Linda's Busy Cooks Blog

Brrr, it's cold and rainy outside today. Fall weather has suddenly arrived! So it's back to some warm and comforting dishes. I love hash brown potatoes in any recipe. Hash Brown Beef Bake (pictured) is just one of the delicious dishes in this collection. Try any of these and warm up inside and out with an easy homemade dinner.

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Comfort foods are, by definition, warm and filling recipes, not spicy, but mild and delicious. Creamy Italian Chicken (pictured) is one of my favorites. It's simple and satisfying; kids love it. Don't expect it to be a highly flavored gourmet treat. We all need more comfort foods about now, and making them with just five ingredients makes it easier on you.

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

My Got $10? Make a Meal! series has a new twist added: feed six people for $10! Alas, with this much food, I've had to stop including desserts. But you'd be willing to go to, say, $12 for dessert, right? Make Brown Sugar Shortbread, and maybe drizzle the cookies with a bit of melted chocolate. At any rate, enjoy the meal!

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

As the days cool down and the pace heats up, a good diet is even more important. Keep your family interested and very well fed by signing up for my recipe of the day newsletter for October. You'll love the quick and easy, inexpensive, hearty meals.

Salmon Frittata is a delicious quick and easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights. I like to make it by first making grilled salmon, then Pesto Salmon Fettuccine and then the frittata. But you can use canned salmon, leftover cooked pasta, and 1/4 cup of prepared basil pesto instead. Serve it with a tossed green salad and some delicious bars for dessert.

• Salmon Frittata
• Breakthrough Salad
• Lemon Crumble Bars

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

It's time for more super easy recipes. These recipes for all kinds of chicken use four ingredients or less, not including water, olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Ranch Chicken (pictured) is one of my favorites. Ranch salad dressing mix is the secret ingredient. If you love chicken, you'll love these recipes!

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

A healthy and delicious main dish salad is a great thing to make on Friday afternoons. You can leave it in the fridge all weekend (or as long as it lasts) and your family can eat it straight or make it into a wrap sandwich. This is a big salad, which should easily feed 8-10 people. Serve it with some homemade flatbread, a fruit salad, and an easy cake for dessert.

• Black Bean Wild Rice Salad
• Cotija Flatbread
• Grape and Melon Salad
• Mandarin Orange Cake

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Let's make a hearty and easy dinner for under $10. This recipe for Vegetarian Crockpot Chili is one of my favorites. It's so easy and the aroma that will bring you to the kitchen as you come home is incredible. Make the dough for the crackers ahead of time, then chill and bake as you would slice-and-bake-cookies. How easy!

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

When your child has a big test or school event, or has to take a standardized test, feed them the best and heartiest breakfast you can. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating a good breakfast can make a tremendous difference in achievement. And this breakfast, which you make ahead of time, is a real winner! Be sure to look through step by step instructions before you begin. Serve it with a fresh fruit salad, orange juice, and milk.

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Ah, cookies. To me, they are the reward for being alive. No, really! A simple cookie with a glass of milk, properly cherished and enjoyed, is one of the joys of life. So don't waste your time with inferior cookies. Learn how to make the best cookies and then get recipes for some fabulous treats. Enjoy!

_{Photo © 2008 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}