Food and Drink Recipes from The Gardening Cook

Creating a gingerbread house for the holidays is a fun Christmas activity that the whole family can enjoy. These gingerbread house tips will help you build a sturdy house that holds together and looks amazing. From using muffin tins to hold your candy supplies to choosing the best icing, these steps will make building a …

This peppermint crunch sugar cookie is crunchy and sweet. It’s the perfect cookie to take to your annual cookie swap. The cookies are shaped into balls and baked, dipped in white chocolate, and then decorated with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint sticks. You only need four ingredients to make this easy Christmas cookie recipe, which …

This white Christmas fudge recipe has a jewel-like appearance from the red and green cherries embedded in white chocolate. It is the perfect Christmas treat. The recipe is easy to make, even for those with little to no experience in making fudge. Keep reading to learn how to make this white chocolate fudge recipe. Some …

 This recipe for roasted butternut squash combines the richness and sweetness of butternut squash with a wonderful Moroccan spice mix for a taste sensation. Butternut pumpkin has the most amazing flavor. Today we’ll be roasting it to bring out its natural sweetness and use it as a side dish. The recipe is easy to prepare …

These easy appetizer recipes are fun to eat and simple to prepare. My favorite kind of party is one where there are finger foods.  I enjoy this either as the host or as the guest. Easy appetizers are a great way to start your party on the right foot and get your guests in a …

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a healthy and nutritious snack. They are filled with nutritional goodness and are very easy to prepare. They are a great project to do with the kids when pumpkins are in season. If you harvest pumpkins at the peak of ripeness and use spices while roasting them, the seeds taste amazing. …

This recipe for cranberry pecan crostini appetizers is the perfect light bite to start any special gathering of friends. These snacks are nice to serve with drinks before dinner, and they also make a lovely starter to a meal when served on small plates with a light salad. Having a small bite-sized appetizer will start …

This Mexican pumpkin dip recipe will be the hit of your fall gathering. It is easy to make and is served in a pumpkin bowl. The dip looks great on a party table and is both practical and decorative. The bowl is easy to make. Just scoop out the pumpkin and seeds. Then make the …

It’s time for a roasted root vegetable medley. This tasty combination is the perfect fall side dish for your Thanksgiving table. Roasting veggies brings out their natural sweetness and makes it a cinch to serve them to kids who cry out, “I don’t like vegetables!” This recipe combines root vegetables so plentiful this time of the …

These double chocolate chunk cookies deliver a rich chocolate flavor in every bite. They’re soft-baked and chewy, and simple enough for any home baker to master. This recipe uses dark cocoa powder and real chocolate chunks to create cookies with a deep, fudgy texture. They’re quick to make and bake up perfectly every time. The …

This crockpot pumpkin chili is an easy, slow-cooker meal that combines turkey, beans, and pumpkin for a hearty, fall dinner. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers, and then brown the turkey. Add these to the crockpot, stir in beans, pumpkin puree, broth, and spices, and let it cook on low. The slow cooker does the …

Cranberry stuffed pork loin recipe is an easy way to turn a simple cut of meat into a holiday-worthy main dish. Tender pork, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans create a sweet and savory flavor that makes the dish feel special. To make the recipe, you will butterfly a pork loin, fill it with a quick …

This peanut butter cream cheese frosting blends tangy cream cheese with rich peanut butter and honey. The recipe comes together in minutes! Lighter than buttercream, it spreads easily. Use it to frost cupcakes, top banana bread, fill sandwich cookies, or even as a dip for fruit. With just four ingredients and a short preparation time, …

These Halloween pumpkin face cookies are the perfect Halloween recipe for your family or neighborhood friends. They have a cute Jack O Lantern pumpkin face and are filled with rich chocolate frosting. Imagine the delight at your Halloween party or when you surprise your trick-or-treaters with some pumpkin Halloween cookies. Just wait for the squeals! …

This Brussels sprouts leaves recipe makes a great use of parts of the plant that might end up on a compost pile or in the trash can. The leafy tops of Brussels sprouts plants have a look that is similar to kale and collards. However, they have a much softer texture and milder flavor. The leaves …

This Thai peanut stir fry has a great mix of vegetables to add lots of flavor and nutrition to your dinner meal. Team this vegan stir fry with freshly cooked brown rice, flavored with cumin, spring onions, and raisins. The meal will tempt even the most meat-loving family member.  This Thai recipe has a nice …

Your child won’t have a problem getting their fruit intake when you present them with these fun banana food art creations! Food art is the process of preparing and presenting food in creative ways. It is a popular art form in many Asian countries and is enjoyed around the world. If you have a hard …

This date oat bars recipe is rich and hearty with a deliciously sweet taste. These date squares are adapted from one of my mother’s recipes, and baking them always makes me feel nostalgic. The oatmeal bars are sweetened with pure maple sugar and brown sugar. The buttery oat crust is topped with the rich date …

This mushroom marinara sauce recipe combines mushrooms with garlic, onions, fresh herbs, roasted tomatoes, and red wine. It’s a rich and hearty sauce that pairs well with all types of pasta. If you normally use bottled pasta sauces, you are in for a treat. They just can’t compare to the taste of a homemade pasta …

Roasting tomatoes for sauce is an easy way to bring out their natural sweetness and deepen their flavor. You can roast both store-bought and garden-grown tomatoes in the oven to produce a flavorful base for pasta sauces. In this guide, you’ll learn which tomato varieties work best, how to prepare them, and simple oven-roasting methods …

This recipe for chicken and red wine sauce is a classic combination that never disappoints. The deep, savory flavor of the sauce balances the tender chicken beautifully. Mushrooms pair with chicken breasts and red wine for a hearty, satisfying taste that delivers depth and comfort in every bite. The recipe is easy to prepare for …

These leftover rice patties are crunchy and savory with a fresh flavor that comes from a variety of garden herbs. The patties make a smart use of any extra rice you might have in your fridge.  Leftover rice is very versatile and can be used for fried rice, stuffed peppers, Mediterranean salads, vegetarian recipes, and …

This crustless chicken quiche is loaded with the amazing flavors of eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese. The breakfast recipe is a gluten-free version of the classic cheese quiche, but without the crust. Most of the flavors in a quiche come from the cheese and eggs, so omitting the crust is an easy way to save on calories. …

I have put together a group of patriotic table decor ideas that can be done on a budget and in no time at all. They are perfect for both Memorial Day and the upcoming Fourth of July! We’ve all had that moment when our friends or parents decide to visit with no notice for an important …

This patriotic fruit flag is a tasty and fun way to celebrate the 4th of July. We had friends over for brunch on Sunday, and I wanted to add a festive patriotic accent to our table since the holiday is just a week away. I wanted something that we would eat (I hate wasting food …

Want an easy weeknight meal you can make in one pot? If so, you will love this pollo a la crema recipe. This dish features chunks of white meat chicken with mushrooms, onions, and green peppers in a Mexican cream sauce. The recipe is also known as “pollo con crema” and “pollo en crema”. There …