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​For my husband and I, pasta once a week is a ritual, ok sometimes twice a week. Recently I found two scrumptious recipes, one from Southern Living Magazine, January-February/2021; the other from the Home section of “The New York Times” Sunday edition, April 11, 2021.
 
Southern Living Magazine published Spicy Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp that serves 4 and takes a total of 35 minutes to prepare. In addition to the two main ingredients you’ll need, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, yellow onion, garlic cloves, anchovy fillets, crushed red pepper, dry white wine, 28-ounce can of San Marzano crushed tomatoes, heavy whipping cream, Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh basil. 
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​I hosted my son and daughter-in-law for Easter dinner. My menu was Boston lettuce with pears and bleu cheese, Manicotti with tomato sauce and meatballs, Wellshire Farms Spiral Ham with applesauce, Simple Chile & Honey Asparagus, Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Brown Sugar, Spanish Almond Cake with whipped cream and strawberries. The asparagus was from a recipe my husband found in the magazine Garden and Gun. The recipe was quite tasty and not too spicy.
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​Yes, I have more sheet pan recipes! This one, Sheet-Pan Chocolate Chip Pancakes, appeared in The New York Times Cooking Supplement “Sheet-Pan Everything,” February 28, 2021. The recipe is by Jerrelle Guy and the premise of her recipe is akin to making biscuits. Cold butter is cut into the flour before adding both buttermilk and milk. Also, there’s no egg in this batter. The cold butter creates steams, along with the baking powder and baking soda, create a lighter product. 
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Recently I was having a conversation with my boss about Date and Nut bread. It brought back childhood memories of the moist, dense crumb of Thomas’ Date Nut Bread. 
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​In the January/February 2021 issue of Southern Living Magazine, they had a delicious sounding recipe for Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders. As I had some leftover chipotles, here was a chance to use them.
 
For the recipe you’ll need light brown sugar, kosher salt, cumin, black pepper, trimmed beef brisket, chipotles in adobe sauce, fresh garlic, barbecue sauce, slider buns and spicy pickle chips.
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Recently I was reading the Monmouth Health and Life Magazine, when I came to their “Tastes” section. Featured in the February/March 2021 issue were recipes from Monmouth Meats in Red Bank, NJ. Stewart Goldstein, owner, shared his recipe for Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy. This took me back to my childhood when my mother occasionally purchased TV dinners. The choices were usually friend chicken, turkey with stuffing or Salisbury steak. I would say Salisbury steak was popular in the 1960’s.
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​Sunday’s sunny skies was the perfect day to bake a batch of lemon squares. I haven't made these in years; they're not too sweet, are lemony tart and oh so delicious. 
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​My husband and I recently celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. We thought a little getaway was in order, but where to go during this pandemic? We decided to visit Princeton, New Jersey. We’ve been here before and find it delightful. It has a lovely downtown area and wonderful restaurants.
 
This time we decided to spend the night and selected the Peacock Inn on Bayard Lane. The inn is accessible to Palmer Square and a short walk to McCarter Theater.
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​In the September 2020 issue of Southern Living Magazine, there was recipe for Hamburger Stew with Croutons. The image in the magazine was very appealing and made me want to try it.
 
For the recipe you’ll need ground chuck, dry mustard, dried oregano, kosher salt, yellow onion, fresh garlic, tomato paste, all-purpose flour, beef broth, a can of diced tomatoes, ketchup, baby red potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, lima beans, peas and green beans), hamburger buns and olive oil. 
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​Recently The New York Times in their “Here to Help” column a recipe for Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili; it sounded interesting. For the recipe you’ll need coconut or vegetable oil, yellow or red onion, kosher salt, pepper, fresh garlic, light brown sugar, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, orange juice, chipotles, adobo sauce, sweet potatoes, black beans, crushed or diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if possible), lime juice and frozen corn. 


​meet donna

A former teacher, shop-a-holic, empty-nester redefining quick, family approved dinners.

​If you have questions or comments, click on the envelope icon above to contact me directly. 

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