Tales of the Dinner Belle

Belle’s Hungarian Goulash

Brenda Stanley — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:05:03 +0000

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onions. Drain the grease. Boil noodles for 7 minutes and drain. Combine the other ingredients and add to the... Read More »

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A comfort food that is the spice of life

Brenda Stanley — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:02:23 +0000

I love to experiment with spices. There are so many and they all add a unique flavor to whatever dish you’re creating. One of my favorite comfort foods is Hungarian Goulash. The hearty authentic flavors of beef, beans and chunks of tomato and onion are so satisfying. I also love noodles. In fact, I adore noodles. I’m a pasta freak and this dish is perfect for that. However, the one ingredient that really makes this dish special is paprika. This smoky, sweet pepper is what sets Hungarian Goulash apart from anything else. You can find paprika in any grocery store, but try to find the sweet Hungarian paprika for a truly amazing flavor.

And of course, my Goulash is super simple to make. You can either put it together right before dinner or make it in advance and heat it up right as everyone is ready to eat.

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Belle’s Deviled Eggs

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 04 May 2013 01:13:02 +0000

Carefully slice the eggs in half, length wise. Scoop out the yolks and place in a bowl. Arrange the egg white “cups” on a plate. Smash the yolks and then add the mustard, mayonnaise and celery salt. Mix until smooth. Using a small spoon, fill each egg with a heaping scoop of the yolk filling. Arrange the filled eggs back on the plate and sprinkle each with paprika. Chill before serving.

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Celebrate spring with creamy and spicy deviled eggs

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 04 May 2013 01:09:53 +0000

I think our family’s Mother’s Day celebration is a more elaborate meal than just about any other holiday with the exception of Thanksgiving, and that may even be a stretch. I love the month of May and always make a huge brunch with all types of breakfast and lunch items on a huge buffet. It usually takes the entire day before to get everything ready and every year I wonder why I’m doing all the cooking when it is supposed to be MY day, but my husband always reminds me that this is what I love doing, and while at that moment I want to strangle him, he is actually right. Yes, I actually put that in print.

One of the must have items on my buffet are my super easy and oh so delicious deviled eggs. I usually use an entire dozen eggs, and yet, they never last for more than a couple minutes. They are the perfect spring treat and the combination of sweet hot mustard and celery salt is just right.

It is actually good that I’m the one making them, or I probably would miss out. Being the cook and taste tester often pays off. It is like a special mother’s day gift to myself.

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Belle’s Fluffy Salad

Brenda Stanley — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:48:29 +0000

Mix together the gelatin and whipped topping. Add the cottage cheese and blend well. Add the pineapple, oranges and marshmallows (if desired) and carefully fold them into the... Read More »

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A childhood favorite that is still a must at our family meals

Brenda Stanley — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:40:36 +0000

Food and traditions go hand in hand. We often associate holidays and other special events specifically to a certain meal or dish. Birthday means cake. Thanksgiving means turkey. Even the not so happy times call for food. Down with a cold? Chicken soup.

One of my family’s traditional foods is a dish that I have been making since my kids were little. They love my fluffy salad and to this day expect it at our family gatherings. It is made with simple ingredients and takes only a couple minutes to put together. Even as adults, I find them pilling it on their plates, and going back for seconds.

I thought they’d grow out of it as adults, but I also thought they’d grow out of watching cartoons too.

It is definitely a dish that was developed in Utah, because nowhere else in the country do people eat so much Jell-O.

The salad itself doesn’t have to use the exact ingredients listed. If fact, you can make it any flavor you want. My family prefers orange, but they also like when I use raspberry Jell-O and fresh rasperberries. The possibilities are as endless as are the flavors of Jell-O.

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Belle’s Cauliflower Casserole

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:06:10 +0000

Place cauliflower in a large pot of boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes. Drain. Mix together the mayonnaise and cheese in a large bowl. Add the cauliflower and toss to coat. Place in a lightly sprayed 9 by 13 inch baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

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A surprising vegetable dish that is both filling and flavorful

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:02:16 +0000

I met a wonderful couple the other day that I will never forget. He told me he was 90 and she didn’t divulge her age- and both of them looked wonderful and happy. They had been married for decades. They both love to cook and he was a former chef. We talked for a long time about food and cooking and how our easiest recipes are often are best. And as we chatted, I was able to glean a recipe that sounded a bit strange, but turned out to be fabulous.

It is a perfect side dish for just about any meal and it only uses three ingredients. I call it Cauliflower Casserole and even if you aren’t a big fan of vegetables, this dish is sure to please. It is tangy and cheesy and full of crunchy texture.

I know that my new friends read this column every week, so I want to say thank you for the great new addition to my recipe file!

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A light and flavorful dessert that is almost too simple to believe

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:26:45 +0000

Dessert is something I feel should be the crowning glory of the day. A treat is what you need after a long and stressful day of work or raising kids. But the calories and fat that go with desserts can make them an evil temptation, which of course, makes them even more appealing. But here is a dessert that is not only fat free, but less than 200 calories. You may be thinking, “Can it get any better?” Well, yes. Yes it can. This incredible dessert has only two ingredients and can be put together in less than 30 minutes.

It is my Lemon Sponge Cake and it is so moist and flavorful, you’ll be surprised that you don’t have to spend hours measuring ingredients and hoping it bakes up just right. I’ve even tried this recipe with other flavors and it is equally delicious. Like with all my recipes, let your family and friends think you worked all day. No one has to know it was this simple.

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Belle’s Lemon Sponge Cake

Brenda Stanley — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:22:49 +0000

Grease a 9 by 13 inch pan. Mix together the angel food cake mix and pie filling and spread into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until top starts to brown. Cut into squares and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

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