White Chocolate Nut Crunch is perfect for those last minute gifts. It's so quick and easy to make that anyone who knows how to use a microwave can make it in a flash. It's easy to package, in a box, a bag or a jar. It's a wonderful combination of flavors - a little salty, a little sweet and a whole lot yummy! The recipe below is pretty straightforward. It can also be customized. Change out the nuts. I used a package of combined sunflower seeds and pepitas, instead of just sunflower seeds. Then I added a half cup of whole walnuts -- just because. Add a cup of golden raisins instead of the dried cranberries -- or in addition to! I used white chocolate chips, but you can use white almond bark or white candy melts, if you prefer. I used coconut flakes off the shelf in the baking ... [Read More]
Quick and easy
DIY Gift Bag
Can you help by making a dozen Fabric Gift Bags for foster children? The plea came at a Kiwanis meeting. And I volunteered. They were so easy to make that I finished all of them in one sitting -- less than half a day. The recipient would have a bagful of gifts, thanks to Kiwanis, and a bag that could be used to keep the gifts or any other possessions together. Quick and easy to make, reusable so no piles of wrapping paper to throw away, functional for other uses or easy to store , washable if necessary and, best of all, colorful and fun. I thought it was such a good idea that I have made them for gifts given to other children, who were thrilled to get them -- with gifts inside, of course :-) -- and to use afterwards. The ones I made for foster children were already cut with ... [Read More]
Cowboy Beef Hash
Cowboy Beef Hash is a meat and ‘taters meal that is ready in about 30 minutes. It is a quick and easy, stick to the ribs meal that everyone in the family will love. You probably have the ingredients on hand in the pantry/freezer right now. Add it to the rotation and your family will thank you!! The recipe is also easily adjusted to individual taste. Instead of adding the entire 16 ounce jar of salsa to the meat mixture, I only add half and then serve the remainder on the side for those who want more kick. (You know – my wimpy taste buds!) I like the shredded frozen hash browns, because you can cook them crispy. Bytes and Wheels like their potatoes so they prefer Potatoes Obrien for heartiness -- and that's what I use. I had not heard of Frozen Roasted Sweet Corn until I saw ... [Read More]
12 no-bake gifts from the kitchen
Christmas Wreath Potato Chip Clusters Cherry Mash Bars Pistachio Fudge Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Mints Classic Oreo Truffles Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Bark Ritz Turtles Fabulous Fudge Gooey Golden Chex Mix No-Bake Chocolate Cookies Eggnog Fudge Grinch Kabobs Here are some other Christmas collections you might like to check out! Please pin!!! A Dozen Awesome Appetizer and Delicious Dips from a Pinch of Joy Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies Welcome to A Pinch of Joy! I’m so glad you stopped by today! Follow A Pinch of Joy using the icons on the teal bar at the top of the page so you don’t miss a thing! I’d love to have your company on this venture!! Share: if you found ... [Read More]
Cheesy Beef Stromboli
Hearty. Cheesy delicious. Filling finger food. Meal in a crust. You'll love Cheesy Beef Stromboli. Plus it is quick and easy! Just beef and cheese - no tomato sauce. Each sentence: one more word than the last. Now it is time to talk about the food! :-) Brown the beef and let it cool. Unless you brown the beef as you buy it and toss it in the freezer in 2 cup packages. (Highly recommended! Especially if you buy on sale!) If you are using beef from the freezer, thaw in the microwave. Add egg and cheese. Grab your favorite cookie sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Crack open a roll of refrigerated pizza dough and unroll it on the cookie sheet. Pat out until it touches the edges. Spread meat filling over the dough, leaving about 3/4 inch uncovered on all the ... [Read More]
Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup
This hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup is like a warm hug by the fire on a cold day. Loaded with potatoes, veggies and ham -- pure comfort food. It’s also quick and easy to prepare and is ready to eat in about half an hour. I buy ham after major holidays at a reduced price just for delicious treats like this throughout the year. I slice, dice and cube chunks of the ham and freeze them in quart sized zipper bags in 2 cup portions. It only takes a quick trip to the freezer when the mood strikes for a super hearty – omlet, casserole or whatever. An unexpected early – early – fall snow was the inspiration for this wonderful soup. Thaw the ham before cooking, either by setting it in the refrigerator overnight, putting it in a pan of hot water for a couple of hours, or a 1-2 minutes in ... [Read More]
