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Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dishes, Recipes, Summer Cooking, Cheese, Salad, Vegetables, Vegetarian

summer-pasta-salad

This pasta salad is one of my favorite potluck contributions. Because of the fact that the pasta has to be completely cool - at most room temperature - before assembling the salad, it’s a great dish to start at night and finish the next day. Here’s a recipe for a great Summer Pasta Salad:

Ingredients:

  • 1 Lb smallish, shaped pasta (rotini, farfalle, macaroni, anything small and easily fork-able)
  • 1/2 bottle of Italian dressing (not creamy)
  • 4 T Salad Supreme
  • 1 12 to 14 inch cucumber or two smaller ones, peeled and seeded
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, washed and halved
  • 4 ounces Provolone cheese (this is usually 4 slices of prepackaged sliced cheese)
  • 4 ounces salami (again, usually 4 slices of prepackaged sliced meat, but this can also be 4 ounces from a whole salami)

Click to continue reading Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad


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Recipe: Birthday Brownies

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Dessert, Comfort Food, Chocolate, America, Baking

birthdaybrownies

I have a friend who requests one thing for his birthday every year - brownies. After a few trial and error batches with various recipes, I discovered this recipe two years ago and have never looked back - the combination of easy preparation and a texture that falls somewhere between a cake and a piece of fudge make this recipe a winner.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz 70% bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3/4 cup cold butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Click to continue reading Recipe: Birthday Brownies


Recipe: Sauteed Corn, Spinach, and Green Beans

Posted by Monica Edwards
Categories: Dinner, Side Dishes, Recipes, Salad, Vegetables, Vegetarian, America

Sauteed corn, spinach, and green beansI prefer to have vegetables prepared with every dinner that I serve my family, so it is nice to come across a recipe that is easy to prepare while the entree is cooking away. True, the kids may pick and choose which veggie is their favorite, as my 4-year-old would, but I enjoy all three as I hope your family will. This recipe calls for frozen vegetables to save time, but I always love to use fresh when given the choice...up to your preference.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pkg. 10 oz. frozen corn kernels
  • 1 pkg. 10 oz. frozen cut green beans
  • 5 oz. fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • coarse salt and ground pepper

Preparation:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high, add corn and green beans, and cook about 4-6 minutes, until green beans are warmed through. Next add the thyme and spinach, seasoning with salt and pepper. Toss until spinach is wilted, about 1-2 minutes, then stir in the vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve in a bright dish for added pizazz.


Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Breakfast, Side Dishes, Snacks, Comfort Food, Recipes, Cheese, Vegetarian, America, Baking

rl-biscuits

Seafood is not that big a thing around Gear Live’s virtual offices. And while I can’t speak for the other editors, I’ve been known to hit up the neighborhood Red Lobster solely for the biscuits. Unfortunately, the staff at the ol’ RL didn’t take kindly on a person who goes in alone and has nothing but biscuits, a side salad and water. That left me trying to recreate the little starchy wonders at home.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup margarine or butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups of baking mix (I use Bisquick)
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Click to continue reading Recipe: Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits


Recipe: Tzaziki

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Appetizers, Snacks, Recipes, Condiments, Dairy, Mediterranean

tzaziki

I can’t even come up with words to properly convey my feelings for tzaziki. Cool, creamy, and fantastic with everything from vegetables to steak. It’s incredibly easy to make, and incredibly easy to customize to your own taste.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups plain yogurt (this can be regular yogurt or Greek yogurt, fat free or as fatty as you’d like, as long as it’s plain)
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • 1 or 2 pinches of salt
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint
  • 3 cloves of fresh garlic or 1 tablespoon of pre-minced garlic from a jar

Click to continue reading Recipe: Tzaziki


Sausage Ball Recipe

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Appetizers, Snacks, Recipes, Beef, Pork, Baking

sausage balls

These Sausage Ball appetizers are great for entertaining. They come together quickly, freeze well, and can be baked up in a snap.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups baking mix (I use Bisquick)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 pound ground sausage (any kind), uncooked

Click to continue reading Sausage Ball Recipe


Recipe: Cranberry Lemon Muffins

Posted by Jenny Lewis
Categories: Breakfast, Dessert, Comfort Food, Recipes, Fruit, Baking

cran-muffin

I’m on a personal mission to get you baking, readers! These cranberry lemon muffins, which I’ve adapted from Nigella Lawson’s classic “How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking”, are easy, fast, and delish.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 1/3 all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Juice and and chopped zest of 1 lemon
  • Approximately 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 5 ounces dried cranberries

Click to continue reading Recipe: Cranberry Lemon Muffins


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