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Lemon Seed Cake

Angela started me thinking about lemon recipes, especially given my post on the home blog today. Like Angela I am a big fan of lemons in just about anything, so I thought I’d share with you another favorite lemon recipe. This cake has a slightly unusual combination but it’s one I’ve found people really like, mainly because it’s something a bit different. It doesn’t need icing or frosting, as it has syrup poured over it. Of course as usual, this is a gluten free version. So if you are not gluten free, then simply substitute the self raising gluten free … Continue reading →

Simple and Affordable Seasonal Fun

Summer 2012 officially ends on Friday. However, that doesn’t mean the end of outdoor family fun. Fall marks the start of apple and pumpkin-picking season. Whether you live in the north, south or mid-Atlantic, the nation is teeming with farms that allow visitors of all ages to pick their own produce. These u-pick farms offer fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable prices. What’s more, you will be able to bond with your clan in the great outdoors, which is a priceless experience for most folks. In addition, if you have kids, visiting a farm is a great way to show … Continue reading →

Spring Garden Party

For Easter, my 7-year-old daughter received a small terra cotta pot filled with plastic grass, seed packets, a hand rake, some gloves and a bunch of chocolate flowers. The candy is gone, but we’re now anxiously waiting for peppers to sprout from the pot. The cute gift came courtesy of my sister-in-law, and was nice change from the traditional Easter baskets. However, I think it would be equally appropriate to hand out as a favor at a spring garden party. In fact, you could go one better and have young guests decorate the pots with glitter glue, paint, markers, sequins, … Continue reading →

Making the Most of Your Apple Haul

Making apple tarts, pies, and cakes is fun for the whole family, but what happens when you exhaust all of your favorite recipes and you still have more than 20 pounds of the shiny red fruit leftover? If you are my neighbor, you invite a bunch of kids from the cul-de-sac to your home and let them go wild making every apple craft known to man, including some of my family’s favorites suitable for children of all ages (and an adult to supervise), such as: APPLE CANDLEHOLDERS Materials: Large red apples Candles Waxed paper Potato peeler Apple corer Lemon juice … Continue reading →

Don’t Be Fooled By Size

Sometimes we can be fooled by thinking the biggest is the best. It ‘Ain’t Necessarily So,’ to quote an old Normie Rowe song from the 1960s. Lately I’ve been having orange juice with breakfast each day in an attempt to build up vitamin C and not end up with colds and flu. Recently we bought some navel oranges. Large and orange they looked beautiful. They were sadly disappointing. One large orange and I was lucky to get even half a glass of orange juice from it. At first I thought it was just me but even with the electric juicer, … Continue reading →

Three Yummy Low Fat Recipes

It is not realistic to think everyone who needs to loose weight is willing to give up comfort foods. Instead of denying yourself, I believe it’s best to alter recipes to make a healthy yet delicious alternative. What we eat is key to how we feel and how we look. Below are three recipes to help you feel full and satisfied but will not contribute to your waistline. Low Fat Full Flavor Garlic Mashed Potatoes 5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes 6 oz. fat free cream cheese 8 oz. fat free sour cream ½ Cup fat free half and half (you … Continue reading →

International Chicken Salads

I love the Cheesecake Factory’s Luau Salad (and not just because I was born and raised in Hawaii). The culinary creation is piled high with grilled chicken, mixed greens, cucumbers, red and yellow peppers, green beans, carrots, mouthwatering mango and crisp wontons. It’s topped with macadamia nuts and sesame seeds, and dressed with a to die for vinaigrette. The problem is, it’s not cheap. Sure, the portion size is generous, but I always get a tinge of guilt ordering it because it’s something that I could easily make at home (save for the wontons). I’m the type of person who … Continue reading →

Build a Better Burger

When it comes to grilling, nothing tastes better than a thick, juicy hamburger. Burgers are almost impossible to ruin on the grill, and they can be tailored to suit individual tastes. Cheese lovers can pile on the dairy to make their burgers moo-licious, while seafood fans can nix the beef all together and opt for a salmon or crab burger. The following simple recipes illustrate how you can build a better burger in your own backyard: TEX MEX CHEESEBURGERS Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Salt and pepper 4 hamburger buns, … Continue reading →

Memorial Day Weekend Burger Bonanza

Ready, set, grill. The start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend is still a couple of days away, but my neighbors are already firing up their grill. The warm weather means more families will be cooking outdoors, grilling up summer favorites, including burgers, brats and steak. If you are planning on doing some grillin’ and chillin’ this long weekend, consider the following fabulous burger recipes: BACON AVOCADO BURGERS Ingredients: 1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon pepper 2 pounds lean ground beef 6 slices American cheese 2 onions, sliced 2 tomatoes, sliced 12 pieces cooked bacon … Continue reading →

Simple Brunch Recipes

Many families typically “do” brunch on Sundays only. But recent studies show that since the economy took a nosedive, brunch has become a popular midweek meal. Experts maintain that the mid-morning meal eliminates the need to serve both breakfast and lunch and the type of foods served at brunch are relatively inexpensive to prepare. With that said I’ve decided to share some of my favorite brunch recipes. They are a cinch to make and can be doubled or tripled to accommodate large groups. EASY QUICHE LORRAINE Ingredients: 1 (9-inch) pie crust, partially baked in a pie plate 8 slices bacon, … Continue reading →