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a graphic designer with a flair for pretty nice creations

Summertime Pasta Salad

Jul 28, 2019

Summertime Pasta Salad

Sometimes it's just too hot to eat hot food. Here's a good base for some pasta salad that is super flexible. Adapted from THE Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1 teaspoon sugar 8 oz pasta (gnocchi, rotini, bow ties, tortellini or penne) 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup slivered fresh basil We went to a potluck recently and I found a recipe for b

Copycat Panera Bread Potato Soup

Jul 12, 2019

Copycat Panera Bread Potato Soup

I found this potato soup recipe on Pinterest via Ma Nouvelle Mode and had to try it out. If you enjoy creamy potato soup, this is the way to go. I use vegetable broth, cause I like my soup to be vegetarian, but the recipe called for chicken. Do what makes you happy. I started making this soup when it was so cold outside, but even in the summertime I am craving it. Because it's soup, season to taste. Add red pepper flakes if you need a touch of spice. Add onions if that's your

Butternut Squash

Mar 14, 2016

Butternut Squash

I've never made a butternut squash before today! But I had great success. Because I was experimenting, I made two batches, one sweet and one savory. Preheat the oven to 350˚. Cut the squash in half, use a grapefruit spoon to get the seeds out then get a sturdy peeler and peel the outer skin. Dice into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces. Ready your aluminum foil with butter or olive oil. Savory: Use olive oil in this one. Put squash on foil, add salt, pepper and garlic salt. Sweet: Use butt

Maple Acorn Squash

Aug 26, 2015

Maple Acorn Squash

I'm not a huge fan of vegetables. These acorn squash were pretty good, though - something I would eat again. I found the recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook. 1 medium acorn squash (about 1.25 pounds) 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel (optional) 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon or ground nutmeg Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Arrange the squash halves, cut sides

Mushroom and Wild Rice Wrap

Aug 10, 2015

Mushroom and Wild Rice Wrap

I found this recipe on the Kraft Foods website a long time ago and it as been one which I have enjoyed making for years. It's really easy, and sounds weird, but is really tasty. I add the chicken after, so mine can be vegetarian and his can have some protein. 2 chicken breasts (leftover from the night before, baked with salt and pepper) 1 box of Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice 1/2 cup ranch dressing 8 oz. fresh baby bella mushrooms 1/2 tablespoon butter 4 tortillas spinach

Make It Better: Ravioli

Potato Soup

May 12, 2014

Potato Soup

A few years ago, I found this recipe for potato soup in, "Where's Mom Now That I Need Her?" Great book for cooking in the dorms, or just if you are a lazy cook, like myself. Because I love cheese and though the recipe was a bit small, I changed the soup a bit, but it was nice to have a starting place. 4 small red or yellow potatoes 1 tbsp butter 1/4 cup diced onions 10 baby carrots chopped 1 1/2 cups water pepper paprika 1/3 cup frozen corn 2 tbsp flour 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 cu

Noodles with Garlic, Parmesan and Butter

Apr 14, 2014

Noodles with Garlic, Parmesan and Butter

I had these many Sunday nights during craft time. They're great served with fish and veggies - or how I typically have them, with store-bought frozen eggplant parmesan. Delicious. If you aren't a fan of garlic (really?) you can omit the garlic and parm and just enjoy some lemon pepper, butter noodles. Also delicious. 4 servings spaghetti noodles 3 tbsp butter 1 garlic clove 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp pepper 1/2 cup parmesan Cook noodles, drain. Put butter in the pan, melt,

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Mar 14, 2014

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

This is my dad's recipe. When he married my step-mom, he taught her to cook it for the family. They make theirs with meat (mine has vegetarian replacement) and I serve mine on potatoes with sour cream. Between sloppy joes and mac and cheese, my comfort foods are covered. 1 lb veggie crumbles 1/2 diced onion 1 can tomato soup 2 tbsp barbecue sauce 2 tbsp ketchup 1 tbsp mustard 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp vinegar 1/2 tsp celery seed Combine veggie crumbles and diced onion in a fr

World's Greatest Salad

Oat-Topped Sweet Potato Crisp

Nov 27, 2009

Oat-Topped Sweet Potato Crisp

I offered to bring this recipe for Thanksgiving once and now we have it every year. It is a requirement. A very good way to enjoy your sweet potatoes. It's practically a dessert. I like that you can put more apples or pears depending on how you like it. It's a flexible dish. And add more sweet potatoes if you need to stretch it to serve more people. You can put the pecans in with the fruit or with the topping. I once accidentally left out the quick oats and it was still fine.