A Pinch of Joy

Eat Healthy, Do it Yourself, Live Well, Have Fun.

Budget Friendly

Cream Cheese Mints

I made a batch of these and took them to Thanksgiving Dinner.  People descended on them, saying Oh my grandma used to make these and I loved them.  Straight from the Sixties and Seventies, folks.  Or Eighties.  Or Nineties.  Or the Aughts.  Guess that’s what makes them a classic! It is tempting to roll out […]

Easy Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti is one of those classic, “everybody makes this dish” – but I never did until I saw this super simple recipe.  You can add herbs of your choice, if you like. Add some Italian seasoning if you want.  Or not.   I used ready made spaghetti sauce with basil and  garlic, and with the […]

Baked Honey Lemon Chicken

Tender and delicious, from Grandma’s favorite cookbook, this is a can’t miss recipe for serving 8-10.   Grandma started with a whole chicken – but you can pick up a package of sliced chicken breast and have it in the oven quickly.  It bakes for an hour, which gives you enough time to scrub 8 medium […]

Creamy Wild Rice Soup in the Slow Cooker

This supremely satisfying Creamy Wild Rice soup is comfort food. The wild rice is filling, while the finely minced and chopped vegetables give the soup consistent flavor. Healthy, nutritious and earthy good. Beans aren’t usually on the menu at Chez Charlene’s.  Hearty Calico Beans, of course, which uses kidney beans, lima beans or navy beans.  […]

Filed Under: Soup

No Noodle Chicken Lasagna

No Noodle Chicken Lasagna  saves you the time needed for cooking and placing the noodles used in a full out lasagna.  But you still get to enjoy the creamy deliciousness of the lasagna filling topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.  And it is delicious!  Quick too.  No one step that takes way longer than […]

Bacon and Three Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers

Bacon and Three Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are a quick and easy appetizer for any occasion.  A plate full of this colorful deliciousness turns the occasion into instant party!  The hardest part of this easy dish is waiting five minutes for the cheese to turn golden underneath the broiler.  Party in less than fifteen minutes!! […]