Just~One~Donna

It's pie season. Whether you are making a sweet dessert pie or a savory pie like an asparagus quiche  or chicken pot pie for dinner you will need a pie crust.  I know from talking with friends, family, and co-workers year after year, that making pie crust fills more people than not with dread and fear.  You don't have to be an expert to make pie crust. How to Make Pie Dough with a Food Processor Making Food Processor Pie Dough Making pie dough is not rocket science.  A simple combination of flour, fat, salt, sugar, and water magically comes together to create the foundation for a delectable filling.  What's so hard about that?

 A pumpkin pie is a uniquely fall dessert.  Most of us only think of pumpkin pie during those few months of the year reserved for all things fall.   Nowadays you can make pumpkin pie any time of year now that canned pumpkin is readily available all year long.   Easy Pumpkin Pie for Fall The spices used in the pumpkin pie filling create a flavor that is for me, uniquely fall. Just gather some cinnamon, ginger, ground cloves, and allspice from your pantry.  You can make your own pumpkin pie spice by following this recipe.   

 In today's Parmesan Roasted Asparagus recipe, we're taking the lowly asparagus and turning it into an easy dinner side dish that is so so delicious you're going to want to make it all the time. Parmesan Roasted Asparagus This Parmesan Roasted Asparagus side dish is one of the easiest vegetable dishes you can make. It takes just a minute or two to prepare, and a very short time to cook in your oven. It looks impressive and it tastes delicious. This spring vegetable makes a perfect side dish for your Easter menu but it is quick and easy enough for you to enjoy any day of the week.

If you love cheesecake this Salted Caramel Cheesecake recipe will soon be your favorite.  I love cheesecake of all kinds.  I like a plain New York-style cheesecake, unadorned and magnificent in its sweet, cheesy simplicity.  I love chocolate cheesecake.  Pairing the smooth texture of cheesecake with a deep chocolate flavoring is like heaven on earth.  Add a chocolate ganache icing and happiness abounds.  And then there's pumpkin cheesecake... Yes, I could go on and on, but truth be told, this Salted Caramel Cheesecake is my favorite of them all. The Best Salted Caramel Cheesecake This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.    Salted Caramel Cheesecake I've been making this  cheesecake for our family Christmas dinner for several years but don't think this cheesecake is just for holidays.  Oh,

Roasting Brussels sprouts in your oven is one sure way to get family members to eat their vegetables. This is my tried and true recipe for oven-roasted Brussels sprouts.    You'll be surprised how fast these Brussels sprouts disappear from the table when you prepare them this way.  I continue to be surprised when family and friends ask me to make them for our gatherings.     Make these for weeknight dinners or special occasion meals.  They are a delicious side dish for any occasion. The Best Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts  The Best Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts One of the keys to super flavorful roasted Brussels Sprouts is preparing them in advance.  This will allow time for the flavor of the onions, garlic, and bacon to blend throughout.   Mix all the ingredients together at least an hour in advance but even the day before will work.

Does the weather inspire your cooking? I woke up yesterday at the crack of dawn to a beautiful morning.  The air was still, the sun was rising, and sunlight was breaking through the leaves on the trees in a way that takes your breath away.   Yes, it was a glorious morning, and since I was up I decided to make a batch of Morning Glory Muffins.  I was inspired by the day. Morning Glory Muffins to Start Your Day This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. When you shop using these links I receive compensation that helps support the publishing of this blog. Morning Glory Muffins What are Morning Glory Muffins? Morning Glory muffins are chock full of goodness with dried cranberries. carrots, grated apple, coconut, and walnuts.  They are hearty muffins that will remind you of carrot cake. Yum! The Reasons You Will Love Morning Glory Muffins This recipe makes twelve hearty muffins , full of "good for you" ingredients.  You'll find them to be moist, not too sw

It's that time of year again.  The holiday season is kicking into full throttle.  If you are like me you are spending a significant amount of time these days thinking about holiday menus, making shopping lists, and planning your holiday preparation.   Have you decided what appetizers you will serve this Thanksgiving?  If not, I've assembled some suggestions from you. Five Appetizer Recipes to Rock Thanksgiving Rock Your Thanksgiving with These Appetizers This is a list of five of my favorite appetizers. They are tried and true party pleasers.  Choose the one or two that best represent the flavor preferences of your family and you can't go wrong.

Thanksgiving morning will be here before you know it. Yes, the holiday is coming.  You want it to be special, but hey, there's a lot of cooking to be done.  No one wants to start with a complicated breakfast!  Here are three suggestions for some special breakfast items that you can make ahead.  That way you can relax a little and have a special Thanksgiving breakfast without throwing off your dinner schedule. Fall Breakfast-Cranberry Bread, Cran-apple Muffins, Pumpkin Scones #1  Cranberry Bread Serves 12 Cranberry Bread Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup shortening 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped 3/4 cup fresh orange juice Zest of one orange 1 large egg, beaten 1/2 cup chopped nuts Raw sugar, for topping, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a standard loaf pan. In a medium bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sa

Once a year I make this Apple and Pecan Stuffed French Toast.  It is delicious, but not exactly a healthy breakfast.  Decadent...yes, healthy....no.  But, this stuffed French toast is oh, so good.  You must have it at least once a year.  It's perfect for a holiday brunch.  I usually save it for Christmas morning. Apple and Pecan Stuffed French Toast This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  We receive a small compensation when you shop with these links. Yummy Stuffed French Toast There are a number of reasons this Apple and Pecan Stuffed French Toast is perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch. You make it in advance. It's a one-pan dish. It can be served hot, warm, or at room temperature. It tastes like you went to a lot of effort.  This French Toast would also make a perfect, over the top breakfast for New Year's Day, especially because you can make it ahead of time.  That way you can just pop it in the oven New Year's Day

With Halloween on the horizon, it is time to start thinking about your holiday baking.  Are you hosting a holiday dinner this year?   One of my favorite tasks in planning our holiday menu is thinking about the dessert options.  As I start thinking about the pie selection for our upcoming holiday dinner, wondering if I should try a new and different pie, or stick to tradition, the answer pops instantly into my head.  Tradition always wins in my family. A Bourbon Pecan Pie for Your Holiday Dinner Bourbon Pecan Pie One of the traditional pies that are always a favorite on our holiday table is a pecan pie because it is my Hubby's favorite pie.  This Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe adds a twist with the addition of bourbon for flavoring.

Do vegetables often take a back seat to the main dish you serve for your dinners?    Lately, I have been spending more time thinking about ways to jazz up the vegetables I serve.  Vegetables are available in abundance at my house with my garden producing at peak rates these past couple of weeks.  With fresh green beans in generous supply, we are happily eating them several times a week. Green Beans with Red Onions A Green Bean Side Dish with Fresh Flavor Green beans are one of our favorite vegetables.  We like them steamed crisp with just a little salt, pepper, and butter.  Most of the time that is exactly how we eat them.  When I want my beans to have a little more flavor, this recipe takes the simple green bean's flavor up a notch or two.   As a bonus, it is easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner while being flavorful and attractive enough to serve to guests. These green beans make a perfect summer side dish because you can serve them either warm or at room temper