taste this. I had chicken purchased on sale, and my store had a terrific sale on mushrooms, so this dish was very inexpensive as well.

 

Grandma's Spice Cake with Peanut Butter FrostingThis is a recipe form my great Grandmother. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together all dry ingredients, set to side. cream shortening thoroughly. Add sugars gradually, creaming until light and fluffy. . .

 

B Is For Banana BreadMix sugar, bananas, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into pan.

 

Yummiest Microwave OmeletI have been seeing the "Plastic Bag Omelet" on many websites lately. That may be a great idea when you need to make an omelet whilst camping. You only have a pot of boiling water and 20 minutes, but it's my personal choice not to boil my foods in plastics. If you are looking to make an omelet without oil or butter and only have a few minutes, this microwave omelet is your answer!

 

Chinese Style Chicken WingsIt's a sure winner at our house and perfect for parties. The best part about it besides the incredible taste is that it's easy to make and inexpensive. You'll make it again and again.

 

Simple Carrot CookiesMost kids don't like veggies. Here's a tricky recipe that will make kids eat vegetables. Deceive them with with healthy goodness of these carrot cookies.

 

Tomato Soup from Canned TomatoesIf you are missing the flavors of summer, make this easy soup. All you need is a large #10 can of tomatoes and some basic veggies. If you can't find these large cans, use 5 - 6 regular sized cans.

 

Tang Fruit SaladThis is fast and uses few ingredients. Drain the oranges, but use the pineapple juice. Stir the pudding, Tang, and pineapple juice.

 

Gluten Free Peach CobblerI experimented making a gluten free Peach cobbler by using gluten free bisquick. It turned out irresistible. I tasted it when it came out of the oven and couldn't keep my spoon out of it while cooking dinner.

 

Harvesting SpearmintWith abundant spearmint plants I dried some, made some fresh tea and started growing new plants. See how and try them yourself!

 

Homemade Banana Cream PieThis is a wonderful way to put a few bananas to use. This pie has a delicious vanilla pudding made from scratch. If you want to cut major corners, you could just use ready-made pudding to pour over the bananas! You can use your favourite pie crust recipe. I made a simple graham cracker crust.

 

Easy Cookie Sheet SlidersThis is an easy way to make sliders for a large group. We made them for the Super Bowl and they were a huge hit!

 

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!

 

P Is for Pocket PizzaHeat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Prepare pizza dough.

 

All Natural Non-Stick Cooking SprayI'm trying to eliminate unwanted chemicals from our diet. I don't like the things in the non-stick aerosol can that I usually use. It struck me the other day, make your own!

 

Crockpot Granny Smith ApplesauceGranny Smith apples are great for making applesauce. This applesauce has the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

 

Pretzel Rolo Turtles (Gluten Free)Several years ago, our daughter made these for me, gluten free, and brought them when she came for Christmas. They were delicious and I have been wanting to try to make them ever since but never seemed to get around to doing it until today. I try not to eat a lot of sweets but when it's Christmas, I go wild. Oh, gosh! These are so good and so quick and easy to make.

 

Pasta Sauce from Frozen TomatoesThis is a multi use pasta sauce made from tomatoes frozen from my garden bounty. Economical, easy to make, and more flavorful than store bought. I remove seeds from my tomatoes before freezing for smoother sauce.

 

Instant Pot Caramelized Pork and EggsThis is my version of Vietnamese Thit Ko, also known as caramelized pork and eggs made in an Instant Pot. This is a traditional meal served with rice and pickled vegetables.

 

Hot Dog Bun Garlic ToastOne night I realized I had forgotten to buy garlic bread for our dinner. Too late for a trip to the store. I realized I had some extra hot dog buns though, and decided I could improvise.

 

Blue Party Punch (Ocean Water)This tasty punch is a quick drink to make for any party. You can even change the flavor (and color) by choosing a different Hawaiian punch. It is perfect for an ocean, shark, or even mermaid themed party!