It’s that time of year again when the comfort foods come out, family comes over for football Sunday and casseroles are needed for potlucks. I like this one because it is simple. It is pretty basic in fact, not fancy at all. It is easy and makes a lot. It is a comfort food. Enjoy. Ingredients 2 lbs. ground beef 1 large onion 1 tsp. garlic salt ¼ tsp. pepper 1 tsp. basil leaves ½ tsp. oregano 1 large green pepper, chopped 1 lb. spaghetti noodles, broken in half 2 cans toma

This is a wonderfully thick and soothing soup. I added onions and carrots (pureed with the roasted squash) to mine because I like the extra layer of flavors but it is delicious all on it’s own. A healthy soup that is so great you won’t even realize it is good for you. Enjoy. Ingredients 8 cups (1-inch) cubed, peeled butternut squash (about 2¼ pounds) 1½ tsp. olive oil ¾ tsp. salt, divided ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided Cooking spray 4 cups warm 2% reduced-fat

I love this combination of crab and cod. The flavor is mild with just a hint of sweetness from the crab. It comes together quickly and per my usual I make it early in the day and pop it in the oven when it is getting to be dinner time. I hope you try it. Enjoy. Ingredients 1-lb. pkg. frozen cod fillets (not breaded) thawed, drained Crab Mixture 2/3 cup butter melted 1 cup crushed herb seasoned stuffing mix 6-ounce package frozen crab meat, thawed, drained 4 ounce can mushr

Sweet and sour chicken is a Chinese take-out staple. This recipe has all of the flavors of take out without the battered chicken. And, you can make it ahead of time and pop it in the oven just in time for dinner. It also makes a ton so if I am not cooking for a crowd I usually cut the recipe in half. But it’s not a bad idea to make the whole thing and freeze half for another dinner some other time. Enjoy. Serves 12 Ingredients 4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice 2 1/2 cup

I love to use my slow cooker and football Sunday’s are perfect time to use them. Do a quick prep in the morning and voila – when football is over your meal is ready. This would be great to make ahead too and take to a tailgate party. I like to serve mine with mild yellow pepper rings and let a little bit of that juice soak into the sandwich. Can’t wait for dinner. Enjoy. Serves: 10 Ingredients 3 cups of water 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. black ground pepper 1 tsp. dried oregano 1

We enjoy going to outdoor summer concerts. We meet friends and it has become kind of a tapas party as everyone brings something to share. This is a great recipe to pass because it can be served warm, cold or room temperature. It is super easy, super quick, and super delish! Enjoy. Serves 1 0 Ingredients 1 pkg. frozen, chopped spinach (small box type in grocery freezer) thawed and excess water squeezed out. 1-cup milk 1-cup flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt ¼ cup butt

If you love cumin you will love this chickpea snack. I could eat them by the handful but I also like to add a sprinkling to my salads. It takes no time prepare then you get to sit back and enjoy! Ingredients 2 TBSP olive oil 1 TBSP ground cumin 1 tsp. garlic powder ½ tsp. chili powder 1 pinch sea salt 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 dash crushed red pepper 1 (15 ou) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained Directions Preheat over to 350 degrees. Whisk the oil, cumin, garlic powder,

Looking for a terrific way to use fresh summer asparagus? This is it. Perfect for get-togethers with friends, brunch, picnics – you name it. It says to serve warm but I usually serve it room temperature – either way you can’t go wrong. The filling is creamy inside that golden puff pastry shell making it hard to eat just one piece. Enjoy. Serves 8 (I often double this recipe) Ingredients 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese softened (I use the light cream cheese) ½ cup finely gr

My mom made these beans often when I was growing up. The house smelled so good while they were cooking we could hardly wait for dinner. Because my mom always had lot of ham in her baked beans a bowl of these beans was our meal. We used bread to soak up all of the extra juice in the bowl. Our bowls were bone dry by the time we finished. My mom has been asked a million times for her recipe. But there was no recipe – until now. Last year I decided I’d better learn how to make th

My mom used to make these meatballs when I was a kid. These aren’t your traditional meatballs but that’s why they are so good. They are from a vintage women’s club cookbook – “Favorite Recipes of the Great Plains.” I have always served them over mashed potatoes but I think they would be great as subs too. Enjoy. Ingredients 1 lb. ground beef 1 tsp. salt ¼ cup cornmeal 1 egg ½ cup milk 1 tsp. chili powder 2 TBSP onion, chopped 2 TBSP. green pepper, minced 1½ tsp. dry must