Pink Pudding

1 (16 ounce) container cottage cheese
1 (8 serving) box raspberry Jello
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping

In large bowl, combine cottage cheese, dry Jello mix, and pineapple. Mix well.  Add whipped topping. Mix well. Refrigerate until time to serve.

This was the first dish my husband made for me when we were dating.  It is actually a salad, but we eat it for dessert.  You can also make it a diet recipe by replacing the Jello with the sugar free version and the whipped topping for the fat free version.

Check back on Tuesday,

for my Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, will become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek! 

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Spaghetti Salad

1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti

1 cucumber

1 red onion

1 green pepper

1 (12 to 16 ounce) package cherry or grape tomatoes

1 ½ to 2 cups Zesty Italian salad dressing

Prepare spaghetti according to package directions.  Chop cucumber, red onion, and green pepper into bite sized pieces.  

In large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Mix well.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.   

I like to make it the day before so the flavors have plenty of time to blend.

Growing up it seemed that every picnic or dinner we attended during the summer had some form of this recipe there.  You can add pepperoni, salami, cheese, celery, or other vegetables to this simple and delicious salad.

 Check back on Tuesday,

for my Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post! 

Follow me on my Facebook page!

Visit my friends blogs!

GINGERLOCKS' KITCHEN, has become one of your favorite blogs! Stop by Jordan's blog and take a peek! 

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Mom's Mashed Potato Salad

Mom's Mashed Potato Salad

6 cups prepared stiff mashed potatoes
1 3/4 cups Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise
1/2  to 1 teaspoon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
4 stalks celery, chopped
6 eggs, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped

Prepare fresh or instant potatoes to a thick and stiff consistency.  Cool mashed potatoes.  

In small bowl, combine Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise, 

with mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.  

Add mixture to potatoes.  Mix well.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix well.  

Chill at least two hours before serving. 

I am amazed at how many different types of potato salad there are.  And some people are very vocal about what is and isn't potato salad.  I am not picky; I enjoy all the different versions that are out there.

My Mom, makes several different types of potato salad.  This recipe is one of my favorites.  The potatoes are creamy but firm, and all of my favorite potato salad ingredients are mixed in.  It is a perfect dish to make when you have leftover potatoes.  You can cut down the ingredients to fit the portion size of the leftover potatoes, and customize the flavors to your personal taste.

Stop back by on Tuesday, for my

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Easter!



Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Top 10 Recipes of 2011

 My husband Stan and I

Picking just ten recipes from all of the posts in 2011 was really hard for me.  After staring at my blog for over an hour, I finally gave up and in listed the help of my husband, Stan.

Here are Stan's picks for the Top 10 Recipes of 2011:

10. Italian Sausage Sandwiches

We didn't agree on this one.  Stan wanted this sandwich to be number one on the list and I wanted to put my Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe as number 10.

We compromised and put the Italian Sausage Sandwich as number ten, besides it is a great sandwich.

9. Roasted Potatoes 
   A perfect side dish to almost any meal.

8. Banana Chimichangas
   One of my all time favorite desserts.

7. Mango Salad
  A unique crowd pleasing salad to take to your next potluck.

6. Mini Lasagnas
   An easy twist to a classic dish.

5. Slow Cooker Lava Cake
   A simple shortcut way to make a Lava Cake.

4.  Blueberry Strata
   A yummy breakfast that will make you go back for seconds.

3. Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Mexican Coleslaw
   A tasty slow cooker meal.

2. Pretzel Toffee
   Stan's favorite treat!

1. Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins with Strawberry Butter
   Two great recipes your sure to love.

Stop back by on Tuesday for my

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks post.

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Mango Salad

Mango Salad

1 1/2 cups diced fresh mango
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained
1 1/4 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup chopped parsley or cilantro

Dressing

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (0.07 ounce) packet Italian dressing mix

In large bowl,combine diced mango, black beans, corn, red pepper, red onion and parsley or cilantro.

In small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, water, lime juice, cumin, and Italian dressing mix. Mix well

 Add dressing mixture to bowl with chopped mango and other ingredients.  Mix well.

 Chill at least one hour before serving.

This is one of my husband Stan's favorite salads.  He loves the combination of sweet mangoes with the tang of the balsamic vinegar, and the texture of the black beans.  He always goes back for seconds.

We like have the Mango Salad alone, as a side salad with a sandwich, or even spooned over chicken. 

Enter my Double Giveaway! 

Follow my blog and or Facebook for your chance to win!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Top 10 Favorite Recipes of 2010

Picasso said, "Good artists copy; great artists steal".  Thank you, Bo, of Bo's Bowl, for the inspiration for this post!  

I started blogging in 2010, and have had a wonderful year of meeting new friends!  To kick off 2011, I have compiled a list of my top 10 favorite recipes.  It was really hard to pare it down to just ten!

#10. Grilled Strawberry Shortcake 

A  new twist on an old favorite.

#9. Everyone's Favorite Salad 

People go back for seconds, when this salad is served.

 

#8. Buffalo Chicken Soup 

A perfect game day soup, no matter the sport.

 

#7. Apple Chicken 

Easy and delicious!

#6. Mexi Dinner 

Let everyone pick their own toppings for a crowd pleasing meal.

#5. Pepper Steak Roast

A slow cooker recipe that is full of flavor.

 

#4. Meatball Stroganoff

A fast family pleasing meal.

#3. Tortellini Toss

This recipe has bacon in it, so you know it's going to be good!

#2. Green Chile Chicken Pasta

My family's favorite meal.

#1. Caramel Banana Trifle

My husbands favorite dessert.

 

Wishing you and your family a very 
Blessed New Year!

Every month I have a drawing giving away a copy of my cookbook, 

My Kind of Cooking Cookbook, and other goodies.

The next drawing is, Friday, January 7th.

Sign up to follow my blog, for your chance to win this apron,
kitchen towel, and a copy of my cookbook,

MY KIND OF COOKING

Leave a comment and get a second entry.

"Like" my Facebook page and get a third entry!

Read my post about my monthly Giveaway for more details.  

Sign up as a FOLLOWER for your chance to win!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully 
follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Another blog that I think you would enjoy is my friend Janet's blog, 

Chocolate and God.

POM Wonderful Salad Dressing & Candied Walnuts

POM Wonderful Salad Dressing

1/2 cup POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
1/2 cup extra light olive oil
1 (0.7 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix

In small bowl, combine all ingredients.  Whisk until well blended.  This recipe can be stored up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Candied Walnuts

2 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pound walnut halves


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until frothy.  Add sugar and butter.  Mix well.  Fold in walnuts.  Mix until well coated.  Spread walnuts in single layer, on a baking sheet.  Bake 25 minutes, stirring twice while cooking.  This recipe freezes well.

The POM Wonderful people sent me a box of their delicious Pomegranate Juice.  I wanted to drink all of the  yummy pomegranate juice, but I showed some restraint, and left a few bottles alone so I could experiment and create new recipes.

A recipe doesn't have to be complicated, or have a long list of ingredients to be delicious, sometimes simple is best.

This salad dressing recipe is my new favorite!  It was not only quick and easy to make, but the blend of flavors were perfect.  It was tangy without being tart and not overly sweet.  I made a simple salad out of Romaine Hearts, feta cheese, pomegranate arils, and my Candied Walnuts.  Drizzle the POM Wonderful Salad Dressing over top and you have a salad that your family and friends will rave about!


My taste testers gave it two thumbs up, and said they wouldn't change a thing, that is big coming from them, they take their job seriously.  All of the taste testers said they planned to make this salad, and several of them plan to serve it at their Christmas dinner, which is exactly what I plan to do.

I pray you and your family have a very 

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Every month I have a drawing giving away a copy of my cookbook, 

My Kind of Cooking Cookbook, and other goodies.

The next drawing is, Friday, January 7th.

Sign up to follow my blog, for your chance to win this apron,
kitchen towel, and a copy of my cookbook,

MY KIND OF COOKING

Leave a comment and get a second entry.

Read my post about my monthly Giveaway for more details.  

Sign up as a FOLLOWER for your chance to win!

Visit my friends blogs!

You will love Bo and his blog,  Bo's Bowl.  Not only does he host great giveaways,  his recipes are incredible!  One visit to his blog and you will see why I faithfully follow it.

Also visit my friend Pam's blog, Pam's Midwest Kitchen Korner,  for more great recipes!  Once you read her blog, she will be your friend too!

Another blog that I think you would enjoy is my friend Janet's blog, 
 Chocolate and God.