RecipesLoaded Baked Potato Soup The only thing that beats the comforting flavor of this thick and hearty loaded baked potato soup is possibly the idea that it simmers on its own all day in a slow cooker. —Barbara Bleigh, Colonial Heights, Virginia
RecipesBest Beets I enjoy preparing this recipe because it gives me a chance to use the tender, fresh beets from our garden. It’s so good and oh, so colorful! —Lucille Terry, Frankfort, Kentucky
RecipesButternut Thyme Tartlets A great teaser for what’s to come, this light and crunchy appetizer is filled with my favorite late-fall flavors. Make the creamy filling a few days early, then fill the phyllo cups right before guests arrive. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
RecipesCreamy Ham and Asparagus Soup Like most country cooks, I often bake a large ham so that I can use leftovers in tasty dishes like this. Fresh asparagus is wonderful in this soup’s creamy broth.
RecipesSmashed Olives My best friend and I came up with this recipe to bring back the wonderful tastes of Spain with us. When you are finished with the olives, use the flavored olive oil for a chicken or shrimp marinade. —Tiffani Warner, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
RecipesLoaded Cheddar-Corn Potato Patties Make these small for the perfect bite-size appetizer. Pile them on a cake platter, and watch them all disappear. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
RecipesBroccoli-Cauliflower Cashew Salad I make this salad often in summertime. It is very refreshing, healthy and low in calories. If I want to make it into an entree, I add chicken or shrimp along with cooked pasta.
RecipesMaple Raisin Carrots Golden raisins are a sweet addition to this time-saving treatment for carrots. Gay Duhon from Paulina, Louisiana shares the speedy skillet side dish that’s mildly flavored with maple syrup.
RecipesRosemary Red Potatoes Great with steak or any meat, this is one of our best-loved potato “sidekicks.“ Sometimes I add sliced fresh mushrooms and sliced fresh zucchini tossed with a little olive oil after the potatoes have baked about 15 minutes. —Kelly Ward Hartman, Cape Coral, Florida
RecipesChunky Veggie Beef Soup This chunky soup is loaded with tender beef stew meat, carrots, potatoes and green beans—and it sure is tasty! A little steak sauce and garlic powder season the broth perfectly. —Jimmy Osmon of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
RecipesCampfire Taco Salad Served in a corn chip bag, this easy outdoor meal from Jean Komlos of Plymouth, Michigan is flavorful and fun. “My neighbor entertained Girl Scouts with this clever recipe,” she says.
RecipesGarlic Brie Pizza Elegant occasions require fancy appetizers like this. Family and friends will be surprised to hear just how easy it is to prep.—Gail Cawsey, Sequim, Washington
RecipesRed Snapper with Veggies Bursting with crisp, flavorful veggies, you’ll be amazed that this dish, submitted by Carolyn Zimmerman of Fairbury, Illinois, was made entirely in the microwave.
RecipesSour Cream Mashed Potatoes Boiled potatoes were transformed into the perfect pot of mashed potatoes with just a little seasoning and lots of sour cream. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
RecipesBacon-Wrapped Dates My friends and I used to make the traditional bacon-wrapped jalapenos at cookouts. I decided to sweeten them up a bit with dates. Bacon-wrapped dates are also more kid-friendly. —Susan Hinton, Apex, North Carolina
RecipesGreen Bean Pasta Salad I like to prepare this special green bean pasta salad with fresh green beans and homegrown dill. Serve chilled or at room temperature. —Chris Snyder, Boulder, Colorado