As the holidays get closer, things can get hectic and crazier than usual. It’s always nice to be able to relax and enjoy an evening with family and friends, taking a break from the usual craziness to just unwind. For me, that often means throwing things together from the fridge and pantry and coming up … Read more

Thank you for stopping by to Celebrate what you have been creating! Share and let’s celebrate together! Last weeks 3 featured posts: Colorful, Easy Plastic Easter Egg Garland from Dazzle While Frazzled Mother’s Day Pillow from The Country Chic Cottage Barn Light Electric Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity Lights from Lolly Jane Let’s get the party started! 

Today is Improv Cooking Challenge Day! This month our ingredients are almonds and cherries. It just so happens that today also starts The Freshman Cook’s 15 Days of Red, White, and Blue! So, in the holiday spirit, I baked  Red, White and Blue biscotti. This biscotti is simple and delicious. Oh, yeah, and festive too!! … Read more

I can never say no to bread pudding. It doesn’t matter how good I am trying to be, or how full I say I am. If bread pudding is on the menu, I am a goner! This Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Gingered Creme Anglaise is the perfect example. It is to die for! The pumpkin … Read more

It is reveal day for the Improv Cooking Challenge! This month the ingredients are crackers and cheese so I made these Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Bites! This is not my “go to” cheesecake recipe that I usually bake, although I still adore it. I wanted to get outside my comfort zone and try a totally new cheesecake … Read more

A few of my sons friends are graduating from college this year, and he asked me to make them some cookies to let them know he was happy for them. I made them each a dozen cookies, 6 different designs, 2 each. Each set of cookies went to a different friend.  I wrapped each cookie … Read more

     Hi! My name is Teri, and I live near Raleigh, North Carolina with my husband and my son. I have been a professional chef and restaurant owner for the past 20 years (give or take a few)! I am not a freshman cook, but I write this blog for the freshman cook. I … Read more

Today we are baking our entree~Homemade Meatloaf! There are probably a thousand different meatloaf renditions at there. This one is pretty basic and very deliciously moist. Here’s the recipe: 1.5 pounds Ground Beef 1/2 cup Crushed Saltines 1 Egg Ketchup 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Salt & Pepper The first thing you need to do is … Read more

This weeks appetizer is a Cheese Quesadilla!! You will love this. Once you make this quesadilla, you will realize how easy it is to make up your own combinations, and all of the sudden you are a recipe creator! Trust me~it’s easy. You know what you like in the way of good food combos. That’s … Read more