Chocolate Cheesecake

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Why buy a frozen cheesecake when you can make an even better fresh cheesecake at home? This easy chocolate cheesecake recipe is decadently delicious and loaded with chocolate flavor."  Comment from Taste of Home

This cheesecake looks absolutely delicious!  As much as I love cheesecake, I have never had chocolate cheesecake.  Since I found the chocolate chip cheesecake many decades ago, that is all I would make.  I need to expand my horizons.

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

Cannoli Cake Semi-Homemade

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender layers of this rich cannoli cake, which (surprise!) starts with a packaged mix."  Comment from Taste of Home

This is going to be my new favorite cake.  That chocolate-studded cannoli filling sold me.

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

DIY In-N-Out Burger at Home

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Craving that iconic Double-Double but not the drive or the line? Bring it home instead! Juicy beef, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, tangy pickles, and that legendary sauce come together in a burger that hits all the right notes. Bonus: you get to control every layer (and yes, double-ups are totally encouraged). Homemade, satisfying, and way cheaper than the drive-thru. Just how I like it!"  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

Since I live in Florida where there are no In And Out Burger restaurants, I can't wait to try this since I have heard so much about their burger.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate recipe page.

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

 

Photo source:  Easy Chicken Recipes

"Making the creamy garlic parmesan pasta sauce from scratch is totally easy, and it balances out the heat of the Cajun chicken so well. This dish can easily be made with penne or another pasta, and I have a delicious chicken and shrimp pasta version I love too!"

Love this type of chicken creamy pasta meal and will be trying this version soon.

Click here to go to the Easy Chicken Recipes recipe page.

Sausage Gravy Breakfast Lasagna

 

Photo source:  The Food Network

"Layers of sausage gravy, cheese and noodles work so magically together, you'll wonder why you never ate lasagna for breakfast before. Three different types of cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan and mozzarella) work together to ensure you'll have a bubbling lasagna with crisp edges. For easy preparation, use no-bake lasgana noodles."  Comment from The Food Network

I'm wondering why I didn't think of this.  This breakfast lasagna looks delicious!

Click here to go to The Food Network recipe page.

Lemony Butter Cookies

 

Photo source:  Food and Wine

"This simple lemon butter cookie recipe is made from only a handful of ingredients. That means for the flavor to really shine, it's especially important you use fresh lemon juice and high-quality butter."  Comment from Food and Wine

Butter cookies with lemon flavor sounds good to me.

Click here to go to the Food and Wine recipe page.

Chocolate and Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Photo source:  Closet Cooking

 

"Shortbread filled with maraschino cherries and chocolate and optionally drizzled with or dipped in more chocolate."  Comment from Closet Cooking

So many awesome ingredients go into this cookie that is has to be good.  

Click here to go to the Closet Cooking recipe page.

Italian Almond Cookies (Amaretti)

 

Photo source:  Savoring Italy

"Every bite of these delightful cookies with a delicate almond flavor will transport you all the way to Sicily. The cookies are naturally dairy free and gluten free. These Italian almond cookies are also made with only 5 ingredients!"  Comment from Savoring Italy

These cookies take me back to my childhood.  I have not had these cookies since I was a kid.  Love it when I find these unexpected treasures.

Click here to go to the Savoring Italy recipe page.

How to Make Homemade Pasta

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"Fresh homemade pasta has a unique bite that you just can't get from dried pasta. And making noodles by hand isn't really all that hard. Here's how to make homemade pasta, with and without a pasta machine to roll out the dough."  Comment from All Recipes

The Captain and I used to make homemade pasta all the time.  We would call it a date night kind of thing and it can be a lot of fun.  It isn't that it is difficult . . . it is time consuming.  Just set aside some time and make it a fun thing.  The results are delicious. 

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page that is way more than just a recipe.  The article is a detailed tutorial on making the pasta with or without a pasta machine.

The Best Way To Store Cookies To Keep Them Fresh

 

Photo source:  Simply Recipes

After all that trouble you go through to bake those delicious cookies, the last thing you want is for them to go bad and have to throw them away because you didn't store them properly.

There is more to storing cookies than you would think.  Simple Recipes goes into the details of storing your cookies. 

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes informative article to save you from losing your cookies.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/how-to-store-cookies-expert-11858960

Healthy Appetizer Recipes

 

Photo source:  The Food Network

"Entertain the smart way with these healthy appetizer recipes from Food Network."  Comment from The Food Network

Many of us are changing our lifestyle by considering replacing bad choices with good ones.  For me, it has been replacing sugar with stevia, zero sugar and lower fat or no fat products for the less healthy choices.  It is making small changes instead of looking at it as a "diet" since it should be seen as a lifestyle change.  At least that is how I see it.  The article will give you ideas for healthier alternatives as a guideline.

Click here to go to The Food Network's article.

Loaded Breakfast Puff Pastry

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This breakfast pastry is like if a hot pocket and a croissant had a breakfast baby. Puff pastry is stuffed with scrambled eggs, hash browns, and cheese, brushed with egg wash, and baked in the oven for a delicious breakfast treat."  Comment from All Recipes

This is one of those awesome things that makes me wonder why didn't I think of that.  I'm going to have to try this as soon as I order some puff pastry.  It looks super delicious!

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.

The Right Way to Store Avocados, Whether They're Ripe, Unripe, or Already Sliced

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"Knowing how to store avocados is key to enjoying them. Ahead, discover how to store them correctly to ensure yours are perfectly ripe the next time you need one for a recipe. Plus, how to store guacamole, how to prevent avocados from browning, and whether you can freeze them."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

Avocados are one of the healthiest snacks and I eat several a day, so I buy a lot of them.  They are always delivered to me unripe and take days to ripen.  So I buy them every couple of days in order for them to ripen at the intervals that I want.  Now I know how to store them!

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com page to find out how to store them.

Spicy Mexican Shrimp Pasta

 

Photo source: Serious Eats

"This pasta's got a lot going on: It's spicy, buttery, citrusy, and brimming with shrimp flavor. And somehow, despite its cross-cultural inspiration, it feels cohesive. Call it Mexican-Italian-American if you like—I just call it dinner."  Comment from Serious Eats

Shrimp pasta is a dish I make alot and always the same way with little variations because I love it.  This one caught my attention since it is different than the way I make mine and different can be a good thing.  So I am going to give this one a try!

Click here to go to Serious Eats recipe page.

Pecan Pie Dump Cake

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"With a tender yellow cake base, buttery pecan filling, and a hint of spice, this pecan pie dump cake is a fall-inspired twist on a classic."  Comment from Southern Living

Judging by the number of "pecan pie" inspired desserts I post, I guess you could say it is one of my favorite pies since they really seem to catch my attention.  This dessert is semi-homemade since it uses a boxed cake mix, which is great if you have lots of desserts to make or if you are just in a hurry.  I'd love to try this one out, it sounds easy and delicious!

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.

The Best Christmas Recipe Guide - UPDATED

Christmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Christmas dinner around the world may differ and the traditions presented below can reflect the culture of the respective country it is being celebrated in. 

Click here for Christmas dinner traditions around the world

The Kitchen's Best Christmas Recipes from the Food Network

100 Christmas Dinner Recipes To Fill Your Table from The Food Network

Christmas Recipes from All Recipes

Taste of Home Christmas Guide

Christmas Recipes from Better Homes and Gardens

Martha Stewart's Christmas Recipes

Christmas on the Net Recipes

Emeril's Christmas Recipes

Betty Crocker Christmas

Christmas Meal Ideas from Spoonful.com

Good Housekeeping Christmas Recipes

The Pioneer Woman Christmas Recipes

Christmas Recipes from Simply Recipes

The Ultimate Holiday Baking Guide for Busy Moms

from Moms Who Think

Martha's Prime Rib Roast

 

Photo Source:  Martha Stewart

"Martha's prime rib roast recipe is an impressive main dish, and a favorite for the holidays and special occasions. It calls for a three-rib roast, giving it a simple yet aromatic rub made with bay leaves, orange zest, fresh sage, and olive oil."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

That sure is a delicious looking prime rib roast.  Martha's method is a couple day endeavor, but I'm sure it is worth it.  Well, look at it . . .

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart recipe page that includes an instructional video by Martha.

Feast of the Seven Fishes - Shrimp Scampi

 

Photo source: Sip and Feast

"In Italy, it’s called La Vigilia di Natale, but here in the US, it’s known as no other than the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This time-honored tradition of preparing a delectable seafood banquet to commemorate Christ’s birth takes place on Christmas Eve and is heralded by Italian-Americans as one of the most important meals of the calendar year."  Comment from Sip and Feast

My first choice for the seafood banquet would be shrimp scampi.  That is all I would need!  And a fresh loaf of Italian bread and some angel hair pasta.  It is what I will be making for my Christmas Eve feast.

Click here to go to the Sip and Feast recipe page.

Italian Potato Croquettes

 

Photo source: Sip and Feast

"They’re wonderful stuffed with cheese, ham, prosciutto, or even anchovy fillets but experiment and stuff with whatever you’d like!"  Comment from Jim of Sip and Feast

Potato lovers!  You will love to serve these tasty appetizers at your next gathering.  They are delicious!

Click here to go to the Sip and Feast recipe page.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

 

Photo Source:  Crazy For Crust

"Lemon Shortbread Cookies are sweet and tender with tons of lemon flavor from lemon zest and lemon juice. They’re buttery and crunchy and the perfect shortbread cookie recipe – you can make them any shape you want. These cookies are the best recipe for lemon lovers everywhere." comment from Dorothy of Crazy For Crust

Lemon lover here . . . lemon flavor, buttery and crunchy is calling my name.  Sounds like a winner for me!

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.