I love snickerdoodle cookies.  They remind me of Christmas because my mom made them ever year for her holiday cookie plates.  This is my mom’s recipe.  It is an easy snickerdoodle cookie recipe and is so delicious that they can be enjoyed all year long.
In a large bowl, combine:
3/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
Beat until combined and smooth.  Then add:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Once all ingredients are combined, chill in refrigerator for about an hour.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  …

I love ribs and am always looking for different ways of preparing them besides BBQ sauce. This is an excellent take on Southwestern flavor. The ribs are sweet and spicy and so easy to prepare.
In a small bowl, whisk until combined:
1 cup vegetable oil
juice from 2 limes
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
In 1 or 2 large zippered plastic bags, place:
2 baby back rib racks, cut into 2 pieces (about 5 pounds)
Pour marinade …

This is a great winter salad because the bacon and fennel can be served on the spinach a little warm. The caramelized bacon is a great compliment to the fennel which gives a bold flavor to the salad. I usually find fennel too strong, but caramelizing it makes it more mild and sweet. This is an easy salad that looks beautiful.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl combine:
6 slices of uncooked bacon, chopped
1 bulb of …

If you like peanut-butter and chocolate, you will love this version of a “rice krispy treat”. This is an easy recipe and looks complicated because of the layers of chocolate and peanut butter.
In a *double boiler, melt:
1 cup peanut butter
6 oz butterscotch chips (about 1/2 a bag)
Remove from heat and stir in:
4 cups rice krispies
Spread half the mixture into a 9×13 inch pan, by pressing lightly with fingers. Chill in refrigerator for at least 1/2 hour.
Meanwhile, in double boiler, melt:
6 oz chocolate chips (about 1/2 bag)
1 tablespoon milk
Pour …

This heavenly recipe comes to me from a close family friend. She makes it for every weekend get together and no one lets her in the door without it.

In a large mixing bowl, cut:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour

Once coarsely combined, sprinkle with:
2 tablespoons water

Mix with fork or pastry cutter until combined. Make dough into a ball. Divide in half and pat 2 strips (approx. 12″ x 2″) on ungreased cookie sheet, about 3″ apart. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan, heat to a boil:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup …

This wonderful and easy recipe came to me via my mother-in-law. It is a wonderful dish to serve at a party because it has to be prepared the day before.
In a medium bowl, mix together:
1 16oz can tiny peas, drained
1 12 oz white corn, drained
1 16oz can black beans – rinsed and drained
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup celery, finely chopped
In a small saucepan, heat to boiling:
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
dashes of tobasco to taste
Pour over veggies and place in …

This is a great dinner and can be prepared in about a half an hour, plus it serves a lot of people and stores well. You can substitute the rotisserie chicken for grilled or poached chicken, if you prefer, or make home-made pesto, so there are a lot of options with this recipe.
1 large can of diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
Meat from rotisserie chicken
I jar or bag of sundried tomatoes, drained, patted dry, and chopped
1 lb Pasta of choice
*Pesto …

One of my closest friends and mother of twins, sent me this great salad recipe. She is a great cook and very busy, so this recipe is perfect when you have your hands full. It is easy to make and has a similar taste to a 1905 Salad.
2 T Dijon mustard
2 T red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, grated
¼ c extra virgin olive oil
4 springs tarragon, leaves removed and chopped
Salt and ground black pepper
1 bunch asparagus, woody ends discarded, blanched and thinly sliced on angle
*1 lb deli-sliced turkey, cut …

Since I have two small kids, I am always looking for and trying recipes that I can prepare ahead of time or that are easy. This is a great rib recipe that is cooked in the crock-pot. These ribs are so tender and glaze over beautifully.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown:
3 pounds of beef or pork ribs (trimmed of fat)
Once all sides of the ribs are browned (about 15 minutes), transfer to crock pot on low heat. In a small bowl combine:
1/2 cup soy suace
3/4 …

I make these scallops all the time because they are so easy and delicious. This is a great dish to serve at a dinner party because it takes such little prep work. I like to serve this over risotto or pasta.

Turn on broiler. In a shallow baking dish, arrange:
16 large rinsed sea scallops ( about 4 per person)
In a small bowl, melt:
2 tablespoons butter
Once butter has cooled a little, add:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
Pour butter/lemon mixture over scallops and broil for about …