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Easy Potluck Party Recipes

My family will be attending a retirement party potluck later this week. My young daughter is hoping that there will be plenty of desserts there since we were selected to bring an appetizer. I assured her that there would be more dessert options at the party than her little stomach could possibly hold. She was thrilled. That’s the beauty of potlucks—-variety. Still, I always get nervous preparing dishes to pass because I’m afraid that someone might not like what I’ve made… save for the two recipes I’ve listed below. The Sunburst Taco Dip and Easy Pasta Bake are two of … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Appetizers

The turkey is the star of any Thanksgiving buffet, but before you can get Tom the bird to the dinner table, you might consider offering the following appetizers to your holiday guests. The pre-dinner eats are simple to make and can be served well in advance of your Thanksgiving feast, so as to not ruin anyone’s appetite. CRAB AND SHRIMP STUFFED MUSHROOMS Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely diced onion 1/4 cup finely diced celery 1/4 cup finely diced red pepper 2 tablespoons chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

You may have finished your Thanksgiving grocery shopping days ago, but there are many home cooks who are still scrambling to piece together their Turkey Day feast. I know because I just drove past a parking lot full of them outside our local market. (Hard-core shoppers and it’s not even Black Friday yet.) Regardless, it just goes to show that there are some people out there who have yet to finalize their Thanksgiving menu yet. If you are still searching for the perfect dessert to share on this day of giving thanks, then consider the simple pumpkin creations listed below: … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Menu: Then and Now

Leave it to domestic diva Martha Stewart to school her own cooking guest about the dishes served up at the very first Thanksgiving dinner… on national TV. Did you see Stewart doling out her on-air corrections last week? Whereas I felt bad for the visiting chef, I did learn a lot about what was really on that first Thanksgiving menu. Did you know that the Thanksgiving holiday as we know it is only about 150 years old? Back in 1863, following a stalwart campaign by Sarah Josepha Hale (a writer best known for penning “Mary Had a Little Lamb”), then … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Vegetables

As much as your children would rather you forget them all together, vegetables are a vital part of a traditional Thanksgiving spread. While my brother’s tot will happily munch on carrots sticks (drowned in Ranch dressing) as though he were part rabbit, my preschooler needs to be bribed to take even a nibble of the crunchy orange vegetable. This is why our family meals such as Thanksgiving must include a variety of veggie dishes. The first one I’m sharing with you is the only carrot recipe my daughter will eat. Once you scan the ingredients you’ll see why. The second … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Gourmet Appetizers

What time do you eat Thanksgiving dinner? Some families dine as early as 2 p.m. while others wait to break bread at the traditional dinner hour. If your family waits until after the Turkey Day football games are over before digging into your Thanksgiving spread, you aren’t alone. I’ve spent many Thanksgivings with families who wait until late evening to eat their holiday feasts. In most cases it’s planned that way because it takes that long for guests to get their appetites back after chowing down on tasty appetizers. The following recipes are not your average chip and dip, mini-meatball … Continue reading →

Labor Day Potluck Picks

Don’t let the last unofficial weekend of summer go by without taking advantage of perfect picnic weather. Gather the clan and head to the park or beach for a Labor Day potluck. The following simple dishes are sure to be winners at your holiday fiesta. Not only are they portable and tasty, but also, you don’t need utensils to feast on them: TEXAS CAVIAR Ingredients: 1 can black-eyed peas, drained 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup celery, finely sliced 1 green bell pepper, finely diced 1 tomato, diced 1 small onion, finely diced 3 chopped scallions, divided … Continue reading →

School’s Out Party Foods

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks. When the school bell rang today, thousands of students in my neck of the woods grabbed their backpacks and ran like heck straight into summer vacation. Whether your child has already been released from his educational “prison” or is very close to wrapping up the school year, there’s no time like the present to celebrate the start of summer vacation. The following sweet treats are ideal to serve your summer lovin’ students as they close the books on another school year: DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups vegetable … Continue reading →

End of the School Year Treats

The school year is winding down for kids across the country. For students, this means days filled with field trips and parties. For parents, it means remembering to make or buy treats for those end of the school year celebrations. If you are looking for simple, affordable and tasty snacks to contribute to your children’s school gathering, consider making the following cookie recipes. They don’t require a lot of skill… or money. COCONUT OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Ingredients: 4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened 3 Tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 … Continue reading →

Simple Party Snacks

Whether you are celebrating a graduation, birthday or anniversary, the following simple recipes will help you get the party started without breaking the bank: FETA ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped 8 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 chopped Roma tomato 2 chopped green onions Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients together. Place mixture in a pie pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes and green onions. Serve warm … Continue reading →