Carolyn Braden's Easy Dairy Free Smoothie: Pinterest Pin

All the ingredients I used were organic and GMO free and still it is very yummy!

Panni Bavarian Potato Dumplings: YUM

Craving the potato dumplings I had at Gasthaus in Louisville, I found a pretty good substitute. Panni Potato Dumpling mix is very easy and creates a great side dish for dinner.

Carolyn Braden: Southwestern White Chicken Chili

Here's a recipe from Campbell's. It is an easy weeknight winter meal.

Carolyn Braden: Try This Mexican Tomato Bean Soup

Try this quick and easy soup anytime! This is a recipe I found on www.meals.com a long time ago. I re-organized my homemade cookbook the other day and found it. I remember how good it was so I made it last night. It reminds me of a Mexican chili.

3 Cups tomato juice

1 Can (16 oz.) refried beans

16 Ounces Salsa (mild or get a spicy style to add a kick)

1 Cup water

1 Package (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning mix

1/2 Cup "Four Cheese Mexican Blend" shredded cheese

Combine juice, beans, salsa, water, and seasoning mix in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Top with remaining cheese and garnish as desired.

I like to crumble tortilla chips into a bowl, ladle in some soup, and top with more cheese.  You could also try putting sour cream on top.  

Carolyn Braden says "Easy Picadillo/ Manwich Dinner Recipe!"

Here is a recipe I got from Woman's Day magazine but changed it up to make it much simpler. The flavor reminds me of Manwich.   


1 package ground chicken or turkey (could use beef if you are a red meat fan)
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 small zucchini, diced
1 large green pepper, diced (You can omit this and the zucchini if you aren't a veggie fan and just want a Manwich kind of a meal)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats (do not use instant) 
1/4 cup raisins (I didn't have any of these tonight when I made it and it still tasted great, so you can omit these if you wish)


Cook your ground meat in a large skillet.  When it is completely cooked, add in vinegar, marinara sauce, cumin, cinnamon, zucchini, green pepper, oats, and raisins.  Let it all cook for about 5 minutes on med-high, stirring often.  Then let it simmer on low for about 15 minutes.  Serve over rice (or put it on a bun if you want it for Manwich) and enjoy!  

Photo by Carolyn Braden

Carolyn Braden says "Who likes Brinner?" Blackberry French Toast Recipe

Tonight I will be making Brinner.  (Breakfast for dinner).   I know not everyone is a fan of Brinner, but my family is!  Here's a recipe from Southern Living magazine that is a favorite of mine.  It's called One-Dish Blackberry French Toast.  You can change it up, as I like to do to recipes sometimes.  My grandmother calls me "That kind of cook."  You know, the one that likes to throw things in and subtract things from recipes to see how it turns out.  For example, my husband doesn't like onions, so I'll usually omit them or subtract the amount from what the recipe calls for. Try making this with strawberry jam or another flavor if you wish.  I've made a few changes to the recipe that, I feel, have made it fool proof.

1 cup blackberry jam

1 (10.5-12 oz) French bread loaf, cut into 1 inch or smaller cubes

4 oz. of 1/3rd less fat cream cheese, cut or pinched (as I did to make it easier) into 1/2 inch cubes  (The recipe called for 8 oz. of cream cheese, but I felt the rich flavor of it made 8 oz. too much)

4 large eggs

2 cups half and half (I used fat free which I don't feel robbed the dish of flavor)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

Toppings, if you wish:  maple syrup (so yummy with this!), whipped cream, fresh fruit

1.  Cook jam in a small saucepan over med. heat 1-2 minutes until melted and smooth, stirring 1-2 times.

2. Place half of the bread cubes in bottom of a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking dish.  Top with cream cheese cubes and drizzle with melted jam.  Top with remaining bread cubes

3.  Whisk together eggs, half and half, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Pour over bread mixture.  Sprinkle with brown sugar.  Cover and chill 8-24 hours (One time I forgot I needed to chill this for some time before baking it.  I went ahead and cooked it anyways and it just a little longer to bake.  Set your timer and check on it after about 35 minutes and bake longer if needed).

4.  Bake at 325 degrees, covered for 20 minutes.   Uncover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more or until bread is golden brown and mixture is set.  Serve with desired toppings.  

This will serve 8-10 people.  It is so easy and so yummy!