Old-Fashioned Italian Pasta Salad

A colorful homemade pasta salad tossed with zesty herb dressing, cheese, salami, and fresh vegetables 

This pasta salad always reminds me of family get-togethers.

It was one of my cousin’s favorite dishes to bring, and it was always one of the first bowls emptied.

She made it often because it was easy to throw together, colorful on the table, and something nearly everyone enjoyed.

The homemade dressing gave it a fresh tangy flavor that soaked into the pasta perfectly, and the mix of cheese, salami, vegetables, and pepperoncini gave every bite plenty of flavor.

It was one of those dependable recipes everyone hoped would show up at family gatherings.

Simple, hearty, and always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

Dressing: 

1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. vinegar 
1/4 c. water
2 tsp. salt 
2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 Tbs. sugar
2 tsp. dry oregano
2 tsp. dry basil
pepper to taste

Salad:

1 pound uncooked pasta 
2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved 
2 bell peppers, chopped
8 ounces feta, goat cheese or mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half if needed
8 ounces salami, cut into cubes
1/2 c. olives, sliced
1 c. sliced pepperoni cut into cubes
1/2 c. onion, chopped

Directions:

In a blender or food processor, combine olive oil, vinegar, water, salt, garlic, sugar, oregano, basil, and pepper.  Blend until smooth and fully combined.  Set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking.

Place cooled pasta in a large serving bowl.  Add cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, feta, salami, olives, pepperoni, and onion.   

Pour dressing evenly over salad.  Toss well to coat everything thoroughly.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.  Toss again before serving.

Tips for Best Success:

• Cook pasta just to al dente
• Cool pasta before adding cheese
• Chill before serving for best flavor
• Toss again before serving
• Use quality olive oil

Variations & Substitutions:

• Add cucumbers
• Add artichoke hearts
• Use provolone cubes
• Add fresh parsley
• Swap salami for ham

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

• Burgers
• Grilled chicken
• BBQ ribs
• Sandwiches
• Picnic lunches
• Potluck dinners

How to Store:

• Store refrigerated in airtight container up to 4 days
• Stir before serving
• Add splash olive oil if needed
• Do not freeze

Frequently Asked Questions:

What pasta works best?
Rotini, bowties, or penne.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes—best made the day before.

Can I skip meat?
Absolutely.

Can I use bottled dressing?
Yes, but homemade tastes fresher. 

Old-Fashioned Apple Walnut Bread

 A moist spiced apple loaf packed with tender apples, warm cinnamon, and crunchy walnuts

When we still had apple trees growing in the yard, my mother made good use of every apple she picked.

Some were canned, some were frozen, some became pies or applesauce, and some were turned into her homemade apple butter.

This bread was one of the recipes she made often, especially in the fall when apples were plentiful and the kitchen smelled like cinnamon and warm spice.

Sometimes she used her homemade apple butter, and other times plain applesauce if that’s what she had on hand. She also sometimes made it with only all-purpose flour when whole wheat flour wasn’t available.

No matter which version she made, it was always moist, tender, and full of fresh apple flavor.

This is the kind of loaf that feels like home with every slice.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. melted butter
3 large eggs
1/4 c. applesauce or apple butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/3 tsp. cloves
1/3 tsp. nutmeg
3 c. peeled, cored, and cubed apples
1 c. chopped walnuts

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 300°F.  Lightly grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, eggs, applesauce (or apple butter), and vanilla until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, cloves, and nutmeg. 

Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients.  Mix only until combined.  Do not overmix.

Gently fold in apples and walnuts until evenly distributed.

Divide batter evenly between loaf pans.  Smooth tops.

Bake for 70–80 minutes, or until a knife or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  (Apple breads can vary depending on moisture in apples.)

Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then remove and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Best Success:

• Use tart apples for best flavor
• Don’t overmix batter
• Check center carefully before removing
• Cool before slicing
• Toast walnuts for deeper flavor

Variations & Substitutions:

• Use all all-purpose flour
• Replace walnuts with pecans
• Add raisins
• Use apple butter for richer flavor
• Add coarse sugar topping

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

Hot coffee
Tea
Cream cheese
Butter
Honey
Vanilla ice cream

How to Store:

• Wrap tightly at room temperature for 4 days
• Refrigerate up to 1 week
• Freeze up to 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use only all-purpose flour?
Yes.

What apples work best?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Can I skip walnuts?
Absolutely.

Why is my bread dense?
The batter was likely overmixed. 

Old-Fashioned Beef Pot Pie with Biscuits

A hearty homemade beef and vegetable casserole topped with fluffy golden biscuits

This was one of those meals my mother often made because it was filling, simple, and made good use of whatever was growing in the garden.

She usually picked the carrots and celery herself, chopped everything at the kitchen counter, and had supper bubbling away in the oven before the afternoon was over.

It was the kind of hearty meal that didn’t require fancy ingredients—just pantry staples, fresh vegetables, and a little time.

The creamy beef filling baked under fluffy homemade biscuits always made the kitchen smell wonderful.

It was comfort food at its best and one of those meals that always brought everyone to the table quickly.

Ingredients: 

1 pound ground beef
1 c. carrots, chopped
1 c. onions, chopped
1 c. celery,chopped
4 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. flour
2 c. beef broth
1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Biscuits:

3 c. baking mix
1 c. buttermilk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Butter or lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

In a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, carrots, onion, and celery until beef is browned and vegetables begin to soften.   Drain excess grease if needed.

Transfer mixture to a bowl.

In the same skillet, melt butter.

Whisk in flour gradually until smooth.  Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.

Slowly whisk in beef broth until smooth and thickened.

Stir in garlic salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Return beef and vegetable mixture to skillet.  Bring to a gentle simmer.  Remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, add baking mix. 

Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Stir just until soft dough forms.  Do not overmix.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.  Roll to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter dipped in baking mix.

Pour beef filling into prepared baking dish.  Arrange biscuits evenly over the top.

Bake for 24–25 minutes, or until biscuits are golden brown and cooked through.

Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. 

Tips for Best Success:

• Chop vegetables evenly
• Don’t overmix biscuit dough
• Keep biscuit dough soft
• Let filling thicken before baking
• Rest before serving for cleaner slices

Variations & Substitutions:

• Add peas or green beans
• Use ground turkey
• Add shredded cheddar to biscuits
• Use fresh garlic
• Add mushrooms

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

• Garden salad
• Buttered corn
• Creamed peas
• Applesauce
• Fresh fruit

How to Store:

• Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
• Reheat covered at 350°F
• Freeze up to 2 months

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate before baking.

Can I use canned biscuits?
Yes.

Why are my biscuits dense?
The dough was likely overmixed.

Can I use fresh broth?
Absolutely.

Old-Fashioned Moist Chocolate Coffee Cake

 A rich, deeply chocolate cake with coffee-enhanced flavor and tender homemade texture

 

This is one of those cakes my mother often made, because it was simple, dependable, and always delicious.

She didn’t believe every cake needed thick frosting piled on top. If a cake was rich, moist, and flavorful enough on its own, that was enough for her.

This chocolate cake was exactly that kind of recipe.

The coffee deepens the cocoa flavor without making the cake taste like coffee, while the buttermilk keeps every bite tender and soft.

Sometimes she served it plain with coffee in the afternoon. Sometimes she dusted it lightly with powdered sugar. And once in a while, if it was for a birthday or gathering, she added frosting.

But most of the time, she left it just as it was—simple, homemade, and perfect.

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, (1½ sticks, room temperature)
2 c. brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. buttermilk
4 tsp. instant espresso coffee, or instant coffee
3/4 c. hot water
Optional: powdered sugar or frosting for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Butter a 13x9-inch baking pan, then lightly dust with flour.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy.

Add brown sugar and beat for about 2 minutes, until light and smooth.

Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Mix in vanilla extract.

Add half the flour mixture and mix just until combined.  Add half the buttermilk and mix gently.  Repeat with remaining flour mixture and buttermilk.  Do not overmix.

Dissolve espresso powder in hot water.  Gradually pour into batter while mixing on low speed until smooth.  The batter will be thin.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake on center rack for 38–42 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool completely on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar or frost if desired.

Tips for Best Success:

• Use room temperature butter and eggs
• Don’t overmix once flour is added
• Dissolve coffee completely
• Cool fully before frosting
• Use quality cocoa for best flavor

Variations & Substitutions:

• Add chocolate chips
• Add chopped walnuts
• Use brewed coffee instead of espresso + water
• Dust with powdered sugar
• Frost with chocolate buttercream

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

• Hot coffee
• Vanilla ice cream
• Fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• Cold milk

How to Store:

• Cover tightly at room temperature for 3 days
• Refrigerate up to 5 days
• Freeze slices up to 2 months

Frequently Asked Questions:

Will it taste like coffee?
No—the coffee deepens chocolate flavor.

Can I frost it?
Absolutely.

Can I make cupcakes?
Yes, bake 18–22 minutes.

Why is my batter thin?
That’s normal.

Garlic Herb Butter Pan-Seared Pork Chops

Juicy skillet-seared pork chops smothered in rich homemade garlic herb butter

Garlic was a staple in our kitchen growing up.

My mother added it to nearly everything she cooked—soups, roasts, vegetables, and especially skillet meals like this one. She always believed garlic was good for the body, and she cooked with it generously.

That’s something I carried into my own kitchen.

These pork chops were one of those simple weeknight meals she could make quickly in her cast iron skillet. The chops would sear until beautifully golden, and then she’d finish them with a buttery garlic herb sauce that filled the whole kitchen with the most comforting smell.

It was simple food, but deeply satisfying—the kind of meal everyone looked forward to sitting down for.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. parsley
4 pork chops
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbs. olive oil

Directions:

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

Add garlic, oregano, thyme, and parsley.  Cook, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden.  Do not let garlic burn.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Pat pork chops dry.  Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place pork chops in skillet.  Cook 4–5 minutes without moving, until golden brown.  Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Pour garlic butter over the pork chops.  Cover and cook 1–2 minutes more to allow flavors to blend.  Remove from heat.

Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Best Success:

• Pat pork chops dry before searing
• Don’t overcrowd skillet
• Let chops rest before serving
• Use cast iron for best crust
• Spoon garlic butter over chops while finishing

Variations & Substitutions:

• Use fresh herbs for brighter flavor
• Add crushed red pepper flakes
• Add lemon juice for brightness
• Use boneless or bone-in chops
• Add mushrooms to skillet

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Creamed peas
• Roasted carrots
• Buttered noodles
• Homemade rolls
• Garden salad

How to Store:

• Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days
• Reheat gently in skillet with splash of broth or butter
• Freeze up to 2 months

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chops?
Yes, reduce cooking slightly.

Why are my pork chops dry?
They were likely overcooked.

Can I grill these?
Yes—brush with garlic butter while grilling.

Can I make extra sauce?
Absolutely—double butter mixture.

Mom’s Creamed Garden Peas

Sweet garden peas in a rich, creamy sauce just like Mom used to make

Creamed peas were one of those simple side dishes my mother could make almost without thinking.

When her garden was producing fresh peas, this was often one of the first recipes she’d make. She’d shell them at the kitchen table, and by supper they’d be simmering on the stove in a creamy sauce that smelled rich and comforting.

The peas from her garden were always sweeter than anything from the store—bright green, tender, and full of fresh flavor.

Even when garden peas weren’t in season, she’d make this same dish with frozen peas, and somehow it still tasted like home.

It’s quick, easy, and one of those old-fashioned side dishes that belongs next to mashed potatoes, roast chicken, or meatloaf.

Ingredients:

2 c. frozen green peas, thawed
2/3 c. water
3 Tbs. butter
1/3 c. heavy cream
2 Tbs. flour
1 to 3 tsp. sugar (adjust to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine peas and water.

Bring to a gentle boil.

Stir in butter until melted.

In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream, flour, and sugar until completely smooth.

Gradually pour the cream mixture into the peas while stirring constantly.  Continue cooking over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened and bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm.

Tips for Best Success:

• Fully thaw peas before cooking
• Whisk cream mixture smooth to avoid lumps
• Stir constantly while thickening
• Don’t overcook or peas lose color
• Taste before serving and adjust seasoning
• For a more traditional sweet cream-style pea flavor, use 3 teaspoons of sugar. For a more savory version, start with 1 teaspoon and adjust after tasting. 

Variations & Substitutions:

• Add pearl onions
• Stir in crispy bacon pieces
• Use half-and-half instead of cream
• Add pinch of garlic powder
• Add shredded Parmesan

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect with:

• Meatloaf
• Fried chicken
• Baked ham
• Roast beef
• Mashed potatoes
• Biscuits

How to Store:

• Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container for 3–4 days
• Reheat gently over low heat, stirring often
• Add splash of cream if needed
• Not ideal for freezing

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use canned peas?
Yes, but reduce cooking time.

Can I use fresh peas?
Absolutely—fresh garden peas are best.

Why is my sauce lumpy?
The flour likely wasn’t whisked smooth enough.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes, reheat gently before serving. 

Old-Fashioned Oven-Fried Chicken

Tender, juicy chicken with a crispy seasoned coating baked just like Mom used to make

Fried chicken was a regular meal in our house when I was growing up.

My mother made the best fried and baked chicken—always tender and juicy inside with a crispy golden coating on the outside.

Back then, she often cooked fresh farm-raised chickens from my grandmother’s place. There was something about that chicken that store-bought chicken simply never matched. The flavor was richer, the texture was firmer, and every meal tasted like home.

She didn’t always keep buttermilk in the refrigerator, but she knew exactly how to make her own. She would stir a tablespoon of vinegar into whole milk and let it rest for a few minutes until it thickened slightly.

That simple trick made beautifully tender chicken every single time.

This oven-fried version delivers all that same old-fashioned flavor with less mess than skillet frying and still gives you that crisp, golden crust everyone loves.

Ingredients:  

2 lbs. of chicken pieces, (breasts, thighs, and drumsticks)
1 c. of buttermilk
1 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
1 cup. flour
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2–3 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat completely.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 8 hours.

In a shallow dish or pie plate, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.

Remove a piece of chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.  Dredge thoroughly in flour mixture, pressing lightly to help the coating to stick.  Place on prepared baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining chicken.

Drizzle the melted butter or oil over the coated chicken. 

Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and coating is golden brown. Thicker pieces may need a few extra minutes.

Allow chicken to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.

Serve warm.

Tips for Best Success:

Marinate longer for extra tenderness
Pat coating firmly onto chicken
Space pieces apart for airflow
Use a wire rack for crispier bottoms
Let chicken rest after baking

Variations & Substitutions:

Add cayenne for spice
Use smoked paprika for deeper flavor
Add Italian seasoning
Use crushed cornflakes for crunchier coating
Swap buttermilk with homemade version

Homemade Buttermilk:
1 cup whole milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
Let sit 5–10 minutes

Serving Suggestions:

Mashed potatoes
Green beans
Macaroni salad
Biscuits
Coleslaw
Corn on the cob

How to Store:

Refrigerate up to 4 days
Reheat at 375°F for 10–15 minutes to restore crispness
Freeze up to 2 months

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, reduce bake time.

Why isn’t my coating crispy?
Add melted butter before baking.

Can I marinate overnight?
Yes—up to 8 hours is ideal.

Can I air fry it?
Yes, cook at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.