If it’s your turn to host the holiday party this year, but you can’t decide what to serve and you’re on a budget… this is what you do (no, don’t order out or buy the veggie platter at the grocery store ;), serve a variety of appetizers! We’re not doing ranch dip and carrots this year… take it up a few notches with these flavorful bites.

Serving appetizers is a great way to feed a crowd because, with so many options, even the pickiest eaters will find their favorite platter. For the bean dip lovers, make Bette_0713’s Mexican Crockpot appetizer. You’d never guess this is an appetizer, it’s hearty and… you don’t have to cook it! Let the crockpot do the hard work.

I’ve never met a caramelized onion recipe I didn’t love, this is why I’d go for Redking’s Gorgonzola and Caramelized Onion Appetizer. It’s sweet, savory and… best of all, can be made ahead of time. Great appetizer for an office party, too.

So we’ve got mexican food, let’s move on to something Italian. JaneTreva’s Baked Ravioli Appetizers with Dip comes with a dipping sauce that’s a bit unique, reminds me of an old favorite… think chips! Sour cream and onion combined with cheese… delicious! Mouths will water at the site of her ravioli appetizer.

If you want to stick to something a bit more traditional, follow MyTastyTreasure’s instructions for how to prepare an Antipasto Tray at home. Why pay someone else to do the work when you can save money, prepare this in minutes, and know it’ll still be fresh when the guests arrive?! Here it is…

Other than soups and stews, the one meal I really look forward to during the fall and winter months is a hearty pot pie with a great crust! There’s something about the crust… it has to be special, it can make or break the pot pie, I think! Even if you don’t have pastry crust in your freezer, there are still so many options when it comes to finishing off your savory pie!

For instance, Peach 106’s Beef Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Potato Crust differs from most pies in that the crust isn’t made out of flour. Mashed potatoes make the perfect topping to this beefy meal; when the pie bakes up in the oven, the mashed potato crust becomes golden… extra delicious.

ChicagoErin20’s Chicken Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust is another keeper. Cornbread is always a tasty side, now it’s the crust! She includes the recipe for the cornbread, it’s a classic. If you’re on a gluten-free diet and want to enjoy a bread-based crust, use this recipe but substitute the flour for rice flour and add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum — that’s it!

Now how about a pie with the crust on the bottom? What? Yeah, pizza of course! Atlantagirl1375’s Hamburger Pizza Pie is for fast food and comfort food lovers. If you don’t have time to whip up a pizza crust from scratch, think about grabbing a loaf of french bread after work… or use those english muffins that are about to go stale… or even bagels!

Make one of these pies for dinner tomorrow and you’ll probably be able to take a break Saturday, most of them yield a good amount of leftovers!

After you’ve put on your comfy clothes and turned on the heater after a busy day at work, you find that you’re still… hungry. Right! It’s time for dinner. The only thing you’ve got is beef. But don’t feel limited, warm up with one of these filling beef stews.

Krl10106’s Sweet and Sour Beef is perfect for when you really want something a little different. Like any other stew, you’ll find carrots and onions in here. But where does the sweet and sour flavor come from? Vinegar and brown sugar, the secret ingredients.

For something a little more traditional, try Bsherrill’s Beef Stew with Bacon, Mushrooms and Pearl Onions. She serves this over mashed potatoes. This is the kind of stew you can serve to dinner guests.

Cartaphilus’ Winter Beef Stew is another classic. This family friendly meal includes one of my favorite ingredients, bacon! You can count on that and the Italian Dressing to liven up the flavor. I have a feeling you can even throw this in the slow-cooker… that’s the beauty of a good stew, it’ll practically make itself :)!

Want to know a tasty and affordable way to spice up an ordinary dish? Add some of your favorite sausage. Breakfast sausage has it’s place next to the eggs, especially at my house, but I’ve recently started using flavored sausage (like apple or Italian sausage) to add a bit of flavor and flair to our dinners. At about $2 per link or two, you can’t go wrong. Here are some seasonal sausage recipes guaranteed to make your mouth water.

CDrier’s recipe puts a new spin on an old favorite… what we were just talking about, breakfast sausage. If you’ve got a few links left over from breakfast, you’ll need to make Apple Glazed Sausage with CDrier’s Canadian Bacon. Pork lovers will find themselves in heaven when they taste this double-sausage bacon and apple delight. It’s a savory dish made sweet with ingredients like apple jelly and maple syrup.

Karen_3925 Pasta with Pumpkin and Sausage is packed with scrumptious ingredients. Pasta doesn’t need tomato sauce to taste delicious, especially when pumpkin, cinnamon and sweet Italian sausage are involved.

Who says you’ve got to be a meat-eater to enjoy a hearty sausage meal? Megabeth’s Acorn Squash Stuffed with Vegetarian Cajun Sausage will make heads turn and mouths water. This dish has style… it’s severed up in an acorn squash. What’s the acorn stuffed with? A spicy bean and rice filling that includes… vegetarian sausage!

So far, all you’ve got on the Thanksgiving menu is your classic mashed potatoes dish. It’s the staple everyone loves, but you’re convinced that more veggies need to be on your holiday table this year. How do you sneak them in? Here are a few ideas…

Katlubecki’s Butternut Squash Risotto is warm and comforting. This Barefoot Contessa recipe has color and flavor, thanks to ingredients like saffron threads and pancetta. Her risotto might even compete with the stuffing!

While the oven’s still warm after the turkey’s baked, try Nadira’s Oven Roasted Vegetables. With a hearty assortment of veggies, it’s a real feast for the eyes. This is a pretty lean side, too, so you’ll be able to pile on the mac and cheese and not feel so guilty about it ;).

You might’ve tried stuffed baked potatoes, but how about Corbett Cook’s Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes? Now there’s a real mouthful. Everything that makes your spud mouthwatering can be found in this mashed tater dish, from the bacon to the sour cream!

Your Thanksgiving menu is almost set! Almost? Yep, we have quite a few other holiday recipes we still need to share!

We’ve been posting quite a few holiday recipes. It’s time for a small break. I know I don’t get tired of sweets, but weekends are for re-energizing… and sleeping in doesn’t entirely count ;). Here are a few recipes you can feel good about eating.

RBritt313’s got a few delicious recipes posted. I browsed through her recipe collection and discovered we have similar tastes! For instance, I’d love to try her Greek Chicken & Vegetable Ragout. This is a two for one meal; it’s healthy and you can make it in the slow cooker!

She also has CWeezie’s Cream of Pumpkin Soup recipe saved in her Soup cookbook. If you’re finding it difficult to pull away from pumpkin, then try it like this… in a soup that even kids will love. It’s made with chicken broth and pumpkin, nothing too heavy; it’s exactly what you want on a cool, fall evening.

Ok, so maybe we’re talking about healthy recipes and shouldn’t mention dessert. But after checking out RBritt313’s 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake I knew I had to cheat. Well, maybe it’s not technically cheating! If you make it with canola oil, it’s a lighter dessert. Plus, the recipe makes just enough for one… so you don’t have to worry about eating too much :)!

As a kid, I used to say I wanted more turkey just to get more cranberry sauce… but not everyone feels the same way about the good stuff. Here are a few sweet and savory recipes that’ll probably change your mind if you’re not a fan.

Take a classic like apple pie and… add cranberries. GmGaston’s Cranberry Apple Pie allows cranberries to shine. Granny smith apples and fresh or frozen cranberries come together with a little bit of orange zest in this tart dessert.

But cranberries aren’t just for dessert. JaneTreva’s Beef Tenderloin with Brandied Cranberries and Roquefort will really remind your taste buds what good food is all about. That’s not your every day cranberry sauce on top of the tenderloin! Dried cranberries get a wake up call when they’re tossed in brandy and later combined in a sauce that includes cheese and sauteed shallots.

Here’s a nice end-of-the-week lunch or dinner idea: Porcalina’s Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad. Enjoy in a sandwich or with crackers, plain ol’ chicken never tasted so good. Nutty, fruity, and fresh, this is a salad that can even be made with leftover turkey!

Don’t think we forgot to talk about cranberry sauce! Cartaphilus Lemon Marmalade Cranberry Sauce doesn’t come from a can. Lemon marmalade, orange juice and fresh cranberries make this sauce unlike any other.

Let’s face it, edible crafts are the way to go! These sweet festive desserts are fun to put together and eat. Plus, if you want the kids to become better acquainted with the kitchen, tempt them with treats! Of course, we’re all about finishing up the veggies first… but the holiday season’s right around the corner!

BarbD’s Halloween Pumpkin Bars are the treat to make when you’ve got to entertain a crowd. Just bake the tasty homemade pumpkin cake ahead of time, layer on the cream cheese frosting and let them decide what silly face to draw on their bars. Each piece is cut into a square, the perfect size for little hands.

Whisk’s Wacky {Cup}Cakes for Halloween are unlike any cupcake we’ve ever seen! That’s because she actually baked each individual cake in a cookie cutter! Not only are these cute, but Whisk uses a reliable recipe that’s been a favorite of hers since childhood.

If you need a dessert that’s low-key but still fun, try KraftKitchensExpert’s Boo Cups. The only thing scarier than a silly ghost is a mess on your floor! But don’t worry about these, not only are they friendly cool-whip ghosts but they’re kid-friendly. Each one comes in its own cup, with alternating layers of crushed cookies and chocolate pudding.

Trick o’ Treaters can be pretty picky when it comes to Halloween candy. I remember scoping out my neighborhood for the houses that gave away the biggest candy bars! I’m not a little kiddo any more, but I still like to indulge every once in awhile, without having to dress up. But since Halloween’s right around the corner, let’s talk about the sweet stuff that makes every dentist cringe: candy!

Mommy-at-home’s Double-Chocolate Candy Cashew Bars might resemble what you might find in the candy aisle, but they’re a little different. These homemade chocolate bars have simple, classic ingredients, all of which you can pronounce. No funny business going on here, this is a real treat!

How about a really fun and elegant candy you can serve to kids of all ages? Patricia_Scarpin’s Fluffy Candy will do the trick. These balls of chocolatey goodness are the definition of milk chocolate, they include powdered milk and sweetened condensed milk.

Since chocolate isn’t the only candy worth mentioning, let’s take a look at InspiredBites Candied Orange Peels. Talk about the ultimate center piece, these define candy… and eye candy. This beautiful and citrusy dessert will give you a whole new way to enjoy a serving of fruit!

If you’re wired and going nuts over all these sugary recipes… just hold on. We haven’t even gotten to antipodas’ Spanish Candied Almonds. So many sweets to choose from, which will you pick first?!

Let’s face it. You’d rather have a homemade pumpkin pie this year than a store-bought one. But who has time to experiment and find the perfect recipe? Well… we do! We’ve done our homework; we’ve conducted our own kitchen experiments and discovered a few tips about how to make your next pumpkin pie ideal. You won’t have to wait until this pie chills before you can enjoy it.

Make pumpkin pie a la mode, enjoy it warm, straight outta the oven with your favorite ice cream. No more having to worry about whether the pie is set. Don’t believe me? Try it, bake this pumpkin pie then dive right in, you’ll see it’s ready to be devoured!

So how’d we do it? Well, after studying a few different pie filling recipes, we noticed most of them contained quite a few eggs. Though eggs can be pretty good thickeners, sometimes they can make a pie runny. Also, why do you need to use condensed milk and evaporated milk? We used a little less liquid, replaced it with some butter and added a good amount of spices. This filling isn’t bland. So how’d the pie thicken without eggs? We used corn starch. Instead of using refined sugar, we used powdered sugar (which is made from corn starch).

And what if you don’t want to bake the pie crust ahead of time? You don’t have to! Just be sure to get ahold of a handy pie crust cover and some aluminum foil. You’ll want to bake this pie for close to an hour, but keep it covered for most of the baking time so that the crust doesn’t burn.

So many details! Why don’t we get straight to the recipe. Ok, ok, here it is: