Ritz Zucchini Cheddar Casserole

Since I am originally from Indiana, I can't resist a cheesy casserole. This Cheesy Zucchini Cheddar Casserole is the ultimate comforting side! It's packed with zucchini and onions in a rich, creamy, and, you guessed it, cheesy sauce, all topped with buttery, crunchy crackers. It's a simple, warm, and delicious dish that's perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

By Leslie Blythe

Chef Boyardee’s Spaghetti Sauce

One of my favorite meals as a child was Chef Boyardee’s canned Beef Ravioli. I remember I bought a can when I was in college as a treat. I then quickly discovered my culinary tastes had become a tad more sophisticated. It was rather sweet tasting! Anyway, since I was born in Cleveland, I thought I would make Chef Boyardee's recipe from scratch. I have to say, this is a very labor intensive sauce. I made the sauce as written (except I used half the amount of olive oil!). You have to put the tomatoes through a food mill, then through a sieve. I have a feeling that you could not buy tomato purée in the 1920s! The result - it’s really good...

Chef Boyardee was not born in Cleveland (sorry 30 Rock), but in Borganovo, just outside of Piacenza in Italy. And his name was not Hector Boyardee, but Ettore Boiardi (boy-AR-dee). He opened an Italian restaurant in Cleveland in 1924, where the food was so popular that he frequently sent patrons home with bottles of his spaghetti sauce.
We can’t know exactly what that original sauce was, but this is from a family recipe and is probably pretty close. And it’s phenomenal. It’s fairly simple, but so good. You get a lot of the fresh basil, and the creaminess from mixing the butter and parmesan directly with the pasta is delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheez-It® Cracker Chicken Caesar Salad

My friend Chef Sara Tane (I hope she remembers me when she has her own Food Network show!) is responsible for this out of this world recipe. She has developed several recipes for Cheez-It crackers. This Cheez-It® Cracker Chicken Caesar Salad is crazy good. I think I will throw all bread crumbs out and use Cheez-Its from now on. I have merged her Caesar salad with her Cheez-It Cobb salad. I have been an enormous fan of these crackers since college. I used to dip them in Kraft Pimento spread. My culinary tastes were born in Indiana in the early '60s.

By Leslie Blythe

Parmesan Zucchini Rings

Get ready for a snack revelation! These Parmesan Zucchini Rings offers crunch and savory flavor. Each slice of fresh zucchini is generously coated in Parmesan cheese, baking up into a wonderfully crispy, golden crust. They're not just delicious, they're also gluten-free and low-carb, making them the perfect smart snack solution.

There is zero waste here because the zucchini centers become a dip. They are sautéed until tender, then blended with bright lemon, milk, and spices and pulsed until smooth.

By Leslie Blythe

Beef & Barley Soup

When you're craving a truly comforting meal, this Beef & Barley Soup is the perfect answer.  It’s brimming with a deeply rich beef broth, tender chunks of seared chuck roast, vegetables, and barley. Serve it with crusty bread for a simple yet classic family dinner everyone will love.

By Leslie Blythe

Camarones a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Shrimp)

My friend John, visiting from Australia, recently stayed with us for a few days. Whenever he's in Los Angeles, his top craving is Camarones a la Diabla (Mexican Deviled Shrimp). He used to get his fix at our favorite local Mexican spot, but it unfortunately closed down and even burned! We haven't found a replacement that quite measures up.
Given John's jet lag — or as my late mother-in-law used to call it, "jet jolt" — I decided to make the dish at home instead of going out. The recipe involves creating a rich paste from various dried chilies, tomatoes, and white onions, then simmering the shrimp just until they're perfectly cooked. I was a bit nervous about the chilies, but it turned out beautifully, with a subtly spicy kick. My favorite part of this recipe is that you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and simply heat it up with the shrimp when you're ready to serve.

By Leslie Blythe

Broccoli Salad with Smoked Almonds and Raisins

This Broccoli Salad with Smoked Almonds and Raisins is great because there's no cooking involved. Fresh broccoli is cut into small florets and tossed with a simple light mayonnaise-based dressing. I. add green onions, golden raisins, crunchy smoked almonds and sunflower seeds. I make it in the morning and add the nuts and seeds right before serving. It’s so good on a hot day.

By Leslie Blythe

Bang Bang Rainbow Slaw

Bang Bang Rainbow Slaw earns its name by delivering an exciting "bang" of flavor and a vibrant "rainbow" of colors. This show-stopping side or versatile topping expertly blends a creamy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang sauce with an assortment of fresh, crisp vegetables, creating a harmonious explosion of taste and texture in every single bite.

By Leslie Blythe

Rosalynn Carter’s Strawberry Cake

Rosalynn Carter's Strawberry Cake is more than just a dessert; it's a piece of history and a comforting classic. This moist strawberry cake is one of her family recipes. The recipe is simple and made with a box cake mix, a box of strawberry gelatin, vegetable oil, chopped nuts, eggs, flour and strawberries. Just mix all the ingredients together and bake in a bundt pan.

By Leslie Blythe

Mississippi Salisbury Steak

Mississippi Salisbury Steaks aren't your grandma's Salisbury steaks; they're an exciting upgrade.
These beef steaks are incredibly tender and flavorful, thanks to the addition of a ranch seasoning packet. This simple ingredient infuses the meat with a savory depth. The accompanying au jus is rich with umami, perfectly complementing the hearty steaks.
But the real game-changer here is the pepperoncini. Borrowing a page from the beloved Mississippi pot roast, the tangy peppers are incorporated to add a bright acidity and a mild kick that the traditional dish lacks. They cut through the richness of the meat and gravy, creating a beautifully balanced and incredibly addictive flavor profile.
This dish is also quick and easy, making it an ideal choice for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice to complete your meal.

By Leslie Blythe