Posted in #Recipes

41 Cozy Winter Dessert Recipes to Warm You Up

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When the temperature drops and snow covers the sidewalk, there’s nothing quite like winter dessert recipes to warm your soul. Whether you’re grabbing a spoon for bread pudding or slicing into a fruity crumble, these popular dessert recipes will make you forget about the cold outside.

If you’re new to baking, don’t worry—many of these treats can be made with pantry staples and minimal effort. Other recipes let you take your time, filling the house with the dreamy aromas of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla.

Ready to bake? Pull out your mixing bowl, preheat your oven (or grab your slow cooker) and gather your friends or family. With so many different ways to keep cozy, you’re bound to find a dessert (or two) that fits your mood. Once you taste how comforting these desserts are, winter might just become your sweetest season yet.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Smothered Pork Chops in Oven

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When it comes to comfort food only a few dishes hit the mark quite like these oven-baked smothered pork chops. This recipe turns out subtly seasoned chops nestled in a rich, creamy sauce that’s just begging to be mopped up with a slice of bread or a forkful of mashed potatoes. And the best part? It all comes together in one pan. That means less cleanup and more time to savor every delicious bite.

Smothered Pork Chops in Oven Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: The flour provides a light coating for the pork chops, helping them brown evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
  • Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish and helps to season the pork chops as they cook.
  • Pepper: A bit of pepper adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the seasoned flour mixture.
  • Pork loin chops: The pork chops are the star of the dish, offering a tender and flavorful base for the rich sauce.
  • Canola oil: The oil is used to brown the pork chops, creating a flavorful crust and sealing in the juices.
  • Condensed cream of mushroom soup: This soup serves as the base of the sauce and adds creaminess and a savory mushroom flavor to the dish.
  • Sour cream: Sour cream brings a tangy richness to the sauce, balancing the flavors and adding creaminess.
  • Chicken broth: The broth thins the sauce slightly while adding a savory depth that complements the pork.
  • Ground ginger: A small amount of ginger adds a spark of warmth and a hint of spice, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
  • Dried rosemary: Rosemary infuses the sauce with a fragrant and earthy flavor that pairs well with pork.
  • French-fried onions: The onions provide a crunchy topping and add a burst of savory flavor that contrasts with the creamy sauce.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Easy Frugal Cookbook

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

100 Satisfying Recipes That Won’t Break the Bank

Eat well for less—100 delicious, affordable recipes the whole family will love

It’s easier than you think to make hearty meals that are tasty, budget-friendly, and nutritious. Discover an easy cookbook that shows you how, with 100 inexpensive family recipes that use basic ingredients, and can be made in just a few steps.

This easy cookbook will help you whip up satisfying dishes like Crispy Coconut Drumsticks or Open-Face Turkey Sandwiches for everyone in the house for just $5. All it takes is the right recipe, a few tricks, and a little planning to make the most of your food budget.

Discover how versatile and flavorful cheap eating can be with an easy cookbook that offers:

  • Budget tricks—Recipes are sorted by estimated cost of ingredients, from $5 to $15 dollars per batch, and include tips to lower the cost of ingredients even further.
  • Shop smart—This easy cookbook includes tips about shopping efficiently and optimizing ingredients and leftovers.
  • Menu plan—A sample meal plan and shopping list will help simplify meal prep and save you money and time.

Bring the whole family to the table with an easy cookbook that makes weeknight dinners easy and affordable.

Posted in #Recipes

71 Winter Comfort Food Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These cozy winter comfort food recipes can warm up even the coldest nights.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Texas-Style Lasagna

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s wonderful with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas

Can you freeze Texas-Style Lasagna?

Before baking, cover and freeze lasagna up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary for a thermometer to read 160°.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

One-Pot Mediterranean Diet

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

101 Simple Meals for Your Skillet, Baking Sheet, Dutch Oven, and More 

The famed Mediterranean diet—simplified into one pot simmering with flavor

Consistently ranked as one of the best and most doctor-recommended diets in the world, the Mediterranean diet is known for its amazing benefits like weight loss and reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease. One-Pot Mediterranean Diet delivers tons of recipes exploding with fresh flavors with the ease and convenience of the one-pot method.

Explore a diversity of foods from a Mediterranean Breakfast Board to Spicy Grilled Veggie Pita using seasonally fresh ingredients and spices. Avoid obstacles including cleanup and hard-to-find ingredients and stay on track as you discover this all-inclusive way of cooking designed to fit into our everyday lives.

Inside this one-Pot Mediterranean cookbook you’ll discover:

  • More than a cookbook—Learn about the Mediterranean diet, lifestyle, and nutrition before diving into the recipes.
  • Family dinners—While containing things like soups, salads, and sides, the book features predominantly main dishes.
  • Substitute teacher—Clearly written, easy-to-follow recipes allow readers to easily substitute ingredients as needed.

One pot keeps the smart, healthy spirit of the Mediterranean diet alive while cutting the time you’ll spend in the kitchen.

Posted in #Recipes

Mexican Mac and Cheese

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Classic homemade macaroni and cheese is always a huge hit with the entire family. In most cases, however, mac and cheese requires using a saucepan, a pasta pot and baking a dish. Not to mention the fact that rounding out the meal with a vegetable or protein option means preparing an additional dish. That’s a lot of work and cleanup for a weeknight dinner.

This Mexican mac and cheese is the answer to all that prepping and scrubbing. Plus, this Mexican-inspired macaroni and cheese’s savory, zesty flavors make for a more refined version of the traditional pasta dish. Next time you’re scrambling to fit in a home-cooked family dinner, this Mexican mac and cheese won’t disappoint.

Ingredients for Mexican Mac and Cheese

  • Ground beef: Ground beef that’s 95% lean is perfect for this skillet recipe since the fat is drained and the flavor of the leaner meat doesn’t overpower the flavors of the other ingredients and spices.
  • Onion: Sharp and pungent chopped onions are a staple ingredient in Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes. Use any onion you prefer, but white onions are most commonly used in Mexican dishes.
  • Chili powder: Chili powder is a blend of ground chili pepper, cumin and other spices, and provides the smoky, zesty profile of this Mexi-mac skillet. You can choose a good store-bought brand or make your own chili powder for more flavor control
  • Oregano: If you’re able to find Mexican oregano (which is different from true oregano), give it a try. Mexican oregano is in the same family as lemon verbena, and has a brighter, more citrusy flavor with notes of anise. It pairs well with chilies, spices and southwestern flavors.
  • Diced tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes adds tangy, sweetness and texture to the Mexican mac and cheese. You can substitute the canned tomatoes for fresh if you prefer.
  • Tomato sauce: Not to be confused with marinara sauce, basic canned tomato sauce is simply cooked and pureed tomatoes.
  • Corn: Whether fresh or frozen, corn adds a crip texture that balances out the soft pasta and brings a sweet, nutty flavor to the dish.
  • Elbow macaroni: Add dry pasta directly to the skillet in this Mexican mac and cheese recipe. The macaroni will cook in the skillet and absorb the flavors of the meat, tomatoes and spices, and the starches of the pasta will help thicken the sauce.
  • Cheese: Shredded cheddar is the go-to when making macaroni and cheese, and we don’t disagree. You can choose a lower fat option if you prefer, or try a different variety altogether. Buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself for the best results when it comes to melting. Bagged shredded cheese often includes anti-caking agents that can affect how well it melts.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

45 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make on Repeat

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

From simple skillet dinners to hearty soups and casseroles, these ground beef recipes are perfect for busy nights or anytime you need a satisfying meal.

Whenever I find myself aimlessly wandering the store, unsure what’s for dinner, I inevitably grab a package of ground beef to get things started. Beyond meatballs, burgers and meat loaf (though I never tire of those options), there are countless easy ground beef recipes that I know I can toss together for a hearty meal my whole family will enjoy.

This collection is packed with all our best quick ground beef dinners and family-friendly recipes to save the day when you need inspiration.

There are twists on classic recipes for weeknight-friendly versions of lasagna, stuffed peppers or Stroganoff, and cozy soup recipes that make a great lunch the next day. Try easy meal ideas inspired by tacos, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese for a mashup of bold flavors and comfort food. Even if you have only a bit of meat, the recipes using 1 pound of ground beef will satisfy. Whether you need a 30-minute pasta recipe or you want to try something new, these ground beef dinners are sure to become favorites.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

47 Leftover Chicken Recipes You’ll Want to Eat

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Leftovers for dinner—again? Eating up what’s in the fridge might be easy, but it’s always not the most exciting. Follow our leftover chicken recipes for a fresh take on yesterday’s dinner!

Let’s admit it: we eat a lot of chicken dinners. We have good reasons. Chicken’s mild flavor suits many cuisines and seasonings, and it’s a lean protein that even the kids will eat. But it’s easy to get tired of the same ol’ leftovers, especially the second (or third) night in a row.

Our favorite leftover chicken recipes make exciting meals from the scraps in your fridge. A roast chicken, for example, can turn into any number of meals, from cozy soups to stacked sandwiches to big dinner salads. Sliced or ground chicken can top pizzas or stuff ooey-gooey enchiladas. You can even use up leftover chicken bones in savory broth (which then becomes soups, risotto and so on). Ah, the places your chicken will go!

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

WeightWatchers New Complete Cookbook

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Over 500 Delicious Recipes for the Healthy Cook’s Kitchen (WeightWatchers Lifestyle)

The newest and fully revised edition of one of America’s bestselling cookbooks for people who love to eat while embracing a healthier lifestyle.
 
WeightWatchers knows the secrets for pairing good nutrition with great taste. From hearty breakfasts to flavorful dinners, you’ll discover new recipes that rely on lean meats, whole grains, and fresh produce. Try new favorites like Cremini Mushrooms with Quinoa and Thyme or Swiss Chard au Gratin, or family standbys like Buttermilk-Blueberry Corn Muffins and Sicilian Sausage-Stuffed Pizza. Reflecting the current trends in food, this edition boasts new chapters on appetizers and beverages, featuring a no-cook cocktail party; small plates for creating tapas for light meals; recipes for the grill; 20-minute main dishes, including advice on shopping and streamlining; plus numerous tips and techniques. With more than 60 color photos, this book will make everyone healthier and happier.