2003 Articles...
12/29/03
- New Year's Open House
An Open House is a wonderful way to entertain
a large group without spending a lot of money and effort on a sit-down dinner.
When you invite friends and family to your open house, just tell them the
beginning and ending times and that it will be a casual, relaxed gathering. Then
serve these easy and delicious recipes that many cultures believe bring good
luck in the new year.
12/23/03
- Traditional Christmas Dinner
This menu for a traditional Christmas
dinner includes my family favorites. From Honey Glazed Ham to Parker House
Rolls, all of these recipes are tried and true. Enjoy Christmas with your family
and friends.
12/18/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Salmon Steaks
Salmon steaks are a super easy
and festive centerpiece to this holiday entertaining menu. They are marinated
ahead of time, but cooked at the last minute. The broiler can also be used to
warm up soft garlicky breadsticks made from refrigerated dinner roll dough. And
Pecan Caramel Tart is an easy pie pecan lovers will adore.
12/17/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Roast Pork
Boneless pork loin roasts are a
fairly inexpensive, delicious cut of meat. I love the seasoning on this roast;
it really complements the succulent flavor of pork. Scalloped carrots and a
beautiful spinach salad are festive side dishes. And Decadent Chocolate Fudge
Cake is one of the best dessert recipes you'll ever make; trust me!
12/16/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Beef Stroganoff
I simply adore Beef Stroganoff
cooked in the crockpot. It turns out tender and rich, with a perfect sauce and
meat that almost falls apart. Served over buttered noodles, with some special
rolls and a pea and endive salad, it's a meal fit for royalty. And for dessert,
a chocolate macaroon bundt cake is a festive ending.
12/15/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Roast Chicken
Roast chicken is a festive,
easy, and inexpensive entree for entertaining. Accompany it with some creamy and
cheesy potatoes, crisp tender asparagus, a sweet and slightly spicy fresh fruit
salad, and a spectacular Raspberry Walnut Torte. Enjoy your holiday dinner!
12/14/03
- Hanukkah Menu
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with this delicious
and easy holiday menu. Brisket of beef cooks all day in your crockpot, an
unusual and colorful vegetable salad is made ahead, potato latkes are
last-minute but perfect and crisp, and White Chocolate Cheesecake is a rich and
creamy ending to the meal.
12/14/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Shrimp Scampi
This is my favorite holiday
dinner menu. Make sure that you choose your guests carefully; only those who
love shrimp should be included! Shrimp Scampi served with rice pilaf, toasted
garlic bread, and a sweet and crunchy pear and greens salad makes the best meal.
And for dessert, Chocolate Crepes with Caramel Sauce are spectacular; only you
will know how easy they are to make.
12/13/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Roast Beef Tenderloin
When you really want to
make a special dinner that's delicious yet easy on you, turn to this menu. Beef
tenderloin is an expensive cut, but there is absolutely no waste and the texture
and flavor are incomparable. Side dishes include creamy crockpot potatoes, a
fresh greens and pomegranate salad, and an absolutely spectacular pecan pie for
dessert.
12/12/03
- Elegant Dinner Party: Rack of Lamb
Every day for the next week, I'll
post a special elegant holiday dinner menu that will see you through any kind of
entertaining. This menu features a delicious rack of lamb glazed with a honey,
lemon, and garlic sauce, along with baby glazed carrots and an incredible white
chocolate cake.
12/07/03
- Make Ahead Appetizers
This fabulous collection of make ahead
appetizer recipes should see you through the holiday season. Make Onion Jam to
serve with cream cheese, Tex Mex Snack Mix, Pesto Torte, or Cherry Chutney so
you're ready for parties and hungry family members.
11/30/03
- All About Pressure Cookers
My mom bought me a pressure cooker; and
I've had a lot of fun experimenting with this fabulous gift. Learn safety info,
tips and tricks, and find some recipes for pressure cookers, including Porcupine
Meatballs and Sauerbraten.
11/24/03
- Alternate Thanksgiving Menus
If you have a small family, or just
don't want to cook a large traditional Thanksgiving meal, I've put together
alternate menus that use the flavors of the holiday but are much less work. Try
Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Sauce, Pecan Pie Brownies, or Calvin Trillin's
Spaghetti Carbonara for delicious meals with their own history.
11/21/03
- Gifts From Your Kitchen
I feel that the best holiday gifts are those
that come from the heart. Think about making your own gifts from your kitchen
this year for very personal presents. You can make candy (Tootsie Rolls, Nut
Goodie Bars, Coconut Drops), homemade liqueurs, Gifts in a Jar, preserves or
condiments, and much more with these easy recipes.
11/19/03
- Let's Talk Turkey!
This huge updated complex of articles will take
you step by step through every aspect of Thanksgiving dinner. Each section
includes traditional, easier, and the easiest ways to handle each course. My
favorite holiday family recipes are included, of course!
11/16/03
- Crockpot Holiday Recipes
Your crockpot can be such a space and time
saver in the kitchen during the holidays. You can make everything from
appetizers to side dishes to beverages to gifts in this wonderful appliance. Add
Crockpot White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Crockpot Oyster Stew, or Sugared Nuts to
your holiday repertoire.
11/09/03
- Freeze Ahead Holiday Foods
Now is the time to start making foods for
the holidays and freezing them. You will be ready for drop-in guests, impromptu
parties, weekend guests, and last-minute entertaining with these easy and
foolproof recipes. Try Jalapeno Poppers, Banana Slush Punch, or Spicy Chili to
get ready for the holidays.
11/06/03
- The Weekend Cook - Vegetarian Weekend (sort of...)
This edition of
The Weekend Cook was inspired by an experiment wherein I used frozen vegetable
crumbles in a crockpot chili instead of ground beef. The chili was such a
success, I decided to use 'fake' meat substitutes the whole weekend. Try Mexican
Pizza and "Chicken" Tostadas this weekend.
11/03/03
- Breakfast for Dinner
Have you ever had breakfast food for dinner?
I'm not talking about cold cereal - I mean hot and fluffy pancakes and waffles,
crispy and tender french toast, or some savory, melting eggs. Try breakfast for
dinner sometime this week for a great change of pace.
10/30/03
- The Weekend Cook - Halloween and the First Snowfall
For this edition
of The Weekend Cook, make a delicious crockpot stew for Halloween to free you up
for handing out candy, then use leftover candy to make a fabulous pie and cake.
More recipes celebrate the coziness of the first snowfall with warm and
delicious food.
10/28/03
- Ten Easy Pieces
For a final solution to the 5 PM dinner crunch, try
these ten recipes that I depend on even when I can't face cooking! From
Tortellini with Peas to Alpine Meatballs, you're sure to find recipes your
family will love.
10/25/03 -
More How to Bake
NEW!! This new email class starts where How to Bake ends. Learn the
science behind popovers, yeast breads, layer cakes, bar cookies, cream puffs and
more in 8 lessons, plus find easy recipes and all the encouragement you'll need
to have baking success.
10/19/03
- Five Ingredient Meals
Yes, you read that correctly - five ingredient
meals. With the large number of three and four ingredient recipes at the
site, it's easy to whip up a meal using just five ingredients. These meals are
all new - and all delicious.
10/17/03
- The Weekend Cook - Indian Summer
This weekend's weather is going to
be just gorgeous where I live, so on the spur of the moment I've decided to put
together another edition of The Weekend Cook celebrating the flavors of fall.
Apples and pears, naturally, are the foods I immediately think of for fall
recipes and munching, so these flavors are featured in a weekend's worth of
menus.
10/13/03
- Start With - Sausages
Start With... series continues with easy and
delicious recipes for sausages, just in time for Oktoberfest. You'll also find a
chart listing different varieties of ethnic sausages, along with their type,
main ingredients, and preferred cooking method. Try Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
or Hot German Potato Salad for dinner this week.
10/10/03
- The Weekend Cook - Crockpot Weekend
The Weekend Cook returns with a
weekend's worth of menus using your crockpot(s) to their fullest capacity. Enjoy
breakfasts that cook overnight and flavorful, delicious entree recipes including
Breakfast Cobbler and Slow Cooker Gingered Beef.
10/06/03
- 30 Minute Meals
Yes, it is possible to make a complete meal in just
30 minutes. I've developed seven meals with timetables to feed your family fast.
My favorite meal is Pesto Penne with Peppers, Special Green Beans, and Blueberry
Shortbread Parfaits.
09/28/03
- Skillet Meals
With a skillet, a spoon, and a burner, you can make
delicious and easy meals in just a few minutes. Try any one of my recipes,
including Skillet Paella and Beefy Greek Skillet, or print out my mix-and-match
chart and invent your own skillet creation.
09/21/03
- Five Ingredient Soup Recipes
Soup is the perfect fall meal. It can
simmer away happily for hours, waiting for kids to get home from after-school
activities. And when the soup only calls for five ingredients, preparation is a
snap!
09/15/03
- Disaster Meals
A large hurricane is approaching the United States,
which made me think about disaster preparedness. Find tips to stocking a pantry
for emergency situations, a list of pantry staples, and some easy recipes that
you can make even if you lose power.
09/15/03 -
Cook Once, Eat Twice
As long as you're in the kitchen, why not cook
enough for two meals at once? These easy and elegant recipes for leftovers
aren't your mother's leftovers! Try Regine's Roast Pork or Myron's Crockpot
Roast Chicken, and accompanying leftover recipes, for dinner this week.
09/07/03
- Start With - Pork
The 'Start With...' series continues focusing on
pork chops, roasts, and tenderloin. Try Chinese Sliced Pork Sandwiches or Apple
Pork Chops for dinner this week.
08/31/03
- Make Ahead Breakfasts
Most schools around the country are starting
this week. To get ready, make one of these easy and delicious breakfasts ahead
of time and wake up to a healthy hot meal. Crockpot recipes, make-ahead
casseroles, breakfasts from the freezer, and quick breads are featured.
08/27/03
- Labor Day Cookout Menus
Labor Day is this weekend; do you have
plans? Try any of these easy and delicious celebration menus; one is totally
make-ahead (even the ribs!), one is cooked in crockpots, and the other is a
classic summer cookout.
08/19/03 - How
to Bake
NEW!! I'll teach you how to bake in 11 easy lessons that arrive
every day in your inbox. Just sign up and you can begin. Learn what ingredients
do in a batter, the best doneness tests, how to read a recipe, and you will
successfully bake four delicious items by the end of the course. Join us!
08/18/03 -
Impossible Pies
Impossible pies are a great invention for busy cooks
or those who just don't like making pie crusts. These great main dish and
dessert pies whip together in minutes and taste wonderful. Try Italian Chicken
Pie and Impossible French Apple Pie this week.
08/14/03
- The Power's Out!
It happens every summer; a large storm knocks out
power for a few hours. Very infrequently, there are major power outages across
the world. Learn how to best preserve your perishable food and when to discard
food so you are prepared.
08/09/03
- Fresh Salsa
If you're bored with the same old grilled meats, try
making a zippy new fresh fruit or vegetable salsa to serve with chicken, pork,
meat, or fish.
08/06/03
- How to Grocery Shop
Everyone needs to shop for groceries. Learn how
to compare prices, get the best value for your money, and avoid impulse buying
traps that are designed right into your local supermarket.
07/28/03
- Molded and Frozen Salads
Molded and frozen salads are great ideas
for easy, cool make-ahead breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and desserts. Try Carrot
Pineapple Salad, Divinity Frozen Fruit Salad, or Gazpacho Salad this week.
07/20/03
- Start With... Bagged Salads
I love all the different varieties and
flavors of prewashed and prepared salad greens in your grocer's produce aisle.
Use them as the basis of easy recipes like Salad Tacos or Scrambled Eggs with
Spinach.
07/14/03
- More Too Hot to Cook Recipes
We're in the dog days of summer now and
no cook recipes are just what we need. Try Italian Bread Salad or Cool Shrimp
Tacos for dinner tonight.
07/07/03
- Make Ahead Sandwich Spreads
Make ahead sandwich spreads are a great
way to feed your family when everybody has a different schedule and appetite,
and it's just too hot to cook.
06/26/03
- More Indoor Grill Recipes
As a result of overwhelming email
responses, find more recipes for dual contact indoor grills. Try Teriyaki
Chicken Sandwiches, Skewered Steak, or Angel S'mores on your own grill.
06/23/03
- Indoor Grill Recipes
Find tips, hints, and recipes for indoor
grills, especially the dual contact surface George Foreman grill.
06/20/03
- Three Ingredient Crockpot Recipes
Wow - with just three ingredients
and your crockpot you can make some really wonderful recipes. Try BBQ Beef
Sandwiches, Mexican Pork, or Peachy Sweet Potatoes this week.
06/15/03
- Start With - Ham
The 'Start With...' series continues with easy
summer recipes using cooked ham as a main ingredient. Try Grilled Ham with
Pineapple Salsa or Ham Melon Salad.
06/10/03
- More of My Easiest Recipes
More of my very easiest recipes that
combine just a few ingredients and heat or chill. Try Chicken Caesar Wraps or
Swiss Vegetable Soup for a quick dinner tonight.
06/05/03
- Five Ingredient Pasta Recipes
It's time to get back to basics -
recipes with as few ingredients as possible. Keep these easy pasta main dish and
salad recipes in mind for busy weeknight dinners.
05/28/03
- The Perfect Picnic
Summer is picnic time! Learn how to plan the best
picnic, how to pack a picnic basket, and find my favorite picnic menu, including
the Best Lemonade and Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake Cups.
05/25/03
- Burger Magic
Burgers have evolved beyond plain old ground beef
served with ketchup and mustard. Try Moroccan Turkey Burgers, Stuffed Pizza
Burgers, Pesto Burgers, or Juicy Onion Burgers on the grill tonight.
05/22/03
- Memorial Day Cookout
As part of The Weekend Cook series, find a
weekend's worth of menus to celebrate Memorial Day. Get your grill going with
Fruited Fish Kabobs and Grilled Cheese Bread, or go on a picnic with Cabbage
Tortellini Salad.
05/19/03
- Main Dish Salads
Main dish salads form the backbone of my summer
cooking. It's so wonderful to make dinner the night before or early in the
morning and let it chill and blend all day. Try Minestrone Salad or Barley, Wild
Rice and Black Bean Salad for dinner.
05/18/03
- Start With - Chicken Drumsticks
Start with chicken drumsticks, add a
few ingredients, and sit down to a delicious dinner in minutes. Drumsticks are
often very inexpensive and as a bonus, kids love them. Try Cheese Stuffed
Drumsticks or Hula Drumsticks for dinner tonight.
05/15/03
- Chicken on Sale!
This week's edition of The Weekend Cook focuses on
using frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts in recipes including Chicken
Risotto, Gemelli Chicken Melon Salad, and Risotto Cakes with Tomato Sauce (a
great leftover recipe).
05/12/03
- Start With - Fish Fillets
Fish fillets are the ideal Busy Cooks
food. They are mild, store well in the freezer, cook quickly, and adapt to any
flavor or cooking method. Try Spicy Fish Tacos, Red Snapper Veracruz, or Sole
with Walnut Butter for dinner tonight.
05/08/03
- Mother's Day - The Weekend Cook
This weekend, honor your mother with
this menu of elegant, easy, and foolproof recipes. Try my special Scrambled
Eggs, Turkey Cordon Bleu, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake for Mom's
special day.
05/01/03
- The Weekend Cook - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
This weekend, celebrate
Mexico's independence day with some fabulous Mexican-inspired recipes. Try
Mexican Peacocks, Santa Fe Chicken, or Chocolate Cinnamon Cake to treat your
family and friends.
04/28/03
- A Chicken In Every (Crock) Pot
Everybody loves chicken! Combine
chicken and your crockpot and you have tender, moist, delicious chicken ready
and waiting for you to devour as soon as you get home for dinner. Try Salsa
Chicken or Crockpot Jambalaya this week.
04/24/03
- The Weekend Cook - Treat Your Family Like Company
In this edition of
'The Weekend Cook', learn to enjoy cooking by paying attention to the sights,
sounds, and aromas of the kitchen. Treat your family to some special meals
including Chicken Roccoco and Apricot Waffles, and enjoy the weekend.
04/17/03
- The Weekend Cook - Eternity and Ham...
In this edition of 'The
Weekend Cook', find some easy crockpot recipes that will feed your family while
you prepare for the busy holiday weekend. Plus you'll find my favorite sandwich
bun recipe that makes fabulous ham sandwiches.
04/14/03
- Easter Recipes
Celebrate Easter with this collection of wonderful
recipes, including a totally crockpot dinner. Whether you are serving breakfast
to family after a sunrise service, or hosting a large Easter dinner, your guests
will love your menu.
04/13/03
- Passover Recipes
Celebrate Passover and welcome spring with this
collection of recipes from Bert Greene and Mimi Sheraton, among others. Perhaps
you'll find some recipes to add to your traditional seder dinner!
04/07/03
- Quick Bread Recipes
Quick breads are great for eating breakfast on
the run, for after school snacks, or tucking into lunchboxes as an alternative
to cakes or cookies. Try Fresh Apple Bread or Blueberry Muffins this week.
04/04/03 -
The Weekend Cook - Salmon and Asparagus
Join me for a new series at
Busy Cooks that will offer recipes and menu ideas for the more experienced cook.
This week you'll find a weekend's worth of spring menus that use leftovers in
creative ways.
04/02/03
- Start With - Canned Chicken
The Start With... series continues with
canned chicken as the basis for soups, sandwiches, salads, and a casserole or
two.
03/31/03
- Easy Cheesy Pizza
Pizza is a great idea for a quick dinner. With
these mix and match recipes, you can have your own hot, fresh, homemade pizza on
the table in less time than delivery - for about half the cost.
03/23/03
- More Comfort Foods
Comfort foods are an absolute necessity this
week, with world events keeping us all on edge. I have collected some of my very
favorite old recipes for you to try this week. Try Mrs. Coverlet's Bread
Pudding, Heavenly Cheese Mold, or Bean and Bacon Soup for some comfort of your
own.
03/13/03
- Corned Beef and Cabbage With a Twist
For St. Patrick's Day this
year, try a recipe or two with a twist on tradition. Corned beef and cabbage are
combined in new ways for some wonderful tastes. Try Corned Beef and Cabbage
Tarts or Corned Beef Stuffed Cabbage for your Irish celebration.
02/20/03
- Crockpot Meatball Recipes
Combine purchased, frozen fully cooked
meatballs and a few ingredients in your crockpot for wonderfully flavored and
super easy dinner ideas. Try Crockpot Meatball Sauerbraten or Crockpot Spaghetti
and Meatballs for dinner this week!
02/16/03
- Start With - Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are those funny, curly
inexpensive noodles with the seasoning packets that are so familiar to college
students. Did you know that you can use this ingredient as the basis for lots of
quick and easy recipes?
02/12/03
- Easy Chocolate Recipes
For many people, Valentine's Day is a great
excuse to eat lots of wonderful chocolate. These easy recipes include decadent
cakes, cookies, puddings, and some special crockpot recipes.
02/08/03
- Four Ingredient Crockpot Recipes
These easy crockpot appetizer,
entree, and side dish recipes use four ingredients or less. Try Double Corn
Stew, Enchilada Dip, or Meatball Soup this week!
02/03/03
- Valentine's Day Celebration
For the most romantic meal of the year,
choose this easy menu that is simple enough for the beginning cook. From Almost
Instant Fondue to Cashew Truffles, you and your sweetie will be delighted.
01/27/03
- My Favorite Crockpot Recipes
This collection of twelve crockpot
recipes include my favorites. They are recipes that I turn to when I want
comfort food on a cold and blustery day. All are easy and all are very
delicious!
01/14/03
- Start With - Pasta
The Start With... series continues with lots of
super easy recipes that use pasta as a starting point and end up with delicious
family entrees.
01/03/03
- An Anti-Super Bowl Party
Now I don't want to make football fans
angry, but there are some people who just aren't interested in the Super Bowl.
This party is for nonfans.
01/02/03
- Super Bowl Snacks
Football fans need snacks. And it's very easy to
make them happy. These traditional appetizers are great for munching during the
game. Put down the platters and get out of the way!
