Ingredients
In a medium bowl, stir together half of the flour, the yeast and the salt until well blended. Add water and oil. Mix by hand until almost smooth. Gradually stir in remaining flour to make a firm dough. Cover and let set for at least 15 minutes. Generously prick dough with fork.
This delightful bread looks and acts like Italian bread, but has a much sweeter taste. It is delicious when used for sandwiches (hence the name), or served on its own or as a side to soups and pastas. While it has a few fussy steps, it really is quite simple to make.
Ingredients
Dissolve yeast in water. Separately, mix together oil, eggs, salt and sugar.
Add flour 1 cup at a time until mixed. Knead until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise for 1 ½ hours. Punch down, flip dough over, and repeat. Cut dough into 4 pieces for sandwiches, or 2 pieces for dinner-sized loaves. Shape into oblong loaves, and place on greased and floured cookie sheets. Cover loaves, and let rise again for approximately one hour. Slash loaves 3 x with knife. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes.
Ingredients
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile sauté onions and garlic in oil in large pan for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Add chicken, balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning and cook over medium high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes each side. Add diced tomatoes and spinach to the pan. Cook until fully heated and some liquid evaporates. Serve over pasta, and top each serving with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
Ingredients
Pound chicken to tenderize, season with salt and pepper, and dredge in flour. Melt butter in large pan on stove, and brown chicken for 3 minutes on either side. Mix remaining ingredients together. Remove chicken from pan and pour in cranberry mixture. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return chicken to pan and continue to cook for 15 minutes, turning once or twice, and stirring gravy. Once a gravy-like consistency is achieved from the sauce, cover to retain moisture.
Salisbury Steak 
Ingredients
Form beef into four patties. Season with salt and pepper and then coat in flour. In a large pan, heat butter and brown patties on both sides. Add mushrooms and onions to skillet and stir until just warmed. Then add broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix through, spooning sauce onto patties. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for additional 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Simple Risotto Recipe
*Note: Arborio rice is the “recommended” rice for making risotto as it best provides the chewy texture risotto is known for. If you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal with ingredients you have at home, any rice will do. If you’re using quick-cook rice, the cooking time will be a bit less.
Ingredients
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the rice, and stir until the rice is coated in oil and has started to brown. Add the broth one cup at a time, pausing between cups, and stirring constantly. Reduce heat and continue stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Add additional ingredients as desired*. Add the Parmesan cheese and pepper. Stir to blend, and serve.
*Additional ingredients to risotto can include cooked chicken or shrimp, and almost any kind of vegetable already cooked or steamed. Some of the most popular variations include mushrooms sauteed in butter, and sauteed spinach, tomatoes or asparagus.
All the taste of pasta salad without all the fat. This delicious pasta salad base can be embellished with your favorite fresh vegetables and pasta salad contributions. Make it your own, or enjoy it many different ways.
Perfect Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Cook pasta according to package directions. Strain and rinse with cold water. Top immediately with lemon juice to seal in moisture. Add dressing and stir well. Once completely cool, add in vegetables and cheese. Additional additions can include capers, diced bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and much more.
As useful as always having what you need on hand to make dinner, is having on hand appetizer Smart Ingredients. In my refiregerator you can always find sour cream, cream cheese and or mayonnaise. Any combination of those three ingredients can be the base for a multitude of dips that can be served with any fresh vegetables I might have on hand, and some delicious and easy Beer Bread. As with many of my recipes, I think you will find you have most of these ingredients on hand, and can whip up a great beer bread to dip in one of my quick and easy dip ideas in no time.
Beer Bread
Ingredients
Grease a loaf or 8 x 8″ pan with some of the butter. Mix dry ingredients together, and stir in the beer. Put dough in pan, and top with remaining butter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 55 minutes.
