Friday, December 12, 2025

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

 


Photo source: Taste of Home

"When it comes to planning dinner, it’s often tricky to find a filling, nourishing meal that will appeal to kids and feature a few veggies. Kind of a cross between chicken pot pie and Midwestern hot dish recipes, this chicken Tater Tot casserole ticks every box. It’s pure comfort food that even the pickiest eaters will love" - description of recipe by Taste of Home

Gotta love it if it contains tater tots, chicken and cream of chicken soup!   Love that it is easy and can be frozen for another even easier meal.  And look at that presentation!

Click here to go to recipe page with lots of information including everything you want to know about freezing and storing the casserole.



Hot and Spicy Hush Puppies from the Neelys


Recipe and photo courtesy The Neelys . . . The Food Network

Show: Down Home with the Neelys


Hush puppies are the perfect compliment to a seafood meal, at least they are in my opinion. 

I really miss The Neelys on The Food Network.  However, those episodes are on the website as well as this episode which is available on video as well as the recipe you can print out.  Just click on the link above.



 

White Chocolate-Cherry Shortbread Cookie

 


Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"When the cookie tray needs some sparkle, turn to this festive recipe. A Christmas classic goes from traditional to fabulous when dipped in melted white chocolate and rolled in nonpareils and edible glitter. The slightly fruity treat is one of our most popular cookie recipes of all time." - description of cookie from Better Homes and Gardens.

Sounds like this is the perfect gift-giving, delicious Christmas/holiday cookie.  And it makes such a beautiful presentation.

Click here to go to the recipe page.





Basic Thumbprint Cookies

 


Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens

"One of the most common answers to "What is your favorite Christmas cookie?" has to be "Thumbprints!" Not only can these sweets be baked and frozen up to three months in advance for a stress-free season, but they can also be dressed up with all kinds of flavor combos. Might we recommend lemon-coconut, almond-cherry, or peanut butter and jelly?" - description of recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Love the fact that they are so easy to make ahead and freeze, also so many variations are possible.  They are a very versatile cookie.

The beautiful photo with different versions of the same cookie gave me an idea for homemade gift-giving package . . . make different versions and make packages mixing them up.  It would make an awesome colorful presentation.

Click here to go to the recipe page.

Roasted Pork Shoulder (Italian-Style)


Photo source: Sip and Feast

 "Whether you’re making a holiday feast or want to change up your Sunday dinner, my Roasted Pork Shoulder is the recipe to try. The pork is roasted until tender, seasoned with orange, sage, rosemary, and fennel seeds, and finished with a simple gravy. This is the roast you’ll make on repeat!" - description of recipe from Jim at Sip and Feast.

One of my favorite meals is roast pork with black beans (frijoles negros) and white rice.  My recipe for mojo roast pork is here and my recipe for black beans is here.

Click here to go to the recipe page where Jim provides lots of photos to go with his instructions.  Love his explanation of the different cuts of meat.  Check out Jim's You Tube Channel, one of my favorites, click here.








Deep-Dish Apple Pie

 




Photo source: Taste of Home

"If your favorite part of a classic apple pie is the filling, where all those soft apples are covered in a cinnamon-sugar sauce, then you need to make our very best deep-dish apple pie recipe. A deep-dish apple pie is baked in, well, a deep dish, like a 13×9-inch pan. This means there’s a lot more room to pile in a mountain of apples, so there’s even more filling. Of course, the quintessential flaky pie crust is baked right on top until it’s golden brown and the filling becomes bubbly and thick" - description of this recipe by Taste of Home.

Anything with a good apple pie filling is good for me . . . but this pie looks extra special.  Does it get any better than this?

Click here to go to the recipe.


Butter Pecan Cheesecake


Photo source: Taste of Home
Originally published as Butter Pecan Cheesecake in Country Woman October/November 2011, p32


One of my favorite ice cream flavors is rich and buttery butter pecan . . . I can imagine a cheesecake with that awesome flavor!

This cheesecake, which comes from Taste of Home, is a strong contender for our holiday dessert table this year.  We just might make it before the holidays!

Click here to go to the recipe.  

Let me know if you try it out!




Cream Cheese Coffee Cake


Photo source: America's Test Kitchen



There is something about cream cheese that automatically
wants me to try a new recipe.  When I found this recipe on
Pinterest, it was calling my name!

You can never go wrong with a recipe that comes from
America's Test Kitchen.

Click here to go to the recipe page of Joyful Baker.

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Raspberry Crumble Bars


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"This recipe for raspberry crumble bars features a thick layer of raspberry filling over a tender, baked crust. A crumbly topping, which browns and puffs in the oven, dots the top of the mixture. These bars are quick enough to make on a weeknight and can be adapted to star whatever fruit is in season." Description of recipe by Taste of Home.

These bars look delicious and would be perfect for breakfast.

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


Fried Potatoes And Onions

 


Photo source: Southern Living

"Every Southerner has their own recipe for fried potatoes and onions. It's one passed from cook to cook, learned by watching, not written technique. After all, fried potatoes and onions aren't just a side dish—they're a piece of Southern culinary history, with each family's recipe reflecting their unique combination of seasonings and technique" - Elizabeth Nelson, recipe creator.  Click here to go to the recipe page at Southern Living.

My version of this recipe follows.


Yes, I have my own fried potatoes and onions version of this recipe that is very similar with a few differences.  Please note, I do not measure anything and don't put a strict time on anything.  It is all taste and season as you cook with your preferred seasonings.  Personally, I season with garlic powder and very little salt.  I cook on medium heat, adjust as necessary and don't leave it unattended.

1.  Cut potatoes in bite sized pieces and cook them with a little butter in the microwave for about 6 or 7 minutes.  I don't always peel the potatoes, but sometimes I do.

2. While potatoes are cooking, peel and slice onion.  

3. A twist to my recipe . . . slice mushrooms, whatever type you like.  Leave it out if you don't like them.  Sometimes I add green pepper or poblano pepper to make it extra special.

4. Sauté and caramelize the onions and mushrooms in butter.

5.  After potatoes have cooked until almost tender in the microwave, add to the caramelizing onions and mushrooms.  Add more butter if necessary.

6.  Sauté on medium heat until the potatoes are browned and crispy.  I can't really say how long this takes.  Stir often and nurture it, you don't want it to burn.  Don't walk away from it either.

I hope that made sense!  This has been the method I've used since I was a teenager.  Potatoes are one of my favorite foods.




Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits

 


Photo source: Taste of Home

"In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations" - comment from Melissa Rogers, the recipe creator.

This southern girl loves grits!  I've mentioned in another grits recipe that I love them so much I make a pot of them, add cheese and butter and that is my meal.  This recipe is on my list of new recipes to try.

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



Pecan Pie Coffee Cake

 


Photo source:  Bake or Break

"If you love pecan pie but don’t always want to fuss with a traditional pie crust, this pecan pie coffee cake is the answer. It’s part cozy coffee cake, part gooey pecan pie, and completely irresistible. A fluffy buttermilk cake base bakes up light and soft, then gets topped with a rich, pecan-filled mixture that soaks into the cake for layers of flavor and texture in every bite" - description of recipe from Bake or Break.

Click here to go to the recipe page.


Foods You Didn't Know You Could Cook in an Air Fryer

 


Photo source: Martha Stewart

Some of the foods surprised me and some I already knew about.  My air fryer is large enough to fit some Corning ware.  Individual silicone cupcake liners are for more than just cupcakes.  My stove is rarely turned on anymore since I have tried to find ways to bake most of what I want within reason.  I still haven't mastered baking a frozen pizza in there.

The article is from Martha Stewart.com.  Click here to go to the article and be amazed at all you can cook in your air fryer.



Copycat Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken

 


Photo Source: Maria's Mixing Bowl

"We love Texas Roadhouse; it has quickly become one of our favorite restaurants. However, it can be pricey, so we decided to make some copycats of our favorites" - comment from Maria.

That chicken dish looks delicious, just missing some mashed potatoes.

This recipe comes from Maria's Mixing Bowl.  Click here to go to the recipe page.



Leftovers That Spoil Faster Than You Think

 


"Leftovers are a normal part of cooking, but that’s especially true during the holidays when refrigerators are packed with half-finished casseroles, carved turkey, and your favorite starch-filled sides. And while many dishes stay safe for up to a week in the fridge, some leftovers do not have the long shelf life we tend to assume" comment about food safety and leftovers from Real Simple.

Click here to go to the informative article and find out which leftovers do not have a long shelf life. 
 

More article links:

Here's How Long Your Leftover Turkey Will Last in the Refrigerator and Freezer

How Long Common Leftovers Last in the Fridge, from Chicken to Pizza





White Chocolate Bark

 


Photo source: Taste of Home

"White chocolate bark is a home run for holiday season gifting. The combination of dried cranberries and walnuts is wonderful, but you could easily customize your bark with any other additions you like" - description of the recipe from Taste of Home.

Gotta love those versatile recipes you can customize and make  your own creation.

Click here to go to the recipe.




How to Quickly and Safely Bring Butter to Room Temperature - And Only Way to Store Butter

 


"If you've ever decided to 
bake a batch of cookies at the last minute, you know that bringing a stick or two of butter to room temperature safely and quickly is important—but it's also tricky business" comment from editors at Martha Stewart.com.  

Click here to find out how to bring butter to room temperature the quick and safe way according to a representative of Land O'Lakes Butter.




"I realized, for all my butter love, I had no idea how long it could be left unrefrigerated. So I conferred with a culinary content specialist at Land O’ Lakes, Tonja Engen, to get some answers" - comment from Stella Totino of Simply Recipes.

Click here to find out the only way you should store butter according to Land O'Lakes. 






Secret To Silky Smooth Melted Chocolate

 


Photo source: Simply Recipes

The recipe comes from Simply Recipes and they have this comment about melting chocolate - "The number one mistake people make when melting chocolate is giving it too much heat. Too much heat can cause chocolate to burn, and when that happens, there’s no turning back."

Click here to go to the recipe page and find out what the secret is to successfully melting chocolate according to French pastry chef and master chocolatier Jacques Torres.




How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough

 


Photo source: Better Homes and Gardens


"Frozen cookies, baked or unbaked, save the day when you don’t have time to bake a batch or when you want to get a head start on the holiday baking season" - description of the article from Better Homes and Gardens.

This is an excellent article that goes into every aspect of preparing for the baking season.

Click here to go to the article.

The Captain is still with us in spirit
and I honor his place in my life.


Gina's Crispy Cornmeal Fried Shrimp



Originally posted August 2011


My favorite meal . . . love it with a baked potato, corn, hush puppies and of course, lots of tartar sauce.

The way I make my fried shrimp, which I also use to pan fry fish and chicken fingers.  There is something about the corn meal that gives it that perfect texture and the Cajun seasoning (I use red cayenne pepper) gives it just enough spice.  

The other thing I do is use a generous amount of dill (sorry, I don't measure) in the flour mixture and a little garlic salt.  I love using dill when cooking seafood!  

I have a few variations.  When I'm in a real hurry, I don't even dip it in egg first . . . it still works well.  Sometimes I marinate the shrimp or fish in a little olive oil, lemon and dill for around 15 minutes instead of using the egg dip.  It gives a different dimension of flavor that is delicious and goes well with tartar sauce.

It is very important when cooking shrimp . . . do not overcook!  I have found that a total of 3 to 4 minutes is enough.  Quick and easy :)




Directions


In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup flour, ¼ cup cornmeal, and 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning.


Dip 1 pound raw peeled and deveined medium or large shrimp in 2 beaten eggs, then coat in the cornmeal mixture.


In a skillet, cook the shrimp in ½ inch of oil until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. 


Serve with tartar sauce.