Recipes

One afternoon while grocery shopping, I came across a package of Ore Ida Extra Crispy Waffle Fries and thought they sounded delicious, so I decided to purchase them. I brought them home and placed them in the freezer. Needless to say, they have been in the freezer for about a month or so, and I re-discovered them. They didn't sound appealing anymore. I likely wasn't in the mood for "fast food," but I thought I should find a way to use them, so I decided to put a spin on the c

A few years back, a friend mentioned that her husband was creating vanilla extract from scratch. I was intrigued, puzzled, and amazed. I had no clue that making extracts at home was possible. After some research, I discovered how simple it was to create. It's not fast, but certainly easy. The initial piece of advice is to steer clear of buying vanilla beans from your local grocery store or Walmart. Purchasing them there could be financially draining, and frankly, I'm not sure

As a child, my mom frequently prepared her version of "Spanish Rice" for me. When I was older, I inquired why her Spanish rice differed from the kind served in restaurants. I recall her explaining that it wasn't truly Spanish rice, but more akin to Creole rice. However, in truth, it wasn't exactly that either; it was more of a blend of the two. I adore this rice and can enjoy it as a standalone meal. I've discovered a way to simplify the recipe even more than my mom's version

Having grown up in the southeastern corner of Arizona, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy Mexican food almost whenever I wanted. It was beneficial that momma hailed from Texas and had a real knack for cooking delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Growing up, we never had canned beans; mom would spend the entire day preparing them. It was time-consuming, but the result was definitely worth the wait. Nowadays, many of us lack the time to prepare a pot of beans, particularly

Scalloped potatoes have always been a favorite dish of mine. My mom prepared them only for special occasions. As I grew up, I was lucky to be able to purchase the boxed version and enjoy them whenever I wanted. Now that I'm older and a bit more selective, I make my own from scratch. Scalloped potatoes have their roots in 19th-century America, where "scalloping" meant baking in overlapping layers, reminiscent of a scallop shell's edges. French influences, like gratin dauphinoi

I'll be the first to confess that I had never encountered Apple Crisp until I relocated to Minnesota. In my household growing up, apples were used for cooking or baking mainly in apple pie or applesauce. I am quite certain my daughter loves apple crisp just as much as anyone else does; in fact, I believe she has made more of them than I ever have. Recently, I ended up with a surplus of apples that were not being eaten, and I decided I should use them before they spoiled, so I

I frequently use ACV (apple cider vinegar) in recipes, for cleaning, and in healing mixtures. If you have priced it out recently, its expensive and many may not be able to afford it, which is a shame, it has so many amazing properties and uses. I've been intending to make my own ACV for a while, but it hasn't been a priority. I considered it earlier this season while making apple pies for the neighbor and even when I anticipated harvesting from my own trees. Despite having ma

This recipe is quite adaptable; it's perfect for game day or a rainy day. Whenever you crave something warm and satisfying, this is a great option to turn to. It's simple to prepare using refrigerator pizza dough, or you can do what I do and use a pantry package. The ingredients you choose to fill it with are also flexible. If you want something lighter on meat, consider just ham and cheese, or go all out with a taco stromboli. The possibilities are endless. Ingredients : 1 p

Monday mornings often feel more chaotic compared to other mornings. This is likely because it's the start of the work week, and I'm attempting to settle back into a routine after a leisurely weekend. Breakfast tends to be a struggle for me most mornings, typically delaying me by about 15 minutes, which can determine whether I arrive early, on time, or even late to work. This weekend, I chose to get a head start by preparing my breakfasts for the entire week in advance. Egg Fr

I adore bagels, in nearly every flavor. My top choice is the "Everything" bagel. It's well-known that grocery store prices have increased, yet the quantity and quality haven't improved with these higher costs. In July 2023, I paid $1.98 for 5 everything bagels, but today the same brand is priced at $2.43. After calculating the cost of the Great Value plain Greek Yogurt, flour, baking powder, everything seasoning, and milk, I found that making this batch of 8 bagels cost me le

My family ADORES cheesecake. Whether it's the traditional baked version or the simple no-bake kind, it doesn't matter to them. They enjoy...

This recipe has been around longer than I have. My mom used to prepare it for me during my childhood. My own children also grew up...

As a child, I remember my mom making this instant tea known to me as Russian Friendship tea. I had forgotten how delicious it was. The...

My best friend doesn't drink coffee. Over the years, I've pondered how our friendship works, but her other qualities more than make up...

It seems to me that while anyone can make a meatloaf, not everyone can make a "good meatloaf." There are two women I know or knew who...

It was a year or two ago when I was first introduced to Cranberry Wild Rice Bread. My best friend and I had gone "up north" to do some...

I think "comfort food" was defined with biscuits and gravy. I guess because of my southern heritage, I just always ate biscuits & gravy....

I used to feel quite intimidated by the thought of cooking wild rice. It seemed challenging and extremely time-consuming. Admittedly, I...

The weather in Minnesota is lovely at the moment. The sun is shining, but the temperatures are cooler. I enjoy this type of weather for...

Have you ever been watching videos and suddenly come across a classic commercial from your childhood that brings back treasured memories?...