Easy Trader Joe’s Pasta Recipe

Posted on July 28, 2025July 27, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

If you love ridiculously easy dinners, this hack is for you. Like the viral Trader Joe’s pizza, the Trader Joe’s caramelized onion dip pasta doesn’t take much effort at all. For this rich, creamy pasta, you only need two ingredients: a box of spaghetti and a container of Trader Joe’s Caramelized Onion Dip. The dip can be found in a 10-ounce tub in the refrigerated section.

This recipe has been flying around Instagram and TikTok, and the reviews rave about the end result. I decided to pop a tub of the onion dip in a mini Trader Joe’s cooler bag and head straight home to cook. The result was reminiscent of a rich Alfredo sauce with a delightful added texture from caramelized onion pieces.

Taste of Home

Kitchen Tips

The Secret to Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Posted on July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

I would be lying if I said my husband lacked skills in the kitchen. I also wouldn’t be married, because I’m pretty sure I have a second stomach where my heart is supposed to be. I’m lucky to be part of a relationship that splits kitchen responsibilities, because I think it’s fair to say that we all have days when we can’t compute making food for ourselves, but are more than happy to take on the dirty dishes.

My husband, Kyle, has a knack for making simple, comforting dishes. He’s especially good with barbecue and fettuccine Alfredo. He has a patience and resourcefulness that I often lack because I’m so fixated on the end product. It’s why I wrote his scrambled eggs into my wedding vows, and it’s why whenever I’m feeling sick, what I want most is for him to make me a grilled cheese sandwich.

I had a pretty bad cold recently, so in addition to some chicken noodle soup, I got to enjoy a Kyle grilled cheese sandwich or two. And I’m very pleased to report that he’s incorporated a new trick and ingredient to make his grilled cheese sandwiches more delicious than ever.

Allrecipes

Book Reviews

Delish Insanely Easy Casseroles – 80+ Amazing Comfort Food Recipes

Posted on July 26, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

Amazing recipes for dinner, appetizers, brunch, even dessert!

The 184-page spiral-bound cookbook lays flat so you can keep both hands on cooking without losing your page.
Each recipe includes a full-page color photo of the finished dish so you know what to expect.
It’s loaded with easy-to-make crowd-pleasers, comfort classics, over-the-top spins on familiar favorites — and it can go from the oven to the table all in one dish.

Mr. Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars. 
Beautiful Photos with every recipe - innovative recipes.
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a great cookbook! It’s not like any other you have seen. It’s unique, stylish and trendy recipes. It’s a change of pace and great inspiration to typical cookbooks! It’s not entirely outlandish with the recipes, either. They are pretty basic recipes using ingredients that most people have on hand, with a few exceptions. It definitely will inspire you to make some newer recipes and the photos are just so clear and tantalizing! I love the format that they do in their cookbooks! The only drawback to this item is that it is spiral bound. That is good when you want to have a recipe open, but I don’t like flipping through this as much because you have to be careful not to rip the pages, if it came a little warped like mine did. Also, I wish Delish used weight scales in their recipes. Some of the recipes are just cup measures, which can be inaccurate.

Amazon

#Recipes

40 Pork Chop Dinner Ideas You’ll Keep Coming Back To

Posted on July 25, 2025July 23, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

Pork chops check all the boxes for a reliable dinner protein. They’re quick to cook and are flexible enough to go with just about anything. Whether you’re leaning into oven-baked comfort food in the colder months or are craving something charred on the grill, these pork chop dinner ideas flex to fit the season—and your schedule.

This collection brings together weeknight pork dinners that don’t skimp on flavor. You’ll find juicy chops with buttery pan sauces, breaded cuts that crunch at first bite and slow-cooked meals with tender, fall-apart texture. The variety here ranges from seasonal twists—like citrus glazes or warm maple glaze—to smart shortcuts like one-pan meals or dry rubs that can be turned into a quick marinade. If you use thick, bone-in cuts in any of these recipes, a quick sear followed by a short oven finish can help keep the meat tender. Aim for an internal temperature of 145°F and don’t skip the rest time, as those extra few minutes lock in the juices.

Most of these easy pork chop recipes are complete on their own. But if you’re in the mood to add a side, skillet scalloped potatoes or a chilled cucumber salad fit right in. Serve these pork chops with corn on the cob when it’s in season or a cinnamon-apple dessert once the weather cools. However you cook them, these flavorful pork meals are worth keeping in your weekly rotation.

Taste of Home

#Recipes

Greek Pork Chops

Posted on July 25, 2025July 23, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

When it comes to cooking pork chops at home, we usually keep it pretty simple. A quick sprinkle on both sides with pork seasoning, then into the oven or onto the grill. But after a while, this routine gets a bit (OK, very) boring. That’s where the wonderful world of marinades comes in. Not only does a marinade impart the pork with plenty of flavor, but it also tenderizes the meat, ensuring that each bite is juicy and tender. These Greek pork chops get their bright, lemony flavor from a generous soak in a Mediterranean-inspired marinade of olive oil, citrus, spices and Greek oregano.

Greek Pork Chops Ingredients

Pork loin chops: Pork chops are a tender, juicy cut of pork. This recipe calls for boneless pork loin chops, commonly called top loin chops. For even grilling, look for pork chops that are all 3/4-inch thick and weigh about 4 ounces each. Don’t confuse pork loin chops with pork loin. Although they come from the same cut of pork, pork loin refers to the long, thick and wide cut of pork commonly used for roasting. Pork chops are steaks cut from the pork loin.
Olive oil and lemon juice: Olive oil and lemon juice serve as the base for the flavorful marinade. Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor, but bottled juice works just as well.
Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce gives the marinade umami notes and balances out the zippy citrus.
Spices: Salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and ground mustard are added to the marinade to flavor the pork chops.
Dried oregano: For the most authentic flavor, look for Greek oregano, which tastes more savory and earthy than Italian or Turkish oregano.
Lemon wedges: Serve the grilled pork chops with fresh lemon wedges.

Taste of Home

#Recipes

29 Homemade Cherry Desserts That Bring Back Sweet Memories

Posted on July 24, 2025July 23, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

If good things come in small packages, cherries might be the sweetest example. This ruby-red fruit offers a juicy bite and balanced sweet-tart flavor, which is perfect for making cherry desserts. From classic pies with jammy fillings tucked under golden crusts to rustic cobblers with buttery biscuit tops, these treats are the best way to end an al fresco, summer meal.

We chose these cherry desserts for their simple techniques and cozy, fruit-filled flavors that make them timeless. You’ll find warm crisps with cinnamon crumbles, chocolate-covered bites that reveal a soft, sweet center and mini cheesecakes with creamy filling and a tangy cherry topping. There are make-ahead favorites too—like cherry delight with its airy whipped layers and cherry hand pies wrapped in flaky pastry. Some easy dessert recipes rely on pantry shortcuts, like canned filling or biscuit dough, while others highlight homemade crusts and fresh fruit for a more traditional touch.

Knowing what type of cherries to use can make all the difference in flavor and texture. Tart varieties like Montmorency are best for pies and cobblers, while sweet types like Bing, Rainier or Lapins work well in cakes, ice creams and no-bake treats. Whether you’re revisiting vintage baking recipes or simply craving something sweet, these nostalgic cherry recipes bring comfort in every bite.

Taste of Home

#Recipes

Blueberry Puppy Chow

Posted on July 24, 2025July 23, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

I recall the first time my mother made a batch of old-fashioned puppy chow, and I thought it was the best thing I’d ever tasted. It was sweet, crunchy, and coated in decadent chocolate and rich peanut butter—two things I love. Fast-forward 30 years and I was excited to share the beloved no-bake dessert with my son. Imagine my dismay when he wanted nothing to do with the original recipe. He’s not a dessert guy—a few bites and he’s done. He much prefers fruit desserts (or honestly, plain fruit). That’s where this blueberry puppy chow came into play.

After you swap in a few big handfuls of plump, ripe blueberries for the Rice Chex from the original recipe, the rest of this blueberry puppy chow recipe stays pretty true to the original. Chocolate and peanut butter are melted together with a touch of coconut oil for smoothness and then used to evenly coat the berries. Once the chocolate has set lightly, a generous dusting of confectioners’ sugar is dumped on top for added sweetness. Once the chocolate has set fully, you have the perfect special after-school treat that kids will love to gobble up.

Blueberry Puppy Chow Ingredients

Blueberries: There are numerous health and beauty benefits of blueberries, so using them in puppy chow sneaks a little boost of nutrition into this traditional childhood recipe.
Semisweet chocolate chips: For the best taste, use a chocolate chip brand that you love. Our recipe calls for melting them over a double boiler, but you can melt the chocolate however you like.
Peanut butter: The peanut butter may be our favorite part of this blueberry puppy chow. It makes every bite taste like a little peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is often added to melted chocolate because it improves the consistency and yields a shinier coating without having to temper the chocolate.
Confectioners’ sugar: Confectioners’ sugar dusts the berries with a heavenly sweet coating reminiscent of our favorite beignets.

Taste of Home

Book Reviews

Instantly French!: Classic French Recipes for Your Electric Pressure Cooker

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Reluctant Retiree

The first electric pressure cooker book devoted to French food brings French cuisine to your table without the hassle.

“Ann Mah has figured out how we can master the soul of French cooking and do it in less time than maman did.” —Dorie Greenspan, author of Everyday Dorie

Author of Mastering the Art of French Eating, Ann Mah is undoubtedly an expert on all things relating to French food. But when she discovered the electric pressure cooker, she realized that it was the secret weapon the French have used for years to speedily prepare the complex dishes of la cuisine de grandmère. In her first cookbook, Ann celebrates everything gastronomically French that an electric pressure cooker can do with over seventy different recipes that cut cooking times in more than half.

The delights of Instantly French! range from appetizers like eggplant caviar, pâté de campagne, and savory mini blue cheese cakes to soups like traditional French onion or an autumnal purée of butternut squash and chestnut. For main courses, there are classics like boeuf bourguignon, cassoulet, chicken tagine with preserved lemons, and blanquette de veau. Desserts feature poached pears, flourless chocolate cake, and crème brulée. And, all of these dishes can be made in a fraction of the time they usually take. Illustrated throughout with full color photos, Instantly French! is the essential guide to fast, delicious French cooking with your electric pressure cooker.

“Ann Mah takes a very classic—and extremely personal—look at the popular electric pressure cooker. Here is how I describe her studied approach: inquisitive, detailed, precise, adventurous, accurate. Bravo!” —Patricia Wells, journalist, author, and multiple James Beard Award winner, living in Paris and Provence

“Instantly French! Proves that you don’t need fancy techniques, finesse . . . or a lot of time to make delicious French cuisine. Ann Mah’s collection of authentic yet up-to-date French fare will free you up to sip and savor a glass of wine (preferably French!) until dinner is served.” —David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen and L’Appart

Amazon

My Go-To Lazy Weeknight Dinner Starts With a Can of Beans

Have you heard of comfortcore? Comfortcore started as a design trend but has since expanded to all aspects of living. In essence, “comfortcore food” is all about simple and delicious recipes that make us feel warm and cozy, and evoke pleasure and comfort. Think dishes like mac and cheese, chili, and baked potatoes.

I know what you’re thinking. Don’t we already have another term for recipes like this? Yes, it’s hard to say what differentiates comfortcore from comfort food, but leave it to social media to rebrand something that’s been around since the dawn of time.

While we’re on the topic, I thought I’d share my go-to lazy meal that screams of comfortcore. I like to throw it together on weeknights when I crave something quick, comforting, and filling. The recipe is packed with protein, takes 20 minutes to come together, and is as satisfying as any cheesy, tomato-y pasta bake.

The Best-Ever Bean Recipe

This dish goes by several names. I’ve seen it called Pizza Beans, Cheesy White Beans, and Skillet Beans, but I like to call it the Best-Ever Bean Recipe. I first saw the dish in the New York Times, and while I don’t make it too differently than that recipe, the beauty of this dish is that you can switch things up endlessly.

Whatever it’s called, it’s delicious, comforting, satisfying, makes the house smell amazing, and the reason my pantry is always stocked with cans of white beans. Whether it’s cannellini, navy beans, or butter beans, whatever you have in the pantry will work. And the best part? It only has five ingredients—all of which I almost always have on hand.

You can eat this as is, in a bowl with a spoon. Or you can toast up slices of crusty bread and spread the cheesy beans on the slices. This crostini recipe would be perfect, but plain toasted bread would also work in a pinch. Store-bought bruschetta (the type you’d find in the cracker aisle) or even garlic bagel chips would be great vehicles for scooping it up, too.

Since this recipe starts on the stove and finishes in the oven, you’ll also need an oven-proof skillet, such as a cast iron skillet or an all stainless steel skillet.