Jolene's Recipe Journal

My guys tend to like the same things for dinner over and over, but I managed to try some great new main dish recipes this year.   Balsamic Chicken Fettucine
Filling but not heavy, and packed with so many great flavors and textures!
Spicy Touchdown Chili
Hands down the best chili I've ever made (or eaten)! 
Honey Citrus Chicken Sandwiches
When the snow is too high to get to the grill, I made these inside on the panini press.


Arribbiata with Zucchini Noodles
Finally dug out my spiralizing attachment and put it to good use!
Asparagus, Bacon, and Herbed Cheese Pizza
I love pizza in all it's forms, and I'm always excited when I find asparagus at the market because I know I can make this version. 
Cajun Chicken Pasta
The mixture is great inside a lettuce wrap too!
Parmesan Chicken and Lemon Rice
I've eaten tons of rice and quinoa this year, and have found some great ways to change it up.
Italian Sausage Marinara with Penne
Comfort food that won't weigh you down
Taste of …

The saying goes that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I'll eat breakfast food any time of day!  Today I'm sharing with you the top 10 breakfast recipes from 2019. 
Copycat Dunkin Donuts Power Breakfast Sandwich
When Dunkin Donuts came out with their new Power Breakfast Sandwich I immediately thought, "I can make that at home," so I did!  
PB&J Overnight Oats
My obsession with overnight oats continued into 2019.  So easy to just grab one out of the fridge!
Honey Vanilla Pancakes
Pancakes are another great make ahead breakfast.  Make a double batch and freeze them, and just pop them into the toaster as needed. 


Cheesy Scrambled Egg Stuffed Popovers
Take scrambled eggs to the next level by serving them inside delicious popovers!
Streusel Coffee Cake
I found this treasure in my Gram's recipe box and put a little spin on it.
Old Fashioned Doughnuts
I don't fry often, but these were so worth it!
 Brown Sugar Bacon Palmiers
We're pretty s…

Each year I make a Christmas baking plan that's pretty ambitious.  This year, I'd got in my head that I was going to make some brownies and decorate them like trees, but then I wound up doing some tree shaped shortbread instead. 

Since I already had the brownie mix, I went searching for ideas of how to use it and my friend Sue suggested these Brownie Crackles from Taste of Home.  I had all the ingredients on hand except the semi sweet chips, so I used dark chocolate chips instead.

I think I like these even better than the traditional chocolate crinkles, the flavor and the texture are amazing.  They were a big hit at our gathering on Christmas Eve, so they'll definitely be on the master list for next year!  Thank you to Ellen G. for sharing her recipe, and to Sue for putting it on my radar!



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With ImageWithout Image Brownie Crackles ingredients:1 package fudge brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)1 cup all-purpose flour1 large egg1/2 cup water1/4 cup canola oil1 cup (6 ounc…

Christmas morning is hectic for me with the prep for the main meal, so I like to have a breakfast done up ahead that's all ready to go.  Sometimes it's muffins, sometimes it's a baked french toast.  This year I went with Gingerbread Buttermilk Waffles from Taste of Home.


I made them exactly as the recipe stated.  Take the time to grate the spices fresh, it really makes such a difference.  I got 7 waffles in my iron.  However, I didn't mark them as off limits, and my son snagged a couple.  He gave them two thumbs up, so I went ahead and made a second batch.

I froze them solid on cookie sheets, and then moved them to a ziptop bag.  They can be reheated in the microwave or in the toaster.  They'll be served with NH maple syrup, along with some nice crispy bacon. 




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With ImageWithout Image Gingerbread Buttermilk Belgian Waffles ingredients:1 cup all-purpose flour1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon ground ginger3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon baking soda…

Earlier this month I made Snowy Mountain Cookies and they were such a huge hit I decided to make a variation of them for Christmas.  I left out the walnuts due to allergies, and this time around I cut the shortbread out with a tree shaped cutter.


I made a quick powdered sugar glaze and tinted it green. You could also flavor it with vanilla or peppermint if you liked, I just left mine plain.  I piped it on the trees and then added an M&M before the glaze set.


Let the cookies sit on a rack or parchment until the glaze is completely set.  I like to leave mine overnight, then I move them to an airtight container. I love how they turned out!  It also would be fun to do reindeer or ornament shapes, just change out the icing colors accordingly.


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With ImageWithout Image Christmas Tree Shortbread ingredients:1 1/4 cups butter, softened1 cup sugar2 large eggs1 tablespoon vanilla extract4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon salt2 cups (12 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips1 cup fi…

I was a bonafide veggie hater growing up, but over the last 10 years or so I've really tried to expand the variety of produce that I eat. It's helped that I live in an area that's loaded with farms and orchards.  One of my recent discoveries is delicata squash.  I used it for these Quinoa Stuffed Squash Boats last year, and was so happy to find it again on my last visit.


While scrolling through Instagram I saw a friend had posted a recipe from Taste of Home called Crunchy Honey Glazed Butternut Squash.  I just happened to have 2 nice sized delicata on hand. Depending on the type of squash you use, you may have to microwave it as the recipe states to get it soft enough to slice.  I was able to slice mine without doing that, and I did not peel it.


I opened the cabinet I discovered that my son had used all the honey but a tablespoon or so.  It's the law that if you live in New England you have to have real maple syrup on hand at all times, so I used that in place o…