Jolene's Recipe Journal

I is for Italian! This homemade Italian dressing is quick to make with simple pantry ingredients and has a fresh, tangy flavor that works on just about everything. It’s the kind of easy salad dressing you can throw together in minutes and keep in the fridge for salads, pasta salads, or marinades.  This dressing comes together in just minutes using everyday ingredients. It has a balanced blend of acidity, herbs, and richness, making it versatile for meal prep, salads, and more. Once you try it homemade, it becomes an easy staple you’ll skip store-bought for. What You'll Need Extra Virgin Olive oil Red wine vinegar Dijon mustard Dried oregano, dried basil Garlic powder Dried minced onion Salt, black pepper Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) How to Make It Add all ingredients to a 16 oz mason jar. Secure the lid and shake well until fully combined and slightly emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Let the dressing sit for 10 to 15 minutes to a...

These Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Muffins with Mozzarella come out of the oven with pockets of melted cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil in every bite. 

These crispy loaded hash brown patties are a simple brunch recipe made with frozen hash brown patties baked until golden, then topped with melted cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onions, and sour cream.

H is for Honey! Whipped honey is smooth, creamy, and easy to spread straight from the jar. It has the same flavor as regular honey but a thick texture that makes it perfect for toast, biscuits, charcuterie boards, and more.

G is for Grits! Cheesy Bacon Grits with Pepper Jack cheese , crispy bacon, and green onions, creamy and melty for a Southern-style breakfast, brunch, or hearty side dish .

  Spring baking is all about bright flavors and fresh ingredients. This collection of dessert recipes highlights some of my favorite seasonal bakes, from citrus-forward treats to fruity cookies and cakes. Whether you’re planning a party or just want something sweet to bake, you’ll find plenty of ideas here. Baked Carrot Cake Donuts Spiced carrot donuts with rich cream cheese frosting. They capture all the flavor of classic carrot cake in an easy, handheld bite. Deviled Egg Sugar Cookies Egg-shaped cookies topped with a yellow frosting “yolk” and red sanding sugar. A fun, eye-catching treat for parties and holidays. Strawberry Lemon Crinkle Cookies Soft, chewy cookies with a delicate lemon flavor and bursts of strawberry. The crinkle tops give them a classic look while keeping the texture light and tender. Lemon Greek Yogurt Bread A moist loaf made with Greek yogurt for natural richness, filled with vibrant lemon flavor and finished with a light lemon glaze. ...

These deviled egg sugar cookies are made in egg-shaped molds and topped with a yellow frosting “yolk” and a sprinkle of red sanding sugar. An easy, fun cookie that’s perfect for parties or holidays.

  These baked carrot cake donuts are flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, then topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting.

These strawberry cookies are soft, buttery, and full of bright flavor from fresh lemon zest and freeze-dried strawberries. The dough comes together with a simple mix of pantry staples, then gets rolled in a sweet strawberry coating that adds even more flavor and a beautiful finish..

F is for Funfetti! These fluffy, festive Funfetti Pancakes, with colorful sprinkles folded into the batter, make a cheerful breakfast perfect for birthdays, weekends, or any morning that deserves a little fun.

 St. Patrick’s Day is a great excuse to enjoy Irish-inspired flavors, colorful drinks, and sweet treats. From comforting breads to creamy beverages and simple desserts, these recipes are easy to make and perfect for celebrating the holiday.

  E is for Empanadas Baked Beef Empanadas are simple, oven-baked hand pies filled with lightly spiced ground beef. These easy empanadas can be made ahead or frozen for stress-free meals, perfect for snacks, lunch, or family dinners.

D is for Dirty The Dirty Shirley is a grown-up version of the classic Shirley Temple, with vodka, Sprite, and grenadine for the familiar flavor and bright red color, finished with cherries and a squeeze of lime.

C is for Chocolate Chip, Cookies and Crescent Rolls Chocolate Chip Crescent Roll Cookies are a mashup dessert that combines flaky crescent dough with soft chocolate chip cookie dough. Rolled, sliced, and baked into golden swirls, they’re warm, gooey, and impossible to resist.

This Beef and Bacon Gnocchi Skillet is a hearty one-pan dinner made with crispy skillet-seared potato gnocchi, seasoned ground beef, and smoky bacon.

  B is for Banana and Brown Sugar This Brown Sugar Banana Bread is soft, moist, and deeply flavored with very ripe bananas and warm spices. Using both mashed bananas and diced banana pieces adds extra moisture and texture throughout the loaf, with brown sugar adding extra depth to the banana flavor.

  This slow cooker Apple Cider Beef Stew is comfort food at its best. Tender chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onions cook low and slow in apple cider and beef broth for a rich, hearty meal. The slow cooker does all the work, letting the flavors meld together over several hours. A small amount of the cooking liquid is whisked with flour and stirred back in near the end to thicken the broth without diluting the rich, apple-cider flavor. What You Need 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 cups apple cider 1 can (14.5 oz) reduced-sodium beef broth 2 tbsp cider vinegar ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper (or to taste) ½ tsp dried thyme or tarragon 2 tsp dried celery flakes 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes  4 medium carrots, cut into ¾-inch pieces 2–3 medium onions, cut into wedges ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for thickening) Fresh thyme sprigs or tarragon, optional for garnish How to Make It Add beef, apple cider, beef broth, cider vinegar, dried celery, ...

This is the original Quaker Oats Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe. Soft, chewy, and packed with oats and raisins, these cookies live up to their name.

A is for Arancini! Arancini are Italian rice balls that are crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and perfect dipped in marinara. They’re a beloved comfort food from Sicily that always disappear fast.