Garlic Ginger Green Beans by John Spottiswood

These are an excellent, healthy side dish to any grilled meat. I highly recommend them with the Chinese BBQ chicken recipe below, but honestly these would go well with just about anything. Unfortunately these were tapped out long before our chicken, so make more than you think you need. They are great the next day too!

Creole Pralines by Amos Miller

Better than a cookie (sorry bakers, but this is a Creole group) and with the true taste of New Orleans, Creole Pralines are one of the signature treats in the Big Easy! It is time to play 'soft ball', and we're not talking the sport - we're talking Creole candy. When the recipe calls for your concoction on the stove to reach the…

Vanilla Custard Sauce (British) by Marlin Rinehart

This sauce is served over steamed puddings, fruit crisps (crumbles), and any dessert that would be enhanced by a creamy vanilla sauce. It's the perfect homemade replacement for Byrd's Custard powder. One warning, however: 1) use a small, "thick-bottom" saucepan, and 2) cook over low heat and don't allow the mixture to boil or it will…

Warm Brussles Sprouts Salad with Almonds and Parmesan by Nancy Miyasaki

I adapted this from a Oprah recipe. She makes the salad with raw brussel sprouts. I couldn't quite trust that, so I blanched them lightly before slicing. This produced a delcious and slightly warm salad. I should have tried some raw and some cooked to see which method is best. Maybe one of you can do that and let us know?

Quick & Easy Fruit Compote with Vanilla Sauce (and a no-added sugar or low-sugar variation) by Salad Foodie

A fruit compote on the table in 15 minutes? Here's a dessert kids (and kids of all ages) will love. Start with a can of fruit cocktail, add some chopped fruit in season, and make a simple vanilla sauce to top it. (This dessert converts easily to a…

Orange Chipotle Vinaigrette by Bob Vincent

This recipe is adapted from one by Julie Campoy in her book Julienne. I made some changes to it. I added garlic, used more honey and reduced 50% more orange juice. I also added Mexican oregano and cut back on the cumin a bit. This produces a thin vinaigrette. If you want it thicker whisk in a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise.…

mashed potatoes by david spottiswood

These are special, and go well with the pan gravy recipe I am posting. Using Yukon Gold potatoes, you can either leave all the skins on, or, as I do, peel half the potatoes. This recipe is for four. I omit the salt if serving with the pan gravy (the bacon makes the gravy salty enough)

Beans with Nutmeg by Brett Ede

Strawberry and Rhubarb Tapioca Pudding by Salad Foodie

A delightful tapioca pudding for a special occasion. So ruby-red pretty, and with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, you'll think you died and went to heaven. If fresh rhubarb is not available substitute frozen, and mash or cut up after simmering if necessary.

Cheater's Gnocchi by Carolinaheartstrings

Gnocchi! Fun to say. Fun to make. This is NOT your Naunie’s Gnocchi! (Naunnie was my Italian grandmother) This “cheat” recipe uses potato flakes (horrors!) in place of the usual mashed potatoes. With the aid of a food processor and a few simple ingredients you can knock out these tasty, satisfying little Italian dumplings in…

Croatian roux soup by Easy Cook - Laka kuharica

Very old recipe for a soup still popular in the northwestern parts of Croatia.

Traditional Deviled Eggs by brady evans

Betty Crocker Inspired Deviled Eggs - perfect for summer!

Gnocchi and Peas with Pesto by Maria Filice

I opened my freezer this morning and saw peas, some left over uncooked gnocchi and a small container of pesto. Let me show you a little of this and that and take note........

Nun Bananas in Coconut Milk by Liz Gallipeau

Any leftovers from this can be frozen and then used to make an awesome smoothie later on!