My wife made these the other night for a dinner with neighbors and they turned out terrific. In fact, they're likely better than the snickerdoodle recipe that I posted several years ago! The cookies in this recipe end up way softer, and are just as flavorful. Highly recommended! Note that this recipe was taken from an external website, which I'm transcribing here for both simplicity and posterity.

Makes 36 cookies in about 20 minutes.

Dough

• 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, just softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Coating

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
3. In a stand mixer, cream together butter (barely softened) and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and blend well.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.
5. In a small bowl, combine remaining ⅓ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
6. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out dough, roll into a ball and then roll into the cinnamon sugar mixture- twice.
7. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes. Let sit on the cookie sheet for a few additional minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

This family favorite is a staple of the holiday season. It's one of my all-time favorite snacks, and you truly cannot eat just one!

• 1 stick butter (or margarine)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 8 oz. package of dates, cut fine
• 4 oz. flaky coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts (peanuts or walnuts)
• 2 cups Rice Krispies
• Powdered sugar

Combine the butter, brown sugar, dates, and coconut in a heavy saucepan. Start a timer when you put it on the stove and cook for 6 minutes. Do not overcook!

After the timer sounds, add the chopped nuts and the Rice Krispies, mix well, and let it cool. Shape the mixture into balls, and roll in powdered sugar while still warm.

Where possible, my family tries to reduce the amount of plastic we consume. One example of this is our choosing not to purchase tubs of spreadable butter, a food staple we eat plenty of. Instead, we convert sticks of butter (which come in paper containers) into spreadable butter. The recipe we use to do this is shown below. It's an easy way to prevent extra plastics from entering the waste stream.

• Two sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup oil

Bring the sticks of butter to room temperature by leaving them out overnight. Place the butter into a bowl, along with the salt and oil of your choosing. We use avocado oil, as it has a pretty neutral taste. Olive oil is also a good choice, but be aware that olive oil can have a fairly overpowering taste.

Mix the ingredients well with a hand-mixer. Pour the contents into a container (we reuse old, plastic butter tubs) and refrigerate. Two sticks of butter fit nicely into a 15-ounce butter container.

This is a recipe I've been meaning to transcribe for a while now. It's delicious and the sauce is what really makes it (we sometimes double the sauce recipe).

• 2 slices of dry bread, broken
• 1 cup milk
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. sage
• Dash of pepper

Soak bread in milk while assembling the other ingredients. Add meat, eggs, onion, sage, salt, and pepper to a bowl; mix well. Place in baking pan and cover with piquant sauce. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F) for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Piquant Sauce

• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. dry mustard

Combine ingredients in a small bowl.

We got rid of our Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, so I'm transcribing one of its recipes here so we can remember it. This makes pretty good hummus, great with pita bread or pita chips.

Ingredients:

• 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika

Steps:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine garbanzo beans, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and paprika. Cover and blend until smooth, scraping the sides as necessary.
2. If desired, add one or more stir-ins of your choice (e.g. sliced green onions, roasted red peppers, etc.).

Makes about 1-3/4 cups.

I'm transcribing the White Lily biscuit recipe here, because I hate having to look for it when I want to make some biscuits. This is a great and simple recipe that yields terrific results. Be sure, however, to use the right kind of self-rising flour (White Lily or Southern Biscuit brands are best). These brands consist of soft winter wheat, which is generally better for biscuits.

I also typically double this recipe, since I cut them larger than the recipe calls for (I use a 2 and 3/4 inch cutter).

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (e.g. Crisco)

• 3/4 cup buttermilk

• Heat oven to 475°F.

• Place flour in a large bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender (or two forks or knives) until the crumbs are the size of peas. Add buttermilk, stirring with a fork until the flour is moistened.
• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently 5 or 6 times. Roll the dough into a circle that is 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Cut out biscuits using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, and place on a baking sheet 1 inch apart (for softer biscuits, arrange so edges almost touch). Shape dough scraps into a ball, flatten into a circle, and cut remaining biscuits.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with butter, if desired.

Yields about 12 biscuits.

One of my favorite cookies! If you like a softer cookie, try the second variant.

Coating

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp cinnamon

Cookies

• 1 cup shortening
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2-2/3 cups flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, mix the coating ingredients together and set aside.
3. In a second medium bowl, combine shortening, sugar, and eggs, mixing together well.
4. In a third bowl, mix together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the shortening mixture to the flour mixture, combining well.
6. Roll dough into balls (size of your choosing), and then roll into the cinnamon and sugar mixture.
7. Place the balls of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Note that the larger the cookie, the longer it may take to bake fully.

Here's another great recipe I grew up eating. The sage in this recipe is the key!

• Pie crusts (we use store-bought ones like the ones from Pillsbury)
• Shredded, cooked chicken (roughly 2 to 3 cups); we typically get a rotisserie chicken and use part of that
• 1 package (1 pound) frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 stick butter (can use less if desired; 1/2 stick might be ideal)
• 1 chopped onion
• One can cream of chicken soup
• 1-1/2 tsp sage
• 1-1/2 tsp poultry seasoning

Cook the package of frozen vegetables in salted water. While that is cooking, prepare the bottom pie crust in a pie dish. Next, melt the stick of butter in a skillet, and saute the chopped onion in it. In a large bowl, mix the onion, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, and the cooked vegetables. Add the sage and poultry seasoning, mixing gently so as to not tear up the vegetables.

Put this mixture in the bottom pie crust and cover with the top crust. Cut small slits in the pie crust for steam to escape. Bake at 375 until the crusts are done (30 minutes or so).

I have a fairly old bread machine (late 90s / early 2000s model) that I use all the time. A few years ago, my dad found a great recipe for bread machine cinnamon rolls that he shared with me. After a minor tweak or two from the original, we've hit upon one of the best cinnamon roll recipes I've ever tried.

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 eggs
• 6 Tbsp butter

Dry Ingredients

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 Tbsp yeast

Put all ingredients in the machine in the typical order (most machines call for wet first, then dry). Use the 2-pound dough setting, and let the machine do its thing. Once the machine is done, dump the dough out onto a flat surface (lightly floured if you like to avoid sticking). Roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

Filling

• 2 Tbsp softened butter for spreading
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional; golden raisins are particularly good)

Spread the butter on the rolled out rectangle, and then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture on top of the butter. Also add the raisins (if using them). Roll the rectangle into a tight log (starting with long edge) and keep the seam side down to keep it sealed. Cut the log into the desired pieces (I typically get about 15 or so of these at about 1/2" or so thick), and place them in greased pans. Let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• Enough milk to make it thick (this is the tricky part)

I typically use about 1 Tbsp of milk, but it's an art form to guess-timate the right amount. You don't want the icing too thick, and you don't want it too runny. I always double the icing recipe above because I love icing (if I can see the bread of the cinnamon roll, I don't have enough icing on it). Enjoy!

I grew up eating this soup, which also goes by the name chicken soup with herbs. My family, however, called it "green chicken soup" because the soup has a greenish hue to it. This is a favorite!

• 2-3 cups diced, cooked chicken
• 1 cup raw rice
• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups milk (*)
• 2 cups cream (*)
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 4 tsp. chives
• 4 tsp. marjoram
• 2 tsp. dill weed
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Green onions (optional)

(*) Can substitute 1 quart of half-and-half for these two ingredients

Start by cooking rice separately. We do this by combining 1 cup of rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 Tbsp. salt in a Pyrex cooking dish, covered, microwaving for 18 minutes on 50% power.

While rice is cooking, and in a large saucepan, dutch oven, or boiling pot, melt butter and blend in the flour. Cook this roux for one minute. Add the milk and cream and, stirring constantly, cook until the mixture thickens. Add the chicken stock, cooked rice, chicken, chives, marjoram, dill, nutmeg, and turmeric. Green onions may also be added, if desired. Stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Can be garnished with chopped parsley and/or toasted sesame seeds. Pairs well with hearty breads.

This soup is very thick (more like a stew), so when reheating it, you may need to thin with milk or water (it thickens as it sits in the refrigerator).

This delicious recipe was sent to us by my wife's grandmother. It's incredibly tasty!

• 1 and 1/2 tsp oil
• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
• 6 oz onion; chopped
• 7 oz carrots; slivered (a bag of shredded carrots also works)
• 7 oz celery; diced
• 24 oz tomatoes; canned, diced
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 can white kidney beans or cannellini beans
• 44 oz beef stock
• 1 and 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 and 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 and 1/2 tsp fresh chopped parsley
• 3/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
• 24 oz spaghetti sauce
• 4 oz dry pasta ditalini (or any other small pasta)

Saute beef in oil in large 10 qt pot until beef starts to brown. Add onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Next, add beef stock, oregano, pepper, Tabasco, spaghetti sauce, and pasta. Add chopped parsley. Simmer until celery and carrots are tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Makes 4.5 quarts of soup.

My wife was sent a recipe by a family member down in Florida that's really good. This recipe comes from the Junior League of Tampa, and I'm transcribing it here just in case their electronic copy ever disappears.

• 1 (3-lb) pork tenderloin or Boston butt roast
• 1 cup water
• 1 (18 oz) bottle prepared BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Combine the pork and water in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 7 hours. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid. Shred the roast in the slow cooker with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients. Add the reserved cooking liquid if necessary. Cook on low for 1 hour. Serve on rolls for sandwiches if desired.

I've been meaning to transcribe this recipe for some time:

• 3 beaten eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Ground cinnamon (optional)

In a shallow bowl beat together eggs, milk, sugar, and salt. Dip bread in egg mixture, coating both sides. Sprinkle cinnamon over the surface of each slice as you cook them.

This recipe comes from Quaker Oats (from the lid on their oatmeal containers, specifically). I've transcribed it here so I can remember it without having to keep an oatmeal lid lying around somewhere. Note that the cookie recipe on their website is slightly different from this one. These are incredibly delicious cookies!

• 1/2 pound of margarine or butter, softened
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3 cups oats, uncooked
• 1 cup raisins

Beat together the margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Stir in oats, and raisins; mix well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack. Makes about 4 dozen.

• 1 can (15-oz) kidney beans
• 1 can (15-oz) pinto beans
• 1 can (15-oz) black beans
• 1 large carrot
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 medium onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 green chili peppers (optional)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp vegetable seasoning
• 1/4 tsp kelp
• 1/8 tsp thyme
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 1 can (5-oz) tomato juice

Place all three cans of beans into a colander; rinse and drain thoroughly. Pour the beans into a large skillet and mash them. Place the carrot, celery, onion, garlic, chili peppers, and tomato juice in a blender, and blend well. Pour the blended ingredients into the beans, mixing them together. Add the rest of the ingredients, again mixing well. Simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the mixture is warmed to your liking, stirring occasionally.

This meat sauce recipe makes for an excellent spaghetti sauce, sloppy joe filling, or "meat pie" filling.

• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 small onion
• 1 small bell pepper (optional)
• 1 can tomato soup
• 1 or 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Pepper
• Ketchup
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Mince both the onion and bell pepper. In a skillet, combine the olive oil, minced onion, bell pepper, and meat, and brown over medium-high heat. Once the meat is fully browned, reduce the heat to simmer. Add the can of tomato soup and, using the same can, 1/2 a can of water (don't add the water if you want a thicker sauce). Add the Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and a good squeeze (or dollop) of ketchup. Mix the ingredients together well. Now add the spices: basil, oregano, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, about 1/2 tsp salt, and ground pepper. Shake Parmesan cheese over the top of the sauce, and mix everything together well. Taste the sauce; more salt and pepper may be desired.

Dry Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1-1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

In a bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. In a suitable measuring cup, measure out the buttermilk. Add the egg and vegetable oil to the measuring cup, and mix together well (beating the egg in the process). Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until blended, but slightly lumpy. Add additional buttermilk to thin the batter as needed (not too thick, and not too thin). Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto a lightly oiled (e.g. PAM cooking spray), 325 degree griddle. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown on the bottom, turning them over when the surface shows bubbles and the sides are slightly dry. Makes around 10 large pancakes.