Apple & Walnut Oatmeal - microwave-quick! by Salad Foodie

A welcome alternative to traditional oatmeal, and perfect for fall or back-to-school breakfasts. I love the cinnamon apple flavors and crunchy nut texture. Optionally substitute your favorite apple type and/or use pecans or almonds in place of walnuts.

Southwest Black Bean Casserole by Salad Foodie

Vegetarians rejoice! This Tex-Mex favorite can be used as a side dish for 12, or as a main dish for 8. The toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, green onions and sour cream together with some tortilla chips add color and crunch. You can make this with as much punch as you’d like - add minced jalapeno peppers, sriracha sauce, red…

Double Butter Bundt Cake by Salad Foodie

Moist and rich, this unfrosted Bundt cake is versatile as a stand-alone snack with tea or coffee, or as a pastry base for ice cream or strawberry shortcake. The “double butter” name comes from butter as the shortening, along with buttermilk as the liquid (see NOTE below for using regular milk instead.) The cake travels well to…

Yogurt Pancakes with Blueberries by Salad Foodie

Light and sublime, these pancakes are perfect for summer’s bounty of blueberries. Whole wheat pastry flour is recommended and gives the most tender results, but all purpose flour works fine too. I used Greek plain yogurt but regular yogurt or sour cream can be subbed.

Caffe Principessa (Princess Coffee) by maria liberati

Tuscan Panzanella Salad (from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking) by maria liberati

Almond Biscotti by Salad Foodie

Crunchy biscotti are my go-to coffee dunkers. The sweet toasts make a perfect hostess or holiday gift besides. This recipe features almonds but pecans or hazelnuts would be fine, with vanilla extract in place of almond.

Quick Meatloaf & Potatoes by Salad Foodie

Start to finish this can be on the table in 30 minutes, which represents 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes cook time in the microwave. This meal-in-one recipe comes from the heyday of microwave cooking in the 80's and 90's, and is always a family pleaser. Of course it can be baked in a 350 degree F. conventional oven instead, for an…

Swedish Apple Pie by Salad Foodie

"Easy as pie" as the saying goes. But this recipe is really EASIER than pie! Sliced Granny Smith apples go in the pie dish first, followed by a quick and simple topping. The topping settles down around the apples during baking and becomes lightly crisp - so good! Based on The Apple Lover's Cookbook by Amy Traverso.

Chicken Potpie Soup by Salad Foodie

Chicken potpie is one of the all-time favorite comfort foods, but not too many of us labor making the pie crust version with the yummy creamy filling. Enter Chicken Potpie Soup! I used Sara Moulton's Everyday Family Dinners' recipe as a starting point, where garlic buttered croutons made from lavash thin bread (not crackers) or flour…

Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Crisscross Cookies by Salad Foodie

Peanut butter cookie recipes abound, but none of them came close to rekindling memories of the favorite from my youth - until I came across this one in an Old Farmer's Almanac. The first batch I made convinced me the recipe was the one from my early baking years. Ah - answered prayers!

Coconut Kisses by Salad Foodie

Think macaroon with a chocolate kiss - a match made in heaven. These will disappear fast on your valentine cookie tray. Be sure to have chocolate kisses unwrapped and ready to pop onto cookie tops when removed from oven.

Herbed Olive Sandwich Loaf by Salad Foodie

Hone your artisan baking skills making this savory Italian loaf bread. Olives, garlic, rosemary and Parmesan cheese flavors predominate, and tantalize everyone at home while baking. Use slices as an accompaniment to any Italian entree, or create a sandwich or open-face with sliced meats and/or cheeses. The recipe can be made in a…

Date and Walnut Chews by Salad Foodie

This confection is perfect for special occasions or holiday socials. The dates provide chewy aspects while the nuts give it crunch! A sweet treat that is easy to make and keeps well.

Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter Pecan Frosting by Salad Foodie

This recipe was a finalist in Cooking Light Magazine's "Twenty-five Favorite Dessert Recipes" several years ago. The notion of roasting a banana intrigued me so I was up to the challenge of trying it out. MY VERDICT: THEY ARE VERY TASTY AND I WILL MAKE THEM AGAIN. However, they are more cake-like than bar-like, and the extra steps,…