My Lasagna

In the book, there were 2 different lasagnas that were nearly identical from someone my mom worked with and a cousin-in-law. I took their ideas and doinked around to make one all my own with more flavor and a little kick.

Heavenly Hamburger

In the book, this particular recipe was in my Nana’s handwriting. I have no idea how she came up with it. I can only guess that she grabbed whatever she had on hand and threw it together. It’s actually super tasty and I always enjoy making it. It’s absolute comfort food.

Plated Green Bean Salad

Green Bean Salad

Have you ever wondered what a new and innovative way is to have green beans?  Today I am going to share with you a new, fun, and healthier way of having green beans.  There are so many ways that you can take this simple, humble ingredient to the next level in flavor and texture. To make this vegan, switch out the feta cheese for a vegan cheese of your choosing. You can use any style and cut of green beans that you prefer.  I like to experiment with different textures and flavors of food.  A salad can be anything that …

Coleslaw

LOL this is one of my Nana’s recipes and she didn’t write a single measurement down or nothing. It’s just a list of ingredients so I got to play 🙂 I’m completely NOT a coleslaw fan and there have been less than a handful I have found that I liked over the years, but this one is good and has turned around a few coleslaw haters such as myself.

Jeanie’s Pasta Salad

This came from a cousin of mine. What’s funny is it’s written in my handwriting but I don’t recall doing it so it must’ve been when I was young 🙂 OOPS This is a favorite of mine. I make it often and have it as a meal, it’s filling and super tasty. I play with the ingredients a lot on this one. Make it your own, have fun with it. This is one you can definitely go hog wild with.

Chili From Mexico

I haven’t a clue where this monstrosity came from. It’s typed out on what was obviously a typewriter so it’s definitely old. I will admit this is one of the ones in the books that I looked at with my head tilted and was scared to death to make but I am determined to add everything from the book to this website, scary or not so I made it. Thankfully it wasn’t as horrible as I feared it would be but gawd dog is it a hot mess to look at. If you have the gumption to make it, your …

Pizza Mexicana

Pizza is something that everyone loves to enjoy from time to time.  This recipe is one of the best pizza recipes that I have ever made.  The pizza dough can be intimidating to make, but this recipe makes it simple and it has an amazing taste to it.  We love thin crust pizza so that is what I made.  You can make this as spicy as you want or as mild as you want.  There are endless possibilities when you are adding toppings as well. So get creative and get the kids involved in making this fun dish.

Zucchini Squash

In my family I can remember growing summer yellow squash and the zucchini squash.  I was excited to try this version of zucchini.  I think that this is  a very versatile vegetable and can be used in many ways. This is a wonderful side dish to go along with either your lunch or dinner.  It’s great for a potluck and easy to fix.  I hope you give this wonderful side dish a try.  You can make it vegetarian, or vegan.

Kale, Beef and Potato Soup

An interesting combination for a nice hearty soup. Something to enjoy on a cold day or to share with family. A hearty flavored soup. This dish is originally a Portuguese dish, but instead of using Linguica (Portuguese sausage), it became a more American dish using beef tips(beef tenderloin chunks). CandiAnne’s note: My Aunt Carrie grew Kale in her yard so she made this all the time. It was a favorite at her house and across the street at ours. LOL being Portuguese, we obviously used the Linguica

Zucchini Cake

As a child, I remember my family making banana bread.  Until recently I had never really heard of zucchini cake.  I love the vegetable, but I never knew that it could be made sweet as well.  I loved the entire process of making this cake.  I loved the new cream cheese frosting as well.  Everything is really simple to make.  I would encourage you to try this recipe.  It would also be really good as cupcakes.

Turkish Lamb Pilaf

Pilaf in general is a wonderful dish.  When you mix the lamb and the seasonings in with it, it is absolutely amazing.  I did some research to see what other dried fruits that they used in this region.  I found that cherries, figs, and apricots were used quite a bit in this style of cuisine.  This dish was something like I have never made before, and it is something that my family has already requested again. I made a Turkish Yogurt Dip to go over it, and homemade Naan Bread.  We made a full meal out of it.

Cacik (Turkish Yogurt Dip)

This dip or sauce depending on how thick you make it, is a quick and easy little something to throw together to set off any Turkish Dish you are making.  I served this on top of the Turkish Lamb Pilaf dish that I made and to go along with the Naan Bread that I served to make this meal more rounded out.  I hope you enjoy this.  It was a huge hit here at our house.  Especially with a house full of picky eaters.

Garlic Naan Bread

When I was making the Turkish Lamb Pilaf dish, I wanted to make it a full meal.  So I wanted to make some bread that was native to the area.  This bread is a really good bread recipe that is amazing with flavor.  I enjoy making bread so that is another reason I decided to do this.  It is a slow process but well worth it.

Applesauce Spice Bars

The batter smelled amazingly sweet, making me think about when I used to bake with my family. Making the glaze took longer than I thought it would. When it’s all said and done your kitchen will smell like the holidays, with the smell of spices and apples filling the air.

Domino Butter Cookies

Retro has become quite popular so this recipe from 1977 is a must for anyone who loves to bake.  This particular recipe comes from a power company!  Each month they would send out a newsletter of recipes you could use to help keep your heating/cooling costs down as they were simple and quick to bake.  They are also quick to disappear once you’ve had a taste! Unlike many of the sugar-heavy cookies you can buy today, these are  just sweet enough to satisfy a craving but not so sweet that you’ll experience the crash that often comes with too much …

Spinach Tarts

These are a cute little appetizer, side dish, or be used for a meal or maybe even a snack.  You can make tarts sweet or savory.  This was really a good dish that I have never had before.  I will certainly be making this again.

Frittata

This frittata is a wonderful little appetizer or it could be served as a snack.  You can also make this into a wonderful dessert.  This could be even made into a breakfast dish.  The possibilities are endless.  You just need to get in there and see what you come up with.  I found it really delicious.

Spicy Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a wonderful blend of sweet and spice that works perfectly at the end of a meal or accompanied by a cup of hot tea or coffee.  This recipe is easy to make and easier to eat!

Frozen Chocolate Cream

I enjoyed making this recipe. After tasting it, I noticed it wasn’t overly sweet, but it still had a lot of flavor which is what I prefer. It is a fun and delicious recipe to share with family and friends. I think it would make a wonderful treat for the summer months.

Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This recipe is a combination of two of our favorite foods.  Chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan.  I served it with noodles for lunch and dinner. I wanted to showcase Eggplant Parmesan as a casserole and added the Chicken Parmesan to it. This made an amazingly tasty dish.  I do hope you will give it a try.

Cabbage Bell Pepper Rolls & Deconstructed Version

I grew up eating cabbage rolls.  It was something I always loved when my momma would make them.  I decided to put my own twist where I combined stuffed bell peppers in with the cabbage rolls.  I also took the extra cabbage and with the remaining meat mixture decided to make a deconstructed cabbage roll casserole.  Which is really easy to make and it will finish off the leftover cabbage that you have.

Pineapple Bundt Cake

Pineapple Bundt Cake is rich, fruity, and delicious. It is wonderful alone or you can serve with fresh pineapple and chantilly cream. If you prefer a more tropical fare, add pineapple glaze and a sprinkle of toasted coconut too! This is a beautiful bundt cake that is easily adapted to other flavors and should be a staple in your kitchen!

Cottage Cheese Egg Omelet

I have never heard of having cottage cheese with scrambled eggs before.  This dish was from the 60’s or 70’s time frame.  I decided to make it into something totally different.  I made this into an egg omelet.  It was delicious.

Maple Breakfast Cake

Nothing says breakfast like sweet, warm, maple syrup. Instead of pancakes, try it with another delicious treat…cake! Maple Breakfast Cake is a hearty and sweet delight perfect for cold mornings and hot cups of coffee. Try frosting it with Maple Sugar Frosting     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on …

Kate’s Cosmic Carrot Cake

The Carrot Cake came out very moist. Almost every carrot cake I have every tried have been incredibly dry, so I really enjoyed this dessert. I will definitely make this again.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts of categories that were put out by Eat Smart …

Blitz Torte

This recipe was a little difficult to complete but I am glad to have made it. It was an awesome opportunity and I thought it came out beautifully.

Lemon Pineapple Poke Cake

A tart lemon pineapple poke cake with a whipped topping. This one was fun to make and oooh soo yummy. It is one the kids will love along with the adults. and super easy an fast as well. Perfect for any time and an AWESOME dessert to serve.

Snickerdoodles

My family absolutely loved these cookies, they couldn’t stop eating them. I had to swipe two for myself before they polished them off. With such a simple and easy recipe to follow, I honestly did not think that they would turn out so good. So whip up a batch , pour a glass of milk or make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy!!!

Vermont Maple Cream

I have never made Vermont Maple Cream before. It turned out great and reminded me of a mountain family vacation we took. I made toast to put the Vermont maple cream on. This would be perfect on pancakes as well.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts …

Apricot-Coconut Cookie Bars

If you enjoy gooey delicious fruit bars, this recipe is for you. I’ve added ground oats to the pastry, which gives it a slightly heartier consistency, mixed in apricot preserves with the chopped apricots to spread on top of the baked pastry, and added sliced almonds to the coconut mixture to give the bars a little crunch. To make these bars just a little more special, I’ve topped them with drizzled white chocolate, diced apricots, and chopped sliced almonds. Your family and friends won’t be able to resist!

Veal Goulash

I love mushrooms and onions. So when I read this recipe I was excited to try it. I have never had veal before and I think it turned out delicious. I made beef flavored rice to go with my goulash. It can be served be itself with a side of bread or as a meat with side dishes like rice or noddles or mash potatoes. This recipe originated in Hungary but has been influenced in other countries.

Fondant Easter Eggs

I do not consider myself artistic in any sense of the word, but I found decorating these fondant Easter eggs a lot of fun. This would be a tasty treat to make for a gathering or with the family, letting everyone decorate their own egg any way they please. There is no right or wrong way, have fun with it and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Baked Maple Rice Pudding

This recipe is full of flavor and one you will enjoy making for family and friends. You can opt to put in the raisins or not. I made this without the raisins and it was very good.

Nutty Maple Bread Pudding

I’ve never made bread pudding over a double boiler before, so I was really interested to try it. It came out pretty good. This recipe calls for only three pieces of bread, when I make it again, I will add 2 additional pieces to firm up the consistency just a bit. This recipe is tasty and a must-try!

Maple Parfait

When I think of a parfait my mind goes to layered yogurt, fruit, and granola. This recipe is completely different, no yogurt, fruit, or granola at all! Plus, it’s frozen! It’s easy to make and refreshing on a hot day. If you can’t find nut brittle, use a crushed-up toffee bar to sprinkle on top.

Molasses Taffy

This was another fun and easy recipe to make.  The final product is smooth with a rich molasses flavor. Give it a try and see what you think!

Apricot-Coconut Cookie Bars

These Apricot-Coconut Cookie Bars are a scrumptious, ooey-gooey, delicious treat. They have a shortbread-type crust, and the delicious chewy apricot and coconut just explode flavor in your mouth.  This recipe would be great for potlucks, holidays, picnics, or just a guilty pleasure snack. They don’t take long to whip up a batch, but taste like you have worked hours in the kitchen. There are many different flavors you could use if apricot and coconut are not for you. Try cranberry and orange, or cranberry with dark or white chocolate, also try using figs or raisins and any type of nuts. …

Cordeiro assada

This is a Portuguese lamb dish, with a mouth-watering braised leg of lamb served on a bed of roasted potatoes and sauteed fresh vegetables. To finish off the dish, it is topped off with a rich velvety lamb reduction perfectly spiced.  

Italian Pot Roast

Over the weekend, I had such a tremendous cooking experience in my unit’s kitchenette making Italian Pot Roast, all while trying to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Henri. Yet, with much love and patience, I spent my evening prepping a delectable meal for the family and me. I have to say the pot roast was tender, paired well with multigrain rotini pasta for those like myself with dietary restrictions. I even had time to make an Arugula with lettuce salad dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. As an appetizer, I toasted Fresh Italian bread; seasoned …

Triple Treat Fondant

Working with fondant is one of the easiest yet rewarding items I have made in my kitchen. Before this, I had never worked with fondant and assumed it would be hard to make and even harder to work, so imagine my surprise to find that not only is it super easy to make (and very cheap) it is so fun to work with! remember kindergarten making food with play dough? Yep pretty much the same idea( except this dough is edible)  I think the best part for me besides bribing my twins to help me was adding the flavoring (we …

Walnut Applesauce Cupcakes

Who loves applesauce? I love applesauce! This simple yet hearty recipe will appeal to the applesauce-loving kid in all of us! I normally don’t change recipes but for this one I added brown sugar instead of white to give it small but healthier touch. Be careful not to overmix and dry the batter out.  If you are like me you may be tempted to fill the liners to make more full cupcakes but trust me you won’t need to. The rise on these is perfect.  I enjoyed the smell of these as they baked! Smells like the holidays in your …

Lamb Chops

Ever tried lamb before? Me neither! However, I will be making this a staple in my house! Be prepared to take cooking to a different level! Tender beyond anything you can think and minus a little marinade time super quick! The family will enjoy and more so you will be the new superhero in the house. I paired this with locally grown fresh cucumber, tomato, and red onion salad, as well as a basic Greek Tazaki sauce. You can pair this recipe with so many different options. In the winter, how about some roasted potatoes, onions, and mushrooms. In the …

Maple Sponge Cake

Perfect for tea time, a snack, or dessert. This cake really is very versatile and is absolutely delicious. I have made many sponge cakes in my 30+ years of baking. This maple sponge cake has by far been the easiest one I have ever made. The steps are easy to follow and the results give you a delicious airy sponge that you are proud of. You can put a simple glaze over it, dust with confectioner’s sugar, you can slice in half and fill with fresh whip cream and berries, or use a fruit filling or top with some vanilla …

Easy Maple Cranberry Butter and Cookies.

Cranberries are both sweet and tart in its’ flavor profile. Maple syrup is a complex flavor known for its’ hints of caramel and vanilla. Pairing these two ingredients creates a dynamic layer of flavors on the tastebuds. Now imagine making quick and simple butter with minimal ingredients creating a burst of possibilities to your palette? The ability to easily execute both a maple syrup butter and Cranberry Maple Butter, which is sweet condensed jelly. That’s precisely the experience I want to bring you as a Culinary artist. And in such, I made a few tweaks, like adding Mexican vanilla beans …

Cilantro Creole Chicken and Rice

Love the deep soul flavor of your grandma’s Creole chicken? Love fresh? Here’s grandma’s Creole Chicken with a twist of freshness? Soul with fresh, or as I state it “fresh soul” it’s the new trend for those willing to try (yes my kids roll their eyes when I told them that joke as well.) However, once you try this you can send me a thank you card!

Flank Steak Bordelaise

Imagine taking a bite of a perfectly seasoned steak with so much flavor that you never want to stop chewing. Well, now take a sauce that is so good you will mistake it for your new favorite drink. Combine both the sauce and the steak and you have a perfect dinner. Throw in some veggies and starch of choice and you can once again thank me later for this moving up the list of being one of the best dishes. It’s so good that you can impress anyone and everyone, go ahead it’s a lock-in dinner for impressing that first …

Bombastic Bean Dip

Yes, it’s that good. I’m also sharing a version of my guacamole recipe, for those that understand the addiction. (NOT sorry, just so you know.) This is a dip, yes…but no one is looking right now… Easiest thing in the world to make, and it takes no time at all. Blah-blah-blah, let’s do this!!!