I don’t want to say goodbye to summer just yet.  I love the season of grilling, fresh veggies, sweet and juicy fruits, and trying new combinations.  Here’s my latest concoction  – Hawaiian Rib eye Salad.  The steak can be grilled outside or inside on a griddle.  Bacon and fresh pineapple add a wonderful twist.  And [...]

Here’s another fabulous recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Since I’m still chilled to the bone and winter won’t leave Tennessee, I give you another warming soup. This is one of the best white chili recipes I’ve ever tasted.
• 4 large chicken breasts with ribs and skins or small chicken cut up (or 3 Cups Cooked [...]

Our children frequently ask me to make this soup during the winter.  It is one of their favorites.  If a soup passes the kid test – then it’s a keeper!

1 large sweet yellow onion – peeled and diced
3-4 stalks celery – chopped fine
3 Tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water
6 chicken bullion cubes
6 medium potatoes – peeled [...]

This is one of my original creations which evolved over the years, mainly because I never wrote it down.  I’ve had several requests from the family to make this soup lately.  So after making a huge pot yesterday while it snowed, and having 5 teens and 2 tweens here all day,  I have finally documented [...]

Dried beans with cornbread was a common meal at our house when I was growing up.  My Dad was a whiz at bean cooking while mom baked the best cornbread I’ve ever tasted.  In all my married years – I’ve never tried cooking dried beans.  You see, I have a deep fear of pressure cookers [...]

Back in my youth, I worked a couple years at a local restaurant. That was some of the hardest work I’ve ever done in all my life – and for $3.35 per hour! I spent a lot of time filling the +100 item soup and salad bar. The most popular soup we [...]

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get a bowl of soup!
My daughter has made this soup a couple of times. I think the Ramen noodles make it fun for kids of all ages. It’s quick and easy and tasty too.
Only one can of chicken made it into the photo, but we love [...]

This is one of my FAVORITE winter soups – adapted from PIONEER WOMAN. Once you try this soup – you’ll never go back to Campbell’s again.  I keep the ingredients on hand at all times during the winter.  If we ever do get snowed in,  we’re ready!   Make this soup, put on your comfy pants, [...]

Asian Salad is pictured above with kabobs, rice and fruit.  I fixed this when we went to the beach last spring.  I used to take this salad to our Sunday Potluck Lunches at church. I could chop the greens and place in a Zip-Lock bag the night before. I would mix up the dressing [...]

Richard’s Cousin Renee adapted this soup recipe from the Food Network. I also made my sister-in-law’s Mexican cornbread (coming soon to www.taracooks.com)to go with the soup. I intended to have leftovers but this soup disappeared! Make it soon. I promise it will be a crowd pleaser.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium rib celery, [...]