This vegetable manicotti is loaded with the fresh taste of lots of vegetables but has a richness from the sauce and cheese that will delight even meat eaters. My whole family is very fond of Italian meals.  However, most of them are loaded with fat and calories, so it is up to me to try …

This basic cheese quiche is so easy to make, there is no reason to buy store bought versions of it.  As a bonus, you get all the goodness of home made without any of the chemicals of retail convenience food. I have also made several recipes of quiches, some with crusts and some with no …

Learning how to devein shrimp is a necessary cooking tip for those who love to cook with shrimp. Sometimes this may have been done for you by the retailer where you purchased them but more often, you will need to do the job yourself. Shrimp don’t actually have veins, since their circulatory system is open. But …

This ground beef Manicotti adds a nice mix to the normal manicotti recipe with just beef and  ricotta cheese.  It is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables and not complain.   The whole dish is topped with store bought Italian sauce to save on time and then sprinkled with your favorite cheese.  …

This tasty Greek Salad combines tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers in a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing.  It combines Goat cheese  and Kalamata olives for a nice change and makes a great side dish. Mediterranean inspired recipes make use of real natural flavors that are heart healthy and just full of flavor. This salad …

This easy Lemon Garlic Broccoli is a great go to recipe to make on those busy week nights when you are strapped for time. Looking for an easy side dish that will compliment any protein choice? This tasty recipe is perfect for the job. My family loves vegetables and it’s nice to try new ways …

I really love stuffed portobello mushrooms. They are so creamy, warm and delicious.  I make them all the time and am always looking for new ideas on how to prepare them.  This idea for using Laughing Cow cheese came to me in my sleep last night. Laughing Cow Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. Normally I just use …

Hello Summer time and its long evenings!  Perfect for refreshing fruit cocktail recipes. This Veracruzana Cocktail is my drink of the day. The list of ingredients  in it is a reminder of everything we love to help us unwind on a sizzling summer day. Veracruzana Cocktail – Perfect Summer Fruit Drink The recipe combines Patron tequila, …

Cocktail recipes are so much fun to share with friends. This Malibu Earl Gray Paradise Punch is a great drink to share with friends. It combines traditional Earl Grey Tea (will Delight your English buddies) and Malibu original rum for a refreshing summer time drink. Malibu Earl Gray Paradise Punch – Great Summer Drink When …

If you are a fan of Indian cooking, you will love this tikka masala curry. It is not too spicy and just full of flavor. My husband and I love Indian curry and we love to eat this when we go out to our favorite Indian restaurants. Here in Raleigh, Indian restaurants seem to be …

Looking for some perfect spring or summer time cocktail recipes? The Tom Collins drink is a refreshing gin sour that is an excellent sipper for hot summer evenings.  This recipe uses combination of simple  sugar and lemon juice with gin and club soda. Tom Collins drink – Easy to make High Ball Sour The Tom Collins …

Traditional eggplant Parmesan dishes can take quite a long time to prepare if you make your own marinara sauce. This easy eggplant Parmesan recipe uses bottled marinara sauce for those nights when you don’t have time to make the whole recipe from scratch. Flavors abound in this Classic Eggplant Parmesan Recipe To keep the calories …

These camping foods ideas will give you some inspiration for meals to enjoy on your next camping trip, and all are easy and fun to do. It is getting close to that time of the year again.  We’ll be hitting the roads for some fun summer vacations. Camping is one of the great ways to …

This vegetarian baked penne pasta recipe is nutritious and healthy, and packs a flavor that you will just love. Nothing says comfort food quite like a plate of mac and cheese. The dish is rich and filling but loaded with items that are no-nos on a vegetarian or low calorie diet. Never fear, though. With the substitutes …

Vinegar has so many uses.  It is a great household cleaner and can be used in so many ways, including to help your cut flowers to last longer.  Here are some more vinegar tips. Vinegar Tips to Keep your Cut Flowers Fresh and home clean Here are some of my favorite things that vinegar can …

This vegan tropical salad combines a mix of fresh greens, and veggies with pineapple and a tangy cilantro lime vinaigrette. Since I am following a vegan diet, I used Gardein chicken strips, but normal chicken breasts would work just fine if you are a meat eater. These chicken strips are very tasty and come in …

This Thai Peanut Stir Fry has a boatload of veggies to add lots of flavor and nutrition to your dinner meal. Team this vegan stir fry with brown rice, flavored with cumin, spring onions and raisins and you will tempt even the most meat loving family member. We love Thai recipes at our house. They …

Your child will nave no problem getting their fruit intake when you present them with these easy banana carving creations! I love bananas as much as the next guy.  But my main use of them is in my cereal in the morning to get my daily dose of potassium. That is not the case with …

 These date bars are a recipe that she often made when I was a little girl. I love recipes that take me back to my childhood.  This is even more important to me now that my mother has passed away Anything that reminds me of her is a precious recipe. This recipe is a tried …

One of my family’s favorite side dishes is vegetarian twice baked potatoes. But the normal version is full of fat, cream, butter and calories. This healthy recipe uses a Vegan spread and vegetable cheese but is still full of flavor. You can customize your flavorings to suit your family’s tastes. The twice baked potatoes take …

This recipe for Vegetarian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms has been adjusted for a meatless diet without sacrificing any of the delicious taste. I love portobello mushrooms in just about any dish. They are hearty and filling and just delicious. The next time you want something different for dinner, instead of using ground beef, try stuffing your …

Welcome! Many people think about gardening on the weekends and cooking during the week. For me, gardening and cooking are both week long projects. I could dig in the dirt all day long every day if I had the opportunity. I especially love to use vegetables that I grow in my own vegetable garden in …