Why not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this traditional recipe?  It’s a very easy, very good tasting bread. Best if made the day before, or several hours before serving.

Photo by Katie in the UP

TIRED OF THE SAME OLD RECIPES???  SNOWED IN AND CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE SUPERMARKET??

So you're tired of the same old recipes or snowed in and can't make it to the supermarket to get food for dinner...  Here are some great ways to get you out of a jam.  First, look around and get an idea of some of the basic ingredients you have.  Chances are you have something in the freezer, maybe meat, that you just don't know what to make with it.  Or maybe, you have a bunch of canned or dry goods in the pantry that you just can't seem to do anything with.  Then go online and check out some of the following web sites that can be great resources for new ideas.  Go to their search part of their site and type in some of the main ingredients that you want to work with.  You will be amazed at the number of recipes that will come up.  Then sift through the results and see what you like.  Also, don't be afraid to leave out an ingredient you don't have or don't like, substitute another ingredient that you do, or put your own spin on any of the recipes.  Finally, don't forget to write down exactly what you did if you liked the results so you can reproduce them and include any changes you might want to make next time.

www.epicurious.com

www.foodnetwork.com

www.ichef.com

www.cooksrecipes.com

www.cooking.com

PS. - These sites are also great if you are looking for new baking ideas too

Easy to make and fun with the kids!!!!

Truffle Base 1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream 9 ounces high quality bittersweet chocolate (70% cocoa) chopped/divided

Chocolate Coating 8 ounces high quality bittersweet chocolate Other coatings as desired – see suggestions on bottom of page

photo from epicurious.com

4 cups water
1 cup wild rice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 pound crusty white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (6 cups)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups diced (1/3 inch) onion
2 cups diced (1/3 inch) celery
3 cups diced (1/3 inch) apple
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons dried poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons pancake syrup
1 cup dried cranberries (5 ounces)
1 cup turkey stock or chicken broth

Seasonal Recipes using foods from the region’s farms!

2 tbls. light sesame oil or olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
Coarse sea salt
1 tbls. peeled and minced gingerroot
3 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
1 small handful celery leaves
3 to 4 fresh sage leaves
1 (2 inch) cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves

½ cup apple cider or apple juice
4 cups vegetable stock
3 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, chopped
Freshly milled black pepper
1 tbls. unsalted butter (optional)
Freshly ground cinnamon for garnish
Minced parsley for garnish

Eggs (omelet with veggies; scrambled)

Any nut butter spread on a banana (nut butters are an allergen)-for an added crunch roll in crunched up whole grain cereal. Banana Dog-banana with nut butter or apple sauce (unsweetened) on whole grain hot dog bun Cut up a banana and roll in crunched up whole grain cereal; cut into pieces; and poke with a toothpick (kids think it is a fun appetizer!!)

Serve these lightly peppered fillets with steamed asparagus and a lemon wedge to add vibrant color to your plate. A side of fluffy, brown rice would be a nice addition as well.