Baking

Mimi’s Minis – Lemon Cheesecakes

Want a quick and easy dessert? Mimi’s Mini Lemon Cheesecakes are a perfect sweet bite that I whipped these up in no time for a Christmas open house last week. All store-bought ingredients and these tasty mini’s were ready in 30 minutes.

Buttery Buttermilk Biscuits and Creamy Sausage Gravy

Biscuit and Gravy fans, gear up for one of the best buttery biscuit and creamy gravy recipes out there. Large buttermilk biscuits hot from the oven perfectly crunchy on the outside and steamy and fluffy on the inside begging to be smothered with perfectly seasoned sausage gravy.

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!

Easy Apple Pie Cheesecake

I found this brilliant recipe for Apple Pie Cheesecake at Tasty in Kathryn Aubin’s feature 4 Pies to Bake With Your BFF. Just like any cheesecake, this takes some time to bake, but that’s it. The remainder of the process is easy, easy, easy. Seriously – a no-brainer easy.

Main Dishes

Shirley’s Ground Beef Pot Pie

My mother, Shirley, was a pie master. She could mix up crust for a double-crust pie in a matter of seconds. It was always the same recipe: 2 cups all-purpose flour mixed with 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (sugar if she was making a sweet pie); 2/3 cup Crisco; and 3-4 tablespoons ice-cold water. Her’s was always perfect. Perfectly flavored, perfectly crimped, and perfectly browned. Mom didn’t make savory pies often, but this recipe was one of our favorites.

Mimi’s Fried Chicken Wings and Deep Frying Tips

Richard and I love chicken wings. I mean, who doesn’t? Hot, crispy, juicy and slathered in your favorite hot sauce or dipped in any variety of dressings and sauces on-the-side, chicken wings are the perfect finger food. And Mimi’s Fried Chicken Wings deliver just that!

Grilled Steak with Creamy, Cheesy Pasta,Tomatoes & Mushrooms

This dish is inspired by The Pioneer Woman’s Steakhouse Pasta. It’s filled with flavor from tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach and a creamy, cheesy sauce perfect for pasta. Delicious and so satisfying!

Mimi’s One-Skillet Chicken, Rice, Broccoli, and Cheesy Casserole

This is such an easy, quick and economical meal! In 30 minutes, you’ll have dinner on the table – no kidding. Mimi’s One-Skillet Chicken, Rice, Broccoli, and Cheesy Casserole is flavorful and satisfying.

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.

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.

Mimi’s Shepherd’s Pie

Here’s another comfort food “oldie-but-goodie.” Hot and bubbly from the oven ground meat and vegetable casserole topped with a classic whipped potato crust that forms a nicely browned top layer. Mimi’s Shepherd’s Pie is made special by adding a can of creamed corn on top of the meat and vegetables and before the potato layer is slathered on. Warm and satisfying, indeed. YUM!

Spaghetti Squash & Cincy-Style Chili

Spaghetti Squash and Cincy-Style Chili is the perfect pairing to create a warm, cozy meal. Squash is loaded with mild Cincy-style chili and cheese for the perfect comfort meal.

Pan-Seared Cod Filet with Tomato, Corn and Basil Couscous

Bursting with fresh flavors from a summer garden, Pan-Seared Cod Filet with Tomatoes, Corn, and Basil-infused Israeli couscous will become a fabulous, flavorful favorite in your quick fix summer-time menu rotation. Delicious and so easy and quick to prepare!

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad is a salad bowl to behold! This salad is the perfect side or main dish for the height of summer’s flavorful bounty. In August, we can find all these ingredients readily available at the height of their freshness. This is what summer eating is all about, without a doubt!

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.

Orange Shrimp with Broccoli and Garlic

Quick and light, Orange Shrimp with Broccoli and Garlic is perfect for an easy and informal dinner with a little citrus and spice. Yummy!

Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato & Mozzarella

It’s that time of year! Cold, rainy, and windy here in Indiana. We’re expecting snow in a few days – Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Mozzarella is the perfect yummy bite. You’ll be all warm and cozy in no time, guaranteed. And it’s a very quick dish – 35-40 minutes.
Serve with a green salad and a warm loaf of crusty Italian bread. Heavenly!

Ethnic Foods

Shirley’s Ground Beef Pot Pie

My mother, Shirley, was a pie master. She could mix up crust for a double-crust pie in a matter of seconds. It was always the same recipe: 2 cups all-purpose flour mixed with 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (sugar if she was making a sweet pie); 2/3 cup Crisco; and 3-4 tablespoons ice-cold water. Her’s was always perfect. Perfectly flavored, perfectly crimped, and perfectly browned. Mom didn’t make savory pies often, but this recipe was one of our favorites.

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.

Pollo Contadino, Italian Roasted Chicken Farmer Style

Tender and juicy chicken roasted with onions, carrots, tomatoes, and capers served over a bed of hot fluffy rice. Cibo di comodità – true Italian comfort food.

Lemon Pasta from John Alberti

We’ve been grilling since Memorial Day. Time for a switch. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Lemon Pasta is inexpensive to make, easy and quick to prepare, and is a delicious lemony, cheesy pasta delight. Lemon Pasta is a perfect main dish or as a side dish served alongside any lightly grilled protein.

Simple Chicken Curry with Sauteed Veggies

Simple Chicken Curry – There’s nothing easier, with a palette changing array of spices. This is served with rice or rice noodles, and an array of sauteed vegetables. Put this in your recipe box for something different, quick, and satisfying.

Huevos Rancheros Two Ways

Everything I know about Mexican cooking, I learned from my ex-mother-in-law:  homemade flour tortillas, salsa, Mexican rice, enchiladas, tostadas, guacamole – a real fiesta! She was a patient teacher, and I was a willing student.

Side Dishes

Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino and Basil

This is a fabulous, quick and easy side dish. Serve Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino and Basil as a side dish with any protein or on its own with a salad. Slices are fabulous warmed in the microwave the next day for lunch. Or reheat leftovers served with a big, fresh salad and warm crusty bread for another simple and satisfying meal.

Pan-Seared Cod Filet with Tomato, Corn and Basil Couscous

Bursting with fresh flavors from a summer garden, Pan-Seared Cod Filet with Tomatoes, Corn, and Basil-infused Israeli couscous will become a fabulous, flavorful favorite in your quick fix summer-time menu rotation. Delicious and so easy and quick to prepare!

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad is a salad bowl to behold! This salad is the perfect side or main dish for the height of summer’s flavorful bounty. In August, we can find all these ingredients readily available at the height of their freshness. This is what summer eating is all about, without a doubt!

Lemon Pasta from John Alberti

We’ve been grilling since Memorial Day. Time for a switch. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Lemon Pasta is inexpensive to make, easy and quick to prepare, and is a delicious lemony, cheesy pasta delight. Lemon Pasta is a perfect main dish or as a side dish served alongside any lightly grilled protein.

Tasty Tryouts

Grilled Steak with Creamy, Cheesy Pasta,Tomatoes & Mushrooms

This dish is inspired by The Pioneer Woman’s Steakhouse Pasta. It’s filled with flavor from tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach and a creamy, cheesy sauce perfect for pasta. Delicious and so satisfying!

Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino and Basil

This is a fabulous, quick and easy side dish. Serve Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino and Basil as a side dish with any protein or on its own with a salad. Slices are fabulous warmed in the microwave the next day for lunch. Or reheat leftovers served with a big, fresh salad and warm crusty bread for another simple and satisfying meal.

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad

Summertime Tomato, Avocado, Roasted Corn, Basil Pasta Salad is a salad bowl to behold! This salad is the perfect side or main dish for the height of summer’s flavorful bounty. In August, we can find all these ingredients readily available at the height of their freshness. This is what summer eating is all about, without a doubt!

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup with Peanuts & Kale

Spicy Sweet Potato, Peanut & Kale Soup is a warm, rich, comfort seasoned with sweet curry and tumeric. And it’s thickened with peanut butter, not butter-flour-cream so it’s healthy, too! It’s gluten-free. This soup would be perfect to serve during the holidays.

Lemon Pasta from John Alberti

We’ve been grilling since Memorial Day. Time for a switch. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Lemon Pasta is inexpensive to make, easy and quick to prepare, and is a delicious lemony, cheesy pasta delight. Lemon Pasta is a perfect main dish or as a side dish served alongside any lightly grilled protein.

Simple Chicken Curry with Sauteed Veggies

Simple Chicken Curry – There’s nothing easier, with a palette changing array of spices. This is served with rice or rice noodles, and an array of sauteed vegetables. Put this in your recipe box for something different, quick, and satisfying.

Desserts

Mimi’s Minis – Lemon Cheesecakes

Want a quick and easy dessert? Mimi’s Mini Lemon Cheesecakes are a perfect sweet bite that I whipped these up in no time for a Christmas open house last week. All store-bought ingredients and these tasty mini’s were ready in 30 minutes.

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!

Easy Apple Pie Cheesecake

I found this brilliant recipe for Apple Pie Cheesecake at Tasty in Kathryn Aubin’s feature 4 Pies to Bake With Your BFF. Just like any cheesecake, this takes some time to bake, but that’s it. The remainder of the process is easy, easy, easy. Seriously – a no-brainer easy.