Friday, January 16, 2026

Moist and Easy Southern Cornbread

 


Photo source:  Paula Deen

"This sweet southern cornbread recipe is made with tangy buttermilk. Paula Deen’s recipe truly delivers moist cornbread and is so easy to make with flour, cornmeal, baking soda, eggs, and a few more ingredients."  Comment from Paula Deen

There is nothing like cornbread with so many different meals or just alone as a snack.  If it is from Paula Deen, it has got to be good.

Click here to go to the Paula Deen recipe page.



Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

 


Photo source:  David Lebovitz

"This Dulce de Leche Cheesecake recipe combines two of everybody’s favorite things: cream cheese and dulce de leche."  Comment from David Lebovitz

The combination of ingredients sounds delicious.

Click here to go to the David Lebovitz recipe page.






Thursday, January 15, 2026

Orange Pound Cake

 


Photo source:  Mom On Timeout

"This Orange Pound Cake recipe is tender, moist and bursting with bright citrus flavor from fresh orange zest and juice. Deliciously buttery and topped with a silky orange glaze, it’s a dessert that feels both classic and refreshing. Perfect for holidays, brunch or an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea!"  Comment from Mom On Timeout

Any citrus pastry is something I want to try.  This pound cake looks and sounds delicious!

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





Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf

 


Photo source:  Bake or Break

"This lemon poppy seed loaf is perfect for brightening up any day with its fresh, zesty flavor. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a sweet afternoon snack, it’s sure to be a favorite!"  Comment from Bake or Break

If this loaf is anything like the lemon poppy seed muffins, it has to be delicious.  Worth a try!

Click here to go to the Bake or Break recipe page.




Frittata




Originally posted in 2007


I consider this frittata as one of my best "cheap meals" ever. It is one of my favorite recipes to go to when I am low on funds and have leftovers. Since I eat rice often, I've perfected my frittatas with rice, but vary them often.

Last night I made a basic Broccoli Frittata and decided to add some seasoned bread crumbs to the mix and it was AWESOME.  This was basic . . . rice, broccoli, egg, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and a handful of seasoned bread crumbs . . . seems like you can't mess this up!

Frittata is a type of Italian omelet that frequently features fillings such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables . . . the main ingredient is usually rice or pasta. This is one of my favorite meals that is great with a salad.

My way of cooking has changed since becoming a widow and cooking for one. I always cooked as if I had a large family since my husband and I always had company just showing up and ended up eating dinner with us. 

That practice taught me how to cook using leftovers and has come in handy now that it is just me. Especially since I really don't want to eat the same meal night after night and hate to freeze food that I end up throwing away.

The frittata is one of those versatile meals you can throw together fast and vary the ingredients to what you have on hand. My cooking style does not take a recipe and follow it . . . I use it as a guide.

The frittata is perfect for my type of cooking. For instance, I've never used frozen chopped broccoli . . . since I eat lots of fresh steamed broccoli or green beans, I use the left overs . . . whatever I have left. If I have leftover mushrooms, they go in too. You get the idea. You can also vary the type of rice or substitute rice with any type of pasta.  

My nana used potatoes and onions, like an omelet cooked in a skillet, which is my favorite.

You can't really mess it up! Just experiment, try to keep the ratios balanced, using the basic ingredients and have fun with it!



Here is a recipe for a Broccoli Frittata I use as a guide:


2 1/2 tbsp. onion, chopped

1 cup chopped broccoli (cooked and drained)

2 1/2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 small garlic clove, crushed

1 cup Rice, cooked

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 tsp. salt

great with cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like hot



Sauté onion in butter until tender. Do not brown. 


Add broccoli, garlic, rice and Parmesan cheese, mix well. 

Combine eggs, milk and seasonings. Stir into rice mixture. 

Turn into a shallow 1 quart buttered casserole dish. 

Top with mozzarella cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until set. 

A variation is to cook it in a skillet like an omelet, which is my preferred method.

Makes 2 servings.




Shrimp Scampi with Linguini


Photo source:  The Food Channel

One of my favorite meals!  There are many ways to make what I call shrimp pasta, either a butter base or white sauce with many variations in between.  If you click on the label "shrimp pasta," you will find more recipes.

This recipe comes from one of my favorite chefs, Tyler Florence from The Food Network.  All of his recipes are fabulous!  Click here to go to the recipe page.




Cheesy Chicken & Salsa Skillet

 


Photo source:  KraftHeinz.com

"Turn regular chicken into salsa chicken with our Cheesy Chicken and Salsa Skillet recipe! See how to make this Healthy Living salsa chicken dish here."  Comment  from KraftHeinz.com

This recipe sounds like it has that texmex kick.  You can adjust the amount of heat dependent on the salsa you use.  Quick, easy and semi-homemade.

Click here to go to the KraftHeinz.com recipe page.




How To Make the Flakiest Pie Crust

 


Photo source:  All Recipes

"Crumbly, tough pie crusts are about to be a thing of the past."  Comment from All Recipes

I've never attempted to make a pie crust from scratch and I am not sure I ever will, so I thought I would put up this post in case any of us want to give it a go.

Click here to go to the All Recipes recipe page.




Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Air Fryer Frozen Food Cooking Guides

 


Photo source:  Air Fryer World

"Our air fryer cooking guides shows you how to cook frozen foods in the air fryer. Timing will vary depending on the brand of frozen food and the model, size and power of your air fryer. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know the best timing for your preferred texture."  Comment from Air Fryer World

My air fryer has become my oven and these type of cooking guides are important in learning as much I can.  I've been very impressed with how much I have been able to do with it.  

Click here to go to the Air Fryer World article.





Penne Pimento Cheese


Photo source:  zestuous.com


Pasta should be a major food group . . . at least it is in my house.  

This dish looks like a very fancy mac 'n cheese with pimentos . . . and the possibilities are endless for variations.

It is one of those dishes that is delicious as a hot meal or a cold pasta salad.

Click here to go to the zestuous.com recipe page.







Baked Creamed Corn

 


Photo source:  All Recipes


This baked cream corn recipe sounds perfect with the corn and cream cheese with the other ingredients.  It looks like a winner to me.

Click here to go to the All Recipe recipe page.



Chicken Burrito Skillet

 

Photo source:  Taste of Home

"This chicken burrito skillet is a one-pan Tex-Mex meal that’s big on flavor and easy on cleanup. With juicy chicken, hearty rice and beans, and a gooey cheese topping, it’s a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will devour."  Comment from Taste of Home

Chicken burrito skillet sounds delicious and love a one pot meal!

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




Coconut Cream Cheese Brownies

 


Photo source:  Bake or Break

"If you’re as coconut-obsessed as I am, these brownies are about to shoot to the top of your favorites list. They start with a simple one-bowl brownie base—deep, dark, and fudgy—and get swirled with a creamy coconut cheesecake layer that’s sweet, tangy, and full of coconut flavor. It’s a fun mashup of two classic desserts, and it delivers in a big way. Between the richness of the brownie and the sweet swirl, it’s a combo that just works."    Comment from Bake or Break

The combination of cheesecake and brownies is a winner. 

Click here to go to the Bake or Break recipe page.




Chicken Alfredo ~ lighter version


Photo source:  Recipe Girl


Alfredo-style pasta is my favorite type of pasta!

The recipe is from Recipe Girl . . . I have not tried it yet, but it looks like a keeper! Her blog is awesome :)  Click here to go to the recipe page.


Chicken Cordon Bleu Bubble Up



Photo source:  Plain Chicken


"Great weeknight casserole! Only 5 ingredients and ready in 30 minutes. Chicken, swiss, ham, Alfredo sauce tossed with refrigerated biscuits. Everyone cleaned their plate and asked for seconds!"  Comment from Plain Chicken

Love those recipes that take advantage of leftovers and are semi-homemade.  

This one is quick, easy and economical!  Oh yeah, delicious too.

A word about alfredo sauce out of a jar . . . they are a bargain (generic brands are just as good) and give you the best bang for your buck.  I have not found a brand that did not turn out delicious.  It is what you do with that plain jar of sauce, how you doctor it up . . . the flavored ones are awesome.  My favorite is roasted red pepper.  Adding a jar to a sofrito of onion, peppers and garlic, along with your spices of choice, is the beginning of a wonderful meal for me.  

The alfredo sauces are on buy one get one free sale at least once a month at my local grocery store, so I make sure to stock up and always have at least a couple of jars on hand for a quick and delicious meal.

Click here to go to the Plain Chicken recipe page.



Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

 


Photo Source:  Taste of Home

"While other homemade chicken and rice soup recipes typically require an extended cooking time on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, this simple version comes together in only 30 minutes. This short cooking time is possible thanks to precooked chicken, plus the fact that the rice doesn’t need to be cooked in a separate pot.

From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado"  Comments from Taste of Home

This soup sounds delicious!!

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



Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Fried Pork Chops

 


Photo source:  Mom On Timeout



"This easy Fried Pork Chops recipe is crispy, golden perfection on the outside and juicy deliciousness on the inside! Perfectly seasoned pan fried pork chops are marinated in buttermilk and coated in a flavorful seasoning mix and fried up in just minutes! A classic recipe that’s hearty, satisfying and perfect to serve alongside your favorite side dishes like mashed potatoesgreen beans or a simple green salad."  Comment from Mom On Timeout

This recipe is a different way for me to make Fried Pork Chops.  Usually I sauté seasoned pork chops in butter/olive oil until crispy or dredge the pork chops in a seasoned cornmeal/flour mixture and sauté in butter/olive oil.  

My basic seasoning is paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.  I never use salt anymore and don't even miss it.  Also, I always pan fry in butter with a little olive oil to prevent the butter from burning.

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




Here’s Every Type of Pepper From Sweet to Spicy

 


Photo source:  Taste of Home

"Pick the wrong pepper and you could be in for a spicy surprise. Discover which types of peppers work best in which dishes—and avoid accidentally setting your mouth on fire!"  Comment from Taste of Home

The way I learned about different types of peppers was trial and error.  But not the normal way of trying different peppers from the grocery store.  I first bought lots of seeds to grow pepper plants.  The worse thing I did was buy the pepper plant mixes of seeds.  Most of the ones I really liked I had no idea what they were called and could not order again.  You live and learn.

Learn about the different types of peppers the easy way and read this article.

Click here to go to the Taste of Home article on peppers.




Roasted Cheesy Potato and Ham Soup In Pretzel Bowls

 


Photo source: Yammie's Noshery

Not only did Yammie provide an awesome recipe for Potato and Ham Soup, but also included her recipe for Pretzel Bowls.  

Those bowls remind me of what The Captain used to make for his potato soup which he never wrote the recipes down for.  It makes me so sad.  I would ask him for the recipes and he would respond with, "yes, I have been meaning to do that, but I'm not going anywhere."

There are other potato soup recipes I've posted, but this one is different with the addition of ham, which sounds delicious to me.

Click here to go to Yammie's recipe page for the soup and pretzel bowl.




Potato Corn Chowder

 


Photo source:  The Recipe Rebel


"This Potato Corn Chowder is a thick, hearty, creamy, and flavorful soup.
 It’s made with smoky bacon, creamy potatoes, and sweet corn."  Comment from The Recipe Rebel

These ingredients are some of my favorite things.  Sounds really good on a chilly day.

Click here to go to The Recipe Rebel recipe page.