8 Salsa Recipes including Easy Mango Salsa

My family loves salsa! We can eat it all year long and every which way possible! We love a variety from hot to mild and sweet to extra spicy! How do you like your salsa? Here are some of our favorite summer recipes for salsa as well as one from Gooseberry Patch. I love their cookbooks and recipes. Share your ideas and recipes in the comments below.

Easy Mango Salsa

Ingredients

1 Mango, cubed
1 Avocado, cubed
1 Tbsp Red Onion, chopped
1 Tomato, chopped
1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeño, chopped (remove seeds to cut down on heat)
3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lime, all the juice and zest
1/4 cup Tequila (optional)
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. Prep all ingredients and toss into bowl except last 3. Set aside.
2. Whisk together last 3 ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pour over veggies and serve with chips or use to top chicken or fish.

Salsa for a Year by Gooseberry Patch

Ingredients

15 lbs. roma tomatoes, cored, peeled and chopped
2-1/4 lbs. jalapeños, chopped
3 lbs. onions, chopped
2 c. cider vinegar
3 T. plus 1 t. canning salt
25 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1/2 c. sweet paprika
15 1-pint canning jars and lids, sterilized

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a 5-gallon stockpot. Stir well. Heat to a boil, stirring often; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Spoon salsa into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe rims; secure lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Set jars on a towel to cool for 24 hours; check for seals. Makes 15 jars. 

More Salsa Recipes or similar recipes

Avocado Feta Salsa
Salsa Baked Goat Cheese Its - Healthy Recipe
Tecate Fresh Salsa
Pico De Gallo and Chilled Avocado Soup
Gazpacho dip
Pico De Gallo
and check out these Healthy Summer Grilling recipes!

Don't forget to share your recipes with us, too!

Homemade No Salt Seasoning {Healthy Recipes}

I've been working to find ways to make healthier recipes for my family. It truly is an amazing process of discovery. I say this because everyone thinks it is expensive and difficult to eat healthy but honestly it is just like any other change, it takes time and a desire to make a change. I love that my family will try most things that I make and they are eating healthier even when not at home.

What healthier changes are you making for your family? What changes do you want to make? I've been cooking no salt and low salt for years. Sometimes the spices are really expensive or contain unwanted preservatives so making my own seems like an even better idea.

Ingredients found in your spice cabinet!

I want to get back to the basics and make things that do not contain a bunch of preservatives. One thing I have been doing is making my own dressings and spices. I was thrilled to find a no salt seasoning mix in the new Gooseberry Patch Good For You Everyday Meals Cookbook. Along with this recipe, I found others worth making too! Get those recipes at the end of the post.

healthy spice recipe

No Salt Seasoning Mix - original recipe and my changes in the Kitchen Notes

Ingredients

1 T. garlic powder
1 T. onion powder
1 T. dry mustard
1 T. paprika
1 t. dry thyme
1 t. dried basil
1 t. cayenne pepper or to taste
1/2 t. pepper

Directions

Mix together all the ingredients and place in a shaker jar. Makes about 5 tablespoons.

Kitchen Notes

1-I used 1 tablespoon for each of the above ingredients except cayenne which I used 1 teaspoon.
2-I'm not a huge fan of thyme so instead of thyme I used italian seasoning. It is a bit redundant but it worked.
3-We've been using this seasoning a lot lately! It worked great to add some spice to our salad veggies and a tater wedge recipe. Check back as I'm going to share that tater wedge recipe on Friday!

More Healthy Recipes from Gooseberry Patch

• Enter to win a copy of the Gooseberry Patch Good For You Everyday Meals cookbook where you can find this recipe and 200+ more healthier recipes. You'll also find the recipes I tested; Honey Fruit Dip, Oo La la French Dressing and Roasted Veggies & Kielbasa with Chicken 
• No Bake Granola Bars
• Cajun Seasoning Mix and Low Sodium Cajun Seasoning Mix

Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix {Healthy Recipes}

For several years now I have been cooking lower sodium meals for my husband and family. We do not miss the extra salt but do notice the salt in food made by others, when we eat out or processed food. It didn't take long for us to get use to low sodium because I started using more herbs, spices and fresh ingredients in the meals. I love making homemade as much as possible to control the overuse of salt. How about you? Do you cook low sodium meals? What are some of your healthy recipes which uses more herbs and spices?

DIY seasonings for healthier recipes

Today's recipe is for Cajun Seasoning Mix from the new Gooseberry Patch Good-For-You Everyday Meals Cookbook. I will share with you the recipe from the cookbook and how I modified to even more to be low sodium. You can make it whichever way works for your family.

Make meals healthier with low salt recipes

Cajun Seasoning (my variation in parentheses for Low Sodium Cajun Seasoning)

Ingredients

16 oz pkg. salt (3 teaspoons salt or low salt)
2 oz jar black pepper
2 oz jar white pepper
2 oz jar cayenne pepper
2 oz jar chili powder
2 oz jar garlic powder

Directions

1- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; mix well.
2- Store in a large shaker jar. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Kitchen Notes

1-I cut the entire recipe in half to only make 1 1/4 cups of seasoning and stored a more manageable amount in a small spice shaker.
2-Honestly I would never use 16 oz of salt for this recipe. I suggest you add all the other ingredients first and then add in salt to desired amount. I do know that Cajun seasoning is very salty normally because we are huge fans New Orleans food and seasonings.

More Healthy Recipes from Gooseberry Patch

• Enter to win a copy of the Gooseberry Patch Good For You Everyday Meals cookbook where you can find this recipe and 200+ more healthier recipes. You'll also find the recipes I tested; Honey Fruit Dip, Oo La la French Dressing and Roasted Veggies & Kielbasa with Chicken 
• No Bake Granola Bars

Gooseberry Patch Good-For-You Everyday Meals Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Gooseberry Patch just released a new cookbook, Good-for-You Everyday Meals which is full of healthy meals for the entire family. One thing that I love about Gooseberry Patch cookbooks is that each cookbook is full of tried and true recipes from real chefs- everyday family kitchens. Ready for some new, tasty recipes to cook for your family?

Healthy Options 

This cookbook is full of healthier recipe options. It turns some family favorite recipes into healthier recipes. The book will help you make and serve healthier meals to your family.

Here are the chapters of this tasty cookbook and some of my favorite recipes in each one.

1. Off to a Fresh Start- Raspberry Cream Smoothies, Asparagus & Mushroom Omelet, Banana Bread Pancakes, Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oats, Fiesta Dip Mix, Colorful Fruit Soup
2. Hearty Soups & Fresh-Baked Breads-Vegetable Goodness Minestrone, Rosemary Sea Salt Bread, Sweet Avocado Muffins, Chicken Orzo Soup
3. Garden-Fresh Sides & Salads- Mexican Roasted Cauliflower, Sweet Potato Chili Wedges, Garlic Roasted Broccoli, Spicy Roasted Potatoes, Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts, Arugula Nectarine Salad
4. Chicken, Pork & Beef Mains- Phoebe's Asian Noodles, Chicken Mole Verde, South of the Border Squash Skillet, Italian Seasoning Mix, Goode & Healthy Fried Chicken, Healthy Spinach Spaghetti
5. Fish & Vegetables Mains- Captain's Favorite Tilapia, Zucchini Crust Pizza, Homemade Fish Sticks, Shrimp & Mushroom Fettuccine, Sauteed Tilapia in Lemony Butter Sauce, Pinto Bean Dinner
6. Healthy Snacks & Desserts- Avocado Feta Dip, Creamy Spinach Dip, Lemony Fresh Dill Dip, Honey Fruit Dip, Agave Sweetened Pumpkin Cheesecake, Double Berry Nut Bars, Free Coconut Cookies (sugar free, fat free, dairy free, gluten free), Refrigerator Pumpkin Bran Muffins
7. A Homemade Pantry-Amazing Tomato Sauce, Thousand Island Dressing, Sweet and Sour Sauce, Handy Cream Soup Mix, Corn Muffin Mix, Best Ever Ranch Dressing, Onion Poppy Seed Dressing, Onion Poppy Seed Dressing

Here are some of the recipes we tried. I have many more to make and share.

Healthier Cajun Seasoning Mix Recipe and easy to make!

Click to get this easy granola bar recipe!

Healthy Fruit Dip

Honey Fruit Dip

Ingredients

1 1/3 c. plain Greek yogurt

2 t. honey

1/4 t. orange zest

1 T. orange juice

1/8 t. vanilla

Directions

1-Stir together all ingredients.

2-Add to a bowl, cover and chill. 

3-Makes 6 serving or about 1 1/3 cups

Kitchen Notes

1-This make a perfect amount for a fresh fruit tray. It taste better than any store purchased fruit dip. Adjust honey, orange zest, vanilla,etc to your liking. For serving I topped with honey and orange zest.

Easy Homemade Dressing

Oo-la-la French Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. corn or canola oil

1/3 c. catsup

1/4 c. cider vinegar

2-3 T. lemon juice

1 t. paprika

1 t. salt

optional 1/2 c. onion, grated

Directions

1-Place all ingredients in a blender and blend well.

2-Pour into a jar; cover and refrigerate up to 4 weeks.

3-Makes about 2 cups or 16 servings.

Kitchen Notes

1- I did not use the white sugar, just the 1/2 cup brown sugar. It isn't needed unless you want a really sweet dressing. 

2-I did add the grated onion. Ooops 1/2 cup is a little too much and overpowered the dressing. So start small when adding the grated onions.

Healthy Roasted veggies and meat

Roasted Veggies & Kielbasa with Chicken

Ingredients

1 lb Kielbasa sausage, sliced into bite size pieces

6 potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 c. baby carrots

1 onion, halved and sliced

1 green pepper, cut into squares

8 oz pkg mushrooms, halved

cajun seasoning to taste (recipe coming soon for a homemade variety)

1 lb chicken cut into bite size pieces (added into original recipe)

Directions

1-Combine all ingredients in a roaster pan. For a moist consistency, cover before baking; leave uncovered for a dryer consistency.

2-Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until veggies are tender. Makes 8 servings.

Kitchen Notes

1-Sausage isn't always a health choice so if you want sausage in this dish, use less and add more chicken. Also there are a lot of healthier sausages out there so find one that works.

2-We added chicken to cut back on the sausage. For our meal we only added in 1/2 lb Kielbasa and 1 1/2 lbs chicken. We did add in a mix of peppers, too. It is a very flexible recipe. Just note that cooking time will increase the more you add to the roaster. 

3-If you do not have a roaster, you can cook this in a 9X13 baking dish. If so cut the recipe in half to fit one dish. 

4-Control the salt by what seasoning you use. We have a homemade cajun seasoning recipe that goes with this and will share on my blog this week.

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More Healthy Recipes and Good For You Everyday Meals Giveaways

Cheddar Dill Corn Muffins
Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
Peanutty Breakfast Wrap
Chicken Pesto Tortellini 
Chicken Orzo Soup
Spaghetti Soup
Mom's Fruit Smoothies
Mexican Roasted Cauliflower
Cinnamon Apple Raisin Muffins

Horseradish Potato Recipe and other Holiday Mashed Potato Recipes

Do you have any favorite mashed potato recipes? Now that it is time for Thanksgiving and Christmas I have been thinking about potato recipes. If you need something extra special for the holiday dinner menu check out these tasty choices including the Horseradish Potatoes from Gooseberry Patch. This recipe is in their new cookbook, Hometown Christmas. I'll be sharing more holiday recipes from that cookbook this week and giving away a copy!

Horseradish Potatoes

Ingredients

4-5 redskin potatoes

1 c. sour cream

2 T. prepared horseradish

1 t. dried basil (we used dried chives)

2 T. butter, softened

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cut unpeeled potatoes (we peeled ours) into halves or quarters, depending on size of potatoes. Cover with water in a saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until soft enough to mash, 15-20 minutes. Drain mash with remaining ingredients leaving potatoes chunky. Serves 4-6.

10 Mashed Potato Recipes

• Homemade Mashed Potatoes - Cooking 101 Series by Around My Family Table
• Love these easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes by The Grant Life
• Lighter Mashed Potatoes by My Turn for Us which she uses red potatoes
• Mashed Potato Pinwheel Candy & other leftover mashed potato recipes by Smart Spending Spot
• Mocked Mashed Potato Bar is a family favorite and low carb friendly!
• What a great combination and perfect for the holidays - Parmesan Panko Mashed Potatoes by Couponing and Cooking
• Potato Pizza Crust for the Potato Crusted Margarita Pizza
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes by Call Me PMc looks savory!
• Thanksgiving Garlic Mashed Potatoes by My Turn for Us
• Unique and tasty Mashed Potato and Rutabaga by Food Done Light

More Potato Recipes

Crowd Pleasing Potato Pizza

Easiest Crockpot Potato Soup

Ham and Potato Soup

Healthy French Fry Potato

Mom's Cheesy Hash Browns

Potato Crustless Spinach Quiche

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Hometown Harvest Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Review and Giveaway

Gooseberry Patch has released a tasty cookbook bursting full of over 200 Fall recipes, tips and sweet memories. I'm an early bird reviewer for Gooseberry Patch so this cookbook was given to me to review. My own tasty opinions are shared here. My family has a lot of favorite fall recipes and traditions that we do every year but we also love finding and creating new ones. This Gooseberry Patch cookbook is full of new ideas and we have created a few of recipes for you to try, too.

Here are the tasty chapters in this book and some of the recipes that I want to try. One of the cool things about this cookbook you will find are little video icons next to some of the recipes. If you see that, you go to the Gooseberry Patch youtube page to see the recipe being made!

Hometown Pancake Breakfast-Perfectly Pumpkin Pancakes, Maudeen's Blackberry Gravy, Autumn Morning Smoothie, Breakfast Pumpkin Butter

Church Social Soup Supper-Spicy Meatball Noodle Soup, Skinny Pumpkin Soup, Sesame Skillet Bread, Freezer Onion Soup, Layered Asian Chicken Salad

Thanksgiving Dinner to Remember- Fancy Faux Crab, Lemon Parsley Butter, Honey Mustard Slaw, Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Indiana Corn Pudding, Marinated Green Beans

Game Day Get Together- Fresh Harvest Bruschetta, Pesto Pizza Squares, Petite Calzones, Versatile Herb Dip Mix pg 118 (by my friend Kristi and I will share this soon), No Guilt Mexican Dip, Ranch Cayenne Pretzels

Pumpkin Patch Sweets- Apple Bread & Butter Pudding, Mini Apple Turnovers, Butternut Squash Pie, Coffee Can Pumpkin Cake, No Bake Maple Cookies, S'Morelicious Cookies, Game Day S'Mores Bars

Slow Cooker Potluck Pleasers-Layered Potatoes & Onions, Caramel Pecan Rolls, Hula Hoop Hawaiian Chicken, Golden Roasted Veggies

Over the River & Through the Woods-This chapter is full of stories and wonderful family fall memories.

Run out to the store or check your pantry to get the ingredients together and cook this Gooseberry Patch recipe.

BBQ Chicken Chowdown (slow cooker)

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast
24 oz bottle bbq sauce
8 1/2 oz pkg. cornbread mix
14 1/2 oz can corn, drained
8 oz pkg shredded Cheddar cheese
8-10 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Place chicken in a slow cooker; top with bbq sauce. Cover and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours, until chicken shreds easily with 2 forks. Meanwhile, prepare and bake cornbread mix according to package directions; set aside. Shortly before serving time, add corn to slow cooker. Turn to high setting and cook for 15 minutes or until warmed through. To serve, spoon chicken mixture over squares of cornbread; top with cheese and bacon. Serves 4-6.

This is a perfect fall recipe to make and take to your next party!

Molasses Baked Beans (slow cooker) pg. 181

2 16 oz pkgs dried navy beans
1/2-1 lb salt pork, cut into strips
3/4 to 1 1/4 c. molasses, divided
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, packed
1 T. dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste
2 onions, chopped
1 whole onion
10 whole cloves

Cover beans with water in a large pot; soak for 2-3 hours. Drain beans, reserving liquid; place beans in a soak cooker. Add salt pork, 3/4 cup molasses, brown sugar, mustard, salt, pepper and chopped onions. Stud whole onion with cloves; add to slow cooker; Pour in enough of reserved liquid to fill half full; stir. Cover and cook on high setting for 4-5 hours, or on low setting for 8-9 hours, until beans are tender. After several hours, if a darker color is desired, stir in remaining molasses; continue cooking as directed. Serves 8.

This cookbook is full of easy recipe including this dip. I doubled the batch and put it all together in a crockpot for a fall party. I went home with an empty crockpot!

Green Chile Chicken Dip pg. 182

12 1/2 oz can chicken, drained
2 8 oz pkgs. cream cheese, softened and cubed
4 oz can diced jalapeño peppers
2 4 oz cans diced green chiles
2 10 3/4 oz cans cream of chicken soup
tortilla chips

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients except chips; do not drain peppers or chilies. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low setting for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm with tortilla chips. Serves 10-12.

Stop in and get more entries over the two week open period of this Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Giveaway. It ends 10/28/2013 and open worldwide.

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Free Gooseberry Patch Fall Recipes Preview

Gooseberry Patch is at it again! Check out the beautiful new Gooseberry Patch Fall Preview Magazine. They want you to keep it simple and make it special for your family and friends. I'm loving all the fall recipes in the newsletter. If you are a reader here on my blog then you know that I love Gooseberry Patch and post freebies and cookbook reviews for them. This pure beauty of a newsletter is full of fun fall recipes and it is free for you! Enjoy! 

Keep updated and

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Gooseberry Patch 2013 Fall Preview by Gooseberry Patch

Here are a few more Fall Recipes 

• 6 Fall Desserts
• 15 Fall Crockpot Beef Recipes
• 20 Apple Recipes for Fall
• 20 Ways to Cook Comfort Food Chicken in the Crockpot
• 20 Ways to Cook Pumpkin Seeds
• 27 Fall Desserts & Fall Comfort Foods

Peanut Butter Cake Dessert Recipe

If you need a quick, easy homemade dessert this is it! My teen made this Peanut Butter Pan Cake from the Meals in Minutes Gooseberry Patch Cookbook. Most of the ingredients you will have on hand if not all of them. Some people think that a box mix is quick, which it is, but if you are wanting something just as quick that is homemade this is the cake. I really only takes a few minutes to add the ingredients together and bake. Give this dessert recipe a try!

Peanut Butter Pan Cake

Ingredients

3 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/4 c. baking cocoa
2 t. vanilla extract
3/4 c. oil
2 T. vinegar
2 c. water

Directions

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and baking cocoa in a large bowl; mix well. Add vanilla, oil and vinegar; stir in water, mixing well. Spread into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for 35 min. Spread Peanut Butter Frosting on cake when cool. Makes 15.

Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. shortening
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2-3/4 c. milk
1 c. creamy peanut butter (WE USED CRUNCHY)

DirectionsCombine sugar, shortening and vanilla until smooth and creamy, adding enough milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Stir in peanut butter; mix well. 

This recipe is from Meals in Minutes Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. We have permission to share the recipe. The photo is ours!  Click the link to find out more about this 10 year old Anniversary copy of this tasty cookbook. It really has meals in it that can be prepared in minutes, just like this cake! 

Mom's Cheesy Hash Browns Recipe

Do you have a go to potato side dish that everyone loves? We have quite a few and one of them is this dinner time recipe for Mom's Cheesy Hash browns. This recipe is from Mom's VERY BEST Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. Some of our most favorite recipes have been shared to use from other families. How about you? I love tried and true recipes. 

Mom's Cheesy Hash browns 

Ingredients

1/4 c. butter
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 c. sour cream
30-oz pkg country-style frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed

Directions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Mix in cheese and continue stirring until melted.  Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.  Gently fold mixture into hash browns.  Spoon into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 60-75 minutes, until heated through and top is golden.  Serves 6-8. 

Mom's VERY BEST Recipes, is the very best tasty recipes that you can count on Mom making for you.  They are tried and true from Mom's recipe box. Did I tell you that I love this book? Click over and get the full review at Mom's Very Best Recipes! 

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Fried Dill Pickle Chips Recipe {Restaurant CopyCat Recipe}

These Fried Dill Pickle Coins or Chips are from Mom's VERY BEST Recipes Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. We've had these at quite a few restaurant but hands down these taste better! Try this appetizer at your next party! These would be great for a game day recipe, too! The first time I made them was for Super Bowl Sunday! This is a yummy copycat from the expensive restaurant fried pickles! Make your own and save money!

 Fried Dill Pickle Coins

Ingredients:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. milk
3 c. dill pickles, thinly sliced
oil for deep frying
Garnish: ranch salad dressing

Directions:  In a bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper.  In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.  Blot pickles well with paper towels.  Coat pickles with flour mixture, then with egg mixture.  In a large deep fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees*.  Add pickles, about 10 at a time, and cook for 3 minutes, or until golden, turning once.  Drain on paper towels.  Serve warm with ranch dressing.  Serves 6.
*we just fried on the stove top

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Easy Game Day Recipe Dill Pickle Dip

In a house full of teens we are always snacking on something. This is the perfect game day recipe dip because it is so easy to make and everyone who loves pickles loves this dip. This appetizer recipe is in one of my favorite cookbooks- Gooseberry Patch Quick & Easy Christmas.

Dill Pickle Dip

Ingredients
8oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sour cream
5-6 whole dill pickles, chopped
1 1/4 t. garlic salt or to taste
pickle juice (optional)
potato chips

Directions
Mix together all ingredients except chips. Stir in pickle juice to get the consistency you want. Cover and chill 24 hours. Serve with chips. Serves 6-8.

MY KITCHEN NOTES: I didn't read the directions before planning the dip so I made it on the day we needed to eat it.  It was VERY TASTY and I wondered why you needed to wait 24 hours to eat it. We had leftover dip so I covered it and put it in the fridge. I pulled it out the next day and WOW I then discovered why you should eat it the next day. It was even better after the ingredients had time to form together. Very tasty and we will make this again, and again and again.

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Everyday Simple Suppers Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Giveaway

Gooseberry Patch is rolling out a new cookbook, Everyday Simple Suppers published by Oxmoor House. The cookbook is chocked full of tasty family favorites with 260 easy recipes! Seriously, 260 easy recipes! Here are a few we tried out and I have plenty marked to cook later.

Did you know that I'm a Early Bird Reviewer for Gooseberry Patch? That means that I get to check out their cookbooks before they hit the shelves and share recipes with you! My own opinions are always stated here on my blog!

Don't let the title of the cookbook fool you! Yes it is full of everyday simple supper ideas but they aren't just old stand by recipes. There are so many fresh new ideas and spins on old family favorites. I found that the simple part of these recipes is that most of them only use a few ingredients! All of the photos are mouth-watering fresh! There are 1-2 photos in each 2 page spread!

Whenever I get a new cookbook I make sure that I have a cup of coffee and post it note tabs to mark what I want to try first! I already started marking up this book! See the yellow and blue tabs?

Here are the chapters and a few of the recipes in each that I want to try:

One Dish Wonders-Stuffed Artichoke Chicken, Poppy Seed Chicken, Crispy Pecan-Chicken Casserole, Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup and Nacho Grande Casserole
Farmers' Market Favorites-Chicken Lo Mein, Garden Mini Meatloaves, Tuscan Pork Loin, Poblano Chowder, Gnocchi & Vegetable Toss
Sizzling Skittle Suppers-Chicken Chimies, Lemony Pork Piccata, Pizzeria Sausage Supper, Parmesan Fish Sticks & Homemade Tartar Sauce and Mom's Salmon Patties
Pronto Pizza & Pasta-Deep Dish Sausage Pizza, White Pizza, Topsy Turvy Pizza, Poppy's Onion Pizza, Creamy Chicken Lasagna, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Best Friends' Greek Pasta
Speedy Sandwiches & Salads-Cobb Sandwiches, Apricot Cashew Salad Sandwiches, Toasted Green Tomato Sandwiches, Green Goddess Bacon Salad, Mediterranean Beef Salad Lemony Dressing
Breakfast Anytime-Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie French Toast, Breakfast Apple Sandwiches, Country Style Breakfast Pizza, Crab Corn & Pepper Frittata
Super Simple Sides-Roasted Corn with Rosemary Butter, Zucchini Fritters, Crunchy Green Bean Salad, Lemony Orzo Salad, Spicy Baked Chili Fries
Short & Sweet Desserts-Grandma's Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Icebox Cake, Gooey Toffee Scotchies with Toffee Sauce, Peanut Butter Bars, Ice Cream Tacos, Angel Ice Cream Cake

Here are a few recipes I'm sharing today and then the giveaway below! I do have more recipes to share so keep in touch by signing up for my email list below!

Slow Cooker Creamy Apricot Chicken

Ingredients

8oz bottle of Russian salad dressing
12 oz jar apricot preserves
1-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast

Directions

Combine salad dressing and preserves. Set aside. 
Arrange chicken in a 5 quart slow cooker, pour dressing mixture on top.
Cover and cook on high setting for 1 hour and then low for 3 hours or until  hi ken juices run clear.
Serves 4-6

Kitchen Notes

To save time, I just added the chicken to the crockpot and then poured on the dressing and preserves. This way I had one less bowl to clean up. Also my local market doesn't carry Russian salad dressing. I haven't seen it in years. I just used Spicy French dressing. Is that the same thing? Either way this was so tasty. Everyone loved it. The juices from cooking worked great on top of the Herbed Mashed Potatoes from this cookbook (recipe will be posted in a few days)

Chocolate Icebox Cake

Ingredients

3.4 oz pk. cook & serve vanilla pudding
3.4 oz pk. cook & serve chocolate pudding
3 c. milk, divided
2 sleeves graham crackers
Garnish: whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles

Directions

Prepare pudding mixes separately according to package directions, using 1 1/2 cups milk for each one; cool slightly. 
Line the bottom of an ungreased 13" x 9" baking pan with whole crackers. 
Line sides of pan with halved crackers.
Spoon vanilla pudding over crackers. 
Cover with another layer of crackers.
Spoon chocolate pudding over crackers.
Crumble remaining crackers on top.
Refrigerate until chilled.
At serving tie, dollop individual portions with whipped cream & garnish with sprinkles. Serves 8-10

Kitchen Notes

This was a huge hit and everyone loved it. I picked this recipe because I had pudding and graham crackers on hand. Everyone wants me to make it again. It was gone in 24 hours with one of the teens eating it for breakfast. 

Enter by giveaway below and then go check out the recipes & enter at Goodness Gracious and Threaded Together’s Giveaway, Delightful Country Cookin’ and Grandma's in the Kitchen.

Easy enter below. Ends 9/7 and open to USA/Canada.

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