Granny’s Red Velvet Cake (Granny is Audra’s Mom!)

Mama sent me this recipe via email when my 16 year old was 6 months old and I still have a copy of the email in  my cook book!  That 16 year old LOVES his Granny’s cake…and so does the 13 year old!   Christmas would not be complete without it!

Mama would want me to give Willard Scott some credit…she started out using his recipe but modified it a little to make it the yummiest red velvet cake in the world!… Read More »

Kahlua Pecan Brown Sugar Baked Brie

 I’m responsible for bringing an appetizer to my cousin’s house for Christmas dinner.  I’m making this because it looks FABULOUS and I want to try something new.  I found the recipe at Noble Pig.  The recipe is below but you can check out step by step photos at Noble Pig’s Website.

 

Serves 6-8

Ingredients
  • 1 whole wheel of Brie (19 ounces) Costco sells one, President Brie is the best for this recipe
  • 1 cup Kahlua
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (I do leave mine mostly whole for looks)
  • Serve with Keebler Club crackers
Directions
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprouts

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Roast Time: 35 minutes
  • Makes about 4 servings

 Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • Fresh ground black pepper

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking pan with foil and coat with olive oil cooking spray or any cooking spray.
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Healthy Mashed Potatoes

Healthy Mashed Potatoes (about half the calories of traditional mashed potatoes!)

  • Prep Time: less than 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Makes 6 (½ cup) servings

 

Ingredients:

  • 1½ pounds potatoes (yellow, gold, or red), scrubbed and cut into even sized chunks
  • ¾ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups onions, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Smart Balance Light

 

Instructions:

  1. Add potatoes to a pot and cover with water.
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Baked Mac & Cheese (with spinach)

First, let me start by saying that I retract my statement in last month’s article about loving all-things-pumpkin. I recently took it one step too far. I tried a pumpkin pasta sauce that, according to the jar, “Tastes great tossed with roasted vegetables and pasta.” Two words come to mind when describing the taste of this dish: “Throw up!”… Read More »

Cornbread, Sausage, and Pecan Dressing

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter plus more for baking dish
  • 1 pound day-old cornbread, broken into 1 1/2″-2″ pieces (9 cups)
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage links, casings removed
  • 2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 1 1/2 cups 1/4″ slices celery
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped toasted pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
Preparation

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 250°F.… Read More »

Maple-Pear Sheet Tart

Make This Gorgeous Thanksgiving Dessert With Only 5 Ingredients and 10 Minutes Prep

Click here for the original article and recipe from Epicurious

Yield:  12-15 Servings

Ingredients
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 14- to 17-ounce box of puff pastry (preferably all-butter puff), defrosted according to package directions
  • 2 large Anjou pears (about 1 1/4 pounds), skin on
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Special equipment:

  • 13”x18” baking sheet
Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375°F.… Read More »

Sausage & Kale Cassoulet

Click here for the original recipe from Budget Bytes   Total Cost: $5.81 Cost Per Serving: $1.45 Serves: 4   Ingredients
  • ½ lb. dry great northern beans $0.85
  • 1 medium yellow onion $0.32
  • 4 cloves garlic $0.32
  • ½ lb. sweet Italian sausage $2.20
  • 1 whole bay leaf $0.15
  • ½ tsp thyme $0.03
  • ½ tsp oregano $0.03
  • ½ tsp rosemary $0.03
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes $0.79
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.13*
  • 1 bunch kale $0.99
  Instructions
  1. Pick through the dry beans to remove any stones, debris, or bad beans.
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Potato and Sweet Potato Torte

Fall is definitely here and I have sampled all-things-pumpkin over the last several weeks – and I love it! But, with all the fuss about pumpkin, we must not forget the humble sweet potato.   Similar to pumpkin, sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber. They are inexpensive and versatile, great in both sweet and savory dishes.… Read More »

20 Halloween Lunch Ideas for Kids

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

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Monster Eyeballs

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Host of Ghosts

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Roast Pork Tenderloin with Dried Cherries and Rosemary

Fall is my favorite time of year and that is also when I reconnect with my inner foodie. I must admit, recently I’ve been a little obsessed with the Dunwoody Green Market.   (I enjoy browsing much more when it isn’t sweltering hot.) My favorite finds are flavor-infused oils and vinegars by Alta Cucina Italia. I was inspired by my purchase of the cherry balsamic vinegar to find a good fall recipe to use it.  … Read More »

Chicken Swiss

Recommended from several friends who told me to get this recipe from our mutual friend Linda Brogdon.   Thank you Linda for sending it to me today!

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 boneless chicken breast portions
  • 4-6 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/3 cup crushed croutons
  • 1/4 cup butter

Directions:

Mix together soup and wine.… Read More »