Recipes

Now that I'm getting into Pinterest I'm moving this over there.  Click here to see what I've pinned.

Tried and True Recipes
I plan our meals about a week at a time, but often find myself at the store with my well planned list and there is some ingredient that I can't get.  Time for Plan B.  Only problem is that I mostly cook from recipes, and am not good at improvising or tweaking on the fly.  For a long time I've wished for a way to access all my recipes easily when I'm out. That's what I'm trying to do here. If a recipe is easily found on a website, I'll post the link below and post my comments next to the link.  If there is no weblink, I'll type it out as a post, and the link will take you to my post, just to try to keep the list clean.  If anyone knows of an easier way to do this, please let me know, as I don't know a lot about blogging.

Breakfast 
Pancakes - I used to make pancakes with Bisquik and ran out today and found this recipe which was even better.  As usual, homemade is better than store bought, and in this case just as fast.

Appetizers
Cheesy Spinach & Artichoke Dip - This is a Kraft recipe that I love.  I admit I use the full fat versions of the mayo and cheese, but you could probably go the light route if you want. Great cold weather app.  Another that reheats well so good for potlucks. 
Charleston Cheese Dip - This is another super cheesy dip, heart attack waiting to happen, but sooooo good.

Entrees
Chicken
Cajun Chicken with linguine  A friend posted this recipe and I'm still tweaking it, but the basis is good. Go ahead and play with it.
Shaved Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Creme  I don't remember how I found this one, I think from a link from another blog.  Regardless, it was yummy :) The kids even asked for thirds!!!!
Coq au Vin  - quick and easy, but not a real favorite of the kids as they don't like red wine sauces.
Chicken Dijon - One of my husband's favorites.  I used to undercook it, until I pounded the chicken thin.
Almond Chicken Casserole  - The kids didn't like it much, but my husband and I did, so I will be making it again.
Chicken & Pasta in Cream Sauce with Prosciutto and Asparagus  - One of my husband's favorites
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Quick & Easy Tarragon Chicken - My daughter calls this one chicken with the green stuff.  I've been making it for so long, I'm kind of getting tired of it, but she still requests it once in a while.  It's a very mild creamy sauced chicken dish.  I think I need to tweek it to make it more interesting.
Chicken Penne  - found this on a blog and the kids loved it.

Pork/Ham
Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potatoes and Pears - the recipe actually calls for sweet potatoes but I prefer regular.  It was really good. Great cold weather meal.
Honey Barbecue Ham with Roasted Potatoes - this is the only crockpot meal my oldest daughter likes.  It's a little ketchupy for my taste, but I'm working on that.
Barbecue Pulled Pork - from Crockpot 365 blog.  Very easy and very good.  Pretty mild, but you can always ramp it up with more hot sauce.
Garlic Pork with Peppers - Quick and easy weeknight way to prepare pork tenderloin.  I served it on rice.
Chile Rubbed Pork Tenderloin  - Very easy and yummy grilled pork


Beef
Bacon Sloppy Joes - from Rachael Ray.  I'd actually never had Sloppy Joes before, but these were good.
Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce - from Parents.com.  I had wanted to try a beef tenderloin for a while but was always nervous due to the size and cost of the meat.  I made this when both sets of parents were in and it turned out really well.  2 1/2 lbs was perfect for 6 adults and small portions for my finicky kids.
Chili  - Our ever evolving recipe.  The base is BHG, but we've made it our own.
Hamburger Stroganoff - a quick and easy version of stroganoff
Bee Bim Bop  - a Korean stirfry
Peppered Beef Sirloin Kebabs with Dijon Cream



Seafood
Garlicky Baked Shrimp As suggested by the recipe, I served it over pasta to make it a scampi.  So yummy.  Kids loved it.
Panko Crusted Salmon  From whatsonmyplate.net.  Another one my daughter likes so it's a keeper as I love salmon.
Curried Shrimp and Rice It's supposed to be served on Quinoa (whatever that is).  I used rice and thought it was great.  Kids didn't like it though.
Shrimp Remoulade  - Ok, technically this is more of an app with shrimp served in avocado, but I made the sauce and the shrimp and served it over pasta, as my kids don't really like avocado.
Salmon Penne with Wild Mushrooms  - very easy but tastes "restaurant quality" according to my husband.
Salmon Sliders with Spicy Ginger Sauce - these were really good, but next time skip the pickled vegetables.
Shrimp Scampi


Pasta
Peasant Pasta An easy kid friendly pasta meal
Cheesy Pasta Bake My daughter loves anything that includes cheese and pasta.  After many rounds of baked ziti on her choice night, I finally found another good one.
Weeknight Lasagna Toss  - I use Italian Sausage instead of ground beef to give it more flavor, and usually use regular pasta as it's easier for my kids to eat.
Spaghetti Bolognese  From Better Homes & Gardens cookbook
Basil Spaghetti with Cheesy Broiled Tomatoes  My 5 year old saw this in Real Simple magazine, asked me to make it and shocker, she actually liked it :)
Pasta with Tomato, Cream, Red Pepper and Vodka Sauce  - I used to make this so often we got kind of bored of it.  After a few months hiatus, it's back in the rotation.
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Macaroni and Cheese
Italian Sausage Rigatoni 

Comfort Food 
Grilled 4 Cheese Sandwiches - the garlic butter is what makes these sandwiches sooooo good.

Sides
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole - This is a heart attack waiting to happen, but so good.  I use real potatoes instead of the frozen.  It obviously takes longer, but I think it tastes better.

Desserts
Swedish Apple Pie - This is my go to dessert when I need to bring one to a fall pot luck.  I've brought it to every Thanksgiving I've attended since my friend first gave me the recipe almost 15 years ago.  It's super easy as it is more of a crisp than a pie, and is always well received.

Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies  - I've been making these for years, and they are a lot of work, but worth it.
Vanilla Wreaths - My favorite butter cookies, finally found a good recipe.