Home Is My Happy Spot

So Many Strawberry Recipes, So Little Time Strawberry season arrives at different times for all of us, depending on the region and climate in which we live.  June, however, is the primetime strawberry slot for many, with festivals being in full-swing in small towns across the country to celebrate this delectable fruit.   Prize-winning strawberry recipes abound, since there are seemingly endless ways to enjoy this versatile berry--in salads, smoothies, jams, salsas, and desserts.  It's nearly impossible to fit in all the ways you can serve strawberries within such a short harvest season, so you have to be choosy.   Sure, you can buy strawberries at the grocery year-round, but using fresh strawberries during peak season is when your taste buds will really savor the fireworks of sweetness. Strawberry pie is a "must" for your menu at least once during the season, but there are so many pie recipes circulating online, which one is most deserving of the splurge...

Just Like Grandma Made In today's busy world, cooks are looking for meals that can be fixed quickly.  Between working, soccer games, and other commitments, no has time to spend hours in the kitchen.   Cookbooks, magazines, and recipe sites abound that target people with hectic schedules, promising fast fixes that are simple but delicious. While some snap meals requiring only a few ingredients are tasty, many of them aren't.  Let's be honest.  The faster a meal comes together, the less likely your family will like it. Yet, when you think back to the meals your grandma made, especially if your granny grew up during the Great Depression, do you remember how mouth-wateringly delicious they were, even though her meals were nothing fancy and very basic? How did she do it? For one thing, she used whole foods and made everything from scratch.  Today's cooks cut corners by using canned broths, frozen vegetables, and other pre-packaged foods to save time.  It...