Category Archives: Cooking/Baking Downsized

Cooking/Baking Downsized, Desserts

PUMPKIN PIE PARFAITS

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Pumpkin pie parfaits are a quick and easy dessert with all of the flavor of pie but in a cup, topped with Chocolate Toffee Bits and are perfect to add to your fall dessert menu.  

These Pumpkin Pie Parfaits are an easy, no-bake dessert that brings together the flavors of pumpkin pie, a creamy cheesecake layer, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate toffee bits. They are perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, or anytime you want a little pumpkin dessert without making an entire pie.

Sometimes I want a dessert for just two people. My husband doesn’t enjoy sweets as much as I do, so I created these Pumpkin Pie Parfaits with Chocolate Toffee Bits as a smaller alternative to a traditional pumpkin pie. Continue reading PUMPKIN PIE PARFAITS →

Cakes/Cupcakes, Cooking/Baking Downsized, Desserts

MINI CITRUS BUNDT CAKE WITH LEMON CURD & RASPBERRY SAUCE

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Mini Citrus Bundt Cake with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sauce, an elegant, small dessert with big flavor.Mini Citrus Bundt Cake with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sauce is a small dessert with big flavor. This moist, tender cake is baked in a 6-inch round bundt pan and infused with a delicate citrus-vanilla flavor from Fiori di Sicilia. Served with homemade lemon curd and raspberry sauce, it’s an elegant treat perfect for special occasions. Continue reading MINI CITRUS BUNDT CAKE WITH LEMON CURD & RASPBERRY SAUCE →

Cooking/Baking Downsized, Soups/Stews

POTATO HAM BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP

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          Potato Ham Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Potato Ham Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a hearty, creamy soup made with tender potatoes, broccoli, savory ham, and cheddar cheese.Potato Ham Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a hearty, creamy soup made with tender potatoes, broccoli, savory ham, and cheddar cheese. It is an easy old-fashioned comfort food that makes a satisfying meal on a chilly fall or winter day.

This is one of those soups that is filling enough to serve as a meal, especially with a loaf of crusty bread, crackers, or warm rolls alongside it. Continue reading POTATO HAM BROCCOLI CHEDDAR SOUP →

Cooking/Baking Downsized, Soups/Stews

SPICY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP- COOKING FOR 2

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 This Spicy Chicken Enchilada Soup is a flavorful, hearty soup with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies, and enchilada sauce. It has plenty of Mexican-inspired flavor and a little kick of heat.

This Spicy Chicken Enchilada Soup is a flavorful, hearty soup with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies, and enchilada sauce. It has plenty of Mexican-inspired flavor and a little kick of heat.I created this recipe in a smaller amount for two people, with enough for a few leftovers. It is quick to put together and makes a great lunch or easy dinner on a chilly day.

The combination of enchilada sauce, tomatoes and green chilies, chicken, beans, and corn gives this soup plenty of flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients. I usually use rotisserie chicken, which makes this recipe especially easy. Continue reading SPICY CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUP- COOKING FOR 2 →

Cook-outs, Cooking/Baking Downsized, FOOD BOARDS, Sandwiches/Burgers, Side Dishes

LABOR DAY COOK-OUT RECIPES FOR 2

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Happy Labor Day week-end!

Labor Day Recipes for 2

We have a very large family, but this Labor Day week-end we will not be able to get together.   I still like to celebrate with a Labor Day cook-out but since it will just be Grandpa Bob and I, the menu needs to be scaled down. Continue reading LABOR DAY COOK-OUT RECIPES FOR 2 →

Cooking/Baking Downsized, Side Dishes

COOK-OUT IDEAS FOR SMALL CROWDS

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Cook-Out Ideas for Small Crowds (Perfect for 2 or 3 People)

Cook-Out Ideas for Small Crowds (Perfect for 2 or 3 People)

Cook-out ideas for small crowds are something I find myself needing more and more these days.

Another summer holiday is here, and this year our 4th of July celebration will be a quiet one—just the two of us. As empty nesters, I’ve learned how to scale down recipes while still keeping that fun, festive cook-out feeling. Continue reading COOK-OUT IDEAS FOR SMALL CROWDS →

Appetizers, Cooking/Baking Downsized

GAME DAY SNACKS FOR 2

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A great collection of Game Day Snacks for 2, including mini appetizers, finger foods, and dips.We are football fans at my house!  Last weekend was filled with playoff games and lots of excitement.  That can only mean one thing..there must be game day snacks.

It is easy to fix a table full of appetizers when you are having a large crowd over, but a little more challenging when you are fixing game day snacks for 2.   For my downsized cooking post this week, I want to share some ideas for the snacks we had.

Continue reading GAME DAY SNACKS FOR 2 →

Cooking/Baking Downsized, Salads

PASTA SALAD FOR 2-

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This Protein Packed Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies, meats, and cheeses. Colorful, delicious, and perfect to transport to any summer event. This scaled down version is perfect for 2 or 3 people.

Protein Packed Pasta Salad for 2

 Protein Packed Pasta Salad for 2 is a hearty, flavorful dish loaded with pasta, meats, cheeses, and fresh vegetables. This colorful salad is perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer gatherings. It can be served as a side dish or a complete meal.

I have always made this for large crowds, but now my husband and I are empty nesters, so I created this scaled down recipe to serve 2-3 people. Continue reading PASTA SALAD FOR 2- →

Cooking for 2, Cooking/Baking Downsized

MASCARPONE FILLED CRANBERRY ROLLS FOR 2

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Mascarpone Filled Cranberry Rolls for 2..a delicious, easy brunch recipe. Refrigerated biscuits stuffed with mascarpone cheese, rolled in butter-cinnamon-sugar. Sprinkled with cranberries and nuts. Drizzled with a rich icing.

 

 

 

 

 

MASCARPONE FILLED CRANBERRY ROLLS FOR 2

Mascarpone Filled Cranberry Rolls for 2..a delicious, easy brunch recipe. Refrigerated biscuits stuffed with mascarpone cheese, rolled in butter-cinnamon-sugar. Sprinkled with cranberries and nuts. Drizzled with a rich icing.

In 2008 I was chosen as a finalist for the 43rd Pillsbury Bake-off Contest.  I cannot even express how exciting this was and what an unforgettable experience. My recipe was Mascarpone-Filled Cranberry Walnut Rolls.

Continue reading MASCARPONE FILLED CRANBERRY ROLLS FOR 2 →