Tag: #EasyandQuick

Posted in #Recipes

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

As it turns out, snickerdoodles are one ingredient away from becoming the perfect fall cookie. They already have the quintessential fall spice (cinnamon) in the sugar coating, so adding canned pumpkin seems like the perfect addition. Include a few other fall spices like nutmeg and ground ginger, et voila! Pumpkin snickerdoodles are chewy, pumpkiny and lightly spiced with the signature snickerdoodle tang and crackly coating. These are some of my very favorite fall cookies.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

  • Butter: Soften the butter to room temperature so it creams nicely with the sugar. Creaming the butter and sugar together the right way adds a lot of nice volume and chewiness to the cookies.
  • Sugars: Our pumpkin snickerdoodle recipe uses a mix of granulated and brown sugars. Granulated sugar creates a crispy outside, and brown sugar maintains a moist center and a subtle caramel flavor.
  • Canned pumpkin: At Taste of Home, we’ve found that canned pumpkin delivers more consistent results than homemade pumpkin puree. And yes, there is a best canned pumpkin brand that beats out the rest!
  • Egg yolk: We’ll need just one egg yolk to bind the ingredients. Egg yolks add richness and fat, while egg whites can dry out cookies a bit. Save your egg white for an egg white cocktail (like a pisco sour or gin fizz) or for tomorrow morning’s scrambled eggs.
  • All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour is the best flour for cookies. Its mix of hard and soft wheat creates a tender cookie that’s strong and sturdy enough not to break apart in your hand.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch soaks up some of the liquid in the pumpkin puree so the cookies stay chewy instead of becoming cakey.
  • Spices: Our pumpkin snickerdoodle cookie recipe has a lot of spice from cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginger. I always like to grate my nutmeg fresh for the boldest flavor.
  • Cream of tartar: True snickerdoodles contain cream of tartar to give the cookies that signature snickerdoodle tang and pillowy texture.
  • Leavening agents: A perfect mixture of baking soda and baking powder makes our pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies even more pillowy soft.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

35 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Work or School

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I’m lucky enough to work from home full-time, which gives me the flexibility to make whatever lunch suits my mood. That might be a cozy bowl of turkey and black bean chili that simmers on the stovetop during morning meetings or a quick avocado grilled cheese between deadlines. But when I regularly went to the office, my lunch game looked a bit different, and I had to think about healthy lunch ideas that traveled well.

The best office-friendly lunches can be prepped ahead and are enjoyed either cold or heated in the microwave without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Whether you’re working remotely or packing lunch for school or the office, having a few go-to healthy lunch ideas can be the difference between a productive, energized afternoon and nodding off as you fight the 3 p.m. slump. Bonus points if they’re no-cook lunch ideas!

This collection of healthy lunch ideas is packed with flavorful meals made from wholesome, minimally processed ingredients like whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, legumes and lean proteins. You’ll find a mix of satisfying meal prep recipes for busy weekdays and easy work-from-home lunch ideas that you can make in a flash. From soups and salads to wraps, bowls and sandwiches, these healthy lunch ideas will keep you energized, satisfied and ready for whatever the afternoon throws your way.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

The Joys of Jewish Preserving: Modern Recipes with Traditional Roots, for Jams, Pickles, Fruit Butters, and More—for Holidays and Every Day

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A guide to creating your own sweet or savory Jewish preserves, plus recipes to showcase your jams and pickles.

Come celebrate!

From apricot jam and lemon curd to kosher dills and pickled beets, preserves, both sweet and savory, are at the heart of Jewish cooking. Can you imagine a Passover without charoset, a deli sandwich without a pickle, latkes without applesauce, or blintzes without jam? Today home cooks are rediscovering the soul-satisfying pleasures of making these delectable preserves from scratch. In 75 brilliant recipes, all updated for the modern kitchen, Emily Paster shows how easy it is to make beautiful Jewish preserves at home.

Praise for The Joys of Jewish Preserving

“This is the book I have dreamed of for years! Emily Paster has flung open the larder of traditional and innovative multicultural Jewish pickles and preserves. Only a well-seasoned, well-traveled balabusta like Paster could have delivered this book. It will engage, enrich, and nourish anyone with an interest in home preservation or in Middle Eastern, North African, or Eastern European cooking.” —Karen Solomon, author of Asian Pickles

“A delicious collection of recipes whose flavors and stories are rich in heritage and culture. Her recipes preserve an important tradition and show how that tradition is alive and evolving today.” —Jenn Louis, chef/owner, Ray (Portland, Oregon), and author of The Book of Greens

“Paster taps into the bright, briny, and full-flavored potential of old-world food preservation, while expanding our understanding of what it means to ‘eat Jewish.'” —Leah Koenig, author of Modern Jewish Cooking

Continue reading “The Joys of Jewish Preserving: Modern Recipes with Traditional Roots, for Jams, Pickles, Fruit Butters, and More—for Holidays and Every Day” →
Posted in #Recipes

45 Easy Bake Sale Recipes That Always Sell Out

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s a reason bake sales are timeless; they bring people together over sweets that spark smiles. Whether it’s a folding table in the school gym or a community fundraiser at the church, it’s the best bake sale ideas, like buttery cookies, gooey bars and sprinkle-covered cupcakes that draw the crowds. These bake sale recipes are made to travel well, serve easily and taste just as good as they look.

This collection stands out for its crowd-pleasing flavors, simple prep and budget-friendly ingredients. You’ll find bake sale cookies with nostalgic charm, like cinnamon roll cookies filled with warm spice or peanut butter blossoms with chocolate-kissed tops. There are also colorful creations that double as decor, including rainbow cupcakes and cute desserts for parties such as chocolate-dipped cone cupcakes and marshmallow pops. For something rich that stretches across a crowd, layered bars like Behr Track and toffee turtle offer that ideal mix of salty crunch and gooey caramel sweetness. Even quick, no-bake cherry cookies earn their spot for candy-shop flavor.

We chose each recipe for its simplicity. These desserts slice cleanly, hold their shape and don’t require fussy ingredients. You’ll also find plenty of quick baking recipes perfect for last-minute prep or doubling up when you need extra. A well-stocked table with familiar flavors and eye-catching surprises is often all it takes to make a bake sale memorable.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

M&M’s Brownies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These M&M’s brownies are the perfect marriage of decadent, fudgy brownies and the crunchy, colorful candies. They aren’t just fun to look at; they’re also easy to make, with a cocoa-based brownie batter that bakes up moist and chocolaty. To keep the candies from melting, don’t add the M&M’s until about halfway through the bake time, and lightly press them into the surface for a picture-perfect finish. Whether you’re baking for a birthday party, a bake sale or just because, this top brownie recipe delivers a pop of color and chocolate in every bite.

Continue reading “M&M’s Brownies” →
Posted in Book Reviews

Smart Meal Prep for Beginners: Recipes and Weekly Plans for Healthy, Ready-to-Go Meals

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Easy recipes and weekly meal plans for nourishing, ready-to-go food

Preparing meals ahead of time means you never have to ask what’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In Smart Meal Prep for Beginners, prep expert Toby Amidor makes it easy to start (and stick with) a weekly meal prep routine. With these recipes and beginner plans, you’ll have delicious, healthy meals on hand every day—no takeout required!

  • 6 weekly prep plans—Start simple with two recipes for the week, and work your way up to prepping breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day.
  • Meal prepping 101—Get the rundown on meal prep dos and don’ts, prep-day guidance, shopping lists, storage and reheating info, and more.
  • Diet-friendly dishes—Find nutrition facts on every recipe, along with handy labels to point you to nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.

Set yourself up for mealtime success, not stress, with Smart Meal Prep for Beginners.

Continue reading “Smart Meal Prep for Beginners: Recipes and Weekly Plans for Healthy, Ready-to-Go Meals” →
Posted in #Recipes

Oreo Fudge

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat or a delectable, giftable goodie, fudge is always a great choice. This easy Oreo fudge is one of our best fudge recipes for white chocolate lovers. It’s a nice departure from traditional recipes made with a milk or dark chocolate base. The five-ingredient fudge is made with sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate baking chips, butter, vanilla and plenty of Oreo cookie pieces, creating a sweet and creamy fudge with crunchy, chocolaty cookie bits.

Aside from its decadent taste and easy preparation, we love that this cookies and cream fudge recipe is endlessly versatile. As written, this fudge will be a guaranteed winner amongst anyone who adores cookies and cream recipes. But there are dozens of different Oreo flavors (including off-brand Oreos), so don’t feel limited to traditional chocolate cookies for this Oreo fudge recipe.

Continue reading “Oreo Fudge” →
Posted in #Recipes

47 Fall Soup Recipes to Keep You Warm and Toasty

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

As the air turns crisp and the leaves change, no meal is quite as cozy as a bowl of warm, hearty soup. The best fall soup recipes capture the richness of fall vegetables like sweet carrots, nutty parsnips, rich winter squash, earthy mushrooms, creamy sweet potatoes and more.

Like our favorite fall desserts and harvest party fall drinks, the best fall soups highlight comforting spices and flavors that will warm you from the inside out. Think aromatic herbs, the subtle warmth of ginger and cinnamon, or cozy, cheesy and indulgent flavors.

In this collection, you’ll find all kinds of recipes that capture the essence of fall. Whether you’re craving a hearty stew, a velvety puree, a brothy noodle soup, or a spicy chili, each spoonful is like a warm embrace. You can even get started with a big batch of homemade chicken broth or vegetable broth as a base. Pair your soups with other easy fall recipes, or just enjoy a bowl with crusty bread for dipping.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Potato Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Anytime I make a potato soup recipe, I’m instantly taken back to my days of waitressing at various steakhouses in my 20s—probably because I ate a cup of potato soup at least four times a week before, after or during my shift. It wasn’t just an affordable option for a college student (like these other budget-friendly soup recipes), it was a filling and tasty one too.

This easy potato soup recipe is just like one you’d find on a steakhouse menu. Its rich and velvety base is loaded with cubes of tender potato, pieces of salty bacon, a healthy dose of melty cheese and a final flourish of green onions for color. Once you learn how to make this potato soup, it will become your go-to comfort food dinner anytime the weather is chilly or you’re feeling a little under the weather.

Potato Soup Ingredients

  • Bacon: Smoky and salty bacon infuses this recipe for potato soup with tons of umami flavor. Here are the best bacon brands to mix in.
  • Potatoes: You can use just about any type of potato for the homemade potato soup recipe, depending on the taste, texture and consistency you are hoping to achieve. For chunky potato soups like this one, a red or white waxy potato is best. They’re lower in starch so they hold their shape well throughout the cooking process. For a creamy, pureed potato soup recipe, opt for russets. Their high starch content and low moisture allow them to break down easily and puree super smooth. For the best of both worlds, Yukon Gold potatoes are what you want. They have more moisture than russets, so they’re ideal if you want a potato that will mash easily to thicken the soup while leaving the rest in chunks for texture.
  • Aromatics: Like many other homemade soups, a simple combination of carrots and chopped onion makes a base and gives the easy potato soup some depth.
  • Herbs and spices: Parsley provides freshness and color, celery seed lends savoriness and black pepper adds a little bite. Add the salt to taste, depending on how much you like.
  • Chicken broth: You can use homemade chicken broth if you have some, or buy your favorite chicken broth brand from the store.
  • Flour: Working with the potatoes, the flour thickens the soup. Here are some of our other favorite ways to thicken sauces, which will also work to thicken soups.
  • Milk: Use 2% milk to add richness and creaminess to this recipe for potato soup.
  • Velveeta: If you don’t have Velveeta, cheddar or Colby Jack are good substitutes.
  • Green onions: Crisp green onions add a light onion flavor that complements the creaminess.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

25 Healthy Slow-Cooker Recipes That Will Become Your New Go-Tos

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Healthy Ideas for the Slow Cooker

There’s no denying that a good slow cooker is a must for every home cook. Paired with a few reliable recipes it can handle weeknight chicken dinners, batches of chili and everyone’s favorite sweets. It’s a great way to cook ribs, cobblers and potato salad during the summer (without heating up your entire kitchen!) and, believe it or not, you can even bake a loaf of homemade bread in one. So, it should come as no surprise that your trusty slow cooker is ideal for healthy meals too. One of our favorites? This wholesome vegetarian dinner that can be eaten the day you make it—or stowed in the freezer for busy weeknights. Quartering the cauliflower, rather than cutting it into florets, allows this meal to simmer all day without it becoming mush.

Food Network