I was asked a question the other day. "Why do you use recipes when you already know how to cook delicious food?"

That seemed to be a very valid question, and I wasn't sure how to answer, so I took a little time to think about that. (by the way, I do some of my best thinking while pulling weeds) Here's what I came up with:

Top Reasons I Use Recipes When Cooking

1. I know alot, but I don't know everything

2. Recipes encourage me to use a flavor combination that I might not necessarily think of on my own

3. Recipes help me with timing (like, what should be added right at the end for the best flavor)

4. Recipes for baking are a must! I can't be guessing when it comes to a flour/baking powder/salt combination, you know

5. I use recipe cards, cookbooks, etc. to help me decide what to plan for the week's meals. Just flipping through the cards will typically inspire me enough to plan for the entire week.

6. Recipes help me to make my grocery list. Everything I need to prepare the meals I selected will be listed on the recipe. It's so easy to just transfer the items to my list. Then I get the extra satisfaction of knowing that my entire week is "covered."

And now, here are the

Top Reasons YOU Should Use Recipes When Cooking

1. Recipes will help you to learn new techniques, such as making classic sauces that are smooth and creamy

2. Recipes will help you learn about the kitchen utensils mentioned, and help you decide what you should keep close at hand (toolwise)

3. After using recipes for a while, you will find your favorites, and it will be easier to keep the pantry items needed on hand for last-minute meals. (you know, every once in a while it's good to try to eat just what you have, giving your pocketbook a little break, and inspiring you to create new dishes out of what's already around)

Here's a great tip that I learned

Look at the backs of the items already in your pantry. Most likely, there's a recipe there. If it looks interesting to you, make it and see how you like it. I found some of the best dishes this way.

You can also visit the company's website to find new and interesting things to do with your "old standbys." Another great place to find recipes is a user-submitted website.

The one I found that I like the best so far is Aldi's grocery store. You can submit your recipes to their database. Then when you want to make one of your dishes, you just add the recipe to your shopping list, and all the ingredients you need will be categorized by store section. (most stores are basically the same) Print it out, and go shopping!

'Til next time,

Aunt Brenda

All I can say about this dish is YUM! An oldie but goodie, for sure. I've been making this dish for over 20 years. There's nothing in it that can't be found at any grocery store, no matter where you are!I have absolutely no recollection of where I found this recipe. I wrote it in one of my cookbooks on an empty page. Now, it's one of the dirtiest pages in the book.

This main dish is another one of our family favorites. It's extremely easy to make, and produces a one-pot dish with lots of leftovers for re-heating. I found this in a Mennonite cookbook that was given to me when I first married. This cookbook helped me to learn how to cook from scratch. Before that, I mostly used packaged mixes for everything I cooked. Homemade is so much easier and alot more frugal! I hope your family likes this as much as mine does.

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson.

The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

This was received by email (the image is an illustration by Matt Collins)

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy..

They smile when they want to scream.

This recipe is an adaptation of a dish that I made from a German cookbook I no longer have access to. I have substituted Butternut Squash for the sausage that was called for in the original, and added in several other vegetables that I thought would be good together. The key here is the last step - saute-ing the onions with butter,

You Will Need:

2 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 teaspoons chocolate syrup
2 1/2 Tablespoons flour

Stir together sugar, oil, vanilla, chocolate and flour until the batter is smooth.

Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Bake 15 minutes in Easy Bake Oven.

You Will Need:

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons instant nonfat milk powder
6 tablespoons butter, softened

In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk powder. Stir with a wire whisk to blend. With a pastry blender, cut in softened butter. Spoon about 1/3 cup of mixture into each of 8 small bags. Seal tightly and store refrigerated. Makes 8 packages. For chocolate frosting, add 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa.

To use: Combine 1 package of the above mix plus 3/4 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Stir well with a spoon until smooth and creamy. Makes about 1/4 cup frosting. A drop or two of vanilla may be added if desired.

Our first product review!

This morning, I tried Bath and Body Works Foam Burst Body Wash for the first time. Oh my goodness!

There was so much luxurious foamy lather, I felt completely and unexpectedly pampered (after all, I'm not at a spa). The cucumber melon scent (green stripe on can) was "just right." Strong enough to give my olfactory pathways a bit of exercise, but not enough to linger on my skin all day.

I'll try the Sweet-Pea scent (pink stripe on can) next time.

This is also a wonderful body wash to use for shaving. It comes out as a gel, and quickly expands to provide lots of lather. With less water added, it behaves just like shaving cream, but with a whole lot more moisturizing going on.

This came in through an email. The author is unknown.

NORTH VS SOUTH

The North has Bloomingdale's, The South has Dollar General.

The North has coffee houses, The South has Waffle Houses.

The North has dating services, The South has family reunions.