Month: November 2025

Posted in #Recipes

Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This unique turkey and rice soup will make you glad you had so many Thanksgiving leftovers, and in fact it just might put turkey on the menu well beyond that November holiday. At once savory and tangy, this lemony turkey rice soup is easy to enjoy and hard to forget. It’s also rather easy to make, coming together in less than half an hour, including the prep.

How can such a tasty soup be so quick and easy to make? Well, let’s just say a can of condensed cream of chicken soup may help. That, and the lemon juice and cilantro. There are several unexpected ingredients to be found here, but unexpected hardly means unwelcome!

Turkey Rice Soup Ingredients

  • Cooked turkey: To make the eight servings as laid out in this recipe, you’ll need two cups of diced cooked turkey, either white meat or dark.
  • Long grain rice: Basmati and jasmine are both types of long grain rice. Be aware that this soup calls for pre-cooked rice!
  • Condensed cream of chicken soup: This undiluted chicken soup is what gives this soup its savory base.
  • Pepper: A little dash of black pepper heat helps punch through the richness of this soup.
  • Chicken broth: The base of the soup, you can use turkey broth instead if you’re making this after Thanksgiving. Be sure to reserve a bit of this broth for use toward the end of the cooking.
  • Cornstarch: The cornstarch combines with the reserved broth to acts as a thickener, creating a velvety texture.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brings a wonderful tangy taste.
  • Fresh cilantro: A counterpoint to the citrusy lemon, the cilantro balances out this soup and adds brightness.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

65 Fall Casserole Recipes for a Chilly Day

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

In my opinion, the best thing about the weather going from cool to downright bone-chilling is the increase in opportunities to make creamy, comforting fall casserole recipes. While it could be because I am thoroughly midwestern, I think it’s really because the cozy fall casseroles in this collection are the perfect combination of in-season flavors and comfort food, all in convenient and easy packages.

This collection has a wide range of autumn casserole recipes, from seasonal favorites like sweet potato bakes, chicken and stuffing casserole, and green bean casserole to casserole all-stars like million-dollar spaghetti, Tater Tot and tuna noodle, so there’s always something to satisfy your cravings. Beyond dinner casseroles, you’ll also find plenty of options for breakfast casseroles and side dishes, so you can tuck into a hot dish all day long.

The best part is that these easy casseroles are a snap to throw together, and most can be made in advance, making them perfect for busy weeknight meals. Serve up one (or a few!) of these seasonal casserole dishes with a leafy green salad and some rolls, and you’ve got dinner.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Cracker Barrel Recipes Cookbook

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A collection of classic Cracker Barrel recipes that will help you bring the Southern table’s charm & good taste to your own kitchen

The “Cracker Barrel Recipes Cookbook” is a culinary treasure trove that brings the delicious flavors of the Cracker Barrel restaurant to your home kitchen. Inside this cookbook, you’ll find a collection of carefully curated recipes, each crafted to capture the Southern charm and homestyle cooking that Cracker Barrel is known for.

Key Features:

Iconic Dishes: Explore recipes for Cracker Barrel’s iconic dishes, such as Chicken and Dumplings, Fried Chicken, Biscuits, Country Fried Steak, and more.

Southern Comfort: Discover the secrets behind the comforting flavors of the South, with recipes for classic sides like mashed potatoes, collard greens, and cornbread.

Breakfast Favorites: Wake up to a hearty Southern breakfast with recipes for biscuits, gravy, pancakes, and other breakfast staples.

Desserts and Treats: Indulge your sweet tooth with recipes for Cracker Barrel’s famous desserts, including their Homemade Chocolate Cake and Fruit Cobbler.

Homey Tips: Learn valuable cooking tips and techniques that capture the essence of Southern hospitality and home-cooked goodness.

Gathering Inspiration: Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or a casual get-together, this cookbook provides inspiration for creating memorable meals that bring loved ones together.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out in the kitchen, the “Cracker Barrel Recipes Cookbook” offers a delightful culinary journey, inviting you to savor the comforting flavors of the South at your own dining table. With step-by-step instructions and insider tips, you can recreate the restaurant’s classic dishes and add a touch of Southern hospitality to your meals.

Posted in #Recipes

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

In this chicken Alfredo lasagna recipe, we skip the beefy red sauce and creamy ricotta found in traditional lasagna. Instead, we pack the layers with a rich, creamy white sauce and a savory meat filling. The lightly crisped edges of browned chicken, pancetta and prosciutto create a satisfying contrast against the softer textures in the dish.

A combination of several cheeses—Asiago, mozzarella and Parmesan—gives this lasagna an irresistible gooey factor. Each cheese builds on the others, crafting a complex flavor profile that’s just not achievable with mozzarella alone. Put together buttery, creamy Asiago and nutty, sharp Parmesan with wonderfully melty mozzarella, and you have a real winner.

Next time you’re wondering what to do with your leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge, this mashup of classic lasagna and chicken Alfredo is just the ticket.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna sliced and served
Taste of Home

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Ingredients

  • No-cook lasagna noodles: These noodles don’t need to be boiled before they’re used. Instead, they absorb moisture from the sauce, softening and cooking as the entire lasagna bakes.
  • Alfredo sauce: This easy sauce combines a roux—a cooked mixture of butter and flour—with whole milk, shredded Asiago cheese and fresh herbs. (Double up on this sauce, and use the leftovers in any of our fave recipes with Alfredo sauce.)
  • Savory meats: We make good use of leftover rotisserie chicken by combining it with savory pancetta and prosciutto. If you can’t find prosciutto, feel free to use deli ham.
  • Cheeses: The combination of Asiago, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses makes a sauce that’s super rich and creamy with subtly nutty undertones. It makes this pasta dish shine.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

22 Flavor-Packed Diabetic-Friendly Chicken Dishes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’re cooking with blood sugar in mind, chicken becomes a go-to, both for its lean protein as well as how well it pairs with a wide range of flavors and textures. These diabetic-friendly chicken dishes use nutrient-dense ingredients like artichoke hearts, spinach, citrus and fresh herbs to create balanced meals without relying on refined starches or sugary sauces. The result is satisfying diabetic-friendly dinners that support steady energy, without sacrificing taste or comfort.

We chose these recipes because they help keep blood sugar steady and are easy to prep and adapt, like chicken cacciatore. Even more elevated dishes, like chicken stuffed with spinach and goat cheese or a tropical cauliflower rice bowl, start with lean protein, add low-glycemic vegetables and finish with herbs or spices for depth.

Most of these easy chicken dinner recipes use pantry staples you likely already have. With a few diabetic exchanges and smart cooking techniques, like stovetop searing or slow braising, you have healthy diabetic dinner ideas without trading off flavors. Each recipe aligns with healthy eating patterns and what people with diabetes can eat and drink in everyday routines

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

27 Money-Saving Meals to Keep in Your Back Pocket

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas

Cooking on a budget is an art form that balances cost without sacrificing flavor, and making affordable swaps in the kitchen doesn’t have to lead to bland or uninspiring meals. In truth, low-cost cooking invites a world of creativity, where simple, inexpensive ingredients are transformed into delectable dishes and wholesome meals. The key lies in the clever use of spices and pantry staples, strategic techniques, and the magic of fresh, seasonal produce. Some of the world’s great dishes were born from a need to coax flavors out of a few humble ingredients. We’ve rounded up our favorite affordable meals to highlight some of the ways that we make the most out of every single morsel.

One of the best ways to save money without sacrificing flavor is to use your dollars where they count. By keeping the sides for this crispy roast chicken simple, you can go big on a zesty sauce that will pack a punch.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’re in the mood for comfort food, pork chops and scalloped potatoes are a dinner combination that everyone will love. But when they’re baked together, with layers of tender sliced potatoes and onions bubbling in an simple gravy, they turn into a pork chop and potato casserole that really is one of the easiest pork dinner recipes ever.

You briefly sear the pork chops for extra flavor, then add them to the covered casserole, where they stay moist and tender as they cook. It’s one of those crowd-pleasing meals that you can make for all kinds of occasions—dinner with the kids, a special weekend supper when your family comes over, or even to share with friends at a dinner party.

Ingredients for Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes

  • Pork rib chops: The casserole gets a long bake in the oven, so the type of pork chop you choose is essential. Pork rib chops have more fat than loin chops, which helps them stay juicy once cooked. Buy chops that are sliced about 3/4-inch thick.
  • Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes make a savory bed for the pork chops. Yukon Golds or russets are the best type of potatoes here; you’ll need about four to six medium potatoes to get 6 cups of sliced potatoes. A mandoline (an essential kitchen tool) makes thin, perfectly even slices.
  • Onion: Use yellow, white or even sweet onions for this recipe. Slice the onion into thin rings to cook with the scalloped potatoes.
  • Oil: You need just a little vegetable oil in the skillet to sear the pork chops. Browning meat in fat adds color and extra flavor.
  • Chicken broth: Use a good quality store-bought or homemade chicken broth. It’s the base of a simple gravy that simmers the potatoes and onions.
  • Butter: Use melted salted or unsalted butter to make the roux that thickens the gravy.
  • Flour: Whisk all-purpose flour into the melted butter to make the roux.
  • Seasonings: Season the pork chops simply with salt and pepper. Paprika and fresh parsley are optional seasonings you can use as a garnish for color and flavor.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Our Top 50 Thanksgiving Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

Whether you’re planning a traditional Thanksgiving menu featuring classics like turkey, savory green bean casserole and homemade cranberry sauce or experimenting with new takes on your family traditions, you’re going to need a few ideas to get you started. Luckily, our 50 most-popular Thanksgiving recipes have you covered. This collection of feast-worthy eats includes soups and appetizers to start your meal, turkey and side dishes to round it out — and even desserts. You’ll truly find everything you need to host the perfect holiday meal.

There are lots of great options but this flavorful turkey is truly one of the best. A slather of mayonnaise on the bird pulls double duty by standing in as a flavor-packed rub as well as adding moisture and fat to often dry meat. And what’s particularly great is that it browns the skin beautifully without the constant basting that most birds need.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

Crockpot Beef Tenderloin

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Beef tenderloin is not cheap, so the last thing you want to do is ruin this special cut of meat with a subpar recipe. Don’t fret; this Crockpot beef tenderloin recipe takes the stress out of cooking a tenderloin. A low-and-slow simmer in the slow cooker yields juicy, tender slices of meat that are absolutely worth the money you spent.

It’s one of our favorite slow-cooker recipes when it comes to serving a crowd for a special occasion. And if you’re cooking for only a couple of people, don’t sweat; those leftovers will be great in beef tenderloin sandwiches for lunches all week long!

Ingredients for Crockpot Beef Tenderloin

  • Beef tenderloin: Look to grab a tenderloin that is around 6 pounds, which will fit perfectly in your slow cooker.
  • Diced tomatoes with mild green chiles: These amped-up tomatoes add acidity and spice to your beef tenderloin sauce, giving the meat a unique flavor compared to more typical buttery or herby recipes.
  • Dry red wine: Wine adds richness to meat dishes like this one.
  • Condensed tomato soup and mushroom soup: Canned soup thickens the sauce and adds fat and creaminess, helping keep the meat tender. Make sure to use undiluted cans!
  • Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce helps loosen up the sauce and provides more liquid for the beef tenderloin to cook in.
  • Garlic cloves: The garlic works as the aromatic for this dish, enhancing all those rich, creamy and acidic flavors.
  • Worcestershire sauce: This fermented condiment adds an umami finish to your beef tenderloin.
  • Ground mustard: Powdered mustard enhances the flavors of the tomatoes and the Worcestershire sauce.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s so much to enjoy when visiting Cracker Barrel, from the gift shop to the vintage candy store to the homestyle comfort food. And while everyone seems to have a go-to order, the hash brown casserole at Cracker Barrel is a national best-seller for a good reason. Luckily, we know a thing or two about fast food copycat recipes, and we’re all set to tackle this one so you can make it at home.

Our copycat Cracker Barrel hash brown casserole can be enjoyed any time of the day and is always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it alongside steak and eggs for breakfast, pair it with a slice of quiche for brunch, or enjoy it in the evening with fried chicken and green beans. Plan to make a double batch, because the odds of leftovers are slim when it comes to Cracker Barrel copycat recipes like this one (I’m speaking from experience!).

Ingredients for Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Copycat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole Ingredients
LAUREN HABERMEHL FOR TASTE OF HOME
  • Butter: A bit of butter softens the onions and garlic.
  • Vegetables: We keep the aromatic vegetables simple by using pungent onions and garlic; that way we can let the main vegetable (potatoes!) take center stage in this cheesy hash brown casserole.
  • Cream of chicken soup: You’ll need one can of condensed cream of chicken soup. Do not dilute it! We need it to act as a major flavor enhancer. See our tips below on swaps you can make for cream of chicken soup.
  • Sour cream: Tangy, rich and creamy, sour cream moistens and flavors the potatoes. If you’re looking for a sour cream substitute, reach for Greek or plain yogurt.
  • Cheese: We highly recommend you grate your own cheese fresh from the block if you can. Pre-shredded cheese is tossed with preservatives and anti-caking agents, pulling away Parmesan and cheddar’s natural flavors.
  • Shredded potatoes: Buying a bag of frozen, pre-shredded potatoes makes it easy to throw this hash brown casserole recipe together in a pinch. See our tips below on using fresh potatoes if that’s your preference.
  • Chives: Sprinkle minced chives on the cheesy hash brown casserole for a gorgeous pop of green and a pungent onion flavor.

Taste of Home