RecipesHomemade Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix Give this versatile mix in a decorative jar with instructions for making dip or dressing. Then tuck it into a gift basket along with a pretty serving bowl and snack crackers or chips. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
RecipesSeasoned Potato Cubes One trusted side dish that Kay Krause of Sioux Falls, South Dakota relies on is her recipe for simmered-in-beer Seasoned Potato Cubes. “These wonderful potatoes are great with steak, pork chops—even burgers,” she writes. “I found the recipe in a magazine years ago and added a few things to make it even more tasty.”
RecipesBean Sprout Spinach Salad Bean sprouts, bacon crumbles and sunflower kernels lend a pleasant crunch to my mom’s refreshing version of spinach salad. The tangy oil-and-vinegar dressing coats the mixture well. Mom will sometimes add a few radish slices for color. -Susan Emery Everett, Washington
RecipesPuffed Wheat Balls My Grandma Hunt is almost 90 years old. Whenever she comes over, she makes her famous Puffed Wheat Balls by the dozen. Her 82 grandchildren and 168 great-grandchildren all love them. —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah
RecipesTuna Cheese Sandwiches “This is my husband Kent’s very favorite sandwich,” says Barbara Billeter from Clovis, California, “and I often make a double batch when lots of family or friends are over.” TIP: “I prepare the tuna mixture in advance and add the lettuce just before assembling the sandwiches. This gives me more time to visit with my company,” suggests Barbara.
RecipesRavioli Skillet Dress up store-bought ravioli and make it really special—prosciutto and mozzarella help to do the trick. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
RecipesTuna in the Straw Casserole Shoestring potatoes give this main dish great flavor and crunch. Even my husband, who doesn’t normally care for tuna, counts it among his favorites.—Kallee McCreery, Escondido, California
RecipesChurch Coleslaw After enjoying this coleslaw for years at many church functions, I finally asked for the recipe. It can be put together in no time, so it’s perfect for last-minute guests.
RecipesDijon-Dill Brussels Sprouts “I added my own touches, including crunchy water chestnuts, to this recipe from a friend,” remarks Audrey Thibodeau of Mesa, Arizona. “The tender brussels sprouts get winning flavor from lemon, dill and Dijon mustard.”
RecipesSloppy Pizza Joes This recipe freezes well, so you can have a batch of Sloppy Pizza Joes on hand for an impromptu Pizza Joe party. —Charlene Easter, Milan, Illinois
RecipesPepperoni Pizza Baked Potatoes These tasty taters were a spur-of-the-moment recipe I created from leftovers! It’s a true mash-up meal that combines two dinnertime favorites into one super-fun meal. —Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
RecipesHoisin-Pineapple Salmon My mouth waters when I think of this sweet and tangy glaze. It’s a tropical treat at any time of year. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
RecipesSpicy Sausage Patties Jazz up any breakfast with these subtly spiced sausage patties. They’re sure to perk up your taste buds and get your motor running! Plus, they only take 20 minutes to make! Athena M. Russell – Florence, South Carolina
RecipesFresh Mushroom Spinach Salad I’VE MADE this salad for my husband and me for years. I don’t like cooked spinach, so I was looking for an alternative way to prepare this nutritious vegetable. This salad is especially delicious made with fresh spinach from the garden. -Patty Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
RecipesRoasted Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar Since my husband and I both work full-time. I’m always looking for fast nutritious recipes. The whole family loves this tasty treatment for asparagus. I can’t make it often enough. —Natalie Peterson of Kirkland, Washington