#1 Bread and Butter (a personal favorite)

Never underestimate how much people like one of the simplest items you can put together in minutes.

There’s something special about being greeted with a basket of warm bread and butter. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, making everyone eager for that first bite before the main course even arrives. It’s a simple touch that instantly makes a meal feel welcoming and memorable.

While classic butter is always delicious, flavored butters make fresh bread even more irresistible. A creamy cinnamon sugar butter adds just the right touch of sweetness, while honey butter melts into every warm slice with rich, comforting flavor.

If you prefer something savory, try a jalapeño butter with a little kick, roasted garlic butter, or a blend of fresh herbs. They’re easy to make, full of flavor, and a wonderful way to turn an ordinary loaf of bread into something guests will remember long after the meal is over.

I love cornbread, and whipped honey butter is the perfect topping!

Fresh baked, store-bought, any type of bread, rolls, sliced, baguette… and butter, go with European if you want to kick it up, Kerry Irish Butter comes in a spreadable tub for on-the-go ease. Mix in some fresh herbs (and garlic) for a tasty appetizer.

A simple Butter Board could bring a smile to anyone!

Don’t miss this post on how to perfectly toast bread, this is great if you happen fresh bread to crisp the outside, has some lack luster bread and need to make it taste wonderful. Have frozen bread, this will bring it back to that fresh baked yumminess.

Homemade Bread

• 2 loaves of bread and homemade butter
• Aritsan Bread and Compound Flavored Butters
• French Bread
• More Artisan Bread Options
• Jalapeno Butter
• Another great “quick bread” option is Irish Soda Bread
  
  Banana bread is wonderful alternative too.
  
  And a fun Crostini option is this Caprese Crostini

#2. Cheese and Crackers

Mix a variety of cheeses, from creamy and mild to sharp and aged, with buttery crackers, crisp artisan crisps, or rustic crostini so guests can create their perfect bite.

A round of brie, goat cheese, or cream cheese paired with crackers is always welcome. And on top, add some…

• Fig Jam– Check out this Fig Jam Dip!
• jalapeño jelly
• pineapple jam

Or your favorite preserves for an easy appetizer everyone will enjoy.

#3. Something to Sip

Bring a bottle of wine, sparkling cider, lemonade, flavored syrup, sparkling water, or ingredients for a fun mocktail.

A bottle of cranberry juice and a few fresh limes can instantly elevate a gathering. Add tequila to make these.

4. A Sweet Treat

My motto? Life is short, eat dessert first!

• Cookies
• pie
• cake
• brownies
• toffee
• candied nuts, and more no-bake desserts

A box of chocolates is always a crowd pleaser.

Sometimes the simplest desserts are the most satisfying. Warm cinnamon apples come together in minutes, and they are perfect over vanilla ice cream… It tastes like warm apple pie!

If you need a last-minute option, stop by a bakery and grab something you love.

5. A Simple Side Dish

For BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, and Friendsgiving, celebrations, and parties, offer to bring a side dish.

• Mac and Cheese
• pasta salad
• potato salad
• stuffing
• potato casserole
• sweet potato casserole
• deviled eggs

Another summer side dish must serve item is baked beans, for cookouts, BBQ’s and fun with sandwichces too.

6. Fresh Fruit

A bowl of seasonal fruit is beautiful. Choose apples any time and especially in the fall, pomegranates, clementines, persimmons in the winter, and strawberries and cherries in the spring.

Stone fruit and watermelon in summer to fall, buy a fruit platter, add in some fresh berries or cherries, or buy fruit and cut it yourself. Here you’ll find the recipes for the fruit dip, what a fun, easy treat.

Make a platter of chocolate covered fuit for any occasion!

7. Flowers (Ready to Display)

Flowers make a wonderful host gift, but don’t hand your host a bouquet that needs trimming and arranging.

Instead, place them in a vase, jar, or pitcher before you arrive (or buy them already arranged) so they can simply set them down and enjoy them.

Desserts that look like flowers, poppies, rose cookies, and pink rose cupcakes

A plant or fresh herbs are other really wonderful options. A basil plant looks and smells great on the kitchen counter. And fresh basil is the key to this simple pasta salad.

8. Ice Cream or Donuts

Sometimes the unexpected gifts are the most memorable.

A box of donuts, ice cream sandwiches, or chocolate-covered ice cream bars can instantly turn an ordinary gathering into a celebration.

Grab a container of ice cream, or make some homemade ice cream with my easy no-churn ice cream recipes.

Don’t underestimate grabbing something you love from a bakery, or the bakery section of a store, maybe a childhood favorite, or just something you haven’t had in a while.

9. A Thoughtful Non-Food Gift

When someone opens their home and invites you over, it’s always nice to arrive with a small token of appreciation.

While food gifts are often the first thing that comes to mind, non-food gifts can be just as thoughtful and are often enjoyed long after the night is over.

From flowers and herbs to kitchen essentials and cozy home accents, these simple gifts are easy to find, budget-friendly, and perfect for showing your gratitude.

A great item is a dish towel, just wrap it in a ribbon or twine and say thank you for the invite. Plain dishtowels, Plaid style dishtowels, any color, Buy in bulk, find your signature gift item, or with fun sayings. How about a fun candle.

Kitchen towels, a fancy salt, even smoked salt, specialty tea, or fresh herbs make great host gifts.

Think about what feels like a small luxury to you. Chances are, it will feel special to someone else, too.

An item typically available at every grocery, dollar-style store, or Amazon has them ready whenever an invite comes along. Pretty paper products, like colorful paper napkins or plates, they have lots of fun items and design options, some have fun sayings, others are seasonally themed.

10. Bring Their Favorite

The more you know about the host, the easier this becomes.

Love coffee? Bring a bag of local coffee beans. If they are a coffee lover, bring them a cup of their favorite, chances are, they’ve been go-go-go all day, and it will be just what they need.

Know they love chocolate? Bring their favorite candy.

Something everyone may love is a bottle of avocado oil or olive oil.

When in doubt, bring something you genuinely enjoy yourself. Make it oor buy it. Maybe it’ll become their favorite, too.

shop my favorites here

One Final Tip

Ask, How can I help?

Sometimes they might need you to pick up ice or lemons. I recall having a party years ago, and as you know, it can get very busy. I ran out of paper towels. Are you thinking, how does that happen?! They sell them in packs of 12 at big box stores, but it did! And a friend texted she was on her way over, and I said, I hope you have a roll of paper towels, I ran out… luckily she did…the day was saved!

There was no way I was heading to the store minutes before everyone arrived, and yes, paper towels are a must in my book when you have a party! But you might need something else. It’s always nice when someone lets you know they’re on their way, just in case a last minute need comes up.

And even a simple thank you note, when you arrive. Thanking them for opening their home to you, for thinking of them, and taking the time to make this day possible. Witih all the planning and preparing, But mostly being thought of is a gift within itself.

And one more thing…

This really fun, simple dessert is the Cannoli Dip. Make it or buy it, I’ve seen some options like this at Trader Joe’s, they sell the dip, just add the dippers. Costco sometimes has it, and so do grocery stores.

The best host gifts don’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful enough to let your host know how much you appreciate their hospitality.

And if you’re looking for the cute pink frosted cake I’m holding in the featured photo at the beginning, I’ve shared the recipe here.

Let’s recap my top 10:

• Bread and Butter
• Cheese and Crackers
• Something to Sip
• A Sweet Treat
• A Simple Side Dish
• Fresh Fruit
• Flowers, herbs, or plants
• Ice Cream or Donuts
• A Thoughtful Non-Food Gift
• Bring Their Favorite

No matter what you bring, the thought behind it is what people remember most. A warm loaf of bread, a favorite dessert, fresh flowers, or a handwritten note are all simple ways to say, “Thank you for having me.” The best host gifts don’t have to be expensive. They just need to come from the heart.

The post What to Bring When You’re Invited Over: 10 Easy Host Recipe and Gift Ideas first appeared on Created by Diane.

Looking for a simple, no-equipment workout you can do anywhere? This Mat Pilates class is perfect!

You can print it out or take a screenshot for easy access. No mat? No problem! If you’re on carpet or flooring, just place a towel down for extra comfort.

You can do this anywhere, no excuses.

CLICK TO PRINT

Doing this will help you feel good and strong.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT a clear version.

Here are the exercises:

Do each exercise 8x’s unless noted.

1. Lie down, raise legs to 90°/ceiling
Lift your legs straight up toward the ceiling, hold behind your hamstrings or hug your knees to your chest. Breathe deeply and feel your spine lengthen on the mat.

2. Bridge (1)
Press your feet into the floor, roll your hips up one vertebra at a time. Lower down slowly for the articulated bridge. Try a flat-back bridge, tap your booty to the mat, lift halfway, add tiny 1″ pulses, or march your legs while keeping your hips stable.

3. Bridge (2)
Lift one leg to 90°, draw small circles, then reach that foot up like you’re poking a hole in the ceiling. Switch legs.

4. Bird Dog (all 4’s)
Start on hands and knees, extend opposite arm and leg. Lift your leg to hip height and pulse, then try donkey kicks and fire hydrants for glute activation.

5. Dead Bug
Lie on your back with legs in tabletop. Extend opposite arm and leg while keeping your abs pulled in and your back flat on the mat.

6. Lie on back, legs in TT
Extend one leg while keeping the other bent. You can lift your chin over your chest for a crunch or keep your head down if preferred.

7. Extend both legs to 45°
Lift and lower your legs together, then do small circles, open and close about 18″, then scissor your legs in a “sue sue” motion for core control.

8. Sit tall with legs at a wide V
Stretch toward one foot, then the other. Keep your spine long and your chest open.

9. Lie down for Roll Ups
Reach fingertips to the ceiling with knees bent, roll up slowly, then roll back down with control. Try roll ups with long legs to challenge your core.

10. 3 sets of Squats (10 each)
Feet hip-width apart, lower into a squat. If needed, hold a chair or sink for balance.

11. Plank
Hold a static plank position. Add knee taps, raise one leg to hip height, do toe taps, or try mountain climbers for intensity.

12. Arms with towel
Hold a hand towel like a band, sit or stand, gently pull the towel outward about 1″.

13. Arms over head
Pull the towel slightly apart, bend your elbows bringing arms behind your head for skull crushers, then extend again while keeping tension on the towel.

14. Hold towel at chest level
Arms long in front of your chest, pull the towel outward, engage your shoulders and upper back.

15. Raise arms overhead hold a hand towel
Keep hands shoulder distance apart, side bend to each side to stretch through the ribs and obliques.

16. Side lying
Bend and extend your top leg from tabletop to 45°, do clams, then both legs long — lift/lower and add tiny circles for hip strength.

17. Lie on mat, hands behind ears
Elbows wide, do cross crunches — reach opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating sides.

18. Cat/Cow
On all fours, arch your spine up (cat) and then dip it down (cow), moving with your breath.

19. Swan + Swimmers
Lie on your belly, palms under shoulders. Lift your chest for Swan, then lift opposite arm and leg to “swim,” alternating sides.

20. Child’s Pose + Down Dog
Knees wide, push your hips back to heels for Child’s Pose. Move into Down Dog, pedal your legs, biceps by ears, hips lifting up.

21. Mermaid Stretch
Sit with legs in a Z pattern, reach one arm overhead and side bend. Add windmill arms to open your shoulders and stretch your sides.

22. Standing Forward Fold + Roll Up
Stand with feet wider than shoulder-width, reach arms up, dive forward, and let your head hang. Shake your head yes/no to release tension. Roll up slowly, restacking your spine one vertebra at a time. Roll shoulders up and back to finish.

My Favorite Pilates Items:

• Leggings
• Sports Bras
• Magic Circle
• Ball
• Yoga Mat
• Foam Roller
• pilates socks
• Water Bottle with handle
• Trigger Point Ball
• fun pilates sweatshirt

Have any questions for me? Leave a comment.

As a reminder, don’t forget to sign up for my emails, so you don’t miss the next part of this series, and be alerted to my latest recipe. I often send 1 email a week, and you may get 2 around holidays.

Is there something you’d like to know how to do? Reach out to me and let me know! Maybe I’ll write about it!

I’m always stumbling on new and more efficient ways to cook and prepare food, and when I do, you can bet I’ll post about it!

Thank you for reading, and I hope these tips and tricks make things easier for you!

The post Mat Pilates (beginner friendly): Full Travel-Friendly Routine You Can Do Anywhere first appeared on Created by Diane.

I hope you’ll sign up for my emails here!

These recipes never fail to make family and friends happy!

Today, I’m sharing some of my all-time favorite recipes that have stood the test of time and always earn rave reviews.

This food blog actually started back in 2009 with one simple recipe. I brought a dish to a party, and it was such a hit that everyone wanted the recipe. At first, I wrote it out by hand (yes, pen and paper!). But after being asked multiple times, someone finally said, “You should start a food blog!”

So that’s exactly what I did. With very little planning, I picked a name, opened my laptop, and launched what would become a place to share easy, delicious recipes you’ll want to make again and again. I’m definitely more of a “jump in and figure it out later” kind of person. (Strangely, I’ll overthink the small stuff but dive headfirst into the big things—go figure!)

And that leap has turned into something amazing… 
I hope you enjoy this collection of recipes:

I broke it up into a few groups: round 1, 2, 3, and some other don’t miss recipes. 

A fun read is this post on Relationship Advice and Comfort Food!

In round 1, these are the recipes that come to mind, with little thinking… they popped into my head right away!

This post is LONG… and full of lots of recipes and such, and there are some fun photos of me at the end too!

• Cake- Skillet Carrot Cake Moist, spiced carrot cake baked in a skillet for a rustic touch—topped with cream cheese frosting for pure comfort.
• Cookie- Brownie Cookies Rich, fudgy cookies with chewy centers and crackly tops—like a brownie and cookie all in one bite.
• Scone- Lemon Scones Bright, buttery scones infused with fresh lemon zest and topped with a sweet glaze—perfect for breakfast or tea time.
• Chicken- Brown Sugar Soy Chicken Tender chicken glazed in a savory-sweet brown sugar soy sauce—easy, flavorful, and a weeknight favorite.
• Beef- Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Juicy grilled steak paired with vibrant chimichurri sauce—bold, fresh, and packed with flavor.
• Pasta- Newlywed Pasta A creamy, comforting pasta dish that’s simple, elegant, and made to impress.
• Drink- Blueberry Basil LemonadeA refreshing twist on classic lemonade with juicy blueberries and fragrant basil—summer in a glass.
• Appetizer- Salsa Verde A zesty, tangy green salsa made with tomatillos, chilies, and cilantro—perfect for chips, tacos, or grilled meats.
• Soup- Zuppa Toscano Hearty Italian soup with sausage, potatoes, kale, and a creamy broth, comfort food in a bowl.
• Salad- Creamy Caesar Salad Crisp lettuce tossed with creamy homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and parmesan cheese.

My all time favorite pasta salad: Feta Basil Balsamic Pasta Salad

Now onto round 2…

• Cake- Vanilla Filled Cake a tender vanilla cake with creamy filling, berries, simple, classic, and absolutely irresistible for any celebration.
• Cookie- Pecan Lassies Chewy, nutty, and sweet, these pecan cookies are a bite of cozy comfort in every piece.
• Scone- Pumpkin Scones Velvety, lightly spiced pumpkin scones topped with a drizzle of glaze, perfect for year-round, especially fall.
• Chicken- Chicken Francaise Golden chicken cutlets simmered in a lemon-butter wine sauce, this Italian-American favorite is both elegant and easy.
• Beef- Meatballs- Juicy, flavorful beef meatballs—perfect on pasta, tucked in a sandwich, or enjoyed all on their own.
• Pasta- Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese- Creamy mac and cheese gets a bold upgrade with smoky bacon and a kick of jalapeño heat.
• Drink- Whipped coffee- A frothy coffee drink that’s as fun to make as it is to sip, creamy, strong, and a little bit indulgent.
• Appetizer- Crab Dip-  wait until you see how cute it is!
• Soup- Corn Soup- which is really like a loaded, thick, delicious chowder!
• Salad- Chinese Chicken Salad- Crispy, crunchy, and full of color—this salad mixes tender chicken, fresh veggies, and a zesty sesame dressing that’s anything but boring. It’s the kind of salad you’ll actually crave!

and here is round 3:

• Cake- Chocolate Layer Cake– Rich, moist, and frosted to perfection—this classic chocolate cake is a slice of pure indulgence.
• Cookies- Cut Out Sugar Cookies– Buttery, crisp, and perfect for decorating—these cookies make every occasion extra sweet.
• Scones- Cream Scones– Tender and fluffy with a golden top, these scones are the ultimate cozy treat.
• Chicken- Chicken and Dumplings – A comforting classic with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and savory broth.
• Beef- Carne Asada- this great dry rub is quick and easy to ensure tasty tacos
• Pasta- Baked Ziti– Cheesy, saucy, and baked until bubbly—this ziti is weeknight comfort food done right.
• Drinks- Kentucky Dirty Cocktail–

  A bold, smooth bourbon cocktail with just the right touch of southern charm.

• Appetizers- Pizza Dip– All the cheesy, saucy flavors of pizza—served up in a hot, scoopable dip.

• Soup- Spaghetti Soup– A fun twist on pasta night—spaghetti meets hearty, comforting soup.

• Salad- Taco Salad– Crisp, fresh, and loaded with bold flavors—this salad is a meal in itself.

Another great pasta salad I make on repeat: Pesto Pasta Salad 

Here are three more recipes I think you should take a look at:

• Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Banana Maple Oatmeal Cookies
• Glazed Lemon Cake Cookies

Always a favorite this Whiped Coffee

It might sound simple, but it took a lot of time to learn all aspects of blogging. Photography, writing, and learning how to operate a website. How to organize the day-to-day of running a business as well as being the only person doing all the tasks. Especially when a job blogging wasn’t even a thing a couple of years prior. So it’s not like there were lots of people to ask. I started blogging about the same time Facebook started becoming familiar, Instagram wasn’t a thing yet, nor was Pinterest. Sharing sites were different; many have lost their mojo and dropped off the internet.

 So I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has visited… and those who have seen me through it all… And welcome new readers. The very best way to see my new recipes is to sign up for emails.

More about this wonderful business of mine…

• I plan and prepare what I’ll be making.
• Test the recipes; sometimes they get made multiple times before they get published. To ensure you’ll get the same results as I do. Recipe testing can be time-consuming… delicious but time-consuming.

• Plate, set up, and photograph the recipes.
• The tasting part is the most fun,
• then comes the clean up… not necessarily the most fun. And oh, can I make a MESS!

• Next comes the writing, editing, publishing, and maintaining the recipes on my site, updating things as needed to comply with the ever-changing internet. Sharing them to email followers and promoting them on social media to drive traffic to my blog to earn an income.

I’m super excited whenever anyone visits my website. You’ll not only find new recipes, there are over 1500 recipe posts in the recipe index that I’ve posted over the last 16 years. I cook and bake a lot. I really love spending time in the kitchen creating new recipes as well as making my favorites.

When my kids were younger, I made this Polynesian Meatball recipe all the time, it’s based on my husband’s grandmother’s meatloaf recipe. Which I fell in love with at first bite!

So many recipes I make on repeat! I hope you’ll find some new favorites as well.

More weekly favorites:

• Chicken Lo Mein
• Asian Beef Noodles
• Salisbury Steak
• Pasta and Meat Sauce
• Taco Bowls
• Scrambled Egg Fried Rice

What do I bring to a party? If I’m bringing a snack, appetizer, ora  similar item, often I’ll make one of these:

• Caprese with Balsamic Aioli
• Cottage Cheese Taco Dip
• Goat Cheese Crostini
• Chips and SalsaThe perfect last-minute item to bring…
• Bread and Butter Board- perfect for any budget!

Whenever my family needs something to bring to a potluck, cookout, or party… I make this mac and cheese, because this is the number one item they request. I typically double the recipe!

These 4 are often on repeat!

• Caesar Salad with Chicken
• Chicken Chili
• Chicken Lo Mein
• Chicken Fried Rice

The cake I make most often for a party?

1 hour Strawberry Shortcake, why? Even though I mentioned how much I love chocolate… when I’m having a party I go for this Chocolate Cake, but his shortcut chocolate cake if I’m in a hurry.

more favorite soup recipes

• Black Bean Soup
• Zuppa Toscano
• Corn Chowder
• Clam Chowder

A few years ago, we remodeled our kitchen (you can see more photos here). It was a ton of work, but I am so glad we did it. I love being in the kitchen, cooking, baking, creating new recipes…

Now, while I wish my kitchen would look all pretty, cleaned up, and everything in its place…

You can see me in the kitchen here.

Most of the time, my kitchen is a mess, as you can see by the photo above with all the dishes! Things can go haywire easily with everything all over the place, cabinets and drawers open, and tons of dirty dishes in the sink. But my fridge and freezer are always full of food, and I couldn’t be happier.

I do clean up the kitchen every night. I don’t like leaving a mess for the next day.

The post The Best of Created by Diane: My Most-Loved Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs bring vibrant flavor that elevates every recipe!

Let’s have fun with the best herbs, fruits, and vegetables… you’ll be making tasty recipes year-round. Whether you’re picking fresh from your backyard garden or grabbing seasonal vegetables at your local farmer’s market or grocery section, there’s nothing quite like cooking with fresh ingredients.

Fresh herbs, berries, and garden vegetables not only boost flavor, they also elevate your meals with vibrant color, essential nutrients, and that just-picked taste.

Fresh produce is packed with flavor and nutrients. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley can turn an everyday dish into something extraordinary. Vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens are staples in recipes ranging from salads to stir-fries.

Homegrown or freshly purchased ingredients are typically better tasting and more aromatic

From Basil to jalapenos, aloe, to swiss chard, pasley, oregano, broccoli, and snow peas, these are all items I’ve grown in my garden. While some plants do well, some don’t produce as much as I’d like over time, and some produce year after year with great success. I’m curious what grows well for you (and where that is). I grew up in NJ with a huge garden, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, melons, and corn. We had fresh produce all summer long.

I myself do not have the greenest thumb, but I do grow herbs, and I can grow jalapenos! And every year or so, I try my hand at something new!

I love cooking with fresh herbs. Oregano, parsley, basil, lemon thyme, Thai basil, and rosemary grow well for me year after year; some plants survive our mild winters.

I love jalapenos, they are just the right kind of spice for me. Not too hot that I can’t eat them. I have a handful of jalapeno plants, one is over 6 years old and still produces jalapenos all year long…

Which is why you can find lots of jalapeno recipes here,

learn how to pickled jalapenos, make jalapeno pepper jelly, and add them to my favorite cilantro lime sauce!

And my most requested recipe, I made two double batches in the last week for parties this Jalapeno Bacon Mac and Cheese is always devoured.

Picked, Purchased, or Shared… Delicious Recipes Start Here:

No matter if you are into gardening or prefer to get your produce at the grocery store, I have some fun recipes to try. Maybe you’ll stop by a roadside stand, or farmers market, or have a friend who has a garden.

I look forward to fresh-grown produce, any chance I can get it. In the summer, my all-time seasonal favorites are zucchini, tomatoes, corn, jalapenos… I’ve grown lettuce, broccoli, and snow peas, but I rarely grow them all consistently.

Let’s get on with the summer specialties!

Zucchini– you’ll find tons of great uses for zucchini here. I just love this zucchini italiano recipe my mom always made it, and it’s still a favorite! And if you love soup, even in the summer you’ve gotta make this creamy zucchini soup!

Tomatoes– there really is nothing like a home-grown tomato, and here you’ll find plenty of tomato recipes. These recipes include using canned and fresh tomatoes, fresh tomatoes can easily be substituted for canned in most recipes.

Corn– I love when corn on the cob is nice and sweet, loaded with flavor. But if you don’t have any or it’s out of season, most recipes can use frozen white corn- it tastes very similar! I prefer it over the frozen yellow corn, but sometimes stores don’t carry white corn, so you can use what you can find in these corn recipes.

Avocados-Now I love guacamole, but wow you can do so much with avocados, from my favorite sandwich, to snacking on these avocado cream cheese wontons, and this super easy avocado caprese, full of fresh veggies is this California Roll BOWL, the perfect easy item to make anytime and give this pineapple guac a try- it’s paired up with coconut chicken!

If you are looking for fun summer FRUIT recipes, give these a try.

Strawberries– OMG, the possibilities are endless, and there are decent strawberries year-round, but when they’re in season, they really win the prize. From this 1 hour strawberry shortcake to overnight oats, nothing beats pretty pink strawberry frosting, and I have lots of varieties! And a real show stopper is this Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie with Pretzel Crust.

Raspberry Recipes– oh, and don’t miss this great vanilla cake, raspberry filling chocolate frosting, it’s yummy!

Blueberries– I think blueberries are my favorite fruit: I love blueberry muffins, and blueberry scones are amazing, don’t let pie seem complicated… make a blueberry galette is always on repeat in my kitchen, my go to syrup to make is blueberry syrup, and it’s perfect in Blueberry Margaritas– which I know to make often! If you need a good cookie for breakfast, these grab-and-go blueberry oatmeal breakfast cookies are a must.

Blackberries– aren’t they just gorgeous, always plump and such a deep color, they go great in drinks and appetizers, take a look…

Lemons– this lemon pasta salad is sure to win you over! As well as my all-time favorite Lemon Wine Sauce, it’s like liquid gold! And if you have an abundance of lemons, juice them and freeze the juice to use later. You can freeze whole lemons and grate them rind and all when you want to add a nice lemon juice and zest to recipes!

Limes– key lime pie, and my all time favorite sauce is Cilantro Lime Sauce. These coconut lime scones are so flavorful, and limes are a must in these Margarita Cupcakes!

Cherry Recipes– cherry muffins, and they are great with cherry lime curd! And give this Cherry Italian Cream Soda a try!

Fresh Herbs:

Cilantro– if there is one recipe you make from this whole list, make this Cilantro Lime Sauce! It’s my favorite on tacos and so much more.

Basil– Fresh basil is always a winner, and a great summer favorite is this feta basil balsamic pasta salad. Try these mini basil bundt cakes, how about some marinated caprese– it’s a must to have in the fridge to snack on. And if snacking is as much fun for you as it is for me, enjoy some caprese crostini.

Rosemary– a fun twist on a summer classic, this Garlic Rosemary Potato Salad is so fun! I typically like my chocolate chip cookies just by themselves, but WOW, these Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies take them over the top to fantastic. These pork chops are sure to win you over. And before we know it, it’ll be the holidays, and you have to make this Cranberry Rosemary Toffee!

Parsley– Nothing is better than homemade buttermilk ranch, and this green goddess dressing tastes amazing. Quinoa Tabbouleh is full of fresh flavors!

dill– Dill adds a fresh, bright flavor, Lemon Dill Potato Salad, and how about some quick pickles, a must if you have an abundance of cucumbers! And this pickle chicken is wildly tasty!

oregano– brings on the Greek and Italian vibes, so try this Greek Pasta Salad and Italian Chopped Sub Salad.

lavender– Lavender Syrup, and the perfect summer drink is Lavender Lemonade, and this wonderful and oh so pretty… Chocolate Lavender Cake.

mint- healthy mint chocolate chip smoothie, and I love fresh mint in this Roasted Cauliflower Pasta Salad and this yogurt dip is a must, especially for Greek beef kabob style meals.

Why I Ignore Plant Spacing Rules — And My Garden Still Thrives!

I rarely plant items with the spacing they suggest, it may work well if you live someone else or aren’t planing in containers. I think plants like friends! And it seems to work well for me!

The post Recipes: Fresh from the Garden or Grocery Store first appeared on Created by Diane.

I love Mexican food! And each year, while I often make taco bowls for Taco Tuesdays on a weekly basis, when Cinco de Mayo rolls around, I find myself dreaming of all my favorite items. And oh, the list is long!

I’m sharing with you my top 12 Mexican Recipes!

Just like when I go out, I’d start with a margarita.

We’re starting with drinks and appetizer:

My favorite is a Blueberry Margarita! If you think it looks pretty now, just wait until you see it stirred.

Next, I’d like a warm bowl of chips and the easiest salsa ever!

Now’s a great time to call a friend or two to help you eat all this food. And now onto a great protein-packed Cottage Cheese Taco Dip.

Then moving onto a few lighter options:

A great item to make for lunch or to serve alongside some grilled chicken, beef, or burgers. This Taco Pasta Salad is not only full of color, it’s full of great flavors too!

Now, how about some delicious shrimp tacos!

This is an easy twist on a ground beef taco… all sealed up and browned nicely, make plenty, you’ll want leftovers! These tortilla empanadas are so fun.

And be sure to check out my post on how I make Mexican food for 15+ easily!

And now we’re getting into the heart of it all:

Now onto the sides… This is the perfect Mexican Rice.

Be sure to check out my post on my Mexican Recipes to serve 15+.

And don’t forget the beans!

Mexican corn is always a great idea, it can e made with fresh or frozen corn and makes a fantastic side dish!

And for a really fun way to finish off this meal, enjoy some crispy Rosette Cookies (Bunuelos de Viento)

Cinco de Mayo is held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

These recipes are perfect to have each week for TACO TUESDAY. Go ahead and print a few and add some recipes to your weekly meal plan!

How fun is this Let’s give ’em something to talk about dish towel

Taco ‘bout a great list of recipes

Keep calm and crunch on a taco.
Life’s too short to say no to tacos.
Eat tacos, repeat mistakes.
Tacos: Because you can’t live on guacamole alone.

SIGN UP FOR MY EMAILS, you don’t want to miss any recipes.

The post Easy Recipes for Taco Tuesday and Cinco de Mayo first appeared on Created by Diane.

With all the great flavor of lasagna, enjoy a nice bowl of lasagna soup, the comfort will overflow.

This simple lasagna soup comes together quicker and easier than lasagna, with no fussing at all. You can make it as saucy as you’d like, or make it thick. Like a one-pot lasagna recipe, perfect for freezing for make ahead meal prep. This recipe reheats well.

Turn this soup into more of a full meal with an addition of sauteed broccolini, spinach, or mushrooms. A great salad and garlic bread is always a great idea.

Can a soup recipe change dinner forever, it sure can if it’s as simple as this lasagna soup! It’s sure to simplify dinner. A one pot meal that’ll make everyone happy. With all the wonderful flavors of lasagna in soup. With ground beef, onions, garlic, and all the yumminess of lasagna with pasta, tomato sauce, and cheese. This recipe is sure to win you over. It’s ready in 30 minutes.

Quick and Easy One Pot Meal

This is a meal in itself.  But feel free to add a great side item like a good Caesar salad,  garlic bread, roasted broccoli, or stir in fresh chopped spinach just before serving.

If you want to replace the meat, I’d suggest rinsing and draining 1-2 cans of white beans and add them in.

Why will you love this lasagna soup recipe…

This soup tastes just like lasagna, you’ll be adding lasagna noodles or a similar style noodle the wavy edges give it great texture but you can choose rotini if you want a nice shaped noodle with don’t prefer longer noodles in soup.

It’s a one-pot meal, making it simple and ready quickly. Just one pot is needed, no need to boil and drain noodles separately.

Customizable, I give you lots of options on meat, vegetables, spice, and oh don’t forget the cheese… it’s the best part!

Regular lasagna noodles can be used and broken into smaller pieces or use a mafaldine variety of noodle. Thinner dimension with those cute wavy edges when I find Anna Mafaldine noodles I grab them, they are perfect. Use them long or break them in half or use the shorter varieties.

I used ground beef. Use the ground protein of your choice, or use sausage. creamy lasagna soup- add cream. leftover lasagna soup- so yummy, thick, and delicious tender noodles, if you want it saucy add water/chicken broth to reheat. make low-carb lasagna soup by replacing the noodles with cauliflower florets. which is good for gluten-free soup, or use a gluten-free pasta.

Begin by sauteing the onion and garlic with the ground beef. I use a meat chopper to easily break up the ground beef so it’ll cook quickly and evenly,

Next, you’ll add in the tomatoes, I use a mix of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste (use your favorite tomatoes or tomato sauce).

Then add in the chicken broth.

Now you’ll give it a stir and cook until the “sauce” is heated through.

Turn this soup into a meal with an addition of sauteed broccolini, spinach, mushrooms, or your favorite veggie…

Then you’ll add in the pasta. Add 1/2 pound pasta for a saucy soup, if you prefer soups thicker like stew, add a full pound of pasta.

Stir and cook until the pasta is tender.

Feel free to adjust the amount of liquid in this recipe to be a “soupy” as you’d like it, as the pasta cooks it’ll absorb some liquid, add more if it becomes less “soupy”. The same goes for reheating leftovers, add some chicken stock or water to reheat it to a soup consistency, or enjoy it thick!

Next, add in the mozzarella cheese.

And then ladle the soup into bowls and top it with ricotta cheese.

A Bowl of Excitement!

Oh, one whiff… is all it will take to crave this recipe again and again.

Top with some Parmesan Cheese or Romano Cheese- which happens to be my favorite

We all know a non soup lover (how insane!) but no worries, before adding the remaining broth portion them out a serving. Or make this thick with half the chicken broth called for in the recipe for a quick easy one-pot lasagna recipe!

It’s no secret Lasagna is always a favorite, but if time and energy are an issue, give this quick and easy method a try. Great for meal prep!

Print

Lasagna Soup

A simple way to get all the flavor of lasagna in a quick and easy soup. Hot, cheesy and delicious!

Course Main Dish, Soup

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword ground beef, pasta,, soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Diane Schmidt – createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced (1/2 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes or marinara style tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 6-8 cups chicken broth or or water and chicken bouillon
• 1/2-1 lb lasagna style noodles If you want the soup "saucy" use 1/2 lb noodles, if you want it thick use 1 lb noodles. I use Anna Mataldine Noodles, you can use refular lasagna noodles broken into pieces.
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup Romano or Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

• In a large 5 -6 quart pot or dutch oven heat 2 tablespoons oil, onion, garlic and beef, stir and separate meat to cook evenly.
• Once the meat is all browned add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
• Add the pasta and simmer until the noodles are tender, stir to cook them evenly.
• Add additional chicken broth to allow enough broth to desired consistency. Allow the soup to come back to a simmer.
• Add the mozzarella cheese, stir well to combine.
• Ladle into bowls, top with ricotta and Romano Cheese, and serve.
• Leftovers reheat well, add more water or chicken broth when reheating to ensure you have enough broth as the noodles absorb some. You can freeze leftovers as well.

The post Lasagna Soup first appeared on Created by Diane.

Some of my all-time favorite recipes include lemon, and I’m always stockpiling those yellow beauties in the fridge so I have them on hand to make sauces, lemon salad dressing, cocktails like this spiked blueberry lemonade, and so much more.

Take a look!

• Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad- homemade lemon mayo makes this irresistible.
• Lemonade- so yummy and cocktail options!
•  Lemon Scones- one of my all-time requested recipes.
• Lemon Poppyseed Cookies– for the lemon lover!
• Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs- tender and juicy and full of flavor.
• Shrimp Roll with Lemon Basil Sauce- a fun sandwich you will enjoy anytime.

Continue reading: Lemon Recipes

The post Lemon Recipes first appeared on Created by Diane.

I haven’t always been a fan of fruit in everything, but OMG this will change anyone’s mind.

This toffee is the epitome of sweet and savory, it’ll wow your taste buds.

This flavor combination took toffee to the next level. Sweet and savory toffee tastes outstanding. I had it on my idea list for a while, and the holidays got busy but as soon as I had a spare moment before the New Year, I made a batch and I made another batch the next day and another about a week later. 

Needless to say,

it’s amazing!

One bite in and every person said Oh My… this is amazing.

Continue reading: Rosemary Cranberry Toffee

The post Rosemary Cranberry Toffee first appeared on Created by Diane.

There seems to be some debate as to the name…

My mom called them Pecan Lassies,

But some call them Pecan Tassies, tassies mean small cups so that seems to be quite fitting, but to honor my mom and her coveted recipe I will continue to call them Pecan Lassies! 

These pecan cookies are my most favorite of all Christmas cookies, my mom made them every year, and it was the one cookie I looked forward to. I’ve avoided making them for many years, it was the one thing I’d ask her to make. It made me feel special when she’d give me a nice tin full of them. She’d put more in her freezer to give me when I visited.

Now this may come as a surprise… I don’t like pecan pie! It’s true, I think traditional pecan pie is far too sweet. But I have a delicious Cranberry Pecan Pies here.

And when it comes to pecans, this recipe is number one!

Continue reading: Pecan Lassies

The post Pecan Lassies first appeared on Created by Diane.

Print

Cookies all with one dough

Sugar cookies in a variety of flavors for a great simple cookie platter for all occasions

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes minutes

Total Time 27 minutes minutes

Servings 36 cookies

Author Diane Schmidt - createdbydiane.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter*
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 2 1/2 ­3 cups all-purpose flour add more flour as needed**
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• *if you use salted butter reduce the salt to 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°
• I use a KitchenAid mixer to mix my dough.
• In the mixer bowl cream together butter and sugar.
• Then add in the eggs and vanilla.
• Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, then mix on medium-­low to incorporate it all.
• Mix on medium until the dough forms a ball, and pulls away from the sides.
• *Follow Instructions for each cookie variety you prefer Bake at 400° for 7 minutes. (7 minutes is the baking time for most all of the cookies except the cookies with the kisses, jam, and cinnamon they baked at 6 minutes as they are smaller.
• **dough should be soft and not have a flour feel when fully mixed, it is easier to add a little flour. Once you add too much flour to cookies you can not remove it. So add a small amount (a tablespoon) at a time if you need it. You may not. You will be handling this dough quite a bit and don't want it to be dry after baking.

The post Cookies all with one dough first appeared on Created by Diane.