Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes

Well, I'm pretty excited, I just received my copy of "Taste of Homes Best Loved Recipes" and let me tell you this cookbook is Awesome!  First of all, this is one big cookbook!  If you can think of a recipe, it's probably in this cookbook :)

 This recipe was featured on the Taste of Home Facebook Page  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Banana-Colada-Sundaes?keycode=ZFB08BEST  This delicious  tropical Ice Cream Sundae was just calling out my name when I saw it and I had to try it.  It's like a island vacation in a bowl and I highly recommend it :)

This cookbook is loaded with wonderful color pictures and has a feature I've never seen in any cookbook.  A permanent ribbon book marker.  What a wonderful idea!  Best of all is that this book is jam packed with 20 years of the best recipes Taste of Home has to offer.  I wanted to make a couple of recipes for you so I decided that since my garden is in full harvest mode and the Farmers Markets are bursting at the seams right now, I would make the Berry Delightful Spinach Salad and I'm really glad I did :)

Berry Delightful Spinach Salad

1/2 cup sugar

1 Cup Chopped Pecans (I used halves)

6 ounces Fresh Baby Spinach (I used lettuces from my garden)

2 Cups Sliced  Strawberries

1 Cup Fresh Blueberries

Dressing

1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

2/3 Cup Fresh Strawberries

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon Onion Powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cup olive oil

1). In a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, cook sugar until it begins to melt. Gently drag melted sugar to the center of the pan so sugar melts evenly. Cook, without stirring, until sugar is dark reddish brown, about 15 minutes

2). Remove from the heat; stir in the pecans. Pour onto a foil-lined baking sheet; cool completely. Break pecans apart if necessary.

3).  In a salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and blueberries. Place first six dressing ingredients in a blender; cover and process until pureed. While processing, gradually add the oil in a steady stream.

4). Just before serving, drizzle the salad with dressing; toss to coat. Top with sugared pecans.

Yields 4 servings 

This salad is so delicious, so pretty, and so elegant!  I would be happy to serve this to any guest.

Seven Fruit Salad

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 medium nectarines, thinly sliced

1 large firm banana, thinly sliced

1 pint blueberries

1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

1-1/2 cups watermelon balls

1 cup green grapes

1 kiwi fruit, peeled and chopped ( I sliced mine)

1) In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, water and sugar; stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add nectarines and banana; toss to coat.

2). In a 2-1/2 qt. glass bowl, combine the remaining fruits.  Add the nectarine mixture; stir gently. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Yields 8-10 servings

This fruit salad was  delicious and beautiful. and easy. I would love serving this at a brunch or even serving it over waffles & french toast.  This got a huge thumbs up from everyone in my family :)

Here is another wonderful recipe from this cookbook  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Florida-Citrus-Meringue-Pie?keycode=ZFB08BEST

This would be a fantastic cookbook for a wedding present, a housewarming gift, and really great for someone just starting out who needs a really good cookbook containing just about any recipe they could hope for.

Here is the link for ordering this cookbook http://www.tasteofhome.com/Best-Loved-Recipes/Greatest-Ever-Cookbook?Keycode=BLC73VH02M

Happy Cooking :)