French-Style Potatoes

For some reason these potatoes earned the name ‘hard potatoes’ in our family.  I guess to a bunch of little boys that was  the way you compared them to baked or mashed.  I call them  terrific, easy, and they can be dipped in ketchup when eating, another reason why they were a favorite of the…

Chocolate Mousse Cake

This was my dad’s favorite dessert.  Doubly delicious – part of the mousse bakes into a cake, the other part fills it.  This is a spectacular grand finale.  You can count on it every time.  Also, note it’s flourless if that is anyone’s concern. Print Recipe Chocolate Mousse Cake Prep Time 30 minutes Cook Time…

Green Beans with Cashews

This has been a go-to  side dish for company dinners since the early 70’s.  It never seems to get old . Print Recipe Green Beans with Cashews Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 10 minutes Servings Ingredients 2 pounds fresh green beans4 tablespoons butter1 cup onion chopped3/4 cup salted cashews about 3 ounces1/2 teaspoon lemon…

Apple Pie Filling

This is a very traditional filling for apple pie.  It doesn’t need any explanation just, can anyone say Thanksgiving?  Your recipe for the pie crust is also on the blog. Print Recipe Apple Pie Filling Prep Time 40 minutes Cook Time 45 minutes Passive Time 20 minutes Servings Ingredients 3/4 cup brown sugar1/4 cup flour3/4…

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

This recipe came to Jeff’s house for a Seahawks party!  Delicious! Great dip for vegetables or chips:) Print Recipe Pan-Fried Onion Dip Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Servings cups Ingredients 2 large yellow onions4 tablespoons butter1/4 cup vegetable oil1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper4 ounces cream cheese room temperature1/2…

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

For years the secret to delicious mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving was for Jacob and I to do the last minute prep for them.  We would get out the potato ricer and his strong muscles would push the potatoes through while I stirred in the butter and cream.  Then the race to the table to make…

Green Salad with Apple and Sugared Walnuts

This is an often requested salad during the holidays.  There is crunch and sweet and tart all in one bite.  Who cold ask for more than that! Print Recipe Green Salad with Apple and Sugared Walnuts Prep Time 15 minutes Servings Ingredients 1 head butter lettuce1 apple honey crisp will give you the sweet tart…

Sugared Walnuts

Sugared walnuts are fun and delicious.  Put them out in a bowl for holiday snacks or toss them with a variety of salad combinations for a surprise party for your taste buds.  They can be kept in the freezer, so  they are a good do-ahead for holiday entertaining considering their multiple uses. Print Recipe Sugared…

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

I ate these at a restaurant in Spokane a couple of years ago.  I couldn’t wait to get home and find a recipe to duplicate them.  I think this hits the mark.  Have been making them for a holiday appetizer ever since. Print Recipe Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Servings…

Braised Red Cabbage

Looking for a side to go with your favorite pork roast, or pork chop recipe?  You’ve come to the right place.  Braised red cabbage, a serving of mashed sweet potato, and a slice of pork roast, a beautiful plate for a fall meal.  The colors are great, the taste is excellent, and you haven’t served ‘the…

Bananas Foster

Bring out the “show biz” side of your personality and wow your guest with this very simple dessert.  They will be talking about it and your culinary skills for weeks afterwards.  Chef John Turenne at Yale notes the this bananas foster recipe, always a hit, was created in New Orleans’s Brennan’s Restaurant in the 1950’s. …

Flaky Pie Crust

This is the best pie crust recipe on the face of the earth.  I make it in my food processor.  No matter how many crusts I need I never double the recipe.  I just keep making a batch for every crust.  Its very quick, and very successful,  so I just don’t play around with perfect. …