I made gingersnaps for the first time the other day and I was pleasantly surprised with how they turned out. Not because I doubted that I could convert a recipe, but because traditionally I don’t like gingersnaps. I hate crunchy, crumby cookies. I like chewy ones. Our family calls hard, crunchy cookies “dunkers” because you have to dunk them in milk or coffee to become edible, whereas soft, chewy cookies are called “benders” for obvious reasons. But these had a crunch to the exterior and a nice, chewy inside. I ended up baking one cookie sheet for a little longer than I would normally just so I could have some extra crispy ones to make into a parfait.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs...

I love a good White Russian cocktail once in a while…my husband makes the best ones ever (but maybe that’s because cocktails always taste better when someone else makes it!). We were almost out of Kahlua when I looked in my cabinet, so I decided that I’d try to make my own since I had all of the ingredients. I thought it turned out so well that I entered it into the Alaska State Fair this year and I came away with a 2nd place ribbon! *Note: You need to prepare this in advance–don’t expect to make this one night and drink it the next as you need to allow time for the flavors to mature and develop.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. ground coffee (I used THIS one since I had it in my pantry...

Dilly beans are basically pickled green beans…and oh, so delicious in a bloody Mary or straight out of the jar! This recipe makes 4 pint jars; just enough to have on the pantry shelves for when you have unexpected guests, but not so much that you don’t have room in the pantry for anything else. These are easy to make, so they’re perfect if you’re new to canning…you can do it!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. green beans, cleaned, trimmed & cut into 4″ lengths
• 4 large cloves garlic
• 1 bunch fresh dill
• 4 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2-4 tsp. dried red chili flakes, like the kind you’d sprinkle on pizza
• 2 1/2 c. water
• 2 1/2 c. white vinegar
• 1/4 c. canning salt (I use this brand)

Directions:

1...

I’ve loved No-bake cookies as long as I can remember and this was one of the first recipes I converted to be gluten free and dairy free after my son got diagnosed with food allergies. Plus, this recipe can fool people into thinking it is the “real” recipe…gets my husband every time!

Ingredients:
1/2 c. nondairy milk (I use full fat coconut milk)
2 c. sugar
3 Tbs. cocoa powder
1/2 c. non-dairy butter
3 c. gluten free oats
2/3 c. creamy peanut butter (use another nut butter or seed butter if you have peanut allergies)

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, heat non-dairy milk & butter with sugar and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
2...

I’m not a huge pie fan, but I’ve always loved the filling for pecan pie. This past spring I tasted some pecan pie bars that had a shortbread crust, so I thought I’d try making them instead of paying $6 for a small bar made by someone else. These are based on a recipe I found in Better Homes & Gardens; I made these and took them to a friend’s house; they were gone so fast that I didn’t even have a change to take a photo of them out of the pan! These will definitely be served at Thanksgiving this year.

Crust:
1 1/4 c. gluten free flour blend of your choice (I like THIS one, but it does contain dairy)
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c...