RecipesBeer-Cheese Appetizers Featuring kitchen staples like salsa, refried beans, sour cream and two types of cheese, this crowd-pleasing appetizer comes together faster than a two-minute drill. —Kristy Wilshire, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
RecipesParty Puffs For a substantial appetizer, you can’t go wrong with mini sandwiches. Instead of serving egg or ham salad on ordinary bread, I like to present them on homemade puff pastry.—Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
RecipesMini Banana Nut Bread “This recipe won several blue ribbons at our county and Nebraska State Fairs,” writes Anna Marie Moore from Aurora, Nebraska. “It’s especially wonderful with black walnuts.” TIP: Since this bread freezes so well, why not double the recipe and keep a loaf on hand for guests or a quick gift?
RecipesGlazed Chocolate Angel Food Cake A drizzling of rich chocolate glaze lends an elegant touch and will keep guests wanting more. With only 3g of fat per slice, this is one treat you’ll want to see year after year! —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
RecipesCran-Grape Cooler You’re three quick ingredients away from refreshment with this easy-to-drink cooler that’s bound to keep you, well, cool. Didi Desjardins — Dartmouth, Massachusetts
RecipesHamburger and Potato Casserole This recipe is such a hit it’s “traveled” all over the country! My mother originated the recipe in Pennsylvania…I brought it to Texas when I married…I’m still making it in California…and my daughter treats her friends to this “oldie” in Colorado.
RecipesStrawberry Mango Sorbet This is fresh, really simple and will keep in a freezer container…if you don’t eat it all the first day. —Sandra Vachon, Saint-Constant, Quebec
RecipesFestive Tea Sandwiches These delicate sandwiches were the memorable first course at a Victorian tea we held for the ladies of our congregation. A spread that combines mayonnaise, pecans and cranberries is the perfect complement of the chicken.
RecipesContest-Winning Wild Rice Apple Salad “We have an apple orchard in our family, so I’m always looking for ways to use the fruit,” writes Elaine Stichter of Milford, Indiana. “This crisp and crunchy dish is one of my favorite salads. Sometimes I double the batch so I have leftovers!”
RecipesCreamy Parmesan Rice This quick and easy side dish can be made with ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s great served with chicken, pork chops or fish. —Angela McArthur, Snover, Michigan
RecipesSweet Potato and Turkey Couscous We always have turkey and sweet potatoes left over after our big Thanksgiving feast. I combine them in this quick, easy and nutritious main dish that satisfies alongside a simple green salad. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
RecipesFrankenstein Boo-ritos Chicken makes these burritos super kid-friendly, and it doesn’t get a lot simpler than putting them together. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
RecipesEasy Shrimp Scampi Laced with a refreshing splash of lemon, this special shrimp entree couldn’t be much easier to assemble. Says Paula Wray of Frederick, Maryland, “I have a tendency to overcook shrimp, but using the cooked variety fixed that!”
RecipesStrawberry Lemonade Smoothie We love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It’s so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack. — Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota
RecipesCelebration Green Beans “My husband loves green beans, and really likes this recipe. It’s a nice change from a regular green bean casserole!” —Kimberly Gordon, Virgilina, Virginia