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    Klein’s Imperial Crab

    Back in the day Pittsburgh was a huge corporate town.   Because of that there here were many, and I mean many, fantastic restaurants. But there was a top tier that were just amazing.  I am fortunate to have purchased a cookbook with many of the old restaurant recipes. Some were gathered from newspaper articles and I had no shame and would just plain ask them them for the recipes for this is that. I would take what ever they would honor me with.  Now I will be sharing some with you so they are not lost in the beauty  of all of the slick, fancy new recipes. read more

    Orange Cranberry Bread

    Holiday Baking and gifting is a joy!   That is if you a good baker. I have never been nor do I think I ever will be so I hoard recipes that are easy and great tasting.  I am a firm believer in the mantra that the fewer the ingredients the better the quality of those ingredients must be. Each ingredient is part of the band and each must sing on it’s own.

    Time for Tomato Pie!

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    It is time for a repost of one of my favorite recipes. Just need to savor what might be the last of the really great fresh tomatoes until next year. Thought you might need a nudge in that direction as well.

    Opened the mail box to find a spectacular Tomato Pie on the cover of July issue of Southern Living.  Oh dear, need one now please! The only problem was we have started Keto and the crust is a big no! Now it is only a brush with Keto not a marriage at this point. We have commitment issues when it comes to diet interfering with good eating so something had to change and the pie crust used in the recipe was the winner in the had to change category. Man does not live by all-purpose flour and sugar alone and you have to pick your battles as I see it. Plus, it didn’t require a rolling pin..since moving I have not found my full size one. But I know it is here and refuse to buy a new one. What is the use of down sizing if you buy 2 (or 3) of everything? read more

    Party is Over for 2017! Food

    So I haven’t entered a post nor a recipe in some time now. Lots of cooking, celebrating , company and  now it is time to get back on course. The party was a success. 60 guests and no one complained about the food or drink.  I am sharing the menu and will share additional recipes soon. I mix do aheads( freezing and doing the day before), lasts minutes (keep these to a minimum) and a touch of store bought ( I can make marinated olives myself but why should I do it all.)  I like to pick my battles. If I pick less make aheads  and have to do lots of last minutes that mean I have to rely on good quality products to step in for me.  I don’t like to do that 1. it isn’t mine and 2. it can cost more and then the budget is a mess.  I don’t like either of those things.  I can be a little on the controlling side and those both rub me the wrong way.

    Shrimp Dip

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    This is the easiest, most flavorful dips you can offer your family and friends. I looks like you spend big when the shrimp go along way. ( The shrimp cost $5.00 at WalMart for a 12 OZ pkg and you use half of it.)  AND it is beautiful!    Although that is not how it appears in my photo.  My husband started in on it while I was getting my phone to take a photo.  I will replace this photo when I make it again.

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something. Please check out our disclosure policy for details.

    This is my Mom’s go-to holiday dip. 

    The Best of the Best Dill Dip

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    THE best vegie dip I have found over these many years is right here.  I have been serving this for the past 25 years and it never seems to get a bad review.

    Mexican Black Bean Dip

    Another Black Bean Dip recipe your thinking. I say you betcha because this one is a touch different. Plus all of my favorite food groups (that would be all of them  if you added a  chocolate cookie).

    This started with leftover ingredients after a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and has stuck around lo these many years.