Blueberry Crisp Recipe by Donna Diegel

Blueberry Crisp Recipe

Summer desserts made with fresh blueberries are a delight especially if they come from your own blueberry bushes. This easy blueberry crisp takes advantage of the fruits of your labor—or someone else's labor if you buy them at a local farmers' market! No matter where you get them, don't let the summer go by without making some homemade blueberry desserts!

Fresh blueberries for this recipe are preferred, but frozen will work too. Make sure to use them frozen. Do NOT thaw the blueberries before mixing and baking, or you'll end up with a gooey mess. I added two fresh peeled, pitted and sliced peaches for this picture. If you wish to make peach and blueberry crisp, just replace two to three peaches for 2 cups of the blueberries in the following recipe.

You can view this recipe here: Blueberry Crisp Recipe by Donna Diegel

Baked Cheese Grits Recipe by Hailey Allen

Baked Cheese Grits Recipe

Grits are a traditional southern delicacy. But, to some, they can be bland and boring. Liven up your grits up with this new cheesy baked version. The addition of cheese, bacon, and a bit of sherry will surely fill up your family at breakfast and impress your guests at Sunday brunch.

You can view this recipe here: Baked Cheese Grits Recipe by Hailey Allen

Summer Bread Salad Recipe by Elizabeth Kelly

Summer Bread Salad Recipe by Elizabeth Kelly

Savory salads using leftover bread have been a staple of world cuisine for centuries. In Italy, chefs make panzanella with chunks of stale Italian bread, fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil. Every home has their own version, possibly incorporating local ingredients like capers, onions or red wine. No matter what the mixture, though, the highlight is the once-crusty bread that soaks up the flavors and juices of the salad.

Fattoush is the Middle Eastern version of bread salad, making use of leftover bits of pita or flatbread. In-season ingredients are used to make a dish similar to tabbouleh, but with large chunks of vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, instead of the finely-chopped produce of its sister salad.

This bread salad combines the best of both the Italian and the Middle Eastern versions, using ingredients common in the States (especially in summer), with sharp cheddar for an even more American twist. Kalamata olives add a touch of the Mediterranean. The fusion elements make this a dish you could serve with food of almost any nationality.
You can view this recipe here: Summer Bread Salad Recipe by Elizabeth Kelly

Pan Seared Rockfish or Striped Bass Recipe by Kristin King

Pan Seared Rockfish or Striped Bass Recipe

Rockfish, or striped bass, flock to the waters off of the Hampton Roads coast during the cold winter months. These fish are plentiful, tasty and cheap. The most important part about preparing fresh fish is that simplicity is best. In this recipe, thick rockfish fillets are seasoned with nothing more than sea salt, black pepper and a sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning. The fillets are then seared in a hot pan until crisp on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.

Rockfish is a local delicacy that everyone should try. This hearty white fish is similar to halibut in taste and texture, with a little hint of swordfish flavor. Because of the durability of this fish, any cooking method will be good from frying to grilling. This recipe is more of a method and can be used with any sturdy white fish fillets.

You can view this recipe here: Pan Seared Rockfish or Striped Bass Recipe by Kristin King

Mallow Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe by Candi Fox

Mallow Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe

Fall is in the air with holiday gatherings coming in quick succession, this examiner thought it would be a good idea to start posting more recipes featuring falls bounty. So many foods are indelibly indigenous to both the fall and the holiday seasons.

Cranberries can be enjoyed any time of year, though during the fall and early winter months are when you find the fresh cranberries in the store. This examiner will be exploring many cranberry recipes over the next few months.

Have you ever bitten into a raw cranberry? It’s like a lime times 10 for pucker power however both the Native Americans and the Pilgrims ate the berries and believed them to be good for their health. The Native Americans used cranberries to fight off infections while the Pilgrims thought the berries held off scurvy. Cranberries are full of antioxidants and promote general good health. Pick some up today and try any of a hundred recipes.

You can view this recipe here: Mallow Cranberry Cheesecake Recipe by Candi Fox

Praline Rolo Cups Recipe by Danielle Antinozzi

Praline Rolo Cups Recipe

If you're looking or an easy fall treat, these cups are incredibly easy to make. They only have 4 ingredients! You can use all those extra Rolo candies your kids have laying around after trick-or-treating too. It's a win, win!

You can view this recipe here: Praline Rolo Cups Recipe by Danielle Antinozzi

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe by Kim Klietz

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Nothing says fall and Thanksgiving like pumpkin bars. There’s just something about the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger that scream fall. And when you combine those flavors with cream cheese icing, you have a real winner.

My mom has been making pumpkin bars since I was in elementary school and they are some of the best pumpkin bars I have ever tasted. The bars are extremely moist and have really good flavor from the mixture of spices. These bars are great for a party since they make a lot of bars. If you want to mix it up from the usual pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, try out these pumpkin bars and you won’t be disappointed.

You can view this recipe here: Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe by Kim Klietz

Soft and Buttery Dinner Roll Recipe by Jeremy Bookmyer

Soft and Buttery Dinner Roll Recipe

The scramble to find something to make for the family is well underway. While the turkey and stuffing might be the star of the dinner, bread is an important side for any Thanksgiving meal. These rolls are soft, big, buttery and, possibly just as important, easy to make.

You can view this recipe here: Soft and Buttery Dinner Roll Recipe by Jeremy Bookmyer

Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic Recipe by Rachael Monaco

Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic Recipe

If you're looking for a green bean recipe that's a little lighter than the Campbell's classic green bean casserole or the Durkee green bean casserole, you'll love this recipe with for green beans with garlic and lemon. Start a new tradition at your Thanksgiving table.

You can find all the ingredients for this recipe at all local markets such as Budwey's Tops Markets, Wegmans, Dash's Market, Pricerite, Aldi and Save-a-Lot. You may need to do a little hunting to find fresh green beans at Save-a-Lot and Aldi.

You can view this recipe here: Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic Recipe by Rachael Monaco

Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping Recipe by Christina Durner

Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping Recipe

Pumpkin and apple pies are not doubt the most popular pie flavors during the fall season. However, it is this reviewer's opinion that the sweet potato pie is the unsung hero of  Thanksgiving pies. This seasonal favorite has as many variations as the turkey and stuffing that covers the Thanksgiving table. One extremely delicious sweet potato pie recipe is Martha Stewart's Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping.

This pie recipe is easy and exceptionally delicious. The addition of unconventional sweet potato pie ingredients like pecans and maple syrup really bring out a sweet and bright quality in this pie. The texture is phenominal and the taste is smooth, sweet, and indescribably amazing.

One way to add a little extra flare to this recipe is to add marshmallows to the top after baking the pie. Minutes before serving, pop the pie in the oven at 350 degrees until marshmallows are golden brown.

You can view this recipe here: Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping Recipe by Christina Durner

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Walnuts and Bacon Recipe by Melissa McKechnie

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Walnuts and Bacon Recipe

When you mention Brussel Sprouts, do your loved ones run screaming from the room? It is amazing how these little vitamin powerhouses harbor such resentment from so many people; yet, when prepared properly, they can be absolutely delicious. Throw away the visions of soggy green balls in a bowl, and try these nutty, crunchy tastes of fall. You can find them rolling off tables at any neighborhood Farmers Markets these days.
 
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Walnuts and Bacon is a great and easy side dish for any fall meal. Try it this Thanksgiving and you may have some new brussel sprout lovers in your midst. It pairs perfectly with roast turkey and dressing, and its nuttiness and smokiness goes well with sweet potatoes, and of course, a great Pinot Noir to round out the meal.

You can view this recipe here: Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Walnuts and Bacon Recipe by Melissa McKechnie

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies Recipe by Danielle Antinozzi

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies Recipe

I’m kind of obsessed with making blondie bars. A blondie is a lighter, less messy version of the brownie. My discovery of the blondie was the moment I discovered how addictive vanilla extract is. If I come across a recipe and it includes the best extract of all time, I automatically add it to the list. That’s how I became obsessed with the Cadbury Mini Egg Blondies at Easter.

These bars are super easy to make and I found it incredibly hard to not try to eat all of them in one sitting. I also suggest that your beverage of choice with these bad boys be a nice cold glass of milk. Trust me.

You can view this recipe here: Peanut Butter Cup Blondies Recipe by Danielle Antinozzi

Cranberry Coffee Cake Recipe by Aimee Plesa

Cranberry Coffee Cake Recipe

Thanksgiving is a week away and home cooks all over the country are scrambling to find the perfect recipes to serve their friends and family. Here is an old family favorite that is a delicious way to start your Thanksgiving celebrations. If making breakfast on Thanksgiving Day is too much to tackle while making your family feast, consider making this a couple of days ahead and freezing it. Simply thaw the night before and warm in the oven for a few minutes, if desired, before serving

You can view this recipe here: Cranberry Coffee Cake Recipe by Aimee Plesa

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes Recipe by Aimee Plesa

Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes Recipe

I made these cupcakes last year for Thanksgiving and they were such a hit that I have been requested to make them several times since. Be sure that you chop the crystallized ginger quite fine or it will feel like your cupcakes have chunks of gumdrops in them. I use a basic buttercream frosting and a dusting of cinnamon for topping these delicious cupcakes.

You can view this recipe here: Pumpkin Ginger Cupcakes Recipe by Aimee Plesa

Fresh Cherry Cobbler Recipe by Erika Kerekes

Fresh Cherry Cobbler Recipe

This fresh cherry cobbler is a classic summertime dessert. Underneath, it's got juicy sweet cherries mixed with sugar and lemon to draw out the natural juices of the fruit. The topping is a sweet biscuit dough, rich with melted butter and sprinkled with sugar crystals. Pitting the fresh cherries takes time, but it's worth it.

You can view this recipe here: Fresh Cherry Cobbler Recipe by Erika Kerekes

Black Forest Squash Mash Recipe by Heather King

Black Forest Squash Mash Recipe

Last week I picked up a share of farm-fresh produce from La Nay Ferme in Provo. In the weekly allotment were two black forest squash along with fresh oregano and parsley. These winter squash are excellent for baking and using in all types of hearty recipes. You can check out the squash and chicken stew infused with Indian spices I made last week. Here, I took a twist on garlic mashed potatoes, substituting the potatoes for black forest squash. The result is a creamy, warm and eye-pleasing savory side dish that would work beautifully for a Thanksgiving or other holiday meal.

You can view this recipe here: Black Forest Squash Mash Recipe by Heather King

Fresh Pesto Scones Recipe by Nicole Riner

Fresh Pesto Scones Recipe

If you don't grow your own basil (doing it in pots is about the only way to keep it alive in Laramie), you can find great bundles of this fresh herb in the produce sections of Albertsons, Safeway, and Big Hollow. And when you get sick of stirring oily pesto into your pasta, you can try this light, easy scone recipe. It works well with soups, salads, and any other meal that could use a little extra carb on the side.

You can view this recipe here: Fresh Pesto Scones Recipe by Nicole Riner

Mini Pumpkin Donut Muffins Recipe by Michelle Hein

Mini Pumpkin Donut Muffins Recipe

These pumpkin doughnut muffins give you the best of both worlds – the taste of a donut but with the ease of a muffin. And without all the extra fat from frying! Pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg add lots of fall flavor. Fluffy on the inside with just the right amount of sugar and spices, these muffins are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast, with apple cider for a snack or even vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Using just one mixing bowl and very few steps makes these muffins a breeze to prepare. While this recipe could easily be adapted to make standard sized muffins, the muffins shown here were created to be miniature. Not only does this cut down on baking time, but it also makes them great for sharing. Friends, family and coworkers will all love how easy it is to simply grab a couple of these donut-hole size treats.

Use this recipe as a chance to spend quality time in the kitchen with the children in your life. Let them help with the measuring and mixing, and they might also enjoy applying the butter and cinnamon sugar. Because this entire recipe can be prepared in under 45 minutes from start to finish, you won't lost their interest as easily as with some baked goods. The small size makes these muffins easier to handle, and the cinnamon sugar topping is simpler to apply than most frostings. My five-year-old niece assisted me in making this batch.

You can view this recipe here: Mini Pumpkin Donut Muffins Recipe by Michelle Hein

American Goulash Recipe by Sherry Smith-Noble

American Goulash Recipe

There is traditional goulash, and there is American goulash – both are delicious. This recipe is American through and through; it a recipe most people had growing up and continues to be a favorite meal. Elbow macaroni and ground beef in a tasty sauce – yum!

If you order goulash in another country, you may be surprised to receive a plate of stewed meat! Although very delicious, it’s just not what most Americans think of as goulash. It seems that each country’s cuisine has their own goulash: the Austrian recipe includes dumplings, the German recipe includes potatoes, and in the Netherlands they sometimes include fish.

Betty Crocker defined the style of 60s and 70s cuisine which included adding cans of this or that to ground beef and macaroni (before we called it “pasta”) and voila – you had dinner! In fact, the original recipe called for cans of tomato soup (Campbell’s was the basis for many meals at that time). Well, times are different, but the fondness for the recipe still exists. Here is a slightly altered version of Mom’s goulash.

You can view this recipe here: American Goulash Recipe by Sherry Smith-Noble

Zucchini Relish Recipe by Nannette Richford

Zucchini Relish Recipe

If you find yourself overrun with zucchini, this relish recipe may save the day. Similar to sweet pickle relish, this relish is great on hotdogs or burgers or in any dish where you normally use cucumber relish. Harvest zucchini when they are 6 to 8 inches long for the best flavor and grate them coarsely for this this delicious relish.

You can view this recipe here: Zucchini Relish Recipe by Nannette Richford

Butterfinger Blondies Recipe by Candi Fox

Butterfinger Blondies Recipe

While you are sprucing up those side dishes with some unexpected twists consider adding something new to the dessert list. Blondies are a good twist to the regular holiday fare, but consider making Butterfinger blondies and really wow the guests.

As much as this examiner loves brownies there is something spectacular about a Blondie. Butterscotch or peanut butter blondies are a favorite however the added deliciousness of Butterfinger candy bar pieces kicks this recipe up several notches.

You can view this recipe here: Butterfinger Blondies Recipe by Candi Fox