RecipesCucumber Potato Soup Served hot or cold, this soup never fails to delight the taste buds! It’s simple to make, has a nice dill flavor and is a great way to use a few potatoes and a garden cucumber. It’s one of my favorites. —Robert Breno Strongsville, Ohio
RecipesCranberry Coleslaw I love trying new recipes, and my family enjoys most of my “experiments”. Salads are always in demand at our house, and this one is fast, festive and refreshing.
RecipesCarrot Mushroom Stir-Fry “This savory combination of carrots with mushrooms is irresistible,” relates Jacqueline Thompson Graves of Lawrenceville, Georgia.
RecipesPoor Man’s Dinner Don’t let the name fool you—this dish guarantees “million-dollar taste” with just a few ingredients!—Mila Abner, Vada, Kentucky
RecipesPortobello Mushroom and Cream Cheese Taquitos This party appetizer was inspired by a dish I saw on an episode of Top Chef. I simplified it a little and tweaked the flavors a bit. The taquitos can be made ahead and reheated in a 250° oven for 10 minutes. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
RecipesJazzed-Up Green Bean Casserole After trying many variations of this old standby, I decided to give it a little kick. The crunchy texture from the veggies combines with bacon and melt-in-your-mouth cheese to make this dish a hit at any holiday get-together. —Stephan-Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon
RecipesSun-Dried Tomato Linguine At my house, this dish is known as Gus’s Special Pasta. My oldest child claimed it as his own when he was 8, and I am always happy to oblige his request for this cheesy, garlicky, pungent meal. —Courtney Gaylord, Columbus, Indiana
RecipesWild Rice with Broccoli Soup I love soup and serve it often. My sister gave me this delicious recipe that’s surprisingly low in fat. It cooks up in no time. —Martha Pollock, Oregonia, Ohio
RecipesSquash au Gratin This is a fabulous-tasting dish that has an awesome aroma while baking. Tart apples add a fruity flavor. —Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona
RecipesGarlicky Chicken Pizza Tomatoes, olives and goat cheese really brighten up this white pizza. I like to cook extra chicken for this recipe while making another meal. Just make sure the tomatoes are well drained to keep the crust nice and crispy. —Teri Otte, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
RecipesAu Gratin Potatoes with Green Chiles These cheesy potatoes would be quite popular at holiday meals or potlucks. I like to serve it with my holiday ham.—Cathy Rau, Newport, Oregon
RecipesSweet Potato Pudding “I’ve made this recipe for the holidays for years,” says Boise, Idaho’s Trisha Kruse. “I came up with this low-fat version and nobody noticed the difference!” Trisha’s family prefers this dish served cold, but feel free to try it warm!
RecipesBaked Sweet Potato Pudding I always have lots of leftover sweet potatoes, but when I make this, they’re gone faster than you can say “Thanksgiving!” Any ice cream flavor will do, though vanilla bean seems to be an ideal companion. —Joyce Welling, Swanton, Ohio
RecipesAsparagus Soup Each spring my husband takes our dogs and searches for wild asparagus. He’s been so successful that I finally developed this asparagus soup recipe. We look forward to this special soup every year.—Betty Jones, Kohler, Wisconsin
RecipesPumpkin Pie Shots Grown-up treats that feature canned pumpkin and butterscotch schnapps will lure guests back for more. The gelatin shots are made ahead, so they’re a great party starter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen