My mom’s Shepherd’s Pie is one of my favorite recipes from childhood.  Every now and then she makes a few small pies and gives me one to heat up on a busy weeknight. I am always thrilled to dig beneath the warm potatoes to the tender beef and vegetables.  She is the one who actually turned me on the the Shepherd’s Pie at the Cheesecake Factory-one of our favorite restaurant dishes.  It’s luxurious and rich with mushrooms and zucchini and an amazing gravy.  Our quick, easy version doesn’t hold a candle to it.

I don’t typically make Shepherd’s Pie myself but I have always wanted to re-create that rich, meaty pie from the Cheesecake Factory.  I think I may have actually stumbled upon an even better recipe.  It’s not a quick dish but it’s not hard and once you’ve got it in the baking dish you can refrigerate it or freeze it until you are ready.  It’s a good long, slow weekend dish: one that takes some time but gives you plenty of delicious leftovers for the week.  (...)
Click here for the recipe Copycat Cheesecake Factory’s Shepherd’s Pie (but better!)

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These little candies don’t look like much but trust me they are something special.  The butterscotch chips mixed into the semi-sweet chocolate smells amazing and leave people wondering what secret ingredient makes them so addictive!  They are a Christmas tradition in my office and but you will find them a welcome treat any time of year.  This recipe makes a lot of candies so be ready to give them away.  If it doesn’t make quite enough for all of your friends and family, then luckily it is easy enough to make more.

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Click here for the recipe Chocolate Haystacks Candy

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Am I too late to post about apple pie?  Are apples too fallish to celebrate at the end of December?  All who know me know of my unending love affair with pie of all types.  I can’t pick a favorite but apple is definitely one of my must-haves.  As soon as the air gets crisp and the leaves start to fall I start to crave all things apple and I don’t stop until summer’s berries and peaches take over.

I haven’t posted an apple pie recipe in the last few years because I wanted to find a favorite, signature pie.  Over the years though I have most enjoyed fruit pies that are exactly what they should be: tart with just enough sugar wrapped in a tender crust and baked until the juices are thick and the fruit is soft.  They don’t need anything extra to be delicious (except maybe a scoop of vanilla melting slowly over the top).  (...)
Click here for the recipe Apple Pie

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This wonderful rice casserole is one of my mother-in-law’s holiday side dishes but it is delicious and comforting with any meal.  It bakes in the oven leaving you time to worry about your other dishes.  Her original recipe calls for a can of sliced mushrooms and a can of condensed french onion soup but the french onion soup has gotten difficult to find so this year we fancied it up with fresh sliced mushrooms, sauteed onions, and beef stock.  (...)
Click here for the recipe Oven-Baked Mushroom Rice Pilaf

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It’s party season!  Although between birthdays, showers, potlucks, football, barbecues, when is it not party season?  Dips are my favorite party food.  They are a chance to indulge without the guilt of eating the whole thing yourself (so guilty).  I will warn you, make this dip the night before and put it in the fridge to chill overnight.  It tastes even better the next day and once you start tasting it you won’t want to stop!  So break it out for a crowd and be prepared to share the recipe.  (...)
Click here for the recipe Spicy Mexican Corn Dip

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