Pecan Stuffed Medjool Dates

Dates are a healthy snack or dessert idea and stuffed with peanut butter are delicious on the go snacks for kids and adults. Because of their natural sweetness, dates are known as “nature’s candies.” Medjool dates are ideal for this recipe because of their size and plumpness. You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter, or another butter like almond butter. They are made of only 3 ingredients: dates, peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter), and pecans. They are impressive to serve at a get-together but are extrememly easy to make.

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Grilled Peaches & Cream Cheese

Peaches are a fabulous summer treat. Besides being a tasty summer dessert, peaches do great things for our bodies. Loaded with anti-oxidants, Vitamin C and A , peaches are low in calories (39 in 100 grams). They contain flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin and ß-cryptoxanthin, which help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals. This helps protect us from various diseases. Rich in minerals, peaches contain potassium, fluoride and iron. Iron helps form red blood cells. Potassium helps regulate heart and blood pressure. Fluoride helps prevent cavities. Research also indicates that they help prevent obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

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One Pot Ham & Veggie Pasta

Today’s recipe, Ham & Veggie Pasta, is a hearty meal but easy to make for busy weeknights. What makes it superb for summer is all the cooking is in one stove top pot. For summer, I suggest you buy a center cut ham steak of about 1 to 2 pounds. 2 cups of chopped ham is approximately 1 pound; you’ll need 2 1/2 cups for 6 servings. When fall and winter comes, use leftovers from your baked ham. I used a defrosted frozen green peas and carrot mix for my veggies, but you could just use just green peas or another vegetable.

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Crock Pot Peach Cobbler

If you’ve read many of my recipes, you know how much I love a slow cooker. Put food on to cook while you do something else. Today’s recipe is for the summer favorite, peach cobbler, made in a crock pot. On hot summer days, you don’t need to turn on the oven to enjoy a fresh homemade dessert. I love peach season, but you can eat peach cobbler year round. Fresh or frozen sliced peaches, a little sugar, spices, and biscuit dough makes a traditional southern peach cobbler. There is no cake mix in this recipe. I prefer to know all the ingredients used and avoid chemicals. For gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free flour. For vegan, use Earth Balance margarine sticks.

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Asian Pasta Salad

This is an easy salad to put together and perfect for a warm day. Asian Pasta Salad works well as a side at a cookout too. I’m using fresh grated ginger and broccoli that I blanched a few minutes. Water chestnuts, sesame seeds, and red bell pepper add crunch. You can easily substitute snow peas for the broccoli. If you don’t have fresh, you can try dried ground ginger, but it isn’t as tasty. Ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sweet chili sauce add a sweet and sour zing. I serve it cold, but you can serve it warm if it suits you. For a main dish, add cooked protein (like grilled chicken or shrimp) at the end and toss.

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Lentil Bolognese Sauce

You know I like to cook with lower fat  for a healthier diet. Today I’m offering a vegetarian Bolognese sauce when you sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on it. If you need a vegan version, drop the cheese. Bolognese sauce is traditionally a meat sauce with tomatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Today’s pantry recipe replaces the meat with lentils and mushrooms. It requires lentils, mushrooms, herbs, and crushed tomatoes to make a go-to-sauce for pasta, stuffed peppers, and even lasagna.  Add a little dry red wine (or white) to the simmering sauce; the alcohol will burn off. Wine adds another note of deeper, richer flavor. This is a great inexpensive week night meal that’s ready in less than 50 minutes.

Broader pastas have been used in Italy with Bolognese sauce, but you can use the pasta of your choice. Use whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pasta, or even zucchini spirals or spaghetti squash. Feel free to adapt the recipe to meet your family’s taste. 

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My Favorite Leftover Ham Recipe: Ham Quiche

Many families will be celebrating Easter on 3/31/24 with a ham dinner. That is one of my favorite childhood memories with my mother’s baked ham on the lace tablecloth with her good china and silverware. If you like using a slow cooker, check out my Slow Cooker Ham for an easy meal which also leaves the oven available for other dishes.

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