Posted in #Recipes

Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our irresistible slow cooker corn chowder recipe. This hearty and creamy dish blends sweet corn with the rich flavors of bacon, potatoes and aromatic herbs. Perfect for chilly evenings or any time you’re craving a bowl of warmth and flavor. Our recipe promises a simple yet deeply satisfying soup.

The best part is, your slow cooker does all the work. Combine and refrigerate the ingredients for the corn chowder the night before, then pour the mixture into your crockpot and turn it on in the morning. When you come home from work, a hot, tasty meal awaits.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

  • Milk: Milk is the main binder for this chowder. Its combination with the creamy soup creates a velvety base for the rest of the ingredients. You’ll need 2-1/2 cups of 2% milk but you can use 1% or reduced fat if that’s all you have.
  • Creamed corn: We’re not gatekeeping our secret to the creamiest corn chowder—it’s a can of cream-style corn.
  • Cream of mushroom soup: Condensed cream of mushroom soup also imparts lots of earthy, savory flavor and amps up the creamy factor in this slow-cooker chowder.
  • Frozen corn: Two types of corn add to the chunky nature of this chowder. We also used a bag of frozen kernels but canned or fresh would work too.
  • Hash brown potatoes: Traditional chowders usually involve onions and potatoes but we went one step further in the comfort food department with a cup of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes. It is a total game-changer in this soup.
  • Fully cooked ham: Ham and corn are a flavor-enhancing combination and sneak some protein into this chowder, too.
  • Onion: Sauteed onion bits add some sweetness to the soup and the chunky texture.
  • Parsley: A peppery herbaceous finish in the form of dried  (or fresh) parsley flakes is the right move.
  • Butter: For an extra silky, buttery chowder, you’ll need 2 tablespoons of butter.
  • Bacon: Although optional, crispy crumbled bacon is the ultimate topper for chowder.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

19 Favorite Restaurant Copycat Soup Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

It’s cold outside, and you’re craving your favorite restaurant soup. Skip the drive, the wait and the bill, and instead whip up one of these hot, steamy copycat soup recipes that taste just like their restaurant counterparts. And hello, leftovers!

We have all the copycat favorites right here in this list. Expect the iconic soups from Panera Bread, like broccoli cheddar and tomato soup, plus copycat Olive Garden recipes, like their zuppa toscana or minestrone. But there are so many more copycat options, too, like Wendy’s chili, Cracker Barrel’s chicken and dumplings, and Red Lobster’s clam chowder.

Of course, serve these soups with some restaurant-copycat bread recipes. Whip up Cheesecake Factory’s brown bread, bread bowls from Panera, Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits and Olive Garden’s breadsticks.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Navy Bean Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When soup season hits our house, we have a steady list of recipes on rotation. We love all the classic homemade soup recipes because they’re affordable and easy to make in bulk, and they can use up those vegetables in your crisper! This Test Kitchen-approved navy bean soup is one of our favorites, and you might even already have all the ingredients on hand.

Soaking beans overnight is recommended when cooking dried beans, which this recipe calls for. Though it means having to plan ahead just a bit, you’ll never regret cooking dried beans from scratch. As the beans simmer with the rest of the ingredients, everything melds together to create a creamy, delicious soup base. A minimal number of other ingredients, time and simple seasoning are all it takes to make a heart-warming, tummy-filling soup.

Ingredients for Navy Bean Soup

  • Dried navy beans: Cooking dried beans is important for this recipe because the cooking liquid becomes part of the soup base. If you don’t have time to soak them overnight, you can quick-soak dried beans. Soak the rinsed beans in boiling water for just an hour.
  • Ham: Ham is important here, as it adds a whole depth of flavor to this soup. Navy bean soup is one of those great leftover ham recipes you’ll want in your back pocket to use up leftover meat!
  • Chicken broth: You can use store-bought or homemade chicken broth if you have the time. In a pinch, you can also use vegetable broth or even water.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

17 Dump Soup Recipes That Practically Cook Themselves

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Some dinners start with a plan. Others start with a can of tomatoes and a prayer, and that’s when dump soup recipes become your secret weapon. They’re the kind of meals you pull together between errands, after work or on nights when sauteeing onions is one step too many. Just like shortcut soups, these recipes don’t ask for much. With a handful of pantry staples, a few minutes to combine everything and a little trust that it will all come together, dinner will be ready before you know it.

This collection has family-friendly dump soups inspired by tacos and hamburgers, vegetable-loaded minestrone and boldly flavored spicy sausage soup. Most are endlessly adaptable too. Swap in shredded rotisserie chicken for another meat or use a different canned bean or lentil if you don’t have the one the recipe calls for. Many of these easy soup recipes can be frozen for future meals—just make sure you know which soups freeze well and which you should refrigerate instead. If you are cooking for a crowd, these soups are easy to double since most start with canned and pantry-friendly staples.

Dump soups may be low on prep, but they’re not low on flavor. They work when you’re short on time, light on groceries or just need an easy dinner plan. Sometimes, that’s exactly what makes them the best kind of comfort food.

Taste of Home

Posted in Kitchen Tips

The Internet Taught Me the Best Tip for Using Tomato Paste

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Wasting food, even just a tablespoon or two of something, doesn’t sit well with me. I keep small amounts of leftover vegetables in a freezer container to use for chicken pot pie. I make breadcrumbs from stale bread. I freeze overripe fruit to use in smoothies or cocktails. Of course, I never throw away a Parmesan rind. 

Before you think I sound like a perfectionist, I am the first to admit that I’m far from perfect. Some veggies do die in the crisper drawer. The final serving of a casserole that gets shoved to the back of the fridge often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. And one food that I seem to waste more than I’m proud to admit is tomato paste.

I often open a 6-ounce can of tomato paste that doesn’t get entirely used up in whatever recipe I’m cooking. Then the leftover tomato paste goes into a container and, like that final serving of a casserole, makes its way to the back of the fridge until it’s inevitably found with fuzz on the top.

And yes, I know the trick of spooning tomato paste into ice cube trays, freezing them, and then popping out the cubes to live in a freezer-safe bag until needed, but that’s three whole steps. Please don’t judge me, but that’s two more steps—despite good intentions—than I’m likely to do. Plus, who wants to stain their ice trays with tomatoes?

So when I saw a simple tip on TikTok to freeze tomato paste by the tablespoon that has just one step and no extra equipment, I thought it was genius.

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

Over-the-Top Baked Ziti

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I adapted a ziti recipe to remove ingredients my kids did not like, such as ground beef. The revised recipe was a success not only with my family but at potlucks too. It’s so versatile: You can use jarred sauce, double or triple the recipe, and even freeze it. —Kimberley Pitman, Smyrna, Delaware Field Editor

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

88 Slow-Cooker Recipes to Warm Your Winter

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Come in from the cold and sit down to slow-simmered pot roast, loaded chili and breakfast-for-dinner, too. Even on the snowiest day, these winter slow-cooker recipes warm you from your toes to your nose.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

42 Make-Ahead Freezer Meals for Busy Nights

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These convenient make-ahead freezer meals are for anyone with a busy schedule. We know it can be challenging to find time to make delicious home-cooked meals when time is tight. Luckily, with a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy flavorful make-ahead freezer meals like aromatic lasagnas, melt-in-your-mouth pot roasts and slow-cooked stews.

Simplify meal prep with our delectable recipes for casseroles, pies and soups. They freeze well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave, ensuring you’ll always have access to easy weeknight dinners. Whether you’re planning for a busy week, stocking the freezer to prepare for your baby’s arrival or streamlining meal prep, these freezer-friendly recipes make for quick homemade meals.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Casserole Cookbook

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Embrace the Art of Effortless Cooking with a Treasury of 1500 Days’ Worth of Delicious Recipes, Perfect for Creating Memorable and Nourishing Family Meals on a Frugal Budget

🥘 Are you tired of the same old dinner routine? 🥞

🔅 Struggling to find time for cooking delicious and nutritious meals? 🔅

⭐️ Wishing for a convenient solution that satisfies your taste buds and saves your precious time? ⭐️


🫵🏼 If your answer is YES to any of these questions, then “Casserole Cookbook” is the solution you’ve been searching for! 🫵🏼


💥We understand the challenges you face in the kitchen and the desire for a delightful dining experience. That’s why we present to you “Casserole Cookbook” – the ultimate answer to your mealtime woes. With our book in your hands, you can transform mundane dinners into mouthwatering culinary adventures.💥


💪🏻 We’ve been there too, and that’s why we created the ultimate solution to simplify your cooking routine and bring joy back to your table. 💪🏻


✅ In this comprehensive cookbook, we delve into the heart of your pain points: the struggle of monotonous meals and overwhelming schedules. But fear not, because we’ve got your back! With our carefully curated collection of casserole recipes, you’ll discover a treasure trove of mouthwatering dishes that are both effortless to prepare and bursting with flavor.

💢 Discover the benefits that await you in “Casserole Cookbook”: 💢

  • Step-by-Step Process: Discover how to effortlessly create delectable casseroles with our easy-to-follow recipes.
  • Time-Saving Solutions: Whip up delicious meals in a fraction of the time it takes for traditional cooking methods.
  • Versatile Options: Explore a wide range of casserole variations, from vegetarian delights to hearty meaty feasts.
  • Family-Friendly Fare: Delight your loved ones with dishes that are both comforting and nutritious.
  • Make-Ahead Marvels: Prepare meals in advance and enjoy more quality time with your family and friends.
  • Health-Conscious Choices: Find recipes that cater to different dietary preferences, including gluten-free and low-fat options.


🧏🏻 Imagine the aroma of a bubbling casserole wafting through your kitchen, tantalizing your senses. Picture yourself effortlessly serving a piping-hot dish that brings smiles to the faces of your family and friends. With “Casserole Cookbook” as your guide, you can turn this dream into a delicious reality.🧏🏻


✔️ Indulge in the art of casserole cooking and create unforgettable meals that will leave everyone craving for more. Get ready to savor the joy of effortless, delectable dining! ✔️


🌟Don’t wait any longer to revolutionize your cooking routine! Grab your copy of “Casserole Cookbook” today and embark on a culinary journey filled with comfort, flavor, and convenience.🌟

Posted in #Recipes

Hamburger Stew

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Hamburger stew is a recipe that thrifty families have been making for years. The stew serves as an ingenious solution when looking for an inexpensive, delicious and nourishing meal—and with 16 servings, there will be enough left over to use as a make-ahead freezer meal down the road.

There’s another reason this hamburger stew recipe is a favorite: It’s incredibly easy to customize. Use different vegetables, add spices, make it with pasta instead of rice, or throw in a packet of onion soup mix for extra flavor. Everyone has a way they like to make this recipe their own, and they tend to pass their versions on to family and friends. That’s why some readers have renamed this “suggestion stew!”

Hamburger Stew Ingredients

  • Ground beef: Browning the meat is the first step to making hamburger stew. If possible, choose lean ground beef.
  • Onion: Fresh yellow onions work nicely in hamburger stew. Frozen, chopped onions also work to save a little time.
  • Stewed tomatoes: You can use store-bought, canned stewed tomatoes, or your own preserved garden tomatoes if you have them. Store-bought stewed tomatoes have added spices, vegetable extracts and sugar—so if you don’t want these extra ingredients, use canned whole tomatoes and break them up with a wooden spoon.
  • Vegetables: We chose carrots, celery and potatoes, but you can add a medley of vegetables to the pot. Slice or dice everything to the same size, so that the veggie bits will cook through at the same rate.
  • Long grain rice: Jasmine and basmati are some of the long-grain types of rice you can use to make hamburger stew. Brown rice can also be used; just increase the covered simmering time to 45 minutes. Skip minute or instant rice, since these will get too mushy as the stew cooks.

Taste of Home