Easy Bearnaise Sauce

When my daughter Kim was a little girl she would make pretend bearnaise sauce in the bathtub with her toys. She would use her "Julia Child" voice. Her idea of a kid's meal in a restaurant was either the escargots or a lobster tail. The waiter was always amazed. Later her little friend introduced her to Spaghetti-O's. I still can't smell them without gagging. Here's an easy bearnaise sauce recipe  that doesn't require a double boiler or reducing the liquid. It's a variation of my easy hollandaise sauce (which I'll post later). It's my favorite sauce! It's a buttery, tarragon sauce that's fabulous with steak. I love eating at French bistros....

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Easy Bread Machine White Bread

After not using my bread machine for years, I am now using it every week! So dig yours out and keep it in a convenient place and you'll be using it all the time, and give up the "store" bread.I start the bread in about 5 minutes before I leave for tennis in the morning and when I come home the house smells fabulous and we have fresh home baked bread for lunch. It makes great toast the next day. Refrigerate in a Tupperware container, and if you have any left at the end of the week, it makes great French Toast or homemade croutons.All you need is a super easy recipe and here it is:Easy Bread Machine White Bread1 C warm milk (micro 1 minute)3 C...

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Mixed Bean Salad

A great side dish to any BBQ. It's so easy, and you make it ahead of time.Mixed Bean Salad1 can green beans1 can wax beans1 can dark red kidney beans1/2 C chopped onion1/2 C chopped green pepperDressing:1/3 C sugar1/3 C cider vinegar1/3 C vegetable oil1 t salt1/2 t pepperDump the beans in a colander and give them a good rinse. Combine the dressing ingredients in a large (Tupperware) bowl with a whisk. Add all the ingredients and give them a toss. Cover with the lid and refrigerate a few hours, or overnight. Turn the bowl once or twice to toss.Tip: This will keep a few days and is good to snack on.Tip: Take some to work the next day to go with...

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Penne Shrimp in Tomato Cream Sauce

Penne Shrimp3/4 lb Penne Pasta, I like Mezze Penne1 lb large Shrimp, peeled2 T Butter2 T Olive Oil1 small Onion, chopped2 cloves Garlic, minced1/2 C White Wine1 can 14.5 oz Tomato Sauce1 C Heavy Cream, 1/2 pint1/4 C fresh parsley, finely chopped6-8 Basil Leaves, chiffonadeSalt and Pepper, to tasteCook the pasta until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.Heat 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add the shrimp, and cook for a few minutes until just opaque. Salt and pepper, stir and remove to a plate. Add remaining butter and oil to the skillet and add the onion and garlic. Saute, stirring until...

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Happy Mother's Day!

Remembering my mother and all the wonderful things she cooked. Her recipes were all watch and learn. Nothing was written down, just passed down.. goulash, red cabbage, strawberry cake, bean vegetable soup. So many wonderful old German recipes that her family loved. They never quite taste as good as when she made them. Every bite is a memory.We love and miss her every d...

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Welcome to MargaRITAville!

MargaRITAs 1 can frozen limeade (6 or 12 oz)2 can water1 can tequila1/3 can triple sec 2 C ice Shake in large covered container, like Tupperware and serve over ice. To make a frozen drink use only 1 C water and 2 C ice in a blender.Make up a batch ahead and add the ice when you want to serve it. Rub the rim of your glass with some of the liquid and dip in equal mixture of salt and sugar in small plate.O...

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Cinco De Mayo

Chicken Enchiladas3 C cooked chicken2 C (8 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese Mexican blend 1/2 C sour cream1 (4.5 ox) can chopped green chilies1/3 C fresh cilantro, chopped Stir together and divide evenly onto8 (8")flour tortillas, and roll up. Arrange in a lightly greased 9x13" baking dish. Spray top of tortillas with cooking spray.Bake 350 for 35-40 minutes until golden.Topping: 1 C (8 oz) sour cream 1 (8 oz) bottle green taco sauce combine and spread over hot enchiladas. Sprinkle on garnish.Garnish: diced tomatoes, chopped ...

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Does this pan make my butt look big?

Pork Butt Pot Roast with Gravy Season the pork generously with, seasoned salt, garlic salt, steak seasoning, and pepper, also beau monde, if I have it. You can season with anything you like. I like to use my cast iron roasting pan or a cast iron skillet. Roast at 350º for about an hour to brown nicely. Add water to cover the bottom of the pan  (about 1/2 C) and cover with foil. Roast another 1-1/2 hour or more until fork tender. Remove the roast to a platter. Cover loosely with the foil to keep warm while you make the gravy. Gravy: add 2-3 T flour to the drippings in the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring with a whisk to loosen the...

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Lunch! Chicken Poppy Seed Salad

Chicken Poppy Seed Salad(adapted from "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood" Cookbook)1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced2 celery stalks, chopped2 C seedless grapes, cut in half1 C slivered almonds, or chopped pecans1 C mayonnaise1/4 t salt1/4 t pepper1 T poppy seeds1 T dillMix in a large bowl until fully combined, Store in the refrigerator. Serve with warm croissants, toasted homemade bread or popovers and ice tea. ENJOY!Tip: Save the broth you cooked the chicken in to use when making gravy, rice, or freeze for laterTip: To cook the chicken (for this and other recipes that call for cooked chicken), put about 3 boneless,...

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Happy MAY DAY pancake

Our favorite pancakes are so easy to make. We call them Strawberry Puffed Pancakes. They are baked in the oven, so you havetime  to slice the strawberries, make coffee,and set the table. There is no rushing. Whisk the batter while the pan heatsin the oven with the butter. After the butter is melted and the pan is hot, pour the batter into the pan.This is the 8" single serving pan.We usually share this size. This is the double recipe in a glass pie dish. This will serve 2-4 Puffing in the oven.Remove from the oven when it is puffed and golden. Warm your plates the last 2...

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