I know the idea of cooking a meal the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas is a daunting one but there are plenty of simple recipes out there that take little effort and are gourmet quality. My family generally makes turkey sandwiches with onion and mayo with a side of potato salad. It’s good but it’s the same old.
Turkey sandwiches are inevitable but considering there is going to be a plethora of leftover turkey why not come up with something a little more exciting.
This year I recommend Turkey Cranberry Risotto!

This is a seasonal recipe that will be a perfect and easy …read more

I’m a sucker when it comes to avocados. They are like a treat to me because I don’t always buy them and only use them for special occasions because I don’t want to over do my avocado intake. That, and I don’t trust myself becoming addicted! Avocados can also be quite expensive which is definitely a down fall if you are trying to plan lower budget meals, but you definitely can’t go wrong with the taste!
I’m having a dinner party this Saturday and looking to go all out. I’m going to go to the farmers market early Saturday morning to …read more

According to the National Turkey Federation, over 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the U.S. during Thanksgiving last year. That leaves a lot of leftovers. If you are looking for something unique to do with your turkey leftovers, check out these Green Chile Turkey Enchiladas — a much better alternative to a cold turkey sandwich.
Dedric McGhee, executive chef of Thyme on the Creek, the in-house restaurant at the Millennium Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, CO offers this fabulous recipe.
Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken broth
2-4 ounce cans of chopped …read more

This summer, Campbell’s Kids Soup came out with a new delicious and healthy flavor — Campbell’s SpongeBob soup. If you have had problems getting your kids to eat healthy foods, you won’t with this soup. What kid can resist SpongeBob?!
This chicken noodle soup offers great taste and fun shapes. Additionally, Campbell Soup Company has reduced the sodium in all of their kids soups to meet government criteria for “healthy” foods — controlled for fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and containing a positive nutrient source such as good source of vitamin A.
Recently, I had an opportunity to try the SpongeBob soup …read more

Traditionally attention and efforts are dedicated to Thanksgiving dinner while little attention is given to brunch. I understand this because no one wants to be full for dinner.  In my family every meal is important during the holidays, from breakfast to the traditional dinner to the leftovers the next day.
I came across two great recipes courtesy of Nestle Raisinets that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving brunch. I should mention both recipes are on the sweeter side and would be perfect to have on their own with a great cup of strong coffee! You definitely don’t want to have a …read more

Right now, Better Homes and Gardens is looking for your help in choosing America’s Favorite Better Homes and Gardens Cookie. You can select from some of the 25 most-requested cookie recipes of all time by voting on BHG.com. They will display the 10 finalists on November 20 and the bigger winner will be announced the week of December 7. (Voting closes December 3.)
Today, let’s take a look at one of their fabulous cookie recipes. The Red Velvet Whoopie Pies pair velvet cookies with a luscious cream cheese-based filling.
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Prep: 45 minutes
Bake: 8 minutes per batch
Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose …read more

Thanksgiving and the holidays are very exciting times but they also can be very stressful as you plan your menu. It can also be a daunting task if you or other family members/guests have dietary restraints. Have no fear because now there is a really great cookbook series that focuses on specific dietary needs. Today I’m focusing on the Complete Idiots Guide to Dairy-Free Eating.

We all know someone (or are someone) who cannot eat dairy whether it’s because of health reasons, weight reasons, or because they are Vegan or Vegetarian. There are plenty of options so don’t fret!
My favorite recipe …read more

All of our Mothers make Thanksgiving dishes that are family faves. A dish that as soon as it is placed on the table is gone in a matter of minutes. It becomes a survival of the fittest with elbows out and mouths watering. It is my Mom’s Famous Guacamole that puts our family into a food frenzy. We always beg for more because it never seems to last.
You may not think of Guacamole as a dish that is normally served on Thanksgiving. My Mom’s recipe is the exception. It’s hardy, healthy, and full of flavor. It’s unlike any stuff you’ll …read more

Pasta al Pesto is one of the simplest Italian dishes.  It’s fast, cheap and hearty and will easily fill you up.  I love carbs so I definitely do not shy away from pasta.
Here is a very basic recipe for the dish, however, it is open to interpretation.  Do not shy away from adding some of your favorite vegetables to the mix like red bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.  I actually added roasted soya nuts and chevron and it was unbelievably delicious!
Give this is a shot.  I guarantee you’ll love it!
Ingredients :

2 tbsp pesto sauce (you can buy jar pesto …read more

Earlier this week I featured my grandmother’s famous Stracciatella soup and I got such positive feedback that I’ve decided to keep it in the family.
Today’s recipe comes from my mother’s own fabulous cucina Italiana.  The classic Italian dish, Risotto, can be prepared in many different ways.  Some people throw a wide variety of veggies in it or even meat, but my mother Andreana prefers to keep it simple, light, and as always, delicious!
Some people have a flare for cuisine and my mother has got it in spades.  I know you must all be thinking that I am biased, but try …read more