Mimi’s Blog

Decadently Rich and Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Would you describe yourself as a “chocoholic?” If the smell and taste of chocolate makes your heart skip a beat, these are the brownies for you!

Old Fashioned Beef Cube Steak with Tomato Gravy

Old Fashioned Cube Steak with Tomato Gravy is an old-timey dish inspired by Mom’s roast beef recipe minus the soup. I’m also paying homage to my Midwestern roots where hearty meals are a staple. A family favorite served with lots of mashed potatoes.

Brats & Onions

Brats & Onions are quintessential football comfort food. No grill? Cook them up in a cast iron skillet along with caramelized onions. Crunchy, juicy, and peppery sausage goodness!

Retro Pork Chops, Spanish Rice with Peas and Potatoes

Pork Chops, Spanish Rice with Peas & Potatoes was on of our family favorites, and one of my mother’s no fail go to dinners. Quick and inexpensive, the rice is a nice twist on traditional Spanish rice. The rice, peas and potatoes can be prepared on it’s own and served as a side dish.

Hearty & Healthy Split Pea Soup with Ham and Cornbread Croutons

Mimi’s Split Pea Soup with Cornbread Croutons is an old-timey and satisfying bowl of steamy comfort. This recipe is a good way to use up leftover ham. Add chunks of russet and sweet potatoes and top off the bowl with crunchy cornbread croutons for a filling wintry meal.

Easy Crustless Taco Pie – Gluten Free, Low Carb, Keto-Friendly!

We all need a quick and easy meal like this one in our arsenal. And everyone likely has a pantry and freezer with the ingredient staples on hand. Quick and Easy Crustless Taco Pie is not only delicious but gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly. And did I mention it’s kid-friendly, too? A win-win in my book of tricks.

Quick & Easy Burrito Pie

Hot, melty, cheesy, and scrumptious Quick & Easy Burrito Pie. Serve with toppings like guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, diced onion, sliced jalapenos and/or salsa.

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Four: What a Difference!

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Four: What a Difference!

WOW! What a difference a week makes. All the flooring is installed. All the wall and island cabinets are in place. This picture is misleading. The wall cabinets are all the same color, Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. I've received a lot of compliments on the...

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Three: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Three: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good I've read and watched enough about remodeling projects over the years that I knew the entire condo was going to be a real mess. In anticipation of what lay ahead, I sent Richard to Montana. Don't feel sorry for him - he has business there and has lots to do....

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Two

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part Two

Let's take a look at my rooms being remodeled during the first phase. We had to move the contents of the living room, dining room, and kitchen into the family room and office. We're keeping the old fridge in the garage. Don't worry. It looks much worse now. Emptied...

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part One

Mimi’s Kitchen Remodel Part One

I do admire folks who have the courage and vision for a total kitchen remodel. It's no project for the weak of heart or wallet. Read: I have no courage. I have a weak heart. I found my wallet at Goodwill. Ugh! And this is not just a kitchen remodel. It's a...

Creamy Crunchy Bacon Pea Salad

Creamy Crunchy Bacon Pea Salad

This is one delicious salad. My Grandma Smith was fond of these kinds of salads like carrot salad, roasted beet salad, and sauerkraut salad. These are folksy homey old-timey country salads with bright colors and flavors. They're easy-peasy to put together. And they'll...

Pan Seared Cod with Tomatoes, Onions & Capers

Pan Seared Cod with Tomatoes, Onions & Capers

We're attempting to eat healthier around our house. Oh, Richard and I still revisit old-fashioned family meals like fried chicken and meatloaf, especially when our grandsons come for a weekend supper, but we don't eat like we used to. We don't sit down to big evening...

Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken with Spinach & Orzo

Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken with Spinach & Orzo

Quick and amazingly delicious, try this spin on one of Tieghan Gerard's skillet meals One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo. Please visit the link to Tieghan's recipe to read her post and to ogle her beautiful photographs. Read about her here in "I Love Your...

Rice Pilaf with Pignoli, Peas & Cheese

Rice Pilaf with Pignoli, Peas & Cheese

This is a side dish with a perfect bite. Savory basmati rice, orzo, and pignoli (pine nuts) married with onion, peas, and Parmesan cheese. Rice Pilaf with Pignoli, Peas, and Cheese is a homogenous bite of savory, crunchy, cheesy, and fresh. You can serve this side...

Chili 101: Mimi’s Favorite Chili

Chili 101: Mimi’s Favorite Chili

It's that time of year! Here in central Indiana, we're having the coldest winter of any I remember here in quite a long time. In fact, it's been warmer in Billings, Montana, my former home. Temps reached -16°F last night. No weather for man nor beast. But a perfect...

Joe Carson’s Ginger Cookies

Joe Carson’s Ginger Cookies

Here's another good choice for a holiday treat for your cookie plate, to take to a cookie swap, or to give as gifts. Joe Carson's Ginger Cookie recipe was first published in Midwest Living magazine in 1999. I've been making them every Christmas since. My husband loves...

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Cranberry Orange Cookies

I've made these cookies for five consecutive Christmas cookie plates. They're a big hit! Cranberry Orange Cookies are so easy to put together. You mix everything in a food processor. These cookies have an interesting mix of dried cranberries, orange zest, allspice,...

Mom’s Stuffed Green Peppers – Uncover Buried Treasure

Mom’s Stuffed Green Peppers – Uncover Buried Treasure

Uncover precious buried treasure. Dig down into a deep bowl filled with beef and rice stuffed green peppers smothered with a perfectly seasoned tomato-onion-basil gravy. Grab a couple slices of Italian bread slathered with butter to sop up all the gravy goodness....