I love to curl up with a delicious bowl of soup, especially through the fall and winter months. This soup is great for anyone that has a busy life and needs a quick, warm and welcoming meal. The smokiness of the sausage mingles with the other ingredients and herbs to create the perfect, savory flavor.

I LOVE BREAD! One of life’s simple pleasures is a great loaf of fresh baked bread. After attending a “no knead” bread making class, I decided to explore alternative options for easy bread making. During my journey, I came across several recipes for easy homemade bread, baked in a slow cooker or crock pot. After some experimentation, I combined a few of the ideas from various recipes to create my own special version of crock pot bread. Enjoy!

Chicken, pork and beef oh my! It’s Kentucky Derby festival time, so let’s make some burgoo.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, when it’s said that everyone is a bit little Irish, I believe it’s appropriate to have a potato dish.

I believe you’ll think you have found your pot of gold when you eat a bowl of this wonderful soup, after all, its made with the luck of the Irish.

Swiss steak is a dish I have prepared for most of my adult life. For a young cook, this was an easy dish to make and it turned out perfectly every time. What a blessing to be able to prepare a few ingredients in the morning, place them in the crock pot and have it ready to serve for dinner after a really busy day!

Cheese, potatoes and ranch, oh my! I know there are lots of recipes for cheese and potato baked casseroles out there, but this one is just a bit different – a secret ingredient discovered through serendipity!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do - it has brought years of smiles and full bellies at many of our parties and holiday celebrations. May this recipe become a stand-out favorite for you and your family too!

This recipe for vegetable soup is just a little different. If you like a good Bloody Mary, you are going to love this recipe. Bloody Mary mix in soup? Yes, I know it sounds odd, but it gives just the right amount of kick!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have. It’ll spice up your lunch just fine.

I created this lasagna recipe for my catering business and it became my most requested dish. It’s relatively easy to prepare and not made the traditional way. It’s sure to become your go-to lasagna recipe!

Thanksgiving is just about here and if you’re like me, you’re already planning what special meal you will be preparing. This year (for me and my husband), I will be making my delicious turkey breast in the crock pot with gravy! As you know, sometimes the white meat of the turkey can turn out dry, and who wants to take a chance when serving this special meal to your family and guests? Cooking it in the crock pot is easy and the meat is predictably juicy. Another plus in using the crock pot is that it will free up the oven and stove top space to make your other favorite Thanksgiving dishes such as stuffing, sweet potatoes, and of course, green bean casserole! It’s so perfect that I may never cook a turkey breast any other way. Enjoy and have a happy Thanksgiving!

When I visited the south of France a few years ago, our friends Brigitte and Mabrouk invited us to have brunch at their home. Their home is gorgeous and sits on a hill, overlooking the Mediterranean. We sat around the pool drinking Mimosas while savoring not only the view, but also the wonderful hors d’oeuvres Brigitte had prepared. The “cheese puffs” were particularly delicious, and we ate as many as possible, struggling to remain polite when faced with such a delicious treat. They were made from cream puff pastry dough with the addition of a wonderful French Gruyere cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper and nutmeg, just for a little surprise. These treats bake up light and tasty and will be delicious for any occasion!

I love to treat myself to a piping hot bowl of savory chili on a windy fall day. My secret ingredient is taco seasoning mix instead of chili powder. I use elbow macaroni instead of spaghetti noodles because it’s easier to eat and a lot less mess. I serve it with sour cream, cheese, corn chips and a splash of hot sauce for a little southwestern spice. Whatever you decide to eat with your chili, I hope you’ll enjoy this hearty, comforting recipe.

In a small German town called Bensheim there is a restaurant called the Blauer Aff (Blue Monkey). Our friends are locals and they took us there for a very special dinner. The restaurant is delightful and I highly recommend it, if you’re ever in the area. They served me a thick and hearty pumpkin soup garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds floating on top with a side of warm, fresh bread. It was divine! I’ve tried to recreate it here for you and I hope you enjoy.