Crunchy Ramen Salad

Crunchy Ramen Salad

There are may versions of this Midwest classic, but I think this version is pretty close to whatever the original was, and I’m sorry I don’t have a story for the history of this strange Crunchy Ramen Salad concoction. I remember my grandma making it. 

Easy Dirty Rice

Easy Dirty Rice

I like Cajun-style Louisiana Dirty Rice, especially from Zatarain’s. Their ingredients aren’t bad, I just prefer making stuff from scratch sometimes. ENRICHED LONG GRAIN PARBOILED RICE (RICE, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID), ONION, SALT, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, GARLIC, RED & GREEN BELL PEPPER, YEAST EXTRACT 

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers

If you don’t like eating your veggies, try these stuffed bell peppers. I like using red pepper & green bell peppers, but what’s best is what’s stuffed inside! Ground beef, rice, tomatoes and a sweet Ketchup sauce on top… This recipe is based on Dad’s 

American Goulash

American Goulash

American Goulash is not Hungarian Goulash – the Hungarian version is more like a soup or stew, focused on serving seasoned meat with seasonal vegetables. That one is all about the seasoning; usually paprika-heavy (not that its a bad thing). Over here, we make Goulash 

Meatloaf Pie

Meatloaf Pie

The Irish have Shepherd’s Pie, the English have Cottage Pie, and Americans have this working-mom version called Meatloaf Pie. Some people like it with corn in it, but because our Salisbury Steak recipe turned out so rich and delicious, we’re going to use that recipe 

Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas

Like many “Mexi-American” dishes, the Fajita is actually Tex-Mex, not Mexican. The dish was based on a certain cut of beef, but we find chicken fajitas easier to make (as much as I hate handling raw chicken). It allows us to get a good break 

Salisbury Steak & Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury Steak & Mushroom Gravy

The original Salisbury Steak is meant to be broiled and served with salt, pepper, butter and Worcestershire sauce with celery garnish. That’s from somewhere around 1897. Cousin to the cheeseburger, ground beef patties are an American staple for German immigrants (and also pleased other European 

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

I love Spanakopita. I never really liked spinach. When my aunt make spinach, we were forced to eat it – or just look at that pile of green stuff on our plate while the other kids went to play after dinner. Stuck at that table 

Red Bean Minestrone Soup

Red Bean Minestrone Soup

Delicious and widely varied versions of minestrone soup make great comfort food meals. This recipe is based on a recipe suggestion from Sendik’s real food magazine. My brother has struggled with Crohn’s disease for years and has been extremely careful about what he eats, and 

Vegetarian Vegetable Soup

Vegetarian Vegetable Soup

This crock-pot vegetable soup is soup-er easy to throw together, and easy to modify to your liking. A classic vegetable soup, easy to make – nuthin’ fancy, here. Use whatever frozen mixed vegetables you have on hand. Don’t forget the V-8. The main recipe comes