The Odessa Record -

Odessa gardens typically produce an abundance of zucchini squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables this time of year. Hot weather is past, nights are still warm so bees increase activity,...

Quilters tend to be good cooks and bakers. Attend any quilting related event that includes a potluck meal and you will come away well sated and with a handful of new recipes. Grape nuts-Oatmeal...

Salads are a great way to keep the family fed on hot days, or, as a side dish anytime of the year. Any preparation cooking needed can be done early in the day while you can open windows for...

Summertime is ideal for teaching kids to cook. By age 9, young people can begin to master dishes involving boiling water for cooking pasta, eggs and packaged meals, measuring and mixing ingredients...

Salad season, school is out and pool time; recipes in this column are mostly from Odessa Friends of the Pool Cookbooks. Barb Schlimmer’s Taco Salad is always a hit at any event she brings it to. The...

Graduation season is here and high school and college graduation celebrations abound. Most years this column features salads and sides for a crowd suggestions for all the celebrations, but this year...

Rhubarb is in plentiful supply in local gardens and area supermarket. Sauces, pies, chutneys, cookies, even salad recipes abound for preparing this prolific spring and early summer fruit. Crust-less R...

Asparagus season has begun. Though we can buy asparagus in the supermarket most of the year, fresh locally grown is a cut above in flavor and texture. Keeping the fresh flavor and texture is all in...

With the passing of Barbara Bush this past week, it seems appropriate to share her recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. During the 1992 Bush/Clinton presidential campaign a family favorite from each of...

Spring keeps tempting us with bits of sunshine between bouts of April downpours. The ground is too soggy to do much garden preparation, so it is a good time to clean out your freezer. Those who...

This week we have an assortment of culinary odds and ends, some with Easter dinner in mind, others, answers to recipe requests and cooking inquiries. Often it is a little trick or tip, or knowing...

Spring officially begins March 20th. Snowdrops and crocus are blooming, birds are flitting about searching out nesting material. I pulled a few dry weeds and laid them on the garden path to pick up...

Soup weather is still with us. Over the past year I have added several soup recipes to my collection. All have been made several times and continue to turn out well. Salmon Chowder is an easy to...

Potluck meals are easy on the host as attendees are involved in the meal preparation. Often the event host provides the main dish with guests providing the side dishes. Occasionally side dishes are...

My cookbook collection grew considerably over the past year. Several collections and individual books were gifted to me. There is only so much shelf space so it is time to work through the new additio...

Cold, damp weather, plus cold and flu season is here, but still we have to eat. Chicken soup is good for what ails you, or if you are one of the rare, lucky ones who have skipped the bugs this year,...

Happy 2018. Long time readers may remember, I like to start the new year by sorting out my pantry, making plans to use items nearing a pull date or donating to the food bank so they don’t go to...

There are just a few days left before Christmas. Hopefully most of your baking is done, and make ahead recipes prepared. Some of this columns offering may help if you are a bit behind. Several...

Christmas baking season has arrived. Whether you are preparing for family gatherings in your home, or making to take as part of a potluck, planning ahead will make the preparation easier. Making a...

Fall has arrived with below freezing nights and windy afternoons. Time for warm and comforting meals. Recently I was in on a discussion about ham and beans served over cornbread, and how it is almost...

Fall has arrived with below freezing nights and windy afternoons. Time for warm and comforting meals. Recently I was in on a discussion about ham and beans served over cornbread, and how it is almost...

Another Deutschesfest is in the books. We have had a little rain to wash off the summer dust and smoke from wildfires. Gardens are beginning to wind down, but you may still have a few summer squash si...

School is in session and the school lunch dilemma has come to the fore. Some kids will eat anything provided, and others have extremely discriminating tastes. Parents pack a nice, well balanced lunch...

Summer harvest season is not just for wheat. Home gardens can produce a bumper crop leaving the gardener wondering what to do with it all. I received requests for an easy apricot jam, any ideas...

Several weeks ago a gentleman dropped a recipe by The Odessa Record office, but staff did not catch his name. Our policy is to not print recipes anonymously, but the recipe concept intrigued me. The r...