Recently Stacey brought us three easy recipes for ground beef that I have to admit made me HUNGRY. LOL!

I’m a fan of pasta in pretty much any form, so the first recipe got my attention. A different version of tacos for Taco Tuesday? I admit this one looked interesting but I would be cautious about the fat content. I might have to adjust the seasoning to compensate for a lower fat content. The last one, Salisbury Steak, really got my attention.

I’ve been a fan of Salisbury Steak for decades but have always been hesitant to try making it myself. This recipe looks doable and the payoff … Yum!

Check out Stacey’s blog HERE. The link to her YouTube post is in the blog page.

It is no secret around here that I love Julia Child. She not only taught people how to cook but how to eat. One of the original foodies.

Julia understood that little things can have big impact. It isn’t just using fresh ingredients, it is how you use those ingredients that can make some thing good into something amazing.

There are thousands of recipes for chicken salad. Everyone has their own take on it. Check out Julia’s recipes for her chicken salad. Can you taste it? Granted she’d prefer homemade mayo but your favorite store bought will do just fine. Everything balances and accentuates other ingredients.

I’m thinking crackers…good sandwich bread…adding an apple…maybe some good cheese…All kinds of options.

Enjoy!

Sometimes you just need a little something extra even if it means turning the oven on!

I’ve had a can of crushed pineapple and a box of yellow cake mix in my pantry for far too long. I’ve been craving a dump cake. You see where I’m heading, right?

The beauty of a dump cake is the flexibility of flavors you can play with. With the variety of cake mix flavors in addition to the pie fillings and canned or frozen fruits, you can pretty much create a masterpiece.

A word of warning, however, these things are not low calorie and are very rich. Consider yourself warned!

Enjoy!!

Gardeners know that Summer often brings more than enough of stuff you have been eating far longer than you thought you would. So, what do you do when you’ve run out of ideas?

Stacey has some great ideas that are easy to size up. Check it out:

Which are your favorites?

For those of us who enjoy fresh tomatoes, this time of year can be like Christmas and Birthday wrapped together and tied with a bow. This recent video from Allrecipes has quite a collection of not quite your usual recipes:

Personally, I’m curious about the Tomato Bacon Jam recipe. It is a Very Small Batch (1 pint) so you can experiment to see if you like it without a huge investment of time and groceries. The comments from folks who have made it are quite interesting and, I think, helpful, too.

Don’t forget to check out recipes for tomato pies. This could be quite an unexpected surprise for your summer table. Add in zucchini and you have options for some of the summer overabundance.

Enjoy!

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Because sometimes we just do!

See Mindy Mom recently posted this collection of not the usual Summer Fare:

I have to admit, they all looked delicious and easy to prepare. Which are your favorites?

I will be the first to say that, as a rule, I don’t recommend whipped topping over whipped cream, but there are always exceptions. I grew up eating JELL-O in a variety of forms, some with and some without the whipped addition. If you are looking for a change of pace, these recipes might be something to try.

Don’t forget to check other brands of gelatin products at your store. You might be surprised to see the flavor options.

Easy Southern Banana Pudding is one of those menu items that seem to evaporate in the right crowd. You can go the route where you make the pudding from scratch but this option is easier and faster. Your choice.

The Basic Bavarian Cream is one of those classics that could well be a favorite item on your buffet. Easily customizable with any flavor you choose, the only thing to keep in mind is temperature is important. Too warm and your mixture will split into either 2 layers or 3. That isn’t a bad thing, it is just something to be aware of.

The Strawberry Pretzel Salad is one of those tried and true recipes that has quite a fan base. It is a welcome addition to any meal throughout the year, too.

Cheese Balls are surprisingly easy to make. A good tip to keep in mind is to find a bowl the size of the ball you want to make, line it with plastic wrap and put the mixture in the bowl. Once that is done, wrap the plastic around the mixture to encourage it to form a round shape or flatten the top. Once you unmold the ball, put the flat side down on the platter so it won’t roll.

JELL-O is versatile and budget friendly. It doesn’t have to be boring and it can provide an unexpected surprise on your table.

Enjoy!

Because sometimes you just need something different.

We do get in a rut, don’t we? Here are a few of my favorite alternative salad ideas.

Three Bean Salad. This old time favorite is great chilled and served with all sorts of grilled proteins. If you put it together early in the day and give the flavors time to mature you won’t be disappointed.

Black Bean and Corn Salad. There are so many versions of corn salad out there.

Zesty Corn Salad. Mama Mel has done it again. I love this recipe! Easy to prepare with pantry staples.

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad. America’s Test Kitchen’s recipe makes my mouth water! If you are lucky enough to grow your own or if you have access to a good farmer’s market, this one is a must try.

Don’t overlook creating a fruit salad. Watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, peaches, nectarines, the list goes on and on. Toss in some cheese and maybe some herbs and you have something rather special. The best part is that the ingredient list will change depending upon what is available when.

When you have had more than your share of pasta salads and can’t look a head of lettuce in the eye, give these a try.