Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apricot-Honey Whiskey Sauce

This tender roasted pork tenderloin with a delicious apricot-honey whiskey sauce would make a lovely addition to your New Year's Day meal!  The sauce has great depth of flavor and is super easy to make, consisting of just three ingredients:  Apricot preserves, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Whiskey, and pan drippings.          

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Baked Crab Rangoon Dip & Homemade Wonton Chips

Last night was a big night for us.  Eagles versus Cowboys for a chance to go to the playoffs.  I was cautiously optimistic, but if history is a good predictor of the future, at the very least, I was going to have something good to snack on!  I had made our favorite crab cakes for dinner and found myself with some leftover crab.  After some thought, I decided to turn one of my favorite appetizers into a dip.  This crab rangoon dip doesn't disappoint!  It's creamy, delicious and tastes just like my favorite Chinese takeout's crab rangoons.  The homemade wontons are airy, crisp and super easy to make.

As for the game, it was a nail biter as usual, but it tuned out to be a thing of beauty!  I'm already thinking about what to make for the playoff game against the Saints!

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Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pecans

Twice-baked sweet potatoes would make a fantastic addition to your holiday meal.  They are easy to prepare and so delicious!  Unlike a casserole, you can easily adjust the toppings to accommodate the preferences of whomever you're serving.  You can also make these ahead of time.  Just place them in the oven 20 minutes before you're ready to serve them.     

Note:  If you're short on time, you can microwave the potatoes for 15 minutes instead of baking for 1 hour.

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Apricot Ribbons

Every year, someone asks me to bake these cookies either as a gift for someone else or for a party.  This year, I was asked to make 7 dozen of them so they could be given as Christmas gifts for other people.  These cookies are so delicate and buttery, they almost melt in your mouth!  The dough is very easy to work with and I've used it to make candy cane shortbread cookies and even thumbprint cookies.  Raspberry ribbons used to be my favorite until I tried making apricot ribbons for the first time!  They are little pieces of heaven!  Mix it up a little and use your favorite kind of fruit preserves such as cherry, raspberry, grape, orange - they're all good!

Note:  As stated above, these cookies are very delicate.  Before you transfer the cookies from the cutting board to a serving plate, they must cool completely.  If you don't allow them to completely cool, they will break down the center when you pick them up.  

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Holiday Eggnog Cake with Eggnog-Rum Glaze

This eggnog cake will knock your Christmas stockings off!  Whether you're looking for reasons to use up the rest of your eggnog or you just really adore it like I do, it really makes for a delicious, super moist and fluffy cake.  

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Hasselback Chicken ~ Cajun with Pepper Jack & Spinach

For dinner, my husband asked for what happens to be the most popular recipe on this blog, Cajun chicken stuffed with pepper jack cheese & spinach.  It's one of our top 5 favorite meals but I was having a rough day and honestly was not looking forward to butterflying, pounding, rolling, toothpicking, and de-toothpicking my chicken breasts.  So, I decided to improvise by making deep slits into the chicken and stuffing it that way.  Think of it as a hasselback potato... but with chicken!  The results?  Just as delicious but much easier to make and even the cooking time is less!  Oh, and I'm pretty sure I'll be saving plenty of trees by eliminating toothpicks from the recipe altogether.  Score!  This is definitely my favorite way to stuff chicken!    

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Thanksgiving: How to Make Turkey Stock (Broth)

I recently had the privilege of working with Food.com on how-to's for their website.  It was a bit odd making stuffing and roasting a turkey in the middle of August, but it was a lot of fun!  

For step-by-step instructions with photos and tips/tricks on how to make turkey stock, visit the following link!

How To Make Turkey Stock

Also, check out some of my other how-to's at Food.com:
How to brine a turkey
How to roast a turkey
How to carve a turkey
How to make gravy
How to make dressing (stuffing)
How to make pie crust
How to make pumpkin pie
How to make apple pie

Thanksgiving: How To Brine a Turkey

I recently had the privilege of working with Food.com on how-to's for their website.  It was a bit odd making stuffing and roasting a turkey in the middle of August, but it was a lot of fun!  

For step-by-step instructions with photos and tips/tricks on how to brine a turkey, visit the following link!

How To Brine a Turkey

Also, check out some of my other how-to's at Food.com:
How to roast a turkey
How to carve a turkey
How to make gravy
How to make turkey stock
How to make dressing (stuffing)
How to make pie crust
How to make pumpkin pie
How to make apple pie

Thanksgiving: How to Make Apple Pie

I recently had the privilege of working with Food.com on how-to's for their website.  It was a bit odd making stuffing and roasting a turkey in the middle of August, but it was a lot of fun!  

For step-by-step instructions with photos and tips/tricks on how to make apple pie, visit the following link!

How To Make Apple Pie

Also, check out some of my other how-to's at Food.com:
How to brine a turkey
How to roast a turkey
How to carve a turkey
How to make gravy
How to make turkey stock
How to make dressing (stuffing)
How to make pie crust
How to make pumpkin pie

Thanksgiving: How to Make Pie Crust

I recently had the privilege of working with Food.com on how-to's for their website.  It was a bit odd making stuffing and roasting a turkey in the middle of August, but it was a lot of fun!  

For step-by-step instructions with photos and tips/tricks on how to make a pie crust, visit the following link!

How To Make Pie Crust

Also, check out some of my other how-to's at Food.com:
How to brine a turkey
How to roast a turkey
How to carve a turkey
How to make gravy
How to make turkey stock
How to make pumpkin pie
How to make apple pie

Thanksgiving: How to Make Pumpkin Pie

I recently had the privilege of working with Food.com on how-to's for their website.  It was a bit odd making stuffing and roasting a turkey in the middle of August, but it was a lot of fun!  

For step-by-step instructions with photos and tips/tricks on how to make pumpkin pie, visit the following link!

How To Make Pumpkin Pie

Also, check out some of my other how-to's at Food.com:
How to brine a turkey
How to roast a turkey
How to carve a turkey
How to make gravy
How to make turkey stock
How to make pie crust
How to make apple pie

Pennsylvania Dutch Chicken Pot Pie

We all evolve over time.  We try to better ourselves and learn new things.  Sometimes we fail but we pick ourselves up, shake off the dirt, learn from the experience, and move on.  I can see it in my life as a wife, as a mother, as a follower of Jesus, as a friend, as a neighbor.  I can even see it in my cooking.   I look back and smile when I think about my reaction to three little words and how that reaction has drastically changed over the last nine years.  "What's for dinner?"  Nine years ago, it was panic that set in immediately.  I feel sorry for that little girl.  She didn't know the first thing about cooking and all she wanted to do was cook a nice meal for her husband when he came home from work.  The fear of the unknown, however, evolved into a desire to master the skill.  After trial and many errors, the desire to master the skill evolved into a passion for and love of cooking.  

I originally learned how to make Pennsylvania Dutch chicken pot pie from my mother-in-law.  Just as most things do, this recipe has evolved over time.  It is a family favorite - hearty, comforting, delicious and perfect for a chilly fall night!   

Notes:  

If you would like to make your own noodles, I have included instructions at the very end.  

I make this dish sometimes using leftover roasted chicken (and leftover turkey after Thanksgiving).  If you are doing so, skip the first step and start out with 7 cups of chicken broth.  Continue to follow the directions and reduce the potatoes to 4 medium, reduce the corn to 1/2 cup, and reduce the pasta to 6 ounces.  Also, use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of leftover cooked chicken (or turkey) at the end.

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Pumpkin-Filled Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

It was a gorgeous, bright and chilly fall day and I happened to have the entire day to myself.  What did I do with my free time?  I spent the majority of it in the kitchen, of course!  I had chili planned for dinner and I decided on these pumpkin-filled cinnamon rolls for dessert.  I love these rolls and so do my family.  My daughter dubbed them amazing and my husband called dibs on them for breakfast this week.  They are soft, fluffy and the pumpkin filling pairs wonderfully with my favorite cream cheese glaze.

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Lazy Chicken

I'm going through my normal, crazy day and I start to plan out dinner in my mind.  Then, it hits me.  You forgot to thaw out the chicken in the fridge the night before!  Now what?!  Sometimes life gets a little hectic and you're just doing what you can to get by.  This is where Lazy Chicken comes in.  First, you place the chicken in a baking dish... frozen.  Yes, frozen.  Then, you top it with whatever you have on hand.  Salsa, BBQ sauce, Ranch dressing - you get the idea!  I had leftover chopped onion, tomato, and green pepper from making stromboli over the weekend, so I used that and also threw in some garlic and a can of drained black beans.  Bake it covered in the oven for an hour and viola!  You have delicious, tender chicken with little-to-no time or effort on your part!

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Creepy Witch Finger Pizza Rolls

Take a bite out of these creepy-but-tasty witch finger treats for Halloween!  They are an easy and fun activity to do with the kids.  As one reader put it, "they look totally gross!"  That's the point, people!

Note:  You can substitute the shredded mozzarella with string cheese.  Remember to shape your dough "fingers" thinner than you want them to turn out because the pizza dough will expand in the oven.  If you would prefer to not use food coloring, you can simply leave it out and serve "Finger Pizza Rolls" instead.  

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Pop Tarts with Homemade Strawberry Jam & Vanilla Glaze

Brace yourself!  These pop tarts are made with homemade strawberry jam and slathered in a delicious vanilla glaze.  Wrap that sweet strawberry jam in a buttery, flaky pie crust and you have amazing pop tarts that annihilate the store-bought competition.  They can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or after they have cooled (my favorite way to have them).  Either way, they are so good - you will not be disappointed!  

Notes:  If you would like to make your own pie crust, check out my how-to on the perfect flaky pie crust with step-by-step pictures.  When making the strawberry jam, take care that you stir the mixture frequently to avoid burning it.  The pop tarts can be stored at room temperature for up to two days in an airtight container or they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.  

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Chicken Florentine Casserole

On chilly days like these, this hearty Chicken Florentine Casserole bathed in a delicious white wine cream sauce is a perfect comforting meal to come home to after a long day.  My family absolutely loves this dish and I hope you will, too.  It's one of my go-to meals whenever I have leftover cooked chicken.  Oh, and it's even better the next day!  

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Pumpkin French Toast with Maple-Cream Cheese Syrup

This pumpkin French toast is perfect on a chilly autumn morning for breakfast... or dessert!  It's rich, fluffy, pumpkiny, and the maple-cream cheese syrup just takes it to a heavenly realm!    

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Succulent Southwestern Pork Chops ~ Ready in 15 Minutes!

I am constantly finding myself in the mood to make something a little different for dinner.  We have an overabundance of tomatoes from the garden, so I decided to use them to make a Southwestern topping to go along with our pork chops.  If you're looking for something a little different that's also tasty, quick, and healthy, you'll want to try this Southwestern spin on your pork chops.  They're succulent, bursting with flavor, packed with protein, and can be ready in 15 minutes!  

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Stuffed Acorn Squash with Eggs, Spinach & Pepper Jack

Here is a healthy baked breakfast that not only looks elegant but is easy to do!  You get two stuffed acorn rings per serving and each ring is only 133 calories!  

Note:  Take care that your acorn rings are sliced straight.  They need to be able to lie completely flat on the baking sheet so egg doesn't seep through the bottom.  If it does seep through, though, it's really not a big deal.

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Roasted Carrot Soup

My lovely mother was raving over some carrot soup that she and my dad love, so I asked her to forward the recipe to me one day.  I finally got around to trying it and I'm so glad that I did!  It's rich, creamy, and perfect for a chilly autumn day.  The fennel and cloves add a nice depth of flavor. Instead of sauteing the vegetables, I decided to roast them.  I also added another clove of garlic, a little heavy cream and a hint of ginger.  Other than that, I pretty much stuck to the ingredients.  Bravo, mom!  

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Sour Cream Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

My family got away for a much needed mini vacation recently and it was a perfect send-off to summer.  When we finally arrived home, I came across some very ripe bananas in the fruit bowl.  Because there's nothing better than baking on a chilly evening, my daughter and I decided to spend some of our free time whipping up some yummy banana bread together.  My little sous chef and I have had this both for breakfast and a snack after she gets home from school each day this week - we absolutely love it!  

Note:  If you would like to make muffins, fill the muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

Kick back, relax and enjoy this beautiful autumn weather with a delicious pumpkin spice latte.  Go ahead - you deserve it!  Pour in a little rum to take it up a notch.  

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Homemade Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup weather is upon us!  The stuff from a can doesn't compare to homemade.  All you need is a little time and love and you can enjoy a healthy and hearty soup that is satisfying to the soul.  

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Easy Beer-Basted Baby Back Ribs

Happy Friday!  Any football fans out there?  How about that Peyton Manning last night?!  I had him starting in my fantasy football team and I am loving life today!  

To kick off football season, I wanted to share some pretty delicious dude food.  Juicy, tender baby back ribs are so easy to make, all you need is a little bit of time!  Throw them in the oven in the morning and they'll be ready by kickoff.  The ribs are slowly cooked in the oven, basted in beer, and slathered in your favorite barbecue sauce.  I like to throw them on the grill at the very end to give a nice caramelized crust but that is totally optional.  

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Triple Berry Crisp

My family went berry picking at Linvilla Orchards and I have a whole lot of berries to play with!  I decided to make a triple berry crisp for desert tonight.  I love this recipe because it is simple, delicious and I always have these ingredients on hand in my pantry.

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Deep Fried Green Pepper Rings

Move over, onions... bell peppers are taking over!  These fried pepper rings are so easy to make and they can be done in under 15 minutes.  Try them - you won't be disappointed!  Bet you can't just eat one!  Of course, you can use any color bell pepper you prefer.

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Homemade Steak Sauce

You can enjoy fork tender, melt in your mouth filet mignon right from your own kitchen.  If you really want to impress your guests, serve it with homemade steak sauce!  It's really easy to do and you probably have most of the ingredients already in your kitchen.  

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Grilled Corn on the Cob with Cilantro-Lime Butter

While corn on the cob is delicious with a little butter, I enjoy enhancing it from time to time with herb butters.  Cilantro-lime butter is easy to make and it gives grilled corn on the cob a pleasantly fresh and zesty kick.  

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Cherry Blossom Sparkler

It's almost happy hour!  I'm celebrating with my new favorite cocktail.  It's sweet as cherry pie and tantalizingly bubbly!  What's your favorite happy hour drink?

Ingredients:
Yields 1 drink

• 4 oz ginger ale 
• 1 oz grenadine 
• 1 oz gin 
• 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice 
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 3 maraschino cherries, for garnish 

Directions:

Pour the ginger ale, grenadine, gin, cherry juice, and lemon juice in a martini glass.  

Garnish with cherries and sliced lemon. 

Enjoy!

Shrimp, Potato & Corn Chowder

Freshly picked vegetables from the garden were used in this divinely delicious and hearty chowder.  This is a family favorite.  Try it - you will not be disappointed!  I served this with my Cheddar & Garlic Biscuits, another family favorite. 

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Grilled Zesty Haddock & Vegetable Foil Packets

We spent a few hours working in the garden with friends and family a few days ago and found ourselves nearly overwhelmed with how much we had harvested in just one day.  I decided to use some of the freshly picked vegetables in foil packs with some haddock for dinner last night.  Foil packets are perfect for camping and grilling.  Not only are they a cinch to clean up, they also seal in flavor and lock in nutrients.    

Note:  I can't stress this enough.  When the packets are finished cooking, remove them from the grill with tongs or a pot holder because they will be hot.  Also, be very careful when opening the packets as the steam trapped inside could burn when released. 

    

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Southwestern Stuffed Pepper Burgers

Grilling out tonight?  Try this delicious new twist on a burger!  Stuffed peppers are grilled, topped with spicy pepper jack cheese, and then paired with a creamy, tangy cilantro-lime dressing.  These burgers are bursting with flavor!  

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Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars

I've had an incredibly busy last couple of weeks and have had very little time for cooking let alone blogging.  Finding myself in a break from the action, I decided to make some cereal bars for my daughter as a special treat.  These are so good!  My little sous chef absolutely loves them.  After devouring 3 bars  more than I care to admit, I'll have to be careful not to overindulge the next time but these are definitely going in my treat rotation list!  

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Madelyn's Creation: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake

My daughter and I had an entire day to ourselves and I asked her what she wanted to do.  "I want to create something new for Cooking Creation!"  One of the greatest joys that I have experienced from this food blog is seeing my daughter get excited about cooking.  We went through the fridge and pantry to see what ingredients we had to work with and she came up with a plan.  After some brainstorming, she drew a picture in the living room, came back in the kitchen with her hat and apron on, and said, "I want to make chocolate cake with strawberries and strawberry-flavored jello."  We gathered the ingredients and went to work.  Chocolate cake wasn't quite enough - she wanted whole chocolate chips in it, too.  After the cake was done baking, we poked holes in it and poured some liquid jello on top so it could seep into the cake.  Yum!  We then chilled the cake in the fridge.  The last step was to top the cake with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  The results?  Amazing.  My little 8-year-old sous chef really has a knack for this baking stuff!  

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Bangers and Mash with Sweet Onion & Beer Gravy

My deep freezer is nearly bursting at the seams and I have been trying to slowly go through everything so that nothing goes to waste by the end of this year.  I decided to chip away at some of the sausage and make what has become one of my family's favorite comfort foods, bangers and mash.  Delicious browned sausage is laid upon a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, slathered in a sweet onion and beer gravy, and served with a side of peas.  Yum!  If you prefer a less sweet gravy, simply start with 1 tsp of the brown sugar and then add more, to taste.

What is one of your family's favorite comfort foods?  

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Garlic "Mashed" Cauliflower with Cheddar

Cauliflower is packed with many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also low in calories, low in saturated fat, and high in fiber.  It's definitely something that I have been trying to incorporate more frequently into my dinner rotation.  Though not technically "mashed" as the recipe name suggests, the cauliflower is first steamed or boiled and then pureed along with other ingredients into a creamy consistency.  You'll love this delicious, healthier alternative to mashed potatoes!  

Note:  Depending on the actual size of your cauliflower head, you may want to use more or less milk as indicated in the recipe.  Always start with less milk than you think because you can always add more later.

Low-Carb Diet:  You can easily substitute the milk for heavy cream for a low-carb version.  

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Oreo & Whiskey Milkshake

Conjure up the kid in you with some Oreos and milk but enjoy them as an adult, milkshake style with a little whiskey.  You deserve it!  Everything in moderation, of course.  

Note:  Baileys, rum and bourbon are also good substitutions for the whiskey.

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Twice-Baked Potatoes

We had cod with chipotle aioli sauce (recipe to come) for dinner tonight and I decided that twice-baked potatoes would make a perfect side.  Twice-baked potatoes are comforting, delicious and very forgiving.  If you prefer them creamier, add more milk.  If you prefer them cheesier, add more cheese.  Try adding sauteed onions or bacon.  Steamed vegetables make a wonderful addition, too.  They are basically a boatload of goodness that you can easily adjust to your taste.  My family loves these and I serve them pretty regularly as a side dish.

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Slow-Roasted Barbecue Beef Spare Ribs... Taking a Break

Have you done much grilling this summer?  So far, we've grilled ribs, shrimp, steak, chicken, sausage, burgers, corn, potatoes, and various veggies and fruits.  The other day, we grilled up some pretty delicious, sticky barbecue beef ribs for a cookout and they were a hit.  These are cooked low and slow in the oven, basted in beer, slathered in barbecue sauce, and then grilled to perfection!  

Note:  Spare ribs have less meat than short ribs, so plan for about 3 to 4 ribs per person if they are the main course.  

I'm going to be taking a week break from blogging starting this weekend to spend some quality, uninterrupted time with my family.  See you in a week!

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Chicken Stuffed with Garlicky Kale & Cheddar

There is a plethora of fresh kale from the garden and I decided to use some of it in a chicken dish for dinner last night.  This is one of my family's favorites.  The chicken is moist and tender, and the garlicky kale and cheddar stuffing is so good it's hard to believe it's healthy!  If kale isn't currently part of your diet, you should consider throwing it in the rotation because of its health benefits.  Kale is packed with nutrients and vitamins, is low in calories, is high in fiber, and has zero fat.  

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Crab Macaroni & Cheese with Ritz Cracker Topping

We finally have our first vacation planned out this year and are anxiously counting down the days until it's go time.  I can't wait to smell the salty ocean air, feel the hot sand between my toes, listen to the waves crashing, and indulge in some freshly caught seafood.  My longing for the ocean was the inspiration for this meal.  The succulent crab comes through beautifully but isn't overpowering and it adds a lovely texture.  You know you want to sink your fork into this decadent dish!  

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Blueberry Wheat Germ Smoothie

It's blueberry season!  Refresh yourself with this delicious, creamy blueberry smoothie.  Rich in vitamins and high in fiber - it makes for a great start to your day!  For a lower calorie version (185 calories), substitute 1 cup of the blueberries for 1 cup of ice.

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