Tip Tuesday - A Sparkling Summer Dessert!
This week I came across a fun new idea for a summer dessert:  a popsicle and soda bar!   This cool treat is easily pulled together by assembling an assortment of “skinny” ice pops in a variety of fruit flavors, along with carbonated sodas and sparkling flavored waters.  Invite guests [...]

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Celebrate the Fourth of July with Patriotic Panache!
The summer months offer us three great opportunities for patriotic inspired entertaining!  And with a little bit of planning, you can easily host a star-studded party!  A casual, outdoor gathering with a delicious grilled meal, along with lots of fun activities for the kids, can be the highlight [...]

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Meat Free Menus For Fridays during Lent!
Creating meals without meat during Lent can be a challenge, especially if your children won’t eat fish and you’d prefer not to serve pizza yet again!  This was the boat I found myself in last Friday when my parents were joining my family for dinner!  I solved my dilemma [...]

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Tip of the Week:  Fun Oscar Night Menus!
The Academy Awards are right around the corner and I just love what All Recipes has done to make celebrating both thematic and easy!  Using the setting, characters and memorable quotes from the five films nominated for Best Picture as their inspiration, All Recipes has created five delicious [...]

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Tip of the Week: Warm up the Winter with a Hot Chocolate Bar!
During the cold winter months, it’s nice to entertain guests who, like you, might be suffering from a bit of cabin fever!  And adding a hot chocolate bar to any winter gathering will be a welcome addition!  Here are some ideas for delicious [...]

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Tip of the Week - Stand Out Stuffing From a Box
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and if you’re looking to streamline one of your menu items, consider spicing up store bought stuffing with one of these savory stir in combinations:

Wild Berry - cooked wild rice, fresh cranberries and Italian (flat leaf) parsely
Mediterranean - roasted [...]

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Tip of the Week - An Answer to the question “What’s for Dinner?”
Whenever I’m with friends, the topic is inevitably raised - what are you making for dinner?  We’re all willing to cook and anxious to make meals that will appeal to our families, but just what to make is the stumbling block!  A couple [...]

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Pasta with Sausage, Basil and Mustard
Serves: 4
Ingredients

1 lb. penne or medium shells
1 T. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. Italian sausage, casings removed, meat crumbled
3/4 c. dry white wine
3/4 c. heavy cream
3 T. grainy mustard
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1 c. thinly sliced basil

Directions

Cook pasta according to directions and drain.
Heat oil in a large, deep skillet.
Add sausage meat [...]

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What’s for Dinner Series - September Lasagna
Ingredients:

1 medium eggplant, about 1 lb. cut into 1/4 inch slices
1 pound zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices
12 lasagna noodles (I use the “no cook” version)
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1/2 c. chopped fresh basil
6 T. grated parmesan cheese
6 T. olive oil (or more)
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 [...]

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Corn on the Cob - New Twists on the Summer Classic!
In a recent Tip of the Week, Corn on the Cob, I suggested that Busy Bee readers try my family’s crazy technique for eating corn - using a sharp knife to score the kernels horizontally before adding the traditional butter and salt!  The tip was [...]

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