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Janet's Notebook

Add Some Spirit to Your Baking

The Irish are famous for a few things. Beautiful landscapes, thatch cottages, rocky seascapes, rain, even their cuisine in recent years. But what the Irish really know well are their spirits. With St. Patrick's Day next week, I figured it...

Janet's Notebook

Reinvent Cauliflower with Full-Flavored Recipes

Lately people seem to be talking about cauliflower. Besides being low in calories, cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Plus, it tastes good! I've been a fan since I was kid. Back then, I thought smothering...

Janet's Notebook

Friends, Friday Night and One Amazing Dinner

This Friday, a few couples are coming to my house for dinner. I haven't seen some of them in a while and I want to make something special. But what to serve? As I'm planning my menu, I realize we're...

Janet's Notebook

Comforting Casseroles Guaranteed to Satisfy

After so much cold weather, I know I'm looking for a bit of comfort food. And, if you're like me, casseroles become your go-to dinner at this time of year. Sounds like Jessica Silva feels the same way I do....

Janet's Notebook

Sweet Treats for Your Sweetheart

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, what better way to show someone how much you care than making a special dessert. Don't they say the easiest way to a person's heart is through their stomach? "Move over chocolate covered...

Janet's Notebook

Spice up Sunday Dinner with Chili

In the heart of winter, there’s nothing I want more than a comforting bowl of chili. I’m thinking of making Sunday chili night for the rest of winter. With so many different types of chili recipes, I can make a...

Janet's Notebook

The Big Game Calls for Big Flavored Recipes

We're football fanatics in my house and every year we host a party for the Super Bowl. Friends and family come over and we dig in to some tasty football food. Next to choosing what team to root for (that's...

Janet's Notebook

My Best Friend in the Kitchen – The Crock Pot

I love making Crock Pot recipes. I just add all of the ingredients to the pot and, basically, forget about it. With all the cooking I do in the Test Kitchen, sometimes I just don't feel like making dinner. I'm...

Janet's Notebook

New Year… New Enhancements

Have you noticed anything new on Just A Pinch? I wanted to give you the scoop on some fun things we've been cooking up.Many of you have asked to give a Thumbs Up when you like a review. That's a...

Janet's Notebook

Warm up This Winter with Homemade Soup

Winter has arrived! My hats, gloves and scarves have come out of the closet. And, so has my stockpot. When the weather is this cold, there's nothing better than a pot of soup simmering on the stove. And, of course,...

Janet's Notebook

Healthy Recipes to Start Your Day

Happy New Year y'all! I've been so busy in the Test Kitchen, I feel like this year flew by. Every January, I make a resolution and this year I'm trying to improve what I eat for breakfast. It is the...

Janet's Notebook

Recipes to Bring You Luck this New Year

Did you know there are old wives' tales that say if you eat certain foods on New Year's Day they will bring you good luck? In Spain, the tradition is to consumer twelve grapes at midnight (one for each month...

Janet's Notebook

Appy-tizing New Year’s Eve Recipes

Oh hello 2015... I see you sneaking up on me. How can the new year be here already? It seems like only last week I was planning last year's New Year's Eve party!For the menu this year, I am going...

Janet's Notebook

The Crew’s Been Busy…

Hi everyone, Janet here!Did you know you can create polls and quizzes in groups? And you don't need to be the group owner to do it? I wasn't sure that everyone knew, so I wanted to make sure I pointed...

Janet's Notebook

Feast on These Fabulous Christmas Dinner Recipes

Christmas dinner may be one of my favorite meals to cook - and eat! I love setting the table just right, looking at (and thankful for) our abundance of food, being surrounded by my family, with the glow of the...

Janet's Notebook

Impress Your Guests with Great Breakfast Recipes

My house seems to be the place to be this holiday season! I have people staying with me each weekend through the New Year. I'm sure your home feels like Grand Central Terminal too. When I have overnight guests, I...

Janet's Notebook

Christmas Cookies Create Lasting Memories

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. My town is decorated with wreathes and lights and my house looks like Dickens' Village with all my decorations I have out. And, I LOVE Christmas cookies. Not only do...

Janet's Notebook

Cake Mix, My Secret Time Saver

I love making desserts from scratch, but sometimes I just don't have the time. I'm sure you can all relate to that! So what do I do when I need to prepare a last minute dessert? I open my pantry...

Janet's Notebook

Thanksgiving 2.0, Reinventing Leftovers

The table has been set, friends and family have gathered and the Thanksgiving meal has been enjoyed. Now comes one of my favorite things - leftovers! Subconsciously, I wonder if I make so much food just so I have extras....

Janet's Notebook

Feast on Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

I'm in full Thanksgiving planning mode right now making sure I have enough plates, silverware, figuring out how I'm going to decorate the table... all that fun stuff. With my priorities - of course! - on the menu. As with...