Many families expect a certain dish to be on the table at every gathering. Citrus and Cream Salad started as a favorite of a particular relative who could be counted on to show up to the family potluck with a big dish of it in hand. Fruit, cottage cheese, and your favorite Jell0 all wrapped in whipped topping – everyone loved it! When the original contributor moved on to new and different foods, others began filling the gap by making the dish THEIR signature. It is simple, foolproof even! Easy to transport already made or quick to make on the spot. Looks good and tastes even better. If you live in the middle USA, this dish is known as “Fluff” something. At our table it is “that Fluff Stuff”. Fluff refers to the bowl of whipped topping on the ingredient list and ... [Read More]
pineapple
Aloha Chicken with pineapple and honey
This recipe started out as a crockpot recipe. It was definitely good! However, I use my crockpot most frequently when I am going to be tied up most of the day. You do not want to overcook this one. So I converted it to an oven baked chicken. I know, I know. . . . That is backwards to what most cooks do. But what can I say? It’s really good either way, baked makes a beautiful presentation for guests (and fits my schedule), crockpot is convenient for family (and might fit your schedule). Besides, polite persons don’t say anything with their mouth full. So. . . . . you choose which way you want to cook it and we’ll both be happy campers! With full tummies. I’ve increased the pineapple for this recipe because we happen to really like pineapple. It’s not something we eat a lot, ... [Read More]
Spiced Pineapple Carrot Cake
This is THE best carrot cake ever. Carrots are popular at our house. I had to work fast after my grocery buying trip to have enough to make carrot cake. And it was so worth it! Carrot cake is good. Spiced carrot pineapple coconut cake with nuts and raisins is celestial! This looks like a long recipe, but it really goes together quickly. Do take the time to measure the dry ingredients and mix them together before adding to the other ingredients. The mixing time with the wet ingredients is so short that it’s possible the flavors wouldn’t mix or you could end up with too much soda in a bite. Use flaked coconut as it really adds to the finished texture and flavor. Be sure to peel carrots before grating. Or, do like I did, grab a bag of baby carrots already peeled and put them ... [Read More]
Pineapple Bacon Bites
A Mad Men era scene pops up in my mind when I look at this appetizer recipe for Pineapple Bacon Bites. I picture the high heeled, full skirted, perfectly coiffed hostess fingering her pearls as she waits for the appertizers to finish. I have absolutely no idea why. Maybe because the recipe has been around for a long time??? Which makes it either a classic, a habit or outstandingly good. Quick, easy and loved by one and all – definitely outstanding, clearly a classic in its simplicity and a sweet, salty taste that is close to habit forming! I sometimes put the toothpicks in water to soak as I start prep for this. But sometimes I forget and haven’t had a burned pick yet. You can also precook the bacon slightly in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes – not enough to brown, but ... [Read More]
