Simple Pecan Pie Recipe
Making Pecan Pie from scratch is A LOT EASIER than you might think. For years now, I've avoided baking this pie. Mainly because I've listened to distraught homecooks tell of their good intentions to make the infamous "Grandmother's Pie" only to be let down and left with an overly brown crust holding a runny filling. No thanks, but that's not the kind of baking experience I need during the holidays. I... More...
By Jill | 0 comments | Full Recipe...Sweet & Zesty Fiesta Salad
My beautiful friend, Cheryl, brought this incredibly addictive salad slash dip to our party the other night. She carried it in a BIG ol'bowl. I thought she might have gone overboard and made too much. It turned out, she knew exactly how much to make. We couldn't get enough of this tangy sweet collage of goodness. We walked past it dipping our chips all night long. And when it was time... More...
By Jill | 3 comments | Full Recipe...Loaded Potato Potluck Favorite
This recipe has been sponsored by the cool crowd over at One2One Network in partnership with Nestle Carnation The Cooking Milk. Can I just tell you this is the CREAMIEST potato recipe I have ever made? When Cassie from One2One Network asked me to make two recipes using Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk in place of regular milk, I didn't think it would make much of a difference. I was wrong. It... More...
By Jill | 1 comment | Full Recipe...The Gourds Have Eyes
If you're looking for a creepy, cool Halloween idea for your table setting, try making eyeballs with Swan gourds. The kids really got into this art project and had a blast! I did, too. Keep an eye out for Swan gourds at your local farmers' market or the grocery store. I recommend picking gourds with the most dark green color you can find, and the smoother the better. Use a sheet of newsprint... More...
By Jill | 2 comments | Full Recipe...Simple Traditional Pumpkin Pie
Here's my secret to a GREAT PUMPKIN PIE year after year... Follow the directions on the back of the Libby's Pure Pumpkin can. Pick up the boxed Pillsbury's pie crust with the two rolls inside. And DON'T FORGET to get the can of EVAPORATED MILK! (I forget it every time.) In the past, I have roasted fresh pumpkin, pureed it, THEN made it into a pie. NOBODY EVER NOTICED THE DIFFERENCE. That was... More...
By Jill | 7 comments | Full Recipe...Kim’s Coleslaw Salad
Instead of the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing, Kim's Coleslaw Salad uses oil & vinegar with a touch of sugar. It's zesty, fresh, crunchy and hard to stop eating. This particular recipe is a BIG HIT for potluck meals. Kim has told me that even when she has doubled the recipe for parties, hoping to bring home leftovers, she ends up bringing home an empty bowl. Beside using oil &... More...
By Jill | 11 comments | Full Recipe...German Chocolate Brownies
Be sure to have plenty of milk on hand for these rich delights. HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED Brownie 8 ounces sweet baking chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup butter 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. In a medium size, microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter with medium... More...
By Jill | 7 comments | Full Recipe...Orange-Almond Biscotti
Biscotti is my favorite cookie to bake for friends, to give away as gifts, or just to eat alone. I'm flexible. This family favorite recipe comes straight from my secret cookie book. HERE'S ALL YOU NEED 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 2 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted and chopped Heat... More...
By Jill | 3 comments | Full Recipe...Monkey Bread from a Monkey
Last recipe entry from me from the Hopkins County 4-H Food Show. Isn't it pretty? It's hard to believe a little monkey, ur I mean, a little kid made this monkey bread. I sure hope they (the AgriLIFE Extension office) ask me to judge again next time. It was SO MUCH FUN meeting the kids, listening to them spout their nutrition education, while proudly standing behind their prepared dishes. Those... More...
By Jill | 5 comments | Full Recipe...Peanut Butter Cocoa Balls
This is a totally nutritious snack! Yes it is! According to Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension and the Hopkins County 4-H Club, it's considered a nutritious snack. So there. My fun friend, Kim, asked me last week if I wanted to be a volunteer for a 4-H food show event at our local Ag extension office. I said, "Sure!" Turns out, we had the fun of judging the nutritional knowledge and recipe... More...
By Jill | 12 comments | Full Recipe...Hominy Among Friends
NOBODY, and I mean, NOBODY! has made hominy taste this AWESOME! Hot or cold, this arrangement of hominy, green chilies, cilantro and tomatoes with chipotle peppers is very hard to stop eating. I read through so MANY hominy recipes that all seemed to be lacking in color and bright flavors. So, I went off on my own and put what I wanted to taste around the hominy AND I won my husband over to hominy! ... More...
By Jill | 13 comments | Full Recipe...Sweet Butternut Squash
After roasting a couple of butternut squash in the oven, I got the idea to finally try out that old squash recipe. You know the one. When someone tries to pass off an unknown gourd to you and says, "All you have to do is cut it open, take the seeds out, sprinkle it with a little brown sugar & cinnamon on top, then bake it until it tender." Oh, ok. Actually, this recipe didn't cross my mind... More...
By Jill | 3 comments | Full Recipe...
