Cranberry Pork Chops {Perfect for Thanksgiving}

Cranberry Pork Chops, thick succulent pork chops browned in a cast iron skillet on top of the stove, covered with whole cranberry sauce, a sprig of rosemary and finished off in the oven.  Perfect for a Thanksgiving alternative from traditional turkey. Pork chops are a favorite around our house.  We like them fried, grilled, smothered, in casseroles and just about any way you can cook them.  We do prefer the bone in pork chops for grilling and frying because they are juicier.  The boneless ones have their place though, like in casseroles and dishes that are served with sauces.

Creamy Brown Sugar Grape Salad

Creamy Brown Sugar Grape Salad , crunchy juicy grapes folded in a sweet-tart creamy dressing.  To send it over the top sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans.  Oh! My. I must say I just now have made this glorious salad.  I have been seeing it on the social media sites for several years and just never got around to making it.   Now I make it all the time.  It is fabulous.  I can't get enough of it.  My husband loves it, my grands love it, everywhere I take it they love it.  

Cornbread and Sage Wild Rice Dressing

Cornbread and Sage Wild Rice Dressing, rich and moist, savory and crisp, and a uniquely delicious side dish for a Thanksgiving meal.   For me, there can never be too many Southern cornbread dressing recipes.  I for one do not think dressing is just for a Thanksgiving meal.  We love it all year long.

Seasoned Flat Italian Green Beans Southern Style

Seasoned Flat Italian Green Beans Southern Style,  flat  Italian green beans simmered on the stove in a pot of bacon fat, chicken broth, and seasoned with minced garlic, salt, and pepper and then finished off with a generous pat of butter. Flat Italian green beans are a style of beans that are meatier, wider and like the name flat instead of round and this variety of green beans while picked young are stringless.    With flat Italian green beans being meatier and wide in size, they do well cooking them on a slow simmer.  I used canned beans for this recipe, but fresh are equally delicious.  These cooked for about 2 hours on low heat.  This keeps them firm but soft and tender. 

Carrots in Parsley Butter

Carrots in Parsley Butter, a simple side dish, yet rich in color and flavor.  The carrots are cooked in salt, pepper, and a little bit of sugar and tossed in parsley and butter.    I am always looking for simple sides to accompany spicy casseroles, meat and potato stews, or heavy pasta main dishes.

Hot Crispy Apple Pies

 A dessert pastry, just like the ones you get at a drive-through fast food restaurant, is only better.  And the best part of the "better" is the recipe calls for only two ingredients, yes, only two!    HOT APPLE PIES JUST LIKE THE ONES AT THE FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU If you love the apple pies from Mcdonald's, you will like this copycat recipe that you can make at home better.  They are super flaky and crispy. These hot, crispy apple pies are similar to a turnover, except they are smaller and fried.  The perfect portable little dessert.

Homemade Individual Serve Applesauce

Homemade Individual Serve Applesauce,   a delicious, healthy homemade no sugar added applesauce made with just apples, Zevia Cream Soda, cinnamon sticks, and a secret ingredient.   With apple season in full swing, I wanted to make a batch of applesauce.  But not just any applesauce.  An applesauce that wholesome and delicious at the same time using only four ingredients served in individual portion control containers.