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Janet's Notebook

Addictive Snacks Make the Most of Between Meal Munching

Limiting yourself to three meals a day is so last year. I'm all for a well-rounded diet, but I'm an even bigger fan of full tummies and yummy snacks!Members have been posting - and munching on - a ton of...

Janet's Notebook

Homemade Fast-Food? Become A Sandwich Artist!

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a good old-fashioned sandwich. They're the original fast food... and when done right can make even the "Dollar Menu" seem expensive. In all my years of cooking I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't...

Janet's Notebook

Inventive Cookie Ideas for an Extra Sweet Spring

I don't know about you, but those sweet Girl Scouts and their addictive cookies sure did a number on my waistline this year! And they're not alone. I've never so enjoyed packing in the calories as I have taste-testing the...

Janet's Notebook

You Say “Potato”, I Say… “Yes, Please!

Potatoes are one of those funny foods that are just as suited to a lazy Saturday breakfast at home as they are a gussied-up fine-dining menu. Now, how often can you say that? It's a special ingredient, indeed, that finds...

Janet's Notebook

Short on Time, Money? Pasta Saves the Day!

Through my years of cooking for hungry family and friends, there has been one dish that has never failed me. It's quick and inexpensive to prepare, and doesn't require a whole lot of brain power (a good thing, when your...

Janet's Notebook

Grits Worth Kissin’: Southern Favorite Boasts Universal Appeal

"No self-respecting Southerner uses instant grits!"Ahem, I beg to differ! This line from the film My Cousin Vinny may have made the legal case for the lead character, but it doesn't hold water in my way of thinking. I also...

Janet's Notebook

Chili Peppers Add Heat, Flavor to Cold Weather Cooking

Sometimes the perfect thing for a cold day is to get a little hot and spicy! There are all kinds of hot peppers that will add that special kick to your cooking, but I've always been a little unsure about...

Janet's Notebook

Chocolate Chip Therapy Eases the Winter Blues

Last week sure was a doozie. With wintry weather, a busy bee schedule and a case of the sniffles, I sought refuge in my kitchen. All of the yummy Valentines Day recipes you members have shared sure did warm my...

Janet's Notebook

Blue Ribbon Showcase Honors Family-Friendly Cooking

"You all just don't understand how cool this is," exclaimed Family Holiday Traditions contest winner Missy Wimpelberg. Outfitted in a crisp new Just A Pinch apron, Missy stood excitedly before an audience of smiling faces during the recent Blue Ribbon...

Janet's Notebook

Spice Up the Big Game with All-Star Chili Recipes

I may not look it, but I know a thing or two about football... Tackling menus, passing dishes, intercepting fumbled napkins. Oh yes, football parties are my game and there's not a reason in the world why you can't score...

Janet's Notebook

Homemade Dips: An Easy Way to Celebrate the Everyday

Which came first, the party or the party dip? Right here and now I'm going on record with my theory that where there's homemade dip, a party is soon to follow!I remember standing on my tip-toes as a child, peering...

Janet's Notebook

Easy, Delicious Dishes Save Time and Money

Simple recipes don't have to mean boring meals. Not once in my life have I passed up a recipe because it looked "too easy". Can you imagine? I practically jump up and down for joy any time I find a...

Janet's Notebook

Tennessee Mom Wins Grand Prize with Holiday Recipe

Franklin, TN home cook and Holiday Family Traditions Contest Winner Missy Wimpelberg knows a thing or two about cooking for a crowd. Some of her earliest holiday memories are of the entire family - all 40 so of them -...

Janet's Notebook

Eat Sassy, Stay Healthy in the New Year

Frequent readers may be under the impression that I don't spend too much time counting calories or fat grams... well, they'd be right! However, lest you think I'm all about extra cheese and second helpings, I do make a point...

Janet's Notebook

Good Luck is Just One Recipe Away

I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get the New Year off to a terrific start! The best way I know to put my luckiest foot forward is to whip up a spread of good-luck foods. Superstition or...

Janet's Notebook

The Secret to Last-Minute Gifts Is Right in Your Pantry

I absolutely love giving - and receiving - homemade food gifts. Having baked for years, I know first-hand how much care goes into creating handcrafted gifts, and am thrilled to pieces anytime friends and family are willing to share their...

Janet's Notebook

Magical Memories of Sweet Holiday Mornings

One of the sweetest parts of Christmas mornings growing up in Kentucky was the feast that was lovingly laid out on our dining table. As a child it was all my parents could do to tear me from the piles...

Janet's Notebook

Savor the Sweetness of Giving This Holiday Season

Whether you're cooking for one or for a house full of hungry folks, this time of year is perfect for yummy indulgences. A cookie exchange can be a great way to bake a little and taste a lot, but have...

Janet's Notebook

Homemade Bread Warms Heart and Home

Nothing transports me to a happy place faster than the smell of bread baking. There's something comforting, something happy, something thoroughly warming to the soul about that yeasty, nutty aroma. Even as a child, bread-baking time was a favorite for...

Janet's Notebook

Easy Recipes, Fancy Names: Taking the Fear Out of Holiday Cooking

Over the years I have collected many handy tools that I keep close by while cooking. There's one thing, however, that I absolutely refuse to have to use in the kitchen.... a dictionary! There are so many recipes these days...