Tuesday, February 17, 2026

A Guide to the Most Common Mushroom Varieties

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Mushrooms vary in size from teeny-tiny to large-and-in-charge. While you’ve probably seen all different sizes in the store, you might not know the difference in flavor, texture and use in cooking those different mushrooms possess."  Comment from Taste of Home

Since I love mushrooms so much, I am happy to have found a guide to learn more about mushrooms.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home article.



Hash Brown Chicken Casserole

 


Photo source:  Food Lovin Family

"Hash brown chicken casserole is a quick and easy meal that can be made with a few simple ingredients. A great recipe to use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken, this casserole is full of chicken, cheese, bacon, and topped with an amazing buttery cracker crust."  Comment from Food Lovin Family

Love this recipe . . . gotta try it!

Click here to go to the Food Lovin Family recipe page.



Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

 


Photo source: All Recipes

"This chicken and stuffing casserole transforms leftover Thanksgiving stuffing into a deliciously creamy, stick-together chicken and stuffing meal right in the crockpot."  Comment from All Recipes

Comfort food like this chicken and stuffing is one of my favorite foods.  Love to have this recipe for the slow cooker.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.



Cream Cheese Danish

 


Photo source:  Food Lovin Family

"My easy cream cheese danish recipe is one of my favorite bakery style treats to make at home. Flaky puff pastry with a cream cheese center and topped with a simple powdered sugar glaze. An easy but special pastry that is great for a brunch, holidays, or weekend breakfast."  Comment from Food Lovin Family

The Cream Cheese Danish recipe looks easy, fast and delicious.

Click here to go to the Food Lovin Family recipe page.



Puff Pastry Garlic Knots

 


Photo source:  Plain Chicken


"Warm, flaky, and loaded with garlic and cheese! This is the easiest side dish you’ll make all week. Just roll, twist, bake, and watch them disappear! Perfect with pasta night, cozy soups, or dipped in warm marinara."  Comment from Plain Chicken

Looks like a winner to me!

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.



Ham Puffs

 


Photo source:  Food Lovin Family

"My ham puffs are a tasty little bite that’s perfect for just about any occasion. Easy to make and full of flavor, they are a great finger food for parties, brunch, and holidays. A simple recipe that can be made in about 30 minutes."  Comment from Food Lovin Family

Those cute little ham puffs are the perfect appetizer and the recipe sounds delicious.

Click here to go to the Food Lovin Family recipe page.





Air Fryer Mushrooms

 


Photo Source:  The Recipe Critic

"I never thought I liked mushrooms… until I made these air fryer mushrooms. With garlic parmesan, they’re juicy, tender, and downright addictive. Even the mushroom skeptics at your table will be fighting over the last bite!"  Comment from The Recipe Critic

Those mushrooms look delicious!  I love them so much . . . I could make a meal of just mushrooms

Click here to go to The Recipe Critic recipe page.



Peanut Butter Fudge

 


Photo source:  House of Nash Eats

"With its classic creamy texture and perfect balance of peanut butter flavor and sweetness, it is the best homemade fudge, and I know you’re going to love it too!"  Comment from House of Nash Eats

Peanut Butter Fudge brings back happy memories of my teenage years when I took my little brother to the state fair.  They had the best Peanut Butter Fudge I have ever had.  It would be awesome if this fudge is as good.

Click here to go to the House of Nash Eats recipe page.



Creamsicle Orange Cookies

 


Photo source:  Mom On Timeout

"These soft and chewy Creamsicle Orange Cookies are so easy to make and have a lovely orange and vanilla flavor – just like your favorite popsicle!  These Creamsicle Cookies are the perfect cookie for holidays, parties or just a sweet afternoon treat!"  Comment from Mom On Timeout

They look delicious and I can't wait to see if they taste like my favorite popsicle!

Click here to go to the Mom On Timeout recipe page.




Monday, February 16, 2026

Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble with tortillas and bake. Top with lettuce and tomatoes if desired."  Comment from Taste of Home

I have never had a beef enchilada since I usually tend to go for pork or chicken enchilada.  Look forward to making a beef enchilada.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.



Slow Cooker Roast Beef and Gravy

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Only four simple ingredients are required for this slow-cooked roast beef and gravy recipe—that’s it. Add them to the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a flavorful, fork-tender roast beef dinner. This simple recipe is ideal for a busy weeknight meal (and will leave plenty of leftovers!). But it’s also perfect for a Sunday night dinner with the whole family when you’re craving a cozy and comforting meal just like Grandma used to make."  Comment from Taste of Home

When I first got my slow cooker, I made roast beef and gravy all the time.  It was like a new toy.  Both my husband and I loved having it at least once a week for a long time.  We would invite people over for dinner as an excuse to make it.  Only another foodie would understand.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.



Slow Cooker Roast Chicken


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"This slow-cooker roast chicken recipe is a great option when you’re short on time but still want a hearty and satisfying meal. Combining a whole chicken with a savory blend of herbs and vegetables, this simple recipe results in a juicy, flavorful roast chicken that delivers all the comfort you crave from the convenience of your slow cooker.

With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep and a few hours of hands-off cooking, you’ll have a perfectly cooked whole chicken infused with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices that perfectly hits the spot. Plus, there are plenty of leftover chicken recipes that are incredibly versatile, making for easy meal planning throughout the week."  Comment from Taste of Home

I love making a roast chicken that stretches to many meals.  Slow cooking makes it so tender and juicy.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.




Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Chinese pepper steak is a dish known for its tender meat, and what better way to achieve melt-in-your-mouth results than cooking that meat in your slow cooker? Not only does your handy-dandy slow cooker make it easy to get dinner on the table without having to put in a lot of work, but these machines make it easy to slow-cook meat to absolute perfection, especially when it comes to this slow-cooker pepper steak recipe."  Comment from Taste of Home

Love pepper steak!  Never made it at home, but would love to.  This recipe looks like a winner since it is made in the slow cooker and the ingredients have the chance to mix together well.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.




Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home


"Some things are just worth waiting for, and the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches you’ll end up with after a multi-hour cooking process following this pulled pork sandwich recipe are evidence of that if anything ever has been. Tangy, sweet, savory and downright delicious, this pulled pork will have you happy you learned to be patient."  Comment from Taste of Home

Pulled pork sandwiches are one of my favorite things.  Love that this recipe takes it from the beginning in the slow cooker.  I would love to make my own!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page



Slow Cooker Pork and Black Bean Nachos

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare."  Comment from Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia for Taste of Home

These nachos look delicious, but I would like some melted cheese on top.  Gonna try this!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.




Sunday, February 15, 2026

Hot Fudge Cake

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Ooey, gooey and chocolatey to its core, this hot fudge cake is pure decadence. Our recipe bakes a homemade fudge sauce right into the tender chocolate cake—so there’s no need to whip up a cake and cook a separate hot fudge sauce to drizzle on later. It’s kind of like one big chocolate lava cake with its pool of molten chocolate swirled all the way through. Like I said, pure decadence."  Comment from Taste of Home

Get me some vanilla ice cream to go with this awesome cake!

Click here to go to the Taste of Home recipe page.



Chicken Pot Pie Recipe Collection UPDATED


Photo source:  Betty Crocker


 
Chicken Pot Pie from Camirras Kitchen


Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite meals that I could probably eat every day.  I can't say that about most meals.

Following is a list of many versions of Chicken Pot Pie from reliable websites.  I can't believe there are so many!  If you love Chicken Pot Pie like I do, check out these awesome recipes!



Classic Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Easy Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Gluten-Free Hearty Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Tater Tots Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Hearty Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Buffalo Chicken Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuits - Betty Crocker

Slow Cooker Upside-Down Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Skillet Spinach Alfredo Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Crescent Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Gluten-Free Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Chicken and Biscuits Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Chicken Pot Pie with Herb and Cheddar Crust - Betty Crocker 

Mini Chicken Pot Pie - Betty Crocker

Chicken Pie from Trisha Yearwood - Food Network

Chicken Pot Pie from Ina Garten - Food Network

Chicken Pot Pie from Pioneer Woman

Chicken Pot Pie - Natasha's Kitchen

Homestyle Pot Pie from Paula Deen

Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pie from Paula Deen

Classic Chicken Pot Pie from Paula Deen

Classic Chicken Pot Pie Recipe from Everyday Cheapskate

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie from Taste of Home




 








Gulf Coast Style Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

 


Photo source:  House of Nash Eats

"This easy sheet pan shrimp boil is loaded with juicy shrimp, sweet corn, tender potatoes, and smoky andouille sausage, roasted in the oven with classic Old Bay seasoning for a flavor-packed, no-mess dinner. It’s a one-pan meal that’s perfect for summer nights, meal planning, or laid-back entertaining with friends."

"Different regions take slightly different approaches in terms of flavors and how a shrimp boil is served. My version is closest in flavor to shrimp boils you might find along the Gulf Coast in states like Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, or the Florida panhandle where they are heavy on the use of spices like Old Bay or Zatarain’s and frequently pair it with citrus like lemon or orange slices for brightness.

In Louisiana, shrimp boils are fiery and bold, with even more spice. You’ll notice at lot more cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, and bay leaves, along with a bottle of hot sauce on the table.

In South Carolina and Georgia, this dish is often referred to as “Frogmore Stew” or “Lowcountry Boil” and it’s much more mild, focusing the flavors more on the combination of shrimp and smoked sausage."

  Comments from House of Nash Eats


This is my kind of meal with all the shrimp, corn and potatoes!!  I've had this meal before at Red Lobster, which was excellent, but have never made it myself.  Love, love, love!!!

Click here to go to the House of Nash Eats recipe page.



Grilling/Smoking . . . A Collection of Recipes UPDATED




This post was originally written in 2015


There is nothing like the aroma of grilling/smoking meats outdoors.  The Captain and I recently treated ourselves to a grill/smoker since he is a master at smoking meats on the grill.

No gas grill here, we love the taste and aroma of meats prepared on a wood fire.  Since we will be putting our grill/smoker to good use, I have been looking for great grilling/smoking recipes.

from Todd + Dianne White On Rice Couple


From Smoke Grill BBQ

Smoked Shrimp Kabobs

Smoked Chicken 

Smoked Beef




Burgers 101: How to Grill Burgers

from House of Nash Eats




More to come!


Ribs - Informative Info and Recipes UPDATED



Click here for an excellent article on cuts of pork ribs.  Also cooking tips from Pork.net.

Click here for an article on country ribs and more recipes from Spend With Pennies.

from Food Network, Giada De Laurentiis

Pork Ribs 
a collection from Woolworths.com, Australia

Oven Pork Ribs with Barbeque Sauce
from recipetineats.com

from Southern Living

from Martha Stewart

I will be adding more info and recipes for ribs.