This is our favorite caramel recipe. We have tried a few other ones, but always come back to this.
Caramel
Artichoke Spinach Cheese Dip
We found this recipe after we tried some very expensive appetizers at a restaurant. It is simple to make and you can personalize it by adding more or less spinach, sauteed onions or chives. This is our favorite way to have it.
The recipe calls for fat free ingredients, feel free to substitute low fat or full fat if desired. They are all very good.
Cranberry Sauce
I grew up on canned cranberry sauce. I was never fond of it even though I enjoy the tart taste of cranberries. Then one day, I discovered homemade cranberry sauce!
After much experimenting with different recipes, Andrea and I settled on this one as an easy favorite. Feel free to make it a few days early and store tightly covered until needed. We almost always double the recipe and rarely have leftovers.
Cornbread Stuffing
When I asked what type of stuffing to make for Thanksgiving, I was told “cornbread!”. Then we discussed the difference between “stuffing” and “dressing”. In case you do not know, you stuff “stuffing” and bake “dressing” in a casserole dish.
Athenian Chicken
The weather has been perfect for grilling. We wanted a new recipe and discovered this one. It is best grilled over a charcoal fire.
You can cook it whole or placed over an aluminum can half filled with chicken broth and a few tablespoons lemon juice. Or, spatchcock the chicken by removing the backbone and laying it flat to grill. Another option is to buy your favorite chicken pieces instead.
However served, it is extra nice with a greek salad on the side and fresh lemons to squeeze over the top. Or, make a nice honey mustard dressing to drizzle over chicken.
Pumpkin Seeds
When ever we buy a pumpkin, we always save the seeds to roast. We also roast the seeds to butternut squash and spaghetti squash. The seeds may be different sizes, so be sure to watch so they do not over cook.
There are so many different ways to make pumpkin seeds. We did an experiment many years ago where we compared boiling the seeds first and with different oven temperatures. They were all so similar tasting, that we kept with this simple recipe from our friend Miss Krista.
Wishing Cookies
Aunt Bonnie made us these cookies for the first time nine years ago. She told us that “if you break them into three pieces without talking, your wish comes true”. It has never been proven, since my kids can’t stop talking long enough to break a cookie into three pieces 🙂
Chili Soup
This is just a very simple chili recipe with a beef and tomato soup base. It is easy to do in a stock pot, but if you prefer a crock pot, set the settings to low and cook all day.
The seasoning are on the very mild side. Be sure to adjust to your preferences.
Angel Food Cake
This last weekend, we were able to buy a bunch of eggs on sale. Once I returned home, I realized that I already had a few dozen in the refrigerator. Not wanting to waste eggs, I asked Andrea to please make this recipe, twice.
When I was first given this recipe, by another para I worked with, I did not make it. I had been told that angel food cake was hard to make and finicky. A few years ago, Andrea and I started making it together. It is not a super hard recipe to make, but works best on dry days and when you have a little extra time to let it cool properly. Be sure not to get any yolk in with the egg whites and the pan you use is not greasy.
We almost always use an angel food pan for this recipe. If your pan does not have a removable bottom, line your pan’s bottom with parchment paper. We have also made this with a small lined bread pan with success.
This cake is good plain, for strawberry shortcake, with custard and with ice cream. It also freezes well if you have extra.
Split Pea Soup
I never really liked split pea soup, but Allan mentioned that he liked it a few months ago. So, I decided to try it again. Surprise! I liked it 🙂 Proof it is always good to keep trying new things.