Things I Love: Volume 2

Things I Love: Recipe Edition (in no particular order)

1. Chocolate Chip Pound Cake--The standard go-to birthday cake for me as a teenager, and now it's one of my faves to make for friends when they visit (and maybe for myself on occasion).

2. Asian Sloppy Joes--I was introduced to this entree during a "Walabeach" trip to North Carolina many years ago, and it's definitely a staple in our house.

3. Crescent Roll Chicken--Got this recipe while interning at Kirksey back in the day, and with a few of my own healthy tweaks, it's another staple and comfort food around here.

4. Salmon Patties--My incredible cook of a mother made these when I was growing up, and even though mine are delicious, I still can't make them as good as her even after trying many times.

5. Strawberry Pie--Oh my. I made this the night I got engaged (Wes' birthday 2005), and it's one of those you really have to try with all your might to just eat one piece.

6. Black Bean Burrito Bake--Found this recipe on MyRecipes.com as a Cooking Light favorite. I added a little chicken and think tilapia would be a good addition, too. YUMMY and pretty good for you, too.

7. Spicy Chicken Quesadillas S--Another MyRecipes Cooking Light favorite. Easy, low fat, and crowd pleasing.

8. Chewy Chocolate Cookies--On the quest to find a light dessert because I crave something sweet at least once or twice daily, I ran across this on MyRecipes as again, another Cooking Light recipe. I actually just made a batch and ate two with a big glass of milk. Delish.

9. Pecan-Chocolate Chip Snack Cake--Cooking Light recipe that I'm pretty sure pleased several girls at our last Comfy Pants night here at my house.

10. Soda Cracker Pie--Yeah, this one has a funny name, but once I tried it, I have made it time and time again. Saltine crackers, egg whites, cream of tartar, a little sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Add some Cool Whip and fresh strawberries, and you, my friend, have an incredible treat.

11. Ginny's Julia Child Quiche--While reading my friend Ginny's blog a month or two ago, I saw this easy quiche recipe, and I've already made it twice. Enough said.

12. Southwest Salad--Need something easy, light, and great for the summer months? This salad is for you. It's one of those recipes I know by heart.

13. Symphony Brownies--I can't believe I didn't know about this trick until one of my bridal showers. Kicks the typical fudge brownie up about ten notches.

14. Sausage and Scrambled Egg Pizza--Found this recipe in my Southern Living Busy Mom's Weeknight Favorites cookbook and have loved it ever since.

15. Sweet Potato Casserole--It's basically a dessert, but it gets the honor of being served as a side dish at my mom's Thanksgiving Dinner. My goodness, this is good.

16. Shrimp and Grits--Time consuming and labor intensive, but oh so worth it. I may just have to add this to my menu in the next couple of weeks.

17. Kappa House Banana Bread--Oh, Mary Ann, how I miss you baking this bread. Sometimes I thought you made it just for me. Thanks for sharing the recipe with my mom--it's appeared at a few Reunion Weekends, and I just throw it together sometimes when I want to feel comforted (and I have a few old bananas).

18. Granola--The original version that my mother-in-law made several years ago has stood the test of time. Yeah, I know it could be a lot healthier with some crazy ingredients, but this one is GOOD.

19. "Men Love This" Dip--Ground beef (turkey for me), corn, Rotel, Velveeta, and a few other very nice ingredients help make this dip one of the first dishes gone at a Superbowl Party.

20. Wes' Smoothies--He doesn't cook a lot, but when he gets that blender out, I know something good is about to be made.

21. Kate's Fancy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches--I've probably made 100 sandwiches in the past six or seven months with sourdough, sun dried tomato turkey breast, fresh mozzarella, and pesto.

**If you want any of these recipes, I'd be more than happy to give any of them to you. Just let me know.

Narrowing my favorites to 21 was quite the task, so I just went with the first 21 dishes I could think of that I've made and enjoyed. Lots of chocolate and lots of semi-healthy dinners. I pretty much tweak every recipe I come across to see if I can make it a bit better for me, so the recipes I'll send will include both the published version and my special twists.