These Halloween ghost cupcakes will be the hit of your Halloween party and are really easy to make I love making spooky cupcakes for my annual haunted house Halloween party. But since I’m not a great baker, I always have … Read More

These green and purple layered jello shots are made using the flavors of the Purple Hooter cocktail, which means they taste as good as they look. I love making jello shots for parties. You can make them ahead of time … Read More

Looking for a jello shot that looks good and tastes great? Check out this layered Pina Colada jello shot…it really tastes like a Pina Colada! I love making jello shots for parties and Pina Colada jello shots are perfect for … Read More

These bloody knife Halloween cupcakes are super simple to make and would be a great scary dessert for your Halloween party or murder mystery dinner. If you’re like me, you see all kinds of beautiful Halloween cupcakes on Pinterest and … Read More

These graveyard Halloween cupcakes complete with tombstones and skeleton bones (or skulls) are really easy to make and will be the hit of your spooky Halloween party. For my Halloween parties, I love making Halloween cupcakes just like the ones … Read More

This easy-to-make recipe for fall-off-the-bone ribs and best ever homemade BBQ sauce will have everyone at your next dinner coming back for more! While these ribs are easy to make in the oven, they also work really well for a … Read More

These white Pina Colada jello shots are made with the same ingredients as the real drink, and they taste just like it! They’re perfect for a tropical summer party or anytime you want a white jello shot recipe that doesn’t … Read More

These Blue Hawaiian jello shots with Malibu rum are the color of the ocean and taste so delicious you’ll feel like you’re sitting on a tropical beach. These blue Hawaiian jello shots are a take-off of the bright blue-colored cocktail … Read More

Looking for some great tasting jello shots for a summer get-together or beach party? Your friends will love this “Under The Sea” Swedish fish jello shot recipe that looks awesome and isn’t hard to make. These under the sea Swedish … Read More

Having a cookout for Independence Day and need some ideas for your 4th of July menu? These tried-and-true recipes are always a big hit and can be prepared ahead of time so you have time to enjoy the party. If … Read More

I have made these gold trimmed white chocolate covered Oreos for a couple of parties now (first for my Great Gatsby party which you can see HERE and then for my Kate Spade party which you can see  HERE). They are … Read More

This Christmas Cake recipe was originally published on canadianliving.com and has become a family favorite.  The “twist” is that it uses tropical dried fruits instead of the usual citrus peels which makes the cake colorful and delicious! Preparation is a little … Read More

This triple cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for entertaining.  It is super easy to make and can be made ahead of time…and who doesn’t love a dip made with cream cheese? Adding Rotel (or salsa) gives the cheese ball a … Read More

These soy, brown sugar and garlic pork chops are quick and easy to make, and they taste great.  Perfect for a weeknight dinner when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen! Soy, Brown Sugar and Garlic … Read More

Deviled eggs are an easy, make-ahead appetizer that are great for parties, picnics or potluck dinners. My version is a little different (and even easier!) than the traditional recipe, but tastes great and always goes over well with my guests. Using … Read More

Traditionally, in our family, Thanksgiving dinner always includes pumpkin pie (see Grandma’s recipe).  However, this year I decided to change it up a bit by serving pumpkin mousse parfait, that still have the familiar pumpkin pie flavors.  They require some assembly … Read More

Blue Ribbon recipes were published in a midwest magazine called The Farmer’s Wife until 1939, and when I was growing up they were considered to be superior in taste and practicality. The Blue Ribbon Cookbook was a popular resource at … Read More

Way back when I was growing up on the farm, cabbage was a winter salad staple. My grandmother always prepared the most attractive and delicious coleslaw with grated cabbage, apple and carrot. After mixing it with her homemade cooked salad … Read More

Now that fall has rolled around, it is the perfect time to think of soups. Nothing could be easier than this Cauliflower Soup recipe from the book . And it’s made even better by using in-season produce.  You will particularly … Read More

This tuna casserole is an old family standby that is prepared in one oven proof dish. It is fast and easy comfort food that can be put together effortlessly, to be served on those evenings you are too tired to … Read More

These garlic butter chicken rollups are a little more fussy and a little less healthy than most of the recipes I make, but they taste so good that I make them anyways 🙂 The layers of butter and garlic make … Read More

I like to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts since they cook fast and have less fat and fewer calories than chicken with skin. However, they can be a bland. This Rosemary Lemon Chicken fixes that issue by adding spice and … Read More

This mixed bean salad travels well so it is perfect to take to a picnic or a potluck, and the vegetarians in the crowd will love you for it. I took it to a neighborhood potluck supper and people still … Read More

In the summer, I like to cook on the grill as much as possible. Everything tastes so much better (and there’s fewer pots to wash!) This Basil Grilled Chicken Breast recipe is really easy to make and has lots of … Read More

I love serving Sangria for summer parties. It’s light and refreshing and you can make it ahead of time (which is always a bonus when you’re getting ready for a party!) This Berry and Lime Sangria is my new favorite. It is … Read More

Shrimp cocktail is one of those traditional appetizer dishes that is often associated with high-end steak and seafood restaurants.  And although it tastes great, it actually isn’t that hard to make at home (and it will cost you a lot … Read More

These oriental lemon ginger wings are very easy to prepare, don’t take long to cook and taste great! And since they can be left to marinade over night, they are great for cooking for a crowd. Preparation Time:  5 minutes … Read More

These lemon chicken shish kabobs are easy to make and have a ton of flavor.  Since they benefit from being marinated for a couple of hours, they do need to be made a little in advance, but I think they … Read More

This time of year, I love to cook on the grill.  It keeps the heat out of the house and there’s fewer pots to clean! To me, nothing says summer like a good burger grilled to perfection.  But since I’m trying … Read More

In the summer, I am always looking for drinks that are cold and refreshing.  One of my favorites are Mojitos…traditionally a Cuban drink made from rum, lime, mint and cane sugar.  Since I’m not usually looking for an alcoholic drink, … Read More

Now that summer is underway, I love to cook on the grill! It means less heat in the house, and fewer pots to clean (always a bonus!) So I am always trying out new ways to grill things that pass my … Read More

This pomegranate basil virgin mojito is a twist on the traditional mojito that uses basil instead of mint.  It is a very refreshing drink that isn’t too sweet and tastes delicious…an excellent choice for a hot summer day! Of course, you … Read More

Now that it’s summer and the grill is ready to be used, one of my favorite things to make is rotisserie chicken. It’s easier than it looks and tastes delicious…even better than store-bought rotisserie chickens in my opinion. The problem … Read More

Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a cool glass of lemonade…and this homemade lemonade recipe will have your friends and family coming back for seconds!  Even better?  You can make the lemonade syrup ahead of time, and store … Read More

This berry salad with balsamic vinaigrette combines lettuce, berries and crumbled cheese to create a light and refreshing salad that is perfect for a summer brunch or cook out. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing works really well with it since it adds … Read More

This grilled asparagus recipe is really easy to make and tastes great!  Every time I serve it, people ask me for the recipe, so I thought I would share it for everyone to try. Preparation time: 2 minutes Baking time: 10 minutes … Read More

If you are looking for some easy recipe ideas for your Independence Day party, these patriotic 4th of July desserts are perfect! They look and taste great. With the 4th of July just around the corner, cookouts and patriotic decor … Read More

In our family we make these grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches when we have been too busy or are too exhausted to cook a meal. We don’t have them often but whenever someone says, “How about grilled cheese and bacon?”, … Read More

One of my favorite desserts of all time, it’s hard not to love traditional Canadian Butter Tarts…but no looking at the calorie count for these guys…you don’t want to know! For those who aren’t familiar with butter tarts, they are … Read More

These Shrimp Tacos are my go to supper when I don’t feel like cooking. They are quick and easy to make, taste delicious and have fewer calories than traditional beef tacos.  I like to dress them up with diced tomatoes … Read More

Want to have the taste of apple pie without having to make a pie crust? Apple Crisp is the dessert for you! It is easy to put together and tastes great! Preparation time: 15 minutes Baking time: 30 minutes Total time: … Read More

This week’s recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Bran Muffins is a novel variation on a bran muffin.  I have been baking this version for eons and it never fails to get compliments.  These muffins are delicious for breakfast, brunch, with coffee, or afternoon … Read More

This slow cooker chicken korma is really easy to make and tastes delicious!  This is a non-spicy version of the traditional Indian dish, but you can increase the heat by adding some more cayenne pepper if you want to. If … Read More

I am always on the lookout for sugar free treats so these sugar free granola bars caught my eye. They also have the added benefit of being gluten free. The bars are tasty and quick and easy to assemble.  It is … Read More

This is a really easy recipe for making garlic bread and everyone loves it!  Since it doesn’t involve actually making the bread, it’s very simple and fast to make…and you don’t dirty any pots in the process!  Everything you need … Read More

This tomato and herb broccoli recipe is a simple and delicious side dish.  The flavor of the herbs and tomatoes subtly compliments the broccoli. It is quick and easy to make, colorful, low in calories, and gluten free…a big favorite … Read More

With Easter approaching, I thought I would share this fun way to use jello to make Jello Easter Eggs.  They look really pretty on the table, so they serve double duty…Easter decor that also doubles as dessert. Preparation Time: 90 minutes Cooling Time:  … Read More

This soy lemon pork chops recipe is easy and delicious.  It can also be used for any kind of sliced pork, such as pork tenderloin.  Just be careful not to overcook the pork, which makes it tough…this is one time … Read More

I am definitely not an expert at cooking Indian food, but I definitely do like to eat it!  And Chicken Makhani is one of my favorite dishes when I’m eating at an Indian restaurant.  I have been trying to come … Read More

This Thai Inspired Shrimp is really easy and really fast to make.  And it tastes really good!  Making it with Thai curry adds a little more kick, but it is equally good without it. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes … Read More

I have been on a quest to find tasty ways to add quinoa to my diet because it is such a healthy food. Not only is it packed with vitamins and minerals, it is a complete protein, and gluten free. … Read More

One of the best things about Valentine’s Day is that it’s an excuse to make some really pretty and delicious desserts! I decided to find some of the prettiest Valentine’s Day dessert recipes out there. Keep reading to see my list … Read More

My annual super bowl party is almost here and I’m always trying to up my game when it comes to wing recipes.  For me to consider them for this party, they have to taste really good, not require much prep … Read More

This chicken piccata with mushrooms dish is not the traditional version since it does not use breaded chicken.  However, it still has the same great flavor and the mushrooms are an added bonus. Preparation Time: 10 minutes Marinating Time: 20 minutes Cooking … Read More

This lasagna inspired shrimp casserole dish takes a little while to get ready, but it is worth the wait!  It is a layered pasta dish (the layers are similar to lasagna), but it uses shrimp instead of ground meat and … Read More

First let me say that I am not a talented baker by any stretch of the imagination. So when I say that making a heart shaped Valentine cake is really easy to do, it really is! No need to spend … Read More

This Asian inspired salmon recipe is easy to make and tastes delicious. It can be baked or grilled, and works perfectly for both family dinners or entertaining. Although the recipe calls for 2 pounds of salmon (which is a lot if … Read More

This frozen lemon mousse with raspberry sauce makes an impressive ending to any meal. It also meets my hosting requirements on many levels: it is delicious, it looks awesome, it can be made a day ahead, and it is easy to … Read More

Scones are a big part of a traditional afternoon tea, but they also work well as part of a brunch menu, or as something different instead of biscuits. Want more information on how to host a traditional afternoon tea?  Click … Read More

These cheesecake mincemeat tarts are a take-off of the traditional British mince tarts, but have a cheesecake topping instead of the standard pastry top (and no meat). In my books, a little cheesecake is never a bad thing 🙂 Want … Read More

Making pie crust pastry from scratch has a bit of a bad rap…it is a little work and can turn out tough.  So I always used to avoid the problem altogether by buying pre-made pie crusts and not even attempt to make … Read More

This Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry is a really quick and easy recipe that everyone loves. The pink of the shrimp and the green of the snow peas also looks really nice on the plate, especially when served over … Read More

Rice Pilaf is a traditional dish that adds extra flavor to standard rice (and I love it!)  However the standard rice pilaf recipes require some extra steps in the cooking process that add time and effort to the meal preparation…and because … Read More

If you have ever eaten at a Japanese Steak house, you have probably had the Japanese Zucchini Stir Fry.  This is a slight variation on the traditional recipe.  Mushrooms add a little more flavor that blends well with the zucchini but … Read More

This honey mustard glazed chicken recipe is really fast and really easy.  You can have dinner on the table in half an hour.  But it also tastes so good that you can serve it for company…no-one will know how easy … Read More

Looking for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu? Find all of your favorite recipes, plus a printable menu and meal planner so you know exactly when to start cooking. Happy Thanksgiving! Cooking Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task. You’re usually … Read More

Pumpkin Pie is right up there with turkey in the tradition of Thanksgiving.  After everyone is full with the festive meal, it is a wonder that there is any appetite left for this delicacy, but there always seems to be a … Read More

For my annual Halloween party, I like to have at least one dessert that acts as both decor and dessert. My problem is that I am not a talented baker. So I usually go through the cycle of finding a … Read More

This mandarin orange romaine salad recipe comes from my sister, Elaine, and is my type of salad…it is easy and delicious, and makes a refreshing change from Caesar salad. Preparation Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes What You Need Ingredients: … Read More

This salmon loaf recipe has been in my family for generations. It is a great fall back supper or lunch when you haven’t had time to shop. Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Number of Servings: 8 … Read More

This Lemon Butter Garlic Shrimp recipe is pretty much my perfect recipe.  It uses lemon, garlic and shrimp (3 of my favorite ingredients), it is really easy and fast to make, only uses one pot and is absolutely delicious!  The only … Read More

Tomato chicken pesto pasta is a delicious and easy pasta dish (and who doesn’t love pesto?) It looks like a lot of steps but doesn’t actually take that long to make. Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total … Read More

This is a traditional lasagna recipe that tastes great and isn’t as hard to make as it seems.  Everyone I have ever served it to has loved it! You can also make it with a twist…if you want to reduce the … Read More

This spaghetti meat sauce recipe makes a lot of sauce and only uses one pot!  I usually freeze at least half of it in individual servings that can be re-heated later for really quick meals. You can also choose to … Read More

This White Wine Lemon Herb Shrimp Rotini is similar to a Shrimp Scampi but with some extra herbs and tomatoes for extra flavor. What You Need Ingredients: 1 16 ounce box of rotini 4 Tbsp butter 1 cooking onion, chopped … Read More

Greek Tilapia is an easy and delicious fish dish that everyone seems to love. Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour What You Need Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cooking onion, chopped 1 clove … Read More

This recipe for grilled chicken salad has been adapted from the original which came from junior cooking champion, Fredric Tempe and was published in a Knorr advertisement. It is my go to quick and easy (and delicious) lunch or dinner … Read More

If you want a chicken recipe that is ready in less than 15 minutes and can feed a crowd (or a few), this Lemon Basil Chicken is the one for you! Preparation Time:  5 minutes Cook Time:  5 – 7 … Read More

Crock pot salsa chicken is a delicious, very easy recipe that only uses 4 ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Preparation Time:  5 minutes Cook Time:  1 ½ hours What You Need Ingredients: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken … Read More

These pesto turkey burgers seem a little strange when you look at the ingredients (who ever heard of putting chopped walnuts in a burger?)  But they taste amazing!  The pesto ingredients add the flavor that is sometimes missing from ground turkey, … Read More

This crock pot no bean turkey chili is quite thick and is perfect for serving on top of hot dogs, but is also good enough to eat on its own. Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 7 – 8 hours … Read More

This is the classic Red Velvet Cake recipe from the Waldorf Astoria. The story goes that the restaurant at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City was the first to serve this cake, back when it first opened in the early … Read More

Cream cheese icing is by far my favorite icing to use on cakes and cupcakes.  It is not too sweet, goes with almost any kind of cake and is surprisingly easy to make.  And since it is white, you can … Read More

These cherry cheesecake cupcakes are a smaller version of traditional cheesecake with cherry sauce, but are a lot faster and easier to make than traditional cheesecake (and a lot easier to serve!) This recipe makes a relatively small batch, so … Read More

Nachos are a great dish for sharing while watching the game, or as finger food on the buffet, or even as part of a meal. I often find that the nachos served in restaurants have too many chips and not … Read More

  These Asian Style Chicken Wings are loved by everyone and really are the easiest chicken wings ever…you can’t mess them up if you tried! Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes Total Time: 2 hours What … Read More

Jambalaya provides an interesting mix of spice, rice, meat and shrimp.  A friend of mine who grew up in New Orleans says this recipe tastes just like his mother used to make. I like the rice to be less sticky … Read More

When you want to create a jello shot that tastes great, is easy to make and matches your party decor, find what you’re looking for on this list of the best jello shot recipes by color. Best Jello Shot Recipes … Read More

Crock pot meatballs are easy to make and this version with ground chicken (or turkey) has a few less calories than the ground beef version without losing any flavor. Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 4 – 7 hours Total … Read More

Living in the South, fried chicken is a staple for any kind of get-together, but all that frying is hard on the diet.  This oven fried chicken recipe has all the taste of fried chicken, but is actually baked…and even … Read More

These oreo cookie cheesecake cupcakes are incredibly easy to make (especially for cheescake) and everyone loves them! Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 22 minutes Total Time: Approximately 5 hours What You Need To Make Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Cupcakes Ingredients: … Read More

This turkey gravy is made in the roasting pan (one less pot to clean!) using the juices left over after the turkey has been roasted. It can also be made from roasted chicken juices. Get step by step instructions on … Read More

This old fashioned turkey stuffing is just like your grandmother used to make.  It can be used to stuff your bird, or cooked separately (depending on your preference). Click here to see our step by step instructions on how to … Read More

Are you hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner?  Or maybe you have always had trouble getting the turkey to turn out?  Try our step-by-step instructions for how to roast a turkey. Looking for a complete holiday meal menu?  Click here to … Read More

Macaroni and Cheese made in a crock pot is fast and easy…and it can be made ahead of time (which always makes getting ready for dinner easier). Preparation Time:  15 minutes Cook Time:  4 hours What You Need To Make … Read More

For my Halloween parties, I often have big dreams of making those cute desserts you see all over the web this time of year.  My problem is that baking is not my one of strengths…something about having to follow all … Read More

This recipe is not a “true” sangria, but is a little lighter and goes over very well with my guests that want to be part of the crowd but do not want to drink too much alcohol.  It is also … Read More

Crock Pot Cheese Dip is a recipe that many people are familiar with, but I serve it at almost every party I have…it’s easy and everyone loves it. Want to try the cheese dip with nachos? Click here to see … Read More

An easy and fun way to add spookiness to your Halloween table is to make jello in a brain-shaped mold…and making it glow in the dark (with a black light) is even more fun. Keep reading to find out how … Read More