Tag: #Recipes

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Cabbage Roll Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Cabbage roll casserole is the saucy, satisfying 9×13 dish that will take your weeknight dinners from boring to bold. Enjoy a casserole dish that combines perfectly seasoned ground beef, chopped cabbage, and fluffy white rice with tomato sauce and beef broth for a wonderfully cozy bite.

Learn how to make cabbage roll casserole, plus get tips on how to make it your own and what side dishes to pair it with for a fabulous meal.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Casserole

Tender chopped cabbage with rich, meaty flavor is just a few steps away. You’ll find the full recipe below with step-by-step instructions, but here’s what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe:

  1. Brown the beef and drain the grease.
  2. Add the cabbage, sauce, onion, rice, and salt. Pour broth over the top.
  3. Bake for one hour, stir, and continue baking until the cabbage is tender.

What to Serve with Cabbage Roll Casserole

Light side dishes like creamy kale salad or oven-roasted carrots pair well with a cabbage casserole. Try German potato salad for a heartier meal.

How to Store Cabbage Roll Casserole

Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat in a 300 degrees F oven for best results, covering the top of the dish with foil to prevent over-browning.

How to Freeze Cabbage Roll Casserole

You can safely freeze cabbage roll casserole for up to three months. Be sure to use an airtight container, dividing leftovers into portions if desired.

Allrecipes

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30 Super Bowl Crockpot Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Score big at your next Super Bowl party with these easy slow-cooker appetizers. Cheesy dips, spicy wings, handheld sliders, savory meatballs and more cook hands-free, giving you more time to enjoy the game.

Transform your Super Bowl spread with the ultimate game-day secret weapon: your slow cooker! Whether youʻre hosting a crowd or contributing to a game day potluck, these Super Bowl appetizers are ideal for stress-free entertaining. All you have to do is prep, set and enjoy the game while your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.

This winning lineup includes everything from cheesy dips that use the best melting cheeses to slider recipes and finger-licking wings. The best part? These Super Bowl potluck favorites stay warm throughout the entire game, making you the undisputed MVP of game-day entertaining. Round out your ultimate Super Bowl party with the sweetest tailgate desserts.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

Much Loved Mediterranean Casseroles Cookbook

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Budget-Friendly and Comforting One Pot Recipes Anyone Can Make: Delicious and Cheap Meals Made With Everyday Ingredients

Mediterranean Casseroles Made Simple

From the author of several bestselling cookbooks, busy mom and fitness enthusiast, Alissa Noel Grey, comes a great new collection of delicious, easy to make family recipes that will make you healthier, happier and more energetic than ever.

Inspired by the flavors of Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and beyond, this cookbook features heathy casserole recipes that are as easy to make as they are satisfying to eat. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or just need quick family meals you can count on, these recipes are made with easy-to-find ingredients, minimal prep, and maximum flavor.

Inside you’ll find:
✅ Casserole recipes that are budget-friendly and use everyday ingredients already in your pantry
✅ Step-by-step instructions for stress-free cooking, even on busy weeknights
✅ Naturally balanced recipes rooted in the Mediterranean diet – heart-healthy, fiber-rich, and full of good fats
✅ Family-approved favorites perfect for sharing around the table

If you’re craving a return to flavorful, nourishing meals that feel like home – without spending hours in the kitchen – this cookbook will become a much-loved staple in your home!

A conversation with my youngest daughter the other day prompted a search for cookbooks for 2 that promoted the Mediterrean Diet. I prefer to make casseroles to give me leftovers to be reheated another day. This book combines both of these desires!

Posted in #Recipes

Banana Coffee Cake

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A coffee cake can be so much more—when you add bananas, that is. Our banana coffee cake recipe features cream cheese and ripe bananas for a delectably moist treat. Enjoy it with coffee, a glass of milk or even on its own. The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the cake to finish baking so you can indulge!

Ingredients for Banana Coffee Cake

  • Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the cake texture somewhat creamy and also adds a slightly tangy note to the flavor.
  • Butter: Butter makes the cake rich and tender. Let the butter soften for about an hour before you start.
  • Sugar: Sugar helps lock in moisture, which keeps the cake soft.
  • Eggs: Eggs contribute to the mouthfeel and texture of the cake.
  • Ripe bananas: Ripe bananas bring their flavor to the cake and also make the cake moist.
  • Vanilla extract: This extract adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the cake.
  • All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour works well for this cake recipe.
  • Baking powder: Baking powder helps make the cake light and airy.
  • Baking soda: Baking soda neutralizes acids in the cake and also helps keep the cake tender.
  • Pecans, sugar and cinnamon: This trio creates a scrumptious topping for banana coffee cake.

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49 Healthy Meals to Make on a Budget

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree


Groceries aren’t cheap, but you can eat well without paying a fortune or sacrificing flavor. These ideas for healthy meals on a budget are easy on your wallet and tasty, too.

Taste of Home

Posted in Book Reviews

101 Things To Do With a BBQ

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Everybody loves barbeque! Backyard barbeque guru Steve Tillet has collected 101 fantastic recipes for barbeque of all varieties-from appetizers to desserts to vegetarian solutions-proving that the grill is the best and easiest summertime cooking option. Get outta the kitchen with amazingly simple recipes like Poppin’ BBQ Popcorn, Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms, Stuffed Tomatoes on the Grill, Grilled Onion Bloom, Seafood Pesto Pizza, Doc’s Dry-Rub T-Bone Steak, Roberto’s South American Lime Ribs, Andie’s Angelic BBQ Burgers, Scott’s Tantalizing Dry Rub Chicken, Grant’s Monday Night Special Buffalo Wings, Parmesan Grilled Halibut, and even desserts like Chocolate Banana Bang-a-rang. There is also a section with Helpful Hints, Advanced Grilling Tips, and a bonus section on superb Sauces and Rubs!Steve Tillet is the king of BBQ (in his own backyard), and the son of a butcher. He barbeques year-round for his wife and children, even in the Portland, Oregon, rain. Raised in central Washington, he spent many years in the South and Midwest perfecting his barbeque recipes as he finished his medical residency. He is a practicing podiatric surgeon.

Yeah, I know it’s January and most of us are dealing with cold weather. A girl’s gotta a right to dream of warmer weather!

A. Sherwood
5.0 out of 5 stars. 
Great recipes!
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2011
Format: Spiral-bound
I love this book! We bought it several years ago and have used it a great deal. The recipes are fantastic and easy to make. They are also easy to adjust to your family's preferences. I also love that it has ideas for more than just meat. We've used many of the recipes and they've all been winners!

Posted in #Recipes

The Best Shepherd’s Pie

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s a reason why shepherd’s pie is a consistent family crowd-pleaser. With a thick and hearty filling of ground meat, an array of nutritious vegetables and a cloud-like topping of mashed potatoes and melted cheese, what’s not to love? And here’s another thing to love. In this recipe, the entire dish is cooked in a skillet, saving you from both tedious dish cleanup and bake time.

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie

A traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb (more on this below), but this easy version is made with ground beef. It’s prepared entirely on the stovetop and comes together in right around 30 minutes. Simply prepare the filling in a single skillet, then top with any types of mashed potatoes and a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or for hosting company.

What is shepherd’s pie?

Shepherd’s pie is a savory dish composed of a meat-and-vegetable filling that’s topped with mashed potatoes. Shepherd’s pie filling can vary greatly among recipes. However, a mandatory inclusion is typically either ground beef or ground lamb.

Shepherd’s pie made with lamb is more common in Europe, while beef is the meat of choice in the United States. The vegetable selection also varies among recipes. Onions, peas and carrots are most traditional, with mushrooms and root vegetables (such as turnips, rutabagas and parsnips) also making possible appearances.

The Shepherd’s Pie Origin Story

Shepherd’s pie is quintessential British food and a classic Irish recipe. While iterations of this potato-topped delight have existed for generations, the first written mention of a shepherd’s pie recipe appeared in an English cookbook published in 1877. However, unlike most modern shepherd’s pie recipes, that earliest recipe originated in Scotland and featured a thin pastry shell topping (like our best chicken pot pie recipes).

The version we all know and love today was likely born from that crust-topped shepherd’s pie, with home cooks in England and Ireland opting to omit the pastry topping for ease and affordability.

Similar to cottage pie and also reminiscent of a French hachis parmentier, today’s homemade shepherd’s pie is one of the most beloved comfort food dinners. It’s enjoyed around the world in homes, pubs and even fine-dining establishments.

Shepherd’s Pie vs. Cottage Pie

While often used interchangeably, these two meat and potato casseroles do have subtle nuances. The primary difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie is that shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb, while classic cottage pie is made with ground beef.

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27 Instant Pot Winter Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There’s no better time to pull out the pressure cooker than winter when the cold weather demands hearty, comforting meals. These Instant Pot winter recipes make it easy to whip up a comfort-food meal without spending hours at the stove. Dishes like beef shank and short ribs that usually need an afternoon of braising turn fork-tender in a snap, and creamy clam chowder hits the table fast enough for a weeknight dinner. The result is the same cozy flavor, minus the wait.

We chose winter comfort food recipes that highlight the Instant Pot’s strengths: shorter cook times, one-pot simplicity and deep, developed flavor. You’ll find mains made for busy weeknights, like taco pasta with just the right kick and creamy mac and cheese loaded with buffalo shrimp. Hearty five-bean chili is another favorite because it’s filling, flavorful and warms you from the inside out. For something more traditional, make a version of your favorite tender pot roast, without the all-afternoon cooking time.

Many of these Instant Pot meals lean into winter with seasonal produce like pumpkin, sweet potatoes and apples to add freshness against rich meats or canned beans or broth. Most recipes are easy to portion for make-ahead lunches, dinners or freezer meals, so all you have to do is add winter side dishes for a complete meal. From tender roasts to chunky stews and saucy pastas, these Instant Pot dinners bring all the comfort of winter meals without the fuss.

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Posted in Book Reviews

The Heart Healthy Cookbook for Two

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

125 Perfectly Portioned Low Sodium, Low Fat Recipes

Heart-healthy, perfectly-portioned meals for two — it’s a snap with this cookbook.

When cooking with heart health in mind, portion sizes are just as important as ingredients. This heart healthy cookbook saves you the guesswork of what and how much to eat with perfectly portioned recipes just for two.

Cardiac dietician and renowned nutrition expert, Jennifer Koslo, serves up guilt-free meals that are low on sodium and fat, but high on flavor—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Complete with a meal plan to get you started off right, this heart healthy cookbook makes it easy to enjoy your meals worry-free.

The Heart Healthy Cookbook for Two includes:

  • Perfect-for-two Portions—Say “goodbye” to the guesswork of halving recipes and confidently prepare quick, appropriately-sized meals.
  • 125 Delicious, Nutrient-rich Recipes—Enjoy good food that’s good for your heart, too.
  • A Four-week Meal Plan—Kick-start your diet at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All planned out, all perfectly delicious.

Stop worrying—you’ll always have just the right amount on your plate with The Heart Healthy Cookbook for Two.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This cookbook is a valuable tool for anyone looking to maintain a heart-healthy diet while enjoying delicious, well-balanced meals.” ― Reader Review

“I really like this cookbook! It’s so hard to find recipes for one or two people, and heart-healthy, too. The recipes all look super tasty and easy to make, and call for ingredients that are easy to find. Highly recommend.” ― Reader Review

“The recipes are practical and simple, using items easily found in the grocery store. This cookbook would be excellent for a single person or a couple, interested in eating well balanced and healthy meals without waste or leftovers.” ― Reader Review –This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

JENNIFER KOSLO, PHD, RD, CSSD, is a registered dietitian and nationally recognized nutrition expert. She is the author of Diabetic Cookbook for Two, Alkaline Diet for Beginners, and The Insulin Resistance Diet, among other titles. As a cardiac dietitian, Jennifer provided patients with nutritional assessments and education, as well as cardiac rehabilitation education. –This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

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Hamburger Potato Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This hamburger potato casserole recipe creates a potato crust with layers of seasoned ground beef and corn underneath a melty topping of cheese, offering a delicious twist on cottage pie. I have fond memories of classic cottage pie, a dish I’d never seen or heard of until I moved from New York City to rural Vermont. There, in the cafeteria at our tiny elementary school, I had my first taste of the savory pie alongside freshly made maple baked beans.

Unlike a classic cottage pie recipe, this hamburger and potato casserole features the layers in reverse. A crust of thinly sliced potatoes is topped with ground beef, corn, and a creamy combination of creamy celery soup, milk and cheddar. The resulting hamburger casserole with potatoes is fantastic for cozy cool-weather dinners, potluck parties and small, casual gatherings.

Ingredients for Hamburger Potato Casserole

  • Potatoes: Starchy russet potatoes are the best type of potato for a dish with a crispy ‘tater crust. Creamy all-purpose Yukon Gold potatoes also crisp up nicely. Waxy red-skinned potatoes wouldn’t be a first choice but can be used in a pinch.
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter works for this hamburger casserole with potatoes recipe.
  • Seasonings: Our hamburger and potato casserole recipe keeps seasonings simple with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Check our recipe variations for ideas about how to spice up the recipe.
  • Ground beef: You can use any type of ground beef, such as lean ground sirloin or ground chuck. If you have access to freshly ground beef from a butcher’s shop or a farmers market, that will likely be the most flavorful option.
  • Frozen corn: Frozen corn preserves the deliciously sweet taste of corn year-round. However, if fresh corn happens to be in season when you make hamburger potato casserole, cut the kernels off the cob and throw them in.
  • Cream of celery soup: A casserole classic, cream of celery soup adds richness to hamburger casserole with potatoes. Not into celery? Swap in the creamy condensed soup of your choice.
  • Milk: The hamburger and potato casserole recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use any milk you have on hand.
  • Chopped onion: We typically use white or yellow onions for this dish, but red onions are a great option to add a pop of color.
  • Cheddar cheese: Zingy cheddar cheese perks up the flavor of hamburger casserole with potatoes. If you enjoy bold cheese, don’t be afraid to go with extra-sharp cheddar.
  • Parsley: A smattering of minced parsley adds a bit of color and fresh flavor. Feel free to omit it if you don’t have any kicking around.

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