Month: April 2025

Posted in #Recipes

My Husband’s Favorite 4-Ingredient Dinner Comes From a Vintage PTA Cookbook

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

My husband smokes delicious chicken wings and bakes amazing banana bread. But bierocks—rolls filled with seasoned ground beef and sauerkraut—are one of his all-time favorite dinners to make. 

The recipe comes from Crestview Café, a collection of recipes from friends and families of Crestview Elementary School in Boulder, Colorado. My husband, Gavin, inherited the vintage spiral-bound cookbook, which was assembled by the school’s PTA, from his late sister Kellee.

While the cookbook is a treasure trove of family recipes shared by teachers, staff, students, parents, and grandparents—from “Earl’s Steak Diane” to “Chili Weekend Cocoction”—Gavin was drawn to how simple the four-ingredient bierocks recipe seemed (and the fact that it’s spelled “beer rocks” in the book). “It almost seemed too easy,” he says.

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

50 Easy Appetizers That Are Perfect for Any Occasion

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Whether you’re hosting cocktails for your friends or throwing an all-out dinner party, these small bites are sure to impress.

Easy Appetizer Recipes That Will Impress

Appetizers may be small, but they often make the biggest impression. Whether you choose beautifully topped bruschetta, the always-popular pigs in a blanket or an array of party-worthy dips, the colorful presentation and perfectly paired flavors (because you’re serving wine or cocktails too, right?) are guaranteed to keep your guests coming back for more. Just take these show-stopping bites, for example. Valerie creates a sophisticated appetizer by layering roast beef, horseradish cream and chives into pillowy mini Yorkshire puddings. It sounds (and looks!) fancy but is surprisingly easy to make.

Party Meatballs

The best thing about these meatballs, besides the flavor of course, is that you can make them ahead of time, bake them and then pop them in the freezer. They’ll thaw as they simmer away in the sauce.

Food Network

Creative Cakes by Alan Dunn
Posted in Book Reviews

Alan Dunn’s Creative Cakes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Craft elegant designs and extraordinary sugar flowers to make cakes fit for the most special of occasions!
 
Cake decoration is an art that can turn your everyday baking into a beautiful display of skill and creativity. With the right instruction anyone can learn how to create marvelous designs with fun, quick, and innovative techniques. 
 
Alan Dunn’s Creative Cakes covers a variety of cake decorating methods, ranging from more elaborate designs to several simple and straightforward ideas that can be followed by the amateur cake decorator with ease. The featured concepts are suitable for a variety of occasions, including wedding, engagement, anniversary, and birthday cakes—and a special section guides the reader through simple step-by-step instructions for stylish flower decorations and stunning floral sprays. If you are looking for the most inspired and innovative cake decoration ideas, this book will exceed your expectations.

Posted in #Recipes

Salmon Steak

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When I just can’t think of what to do for dinner, salmon is a consistent solution. There are so many different ways to cook salmon—and we’ve tried plenty of them—that this high-protein staple never gets old! While many recipes call for fillets, salmon steaks are a true, unsung hero. Salmon steaks tend to be more flavorful and tender that their fillet counterparts, and are just as easy to find. In this recipe, I gave these salmon steaks a coating of sweet and spicy sauce made with lemon juice, honey, garlic, and red pepper, that really makes each bite pop. I think you’ll love this recipe, but don’t just take my word for it, try it!

What People Are Saying
“I have made this recipe countless times! I always get compliments on this! It’s the best salmon recipe I have in my lockbox! It’s super simple but super tasty!” –Ebony C

How To Make Salmon Steaks

INGREDIENTS

  • Salmon Steaks: The first thing you need to understand when choosing your steaks is the difference between fish steaks and fish fillets. A fish steak is cut crosswise (perpendicular to the spine), cutting through the bone, whereas a fillet is cut lengthwise parallel to the bone. While salmon fillets are still good, the steaks have better flavor and retain more moisture. Depending on your fishmonger, you may be able to find deboned steaks, but as a general rule, salmon steaks have more (and larger) bones than fillets, so be prepared to remove them yourself.
  • Olive Oil & Butter: While both olive oil and butter are great for cooking, combining the two brings out the best in both. It raises the smoke point, so you can cook hotter, while also adding in more flavor and browning.
  • Garlic: Garlic adds a little bit of punchy, aromatic, sweetness to the salmon, as well as that classic come-back-for-more savory bite. A little bit of garlic makes everything better.
  • Lemon Juice: Citrus and fish go hand in hand. Lemon juice helps keep the steaks feeling bright, and gives them that extra pop of freshness. Seafood should always taste fresh.
  • Honey: The sweetness of the honey helps bring out the natural flavors of the salmon while also playing well with the brightness of the lemon juice and the spicy bite of the red pepper.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: With several light, fresh flavors, this dish needs a bit of a bite. That’s where the red pepper flakes come in. They add a nice, not too spicy, heat that works really well with the sweeter flavors already present.

delish!

Posted in #Recipes

7 Easy 30-Minute Dinners for Every Night of the Week

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Busy nights don’t have to mean takeout. If you have half an hour, you have enough time to make a quick and easy meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. With this 7-day menu of 30-minute dinners, you can consider this week’s menu handled.

“Flaky white fish with crusty, caramelized edges is topped with a cilantro slaw and drizzled with a smoky sour cream sauce in this simple fish taco recipe. Baking the fish on a sheet pan is a little heathier and a lot less messy than frying it, and means cleanup will be a breeze!” —Nicole McLaughlin

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

Sheet-Pan Hot Honey Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This Sheet-Pan Hot Honey Chicken recipe is everything you crave in a weeknight dinner—it’s easy, flavorful, and totally satisfying. Made with a simple blend of hot sauce and honey, it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and spicy, with just enough heat to keep things interesting while still being kid-approved.

The magic is in the texture: the chicken bakes up crispy and crunchy on the outside while staying tender and juicy on the inside. Plus, if you line your sheet pan with parchment paper before cooking, cleanup is a breeze!

This dish can be enjoyed in so many ways. Serve it on a toasted bun with crunchy slaw for a next-level chicken sandwich, serve it over fluffy rice or pasta for a hearty meal, or slice it up and toss it on a salad for something lighter. However you serve it, sheet-pan hot honey chicken is sure to become a favorite in your dinner rotation.

How to Make Sheet-Pan Hot Honey Chicken

Need a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love? This Sheet-Pan Hot Honey Chicken recipe comes together in no time.

1. Prep and Bake the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken with salt, then coat each piece in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and cover with breadcrumbs. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 425ºF for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is golden and crispy.

2. Make the Glaze

While the chicken bakes, whisk together hot sauce and honey for a simple, sweet-and-spicy glaze. Drizzle the sauce over the warm chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and you’re ready to eat! Check out the full recipe details below.

Pillsbury

Posted in #Recipes

These 60 Recipes Have Us Getting Creative With The Leftover Ham This Year

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

We’re professionals at expecting the unexpected here at Delish, particularly when it comes to big dinner-centric holidays (ahem, Christmas and Easter). It’s become one of our main party tricks! We’ve gotten used to extra guests and forgetting some ingredients, but there is something we never quite expect—just how much leftover food (namely, ham!) we end up with. We’ve gotten creative with giving them a serious glow-up into plenty of casseroles, sandwiches, soups, and more. If you can relate and are feeling overwhelmed with extra ham this year, check out our 60 favorite recipes that’ll give your leftovers new life.

Many of these recipes call for deli sliced ham, which you can easily swap for whatever leftovers you have. Slice it as thinly as you can, then enjoy the added texture and flavor you’ll never get from the deli. Have overnight guests after the big holiday meal? Combine leftover ham with eggs or potatoes and turn it into our crowd-pleasing ham & cheese quiche, Monte Cristo rolls, or Croque Monsieur breakfast casserole that are sure to make everyone happy. For lunch, you can make all the variations on classic ham sandwiches, of course—top it with a fried egg and you’ve got a delicious Croque Madame that can be enjoyed for any meal.

Having another get-together soon after a holiday? Make things easy on yourself by throwing together some Hawaiian roll sliders, ham & cheese pinwheels, or fried ham & cheese mozzarella sticks for easy, tasty party appetizers. For dinner, our chicken cordon bleu is impressive and surprisingly simple (we skip the frying and oven bake instead). Want even easier? It’s all about the cordon bleu sauce, and we make the most of it in our chicken cordon bleu skillet, our chicken cordon bleu casserole, and our chicken cordon bleu quesadillas.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to save that ham bone! It’s the secret to an out-of-this-world split pea soup (that, and bacon).

Want more leftover inspiration? Check out our are our top go-to ways to make leftovers more exciting. And since you’re using leftovers for your main meal, why not go “ham” on dessert?!

Delish!

Posted in #Recipes

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Hearty, tasty and filling, cheesy ham and potato soup is the ideal meal on cold winter nights. This soup is also truly easy to make. Everything comes together quickly in two saucepans, so you’ll have dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. Just be prepared to not have leftovers—because you’ll find that everyone adores cheesy potato and ham soup.

Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup Ingredients

  • Potatoes: There’s no need to peel the potatoes if you don’t want to; this will also cut down on prep time.
  • Carrots: Carrots add a nice sweetness to this soup.
  • Onions: Be sure to give the onion enough cooking time to soften (at least 10 to 15 minutes).
  • Butter: When combined with flour and milk, the butter in this soup forms a paste that thickens the liquid and makes it taste richer and more flavorful.
  • Flour: Flour acts as a thickening agent here, giving the soup its thick, creamy texture.
  • Milk: For this recipe, 2% milk is ideal. The texture of the soup won’t be as thick otherwise.
  • Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is best; add a little bit at a time, and let it melt before adding more.
  • Ham: Feel free to use pre-cooked cubed ham to save on time.
  • Frozen peas: Adding frozen peas at the end of the cooking process will prevent them from getting too mushy and losing their bright green color.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

100 of the Easiest Meals We’ve Ever Made

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, quick lunch, satisfying dinner, or delicious dessert, we’ve always got you covered. Not sure where to begin or feeling short on time? Don’t worry! We’ve curated a collection of 100 easy, highly-rated meals to get you started. From comforting casseroles and pasta dishes to delicious chicken dinners, these recipes are some of our simplest and most popular. We hope they become classics in your kitchen.

Allrecipes

40 Spring Cookies That Feature Your Favorite Fruits

Whether you’re craving strawberry, lemon, pineapple or something else entirely, you’ll love these flavorful, fruit-forward cookies for spring.

Taste of Home