I don’t know about you, but when I come to a family or church dinner, I don’t always like to have the traditional items. Yes, my mother’s banana pudding recipe is to die for, but lots of other people come to get-togethers with banana pudding in tow. I like having a few unusual (but tasty) items to spice things up a bit. Two of my favorites are Mountain Dew cake and blueberry pizza. Mountain Dew Cake 1 box lemon cake mix 1 (3.4 oz) lemon-flavored instant pudding 1 (12 oz) can Mountain Dew ¾ cup
continue reading…

With my birthday this week, cakes have definitely come to mind. My mom never bought cakes– she always let me pick a delicious and amazing cake from her recipe book, and then she made it for me with her own two hands. They made for some sweet memories! Plum Cake 1 cup oil 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 2½ cups self-rising flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves 2 small jars plum baby food 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans Your choice of icing (vanilla or buttercream is recommended) Mix the oil and
continue reading…

As I go through my recipes, I can’t help but think of my grandmother. We called her Mormor (Danish for grandmother), and between her Danish roots and the variety of places she lived, she had an array of unusual recipes. Some were a little too unusual for my tastes, but others have become classics in our family. The two I’ve chosen to share are her homemade spaghetti sauce and her delicious pound cake. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce 2 lbs. hamburger meat 3 stalks green onion, chopped
continue reading…

All holidays have their traditions, and New Years is no exception.  This next recipe has its roots in the African/Caribbean heritage and is primarily a Southern tradition. It is said that Carolina slaves popularized the rice and bean dish that is flavored with ham hocks or a bit of bacon.  Cow peas or black-eyed peas are traditional for this dish, as the peas represent coins and are symbolic for wealth. Pork is traditionally used because pigs push forward when they root in the ground.  Chicken is not used because chickens scratch backwards and could lead to set
continue reading…

Each of these recipes is a simple gift you can share with friends and family, perfect if you are a little behind on your Christmas shopping, are out of gift ideas, or suddenly realized that you forgot a gift for someone. The idea is that you layer the ingredients for brownies, cookies, or soup in
continue reading…

This is a wonderful meal for entertaining or when you just want some good comfort food. Pair the roast chicken, latkas, and applesauce with a fresh salad, and you’ve got an amazing and complete meal. Simple Roast Chicken 3 – 4 pound roasting chicken, cut into pieces 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons paprika 2
continue reading…

Wild salmon is a bit pricy, but it is a wonderful source of Omega fatty acids and other great nutrients.  I bartered last year for a whole salmon brought from Alaska by a friend’s parents who lived there.  It was our Christmas dinner and several more dinners after that. Baked Salmon and Wild Rice 1 salmon (or a
continue reading…

I love leftovers. They are the ultimate in fast food. If you’re getting a little tired of turkey sandwiches though, you have other options. (In fact, it is a Thanksgiving tradition in my family to buy an extra-large turkey so we can whip up a huge batch of gumbo the day after Thanksgiving.) If you have a lot of turkey left over after the holiday, the possibilities are endless. Add turkey to any recipe where you would usually use chicken, or try one of these great recipes. Enjoy! Turkey Quesadillas (per quesadilla) 2 large flour tortillas 1/3
continue reading…

With all of the bells, holly, and Santas in our stores this month, you can’t help but notice the absence of Thanksgiving. We need to remember all of the wonderful things we are thankful for in our lives and to be thankful for generations past who gave us this tradition. On my Thanksgiving table this year, I’ll be serving some traditional dishes instead of dried French-fried onions or sugar-laden sweet potatoes. I have a lot to be thankful for and one of these things is the tradition of giving thanks.

While a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and gravy can be quite delicious, sometimes I have a hankering for something a little different, not to mention a little less pricey. Both of these ideas are great alternatives if you are looking for a delicious meal to feed your family during the holiday season.