My oldest child was born while my husband was deployed in the first gulf war. Our squadron's support group organized dinners for me every night until my husband returned 4 weeks later. But that is not all. Whoever brought me dinner packed a lunch for me to enjoy the next day. Seriously. I have been paying that amazing gift forward for the last 20 years. One of my favorite … [Read more...]
Tortellini Soup
Last week I was craving minestrone soup, but many of the vegetables that I use in it are not in season. Buying imported, out of season veggies would have greatly increased the cost of the dish, so I decided to replace them with something that is always in season: tortellini! :) I reduced the cost of this soup, by using homemade chicken broth. I also used dry beans that I … [Read more...]
Spicy Kale Chips and Yogurt Dip
I was not that fond of kale and initially only grew it in our garden to supplement our guinea pigs and bearded dragon's diet. When it continued to grow throughout our harsh winters filled with snow and below freezing temperatures producing more than our pets could consume, I developed a new respect for its resilience and grudgingly added it to my diet. I used it primarily as … [Read more...]
Steak and Asparagus Frittata
My children and I have established a ritual of having breakfast for dinner on the first night my husband is TDY. When he is deployed for any length of time, we have breakfast for dinner at least once a week. There is something so cozy and comforting about breakfast food and I appreciate how fast and easy breakfast recipes come together. Usually I make Scrambled … [Read more...]
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes with Ham
I was unable to find a small ham for our Christmas dinner, so I went ahead and purchased a large one. I have had fun coming up with new ways to use the leftover ham, especially since this has given me an excuse to play with some of my Christmas presents. My entire family loved the scalloped sweet potatoes with ham, giving it the highest compliment in their vocabulary, "this … [Read more...]
Curried Turkey Salad
Our Thanksgiving dinner, like most Americans, consists of a buffet that includes too many heavy dishes. And on Thanksgiving Day, I allow myself to indulge. However, I try to make up for that indulgence by using the leftovers to create healthier and lower calorie meals. I will make quite a bit of turkey soup and freeze it to use later on hectic evenings. I also use the … [Read more...]
Pierogi Casserole
It won't be long before we are rolling in Thanksgiving leftovers. I enjoy the opportunity to create "encore meals" from the leftovers. One of my favorite ways to use leftover mashed potatoes is in pierogi casserole. This goes together quickly and can easily be altered to suit your family's preferences. My children prefer milder cheeses, so I use mostly mozzarella cheese, but … [Read more...]
Bierocks
I make Bierocks every fall for Oktoberfest. Happily, this coincides with sales on cabbage. If you have not had a bierock (or Runza as Nebraskans call them) you are in for a delightful surprise! They are the German equivalent of a Hot Pocket, only much tastier. Ingredients: 3 - 1 lb. loaves of frozen bread dough, thawed 1 lb. hamburger 8 cups cabbage, shredded 1 medium … [Read more...]
Eggplant Pizza Bites
Last year when I saw pictures of Erin's eggplant flowers, I resolved to grow them in my own garden. Not for the fruit, mind you, but for the flowers. I have never grown eggplant before because my husband has always professed that it is the one vegetable that he did not like. He insisted that they taste like rubber tires and had brainwashed convinced my children that eggplant … [Read more...]