Category: From My Kitchen

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Sweet Holiday Treats: Candy Cane Edition

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without candy canes hanging from the tree. They are also tucked into stockings. Candy canes take the starring role in all our favorite sweet treats! With these recipes you can enjoy the beloved Yuletide flavor in cakes, cookies, cocoas and more.

Our Best Peppermint Recipe Ideas

No flavor gives us that nostalgic holiday feeling, quite like peppermint. One bite of a candy cane-inspired dessert transports us to childhood. Even better is one that uses candy canes in the recipe. So, every year, when holiday baking season rolls around, we make sure to add peppermint treats to our lineup. We always include a few of them. From festive cookies and batches of fudge topped with crushed candy, there is something for everyone. Holiday cocktails infused with peppermint flavor are also included in this roundup.

The combination of white peppermint bark atop a chocolate cookie base equals the ultimate holiday treat. This big-batch recipe is ideal for cookie swaps, festive parties or even wrapping up as gifts. It is also easy enough for baking with the whole family. Instead of forming individual cookies, you break the giant sheet into pieces, just like you would with traditional bark.

Food Network

Posted in From My Kitchen

Ultimate Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Merry Christmas Menu

Putting together the best Christmas dinner requires as much thoughtful planning as buying the perfect gifts. You want to make sure everything is just right. That means choosing a showstopping main dish, like a juicy roast. Don’t forget to add incredible sides to round out the spread. Vegetables and salads are both great complementary options, especially when you’re making a Christmas ham. Thanks to its festive colors, this pasta salad will shine bright on your holiday table. For the vibrant green dressing, we jazzed up traditional basil pesto with spinach and almonds. A couple of tablespoons of white wine vinegar go into the whole dish for extra tang. The pesto can be made three days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Food Network

Posted in From My Kitchen

Delicious Casserole Recipes for Every Meal

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned casserole. You might be craving a classic like tuna noodle. Alternatively, you might want a recipe with a twist. These comforting options will surely satisfy.

Break out your best casserole dish because there’s nothing better than some homemade comfort food. From breakfast casseroles that can feed a crowd to creative takes like casseroles inspired by other popular dishes (and everything in between!), these recipes are layered with flavor—and sure to satisfy. You can’t go wrong with any of the recipes in this roundup. We especially love a good mashup like this one. With hash browns, ground beef, canned tomatoes and green chiles, taco seasoning and gooey cheese, it can’t be beat. It’s the ultimate hands-off meal. And since everything’s tossed together right in the baking dish, there’s very little cleanup. Simply garnish with your favorite taco toppings and dinner is served. If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, try wrapping them in a tortilla for a quick burrito.

Get the Recipe: Taco Potato Casserole

Food Network

Posted in From My Kitchen

Easy Ham Soup Ideas for Leftover Holiday Ingredients

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

These ham soup recipes will help you make the most of a holiday ham. Here’s how to transform those leftovers into ham and potato soup. You can also make creamy ham chowder. Another option is a brothy soup packed with vegetables.

A whole smoked ham is a beloved celebration food. Does your family serve a big Easter ham? Or do they make a holiday ham instead of turkey for Thanksgiving? There’s no wrong way to enjoy this smoky, savory main. You could also add a sweet touch to the holiday spread with Christmas ham recipes. Ham is such a large cut of meat that there are always leftovers. That’s when ham soup recipes become useful.

You can combine leftover ham with hearty vegetables like potatoes. Alternatively, pack your soup with beans to create a filling dish. This dish will be up to the task of feeding a crowd. Ham soups tend to be hearty. They’re perfect for chilly nights. However, they taste great anytime you want to use up leftover ham from a holiday feast.

When it’s time to serve ham soup, prepare some soft dinner rolls. You can also make buttery cornbread to serve on the side. The slight sweetness pairs beautifully with any ham soup.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in #allrecipes

25 Easy Winter Dishes for Cozy Nights

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

You’re in the thick of winter’s chilly embrace. After a long day, all you want is to enjoy a warm, satisfying meal. You desire to curl up under a blanket and spend quality time with loved ones. You’re craving something simply scrumptious. However, you’re not in the mood for time-consuming activities like seasoning, marinating, chopping, mincing, pureeing, or frying. These are activities you might normally enjoy on the weekends. Your goal: a warm, comfy, easy night at home.

Well, you’re in luck because we’ve rounded up 25 of the tastiest easy-to-make winter dishes. We made sure to include soul-nourishing dishes from an array of culinary traditions. Whether you’re craving spicy aromatic Indian, traditional Italian, mouthwatering Mexican, or classic American, we have recipes for each. Each one is sure to hit the spot on your cozy winter night in.

Allrecipes

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”