The holiday rush is on and before you rush off to grab dinner at a not-so-cheap-or-healthy food joint, consider this quick and easy pie. Not only does it taste just like a burger from the local drive-through, it also happens to cost less per person; about $1.10 per serving. This was a winner with my entire family as long as I used the onion powder option over the real onion. Add a green salad rather than fries and a homemade milkshake for a dinner that's both fast and economical - and healthier than the alternative.

Cheeseburger Pie

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Ready In: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 can crescent rolls
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup finely chopped onion OR 1 teaspoon onion powder
1/3 cup chopped dill pickle slices
2 Tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 Tablespoons flour
2 Tablespoons dill pickle juice
2 Tablespoons milk
2 cups shredded American cheese -… Read More

When was the last time you had real hot chocolate? You know what I mean, not that powdery stuff in a packet with crunchy little marshamallows. It doesn't count if someone made it for you, either. I just came off of a quest for the perfect hot chocolate, and it was far closer to home than I'd realized.

My family and I took an afternoon and experimented with as many hot chocolate recipes as we could find. We tried… Read More

Nothing signals the imminent holiday season like baking cookies. I don't think there is another month in the year where cookie consumption is so high. With all the varieties avaiable, it's no wonder. My own family has many favorites, but it seems like the common thread throughout them all is chocolate. This slightly different version of the classic thumbprint is just the ticket. Not to sweet and just chocolatey enough to satisfy.

Raspberry and Chocolate Thumbprints

Hands-On… Read More

When it comes to comfort food the most comforting of all is homemade bread. There is something warm and wonderful about the aroma as it bakes that makes you want to slow down and take the time to savor it. Baking bread can be time-intensive without a machine, and even then it can take longer than anyone wants to wait for fresh-baked bread. No-Knead bread is just as delicious as the kneaded kind and even the kids can handle this… Read More

This appetizer is so fast, so simple and so delicious that nobody will ever know that it isn't a complicated and time-consuming recipe. Each time I serve these they are gone within minutes. This is the perfect thing for unexpected guests, or for a planned event. You can spice them up for more mature palates, but as-is they are perfect for even little ones. You can even change up the olives you use, but these are the most common and… Read More

Fall holidays seem to be overloaded with heavy and calorie-laden desserts; I should know, I'm usually on the baking end. Don't get me wrong, I love them all, but I can't always find the room for those desserts after meals that are just as heavy. Enter the dessert wonton. These small bites are just right for those times.

The filling is much like a trail mix and they have been baked rather than fried. They come out of the oven every bit as crispy… Read More