How To Dress Up Basic Potato Soup

Basic Potato Soup

If you know the how to of a basic Potato Soup you have multiplied your soup recipes, well, not infinitely exactly but too numerous to count. So many options … make it creamy and rich or spicy and meaty … mash the potatoes or leave chunks for more texture … add greens and leave off cream … add milk and not cream … add clams or sausage or just go it plain. An economical soup with so much potential.

My brother is here to visit and today is  going to be our first day of real rain in months.  Yes I’m in the California drought area. To celebrate I’m making soup. I know Dan likes Portuguese Soups but he has plans to help his daughter with Sopas tomorrow. Not sure he would appreciate chicken soup. How about a rich Potato Soup! It’s not unlike the base for Boston Clam Chowder and this too is his favorite.

Continue reading


Pork Casserole Portuguese Style

A Hearty Dish That Doesn’t Skimp On Taste!

Pork Casserole Portuguese Style

So, what’s going on here? There’s a unique condiment in Portuguese cuisine, Massa De Pimentao. This Red Paprika Paste adds a lovely flavor to meat, poultry and fish alike. I’ve put together a very quick paste, not to compete with the usual days process, that works perfectly in this dish. If you like the flavor of sweet paprika (Spanish paprika will do … mild to hot, your choice) and roasted red bell peppers you’ve got to try this!

 

 

Continue reading


Applesauce Oaties

Applesauce Oatmeal CookiesWho’s recipe is this anyway? For years I’ve been shuffling this cookie recipe in and out of my recipe box without trying it … Looking at it … Wondering where it came from … Not recognizing the newspaper  clipping.

An internet search for Applesauce Oaties brings up Mrs. Field’s Applesauce Oaties … the recipe looks identical. But Mrs. Field’s wasn’t up and running in 1975. Was it? The REGISTER September 18, 1975 article doesn’t give mention to the origin. At least not my portion.

Continue reading


Portuguese Bean Soup

Portuguese Bean Soup

My brother is coming to visit and I’m pulling out all the old family cold weather favorites. We’re going to be busy; so, the meals aren’t going to be that planned. (Just a warning, Dan.) This is one of our favorite soups. It’s a stew, vegetable soup and beans all in one. Certainly this can come together in a slow cooker.

Let’s take a look at the recipe and see how this can be done. Portuguese Bean Soup

Continue reading


Bacon Pecan Maple Buttermilk Waffles

(with Options)

Bacon Pecan Maple Buttermilk Waffles

Breakfast is a favorite meal for my family. With four children and their spouses you might imagine food choices are many. We might agree on waffles … but what kind? This recipe can be changed up as you go. And with my new waffle iron that reminds me the waffles are done … and no more stuck on results it’s become a cinch.

I’ve used shortcuts here and there. So, this can be done with the distraction of a crowd and still present with excellent results.

Give it try! You won’t be disappointed.

Continue reading


One Recipe For Two Savory Pumpkin Dishes

Pumpkin Parmesan Cream Soup

Pumpkin Parmesan Cream Pasta Sauce

One Recipe Two Savory Pumpkin Dishes

William Sonoma Gift Certificate … loved my birthday gift. Wandering around in the WS Store I came across all sorts of sauces, starters, mixes not to mention the beautiful holiday ware. I became intrigued with the holiday sauces. I tried to read the ingredient labels but my contact wasn’t cooperating. (I do the one eyed thing.) I could only see that the ingredient lists were lengthy. And while I do feel WS has amazing prepared or nearly prepared foods the lists seemed too long. (I’m very pleased with my all clad waffle iron. Thank you Will.)

So, here I am making my own. And I love the two for one idea. It actually works!

Continue reading


No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust

Italian Meringue Or Simple Roasted Marshmallow Topping

No Bake Pumpkin Pie and Italian Meringue

Every holiday it’s quite a challenge to bake three pies, a turkey and roast vegetables all in the same oven … And well, time it to optimum freshness. It has taken me many years to get this down … And yes, some holidays I just miss disastrous results.

These no bake pies are a great idea anytime. For the holidays they are a nice surprise for the one or two guests who would prefer something other than the traditional pie. Or if you are trying to lighten up the baking serve this as the main dessert. It’s amazing!

You’ll be able to put this pie together a week or weeks before, with the exception of the topping, and hold it in the freezer until ready to serve.

For the more traditional try these:  

Pumpkin Pie  

Pie Crust 

Continue reading


Round Steak Goulash

easy and economical … Need I say more!

Easy Beef Goulash

 

Depending on the amount of liquid you add to this recipe it can be a soup or stew. It takes so few ingredients I’ll bet you have most in your pantry and fridge. It comes together in 10 minutes. Then simmer for about 1 1/2 hours or place in a crock pot for all day cooking.

Serve this on a bed of egg noodles or in the last minutes of cooking add peeled and quartered potatoes. Perfect Simple Beef Goulash!

 

Continue reading


Sour Cream and Green Onion Potato Salad

Sour Cream and Onion Potato Salad

Each bite is a creamy potato taste. There are some options to this recipe making it either more traditional or adding everyone’s favorite, bacon. Another make it your own recipe!

Try this as a side with my Meatloaf Stuffed French Bread.

Continue reading


Meatloaf Stuffed French Bread

Meatloaf Stuffed French Bread

You either like meatloaf or you don’t. Yes, despite good recipes you may still dislike meatloaf. The texture and the ingredients aren’t going to change much from recipe to recipe.

I took on a challenge when my brother confessed he didn’t like meatloaf. I bet I can make a meatloaf you’ll like. First, let me do some changes to our mother’s recipe … Too many onions I’ll bet, and the bell pepper chopped too coarse … The hamburger too fatty … No lean hamburger in those days. If your steer was fat so was your hamburger.

Meatloaf was a favorite of mine as a child especially with the mashed potatoes. Since my brother experienced the same and still didn’t like meatloaf…. Let’s see if he likes this!

Continue reading