When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when Mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot....
To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It's beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden...
When I got married, I asked my Aunt Jean for this recipe. It was her creation and she always hamburgers in this way for family picnics in the summer and the occasional church dish dinner. I like them because...
One of our Chesapeake Bay delicacies is the Maryland Blue Crab. It's abundant from May through October and used in a variety of dishes, like this rich soup.
My husband was never too fond of cabbage-until the first time he tried this cabbage soup recipe from my aunt. Now he even asks me to make this soup! -Nancy Stevens, Morrison, Illinois
Here's what you need: pork, salt, corn flour, egg, corn flour, oil, oil, garlic, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, pineapple, white caster sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup
From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they're so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. -Michele...
When I created this cauliflower cheddar soup at the last minute for an impromptu ice skating get-together, it was a hit. -Rosa Renee McEldowney, Jackson, Michigan
For a simple but sensational side dish, I throw together this refreshing broccoli salad with raisins. I adjusted a friend's recipe to cut a few calories. The raisins add sweetness, and the bacon gives...
This chicken salad sandwich recipe is perfect to serve when you want to "show off" a little. It features an interesting blend of chicken, nuts, cranberries, curry and other ingredients. I mix it up the...
My husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we've...
"Coleslaw is one of my husband's favorite side dishes," says Shirley Glaab from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. "We love this version because it's not as sweet as other slaws, but it's very colorful and the...
Vegetables and herbs fresh from my garden make this one of our favorite soups. This recipe makes a lot, so it's perfect for large gatherings or to freeze in smaller containers for fast meals.-Virginia...
Dill pickles add pizzazz to this old-fashioned chilled salad. The creamy, well-dressed side dish makes a flavorful and attractive addition to a Fourth of July picnic or church supper.-Nancy Holland, Morgan...
While I was growing up, my grandmother could feed our whole big family with a single chicken-and lots of dumplings. -Cathy Carroll, Bossier City, Louisiana
I love this flavorful ginger salad dressing because it's super easy to make and uses pantry staples. It's a quick fix to serve with salad greens or veggies on a weeknight. -Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee,...
This spice mix comes from my mother's chili recipe, which is fantastic. It'll make a great gift for the hearty eaters you know, especially if you pair it with a loaf of bread. -Vivian Huizinga, Shallow...
This creamy corn and potato dish is perfect when you yearn for a full-bodied soup with lots of down-home flavor. "I discovered the recipe in a fresh fruit and vegetable cook-book," notes Margaret Olien...
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and your family will love it. The sweet pickle relish gives it its signature taste. I like to use a thick, crusty oat bread for this sandwich. -Julie Peterson, Crofton,...
I can't take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband's uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything...it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add...
"When my husband and I visit fresh-food stands, we often come home with more vegetables than we can eat," Marge Hill shares from Glenside, Pennsylvania. "I lightened up this tarragon-flavored soup to use...
"I worked as a summer cook at a Wyoming ranch for more than 20 years, and I made this marinated salad often," writes Nell Cruse of Ontario, Oregon. "It was obviously a favorite because there were never...
My dad and my father-in-law are the gurus in our chili-loving clan. But after my honeymoon to New Mexico, inspired by the fresh and fragrant chile peppers at the Santa Fe farmers market, I felt it was...
I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. -Katie Lillo, Big...
Even the pickiest eater will request this vegetarian split pea soup recipe time and again. Thick and well-seasoned, it's a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber and protein. It's wonderful with a slice...
A few years ago, a friend at work shared the recipe for this wonderful soup. With beef, barley and vegetables, it's hearty enough to be a meal. A big steaming bowl with a slice of crusty bread is so satisfying...
Making salad dressings at home is very easy! This recipe has many pantry staples so it is easy to whip up any time. It tastes wonderful on any greens.-Maron Craig Bielovitz, Elmhurst, Pennsylvania
In Ottawa, Illinois, Jeanette Simec combines five kinds of beans with an oil-and-vinegar dressing in this colorful classic that's great to take to picnics or potluck, "Everyone loves the variety of beans...
I tasted this tangy blue cheese dressing for the first time at a friend's house. She gave me the recipe, and now I make it every week. I always keep some in my refrigerator. This homemade recipe tastes...
This is my go-to salad when I need a quick little meal. When I want a sweeter taste, I use whipped cream instead of yogurt. -Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It's soothing comfort food. -Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
A crispy coating mix is the secret ingredient that dresses up these baked hamburgers. You bake them in the oven instead of grilling or frying. I like to use a sweet and spicy steak sauce for the best flavor....
Make the most of leftover turkey with this down-home soup. Creating a broth by roasting the turkey, garlic and vegetables adds richness and depth to the flavor without the need for additional fats. -Taste...
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way-with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. -Megan Spencer,...
Fans of Caesar salad will find the dressing used in this tasty version one of the best. My sister, Jan, developed this Caesar salad recipe and was nice enough to share her secret with me.-Dianne Nash,...
I always make this for family events and parties. It reminds me of all the fun barbecues and picnics over the years. Fresh corn and basil make a huge difference in this recipe. -Jessica Kleinbaum, Plant...
Even my husband, who's never been a big fan of broccoli, digs in to this creamy soup. It's a perfect way to enjoy the produce from our vegetable garden. -Betty Corliss, Stratton, Colorado
It doesn't take long to put bowls of this comforting cheesy potato soup recipe on the table. Convenience items, such as canned soup and processed cheese, simplify the preparation. -Tammy Condit, League...
For a casual but hearty meal, try these saucy subs created by our Test Kitchen. Full of traditional Italian flavor, these sandwiches are a snap to make.
This recipe has been handed down through generations of German families in northern Idaho. Everyone around here makes it. It's good served either warm or cold.
I've turned to this recipe countless times. The sandwiches are tasty and so easy to make, and leftovers are perfect for lunches later in the week. -Jennifer Middlekauff, New Holland, PA