Nothing so easy should taste this good but they do! YEARS ago, when our girls were in high school I started baking what I called “idiot cookies” when I was in a rush (thanks to Peg Bracken’s naughty influence in her “I Hate to Cook” cookbook.) I know it’s completely politically incorrect today, but that…
Easy. Naughty. Delicious. Party Chicken
This dish, a throwback to the 70’s, is as naughty and rich as a Kardashian and practically makes itself. I was happy as a pig in a mud puddle today. You see, we have two grandkids who’ll graduate in 2020. What a cool year! Nick and Baylie are first cousins and seniors (already??) at the…
How to “Put Up” Corn
A hallowed late summer ritual in kitchens across Nebraska. Here’s a corny riddle for you. Is corn a vegetable, fruit or grain? The answer is yes!! Scientifically it’s a fruit because it’s a structure to bear seeds. However, in agriculture it’s considered a cereal grain because corn is a grass harvested for its kernels. Most…
Peachy Honey Barbecue Pork Steak
My rekindled love affair with pork steak began at my happy place, the farmers market. My friend Kristin is a hard working farm wife who spends her days chasing livestock and three extremely bright and busy young boys and a menagerie of pets. If that’s not enough, she’s got a side hustle, managing a farmers…
Hungry Boy Three Meat Pasta Bake
We’re a family with healthy appetites! We admit it, all of us love to eat! There’s an actual GB’s Kitchen in Kearney, Nebraska. It’s not a restaurant, it’s in my little house and it’s happiest when it’s full of six long-legged grand kids gathered round the table. This sign was a gift from one family…
A Simple Brunch for a Special Friend
Savoring some one-on-one time with someone who goes back with me a long, long time. Like so long ago we sewed clothes for Barbie when she came dressed in only her iconic 60’s black and white v-striped swimsuit. (Very slimming!) Like learning dance steps to a 45, stocking footed, on an immaculate linoleum floor in…
Butter Recipe Zucchini Bread
Made with real butter and lots of cinnamon, this zucchini bread is the best-tasting ever!! There’s a joke that goes around in rural Nebraska about this time every summer. Folks are warned not to leave their cars unlocked because if they do, they might find a back seat full of zucchini! It’s crazy prolific and…
“Tea Room” Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Inspired by the wildly popular chicken salad sandwiches served in the iconic Back Porch Tea Room. In 1996 we moved our country gift shop, Betty Jane’s, from the mall to a wonderful building on our old downtown main street. It was built in 1906 and sat on the main corner in the heart of the…
Perfect Big Batch Pumpkin Bread
Who says you can only eat pumpkin treats in the fall? Not this girl! Recently, our local newspaper began working on a feature cooking section that will be published in the fall some time. My friend Mary Jane writes for the paper and suggested, “Betty likes to bake. Why not call her?” The focus will…
“Fire and Ice” Watermelon Salsa
A beautiful change of pace appetizer. Cool and refreshing but with a nice little kick! Back in my catering days we were constantly looking for the next new thing to serve at an event. When I saw beautiful watermelon in the store recently, my mind jumped back to a salsa that had been a huge…