September 09, 2022

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

September 09, 2022/ Lisa Carpenter

If you love hummus as much as I do, you’re really gonna love how simple (and inexpensive) it is to make it yourself. I prefer my hummus with red peppers, but this recipe certainly works just fine without them, if that’s how you prefer yours.

April 08, 2022

Fast and Chunky Black Bean Soup

April 08, 2022/ Lisa Carpenter

Sometimes I don’t feel much like cooking but definitely don’t feel like ordering out (or going out). This thick and tasty soup is an ideal go-to for such times as it comes together easily and I can have a meal on the table in less time than it takes to have something delivered.

April 08, 2022

Bird Nest Cookies

April 08, 2022/ Lisa Carpenter

These crunchy cookies are so simple to make and require just three ingredients. Kids (of all ages!) get a kick out of eating the M&M “eggs” out of the chow mein noodle “nests.” Plus, grandkids enjoy making the nests just as much as they do eating them—proof of which you’ll find here—so we’ll call this entry not only a recipe but a craft activity, too.

April 08, 2022

Snow Cream

April 08, 2022/ Lisa Carpenter

Next time you have snow outside and kids inside, you will want to make this. Kids love, love, love snow cream, as you can see right here. Grownups love snow cream, too, so feel free to mix up a batch even if there’s not a kid in sight (though you will need snow).

September 15, 2020

Cheesy Corn Casserole

September 15, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

I've been making this dish for Thanksgiving for more than 25 years now. According to my family, it's just not Thanksgiving dinner without Mom's corn casserole on the table. I make it only at Thanksgiving, but considering how quickly it gets gobbled up, I should make it for every other holiday, too ... and Sunday dinners ... and weeknight suppers. My family adores it. I bet yours will, too.

September 18, 2018

Caramel Apple Cake

September 18, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

When it comes to birthdays, sometimes you just gotta go full boar. Or fully decadent, I should say. As in, Paula Deen-style decadence with not a whit of worry about calories, sugar, fat, and so forth. This Caramel Apple Cake I made for my eldest daughter’s birthday goes beyond simply being Paula Deen style; it’s an authentic Paula Deen creation—which she calls Caramel Apple Spice Cake—culled from a recent issue of Cooking With Paula Deen magazine and slightly altered by me. So delicious, so decadent… as birthday cakes should be.

August 24, 2018

Berry Snack Cake

August 24, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

This Berry Snack Cake is a sweet way to close out summer. Or for serving during any season. The choice of berry is up to you—and what's in season. I've made it with strawberries and blueberries; blackberries are on tap for next time. It's good soon after cooling or cold from the fridge, with whipped cream, ice cream, or no cream at all. Bottom line: It's berry, berry delicious... and versatile.