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Dacula Cook Of The Week

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Dacula Cookbook

A Cozy Meal for a Crowd

Courtney Johnson shares her recipe for Chicken Chili.

Chili is a great crowd pleasing meal that is easy to make and easy on your pocket book. Courtney Johnson shares her recipe for chicken chili, one of her favorite go-to meals when company is coming. “What I like best about the recipe is that it is very easy and it makes a lot,” Johnson said. Even if you are not expecting a crowd around your dinner table, your family will love this warm Mexican flavored chili. “My family likes that it is a cozy meal on a cold day,” Johnson shared. To give this chili a little extra flavor Johnson adds her favorite spice to the chicken. “My best tip is to make sure to cook the chicken with Mrs. Dash for extra flavor,” Johnson suggests. Chicken Chili Ingredients: 3 to 4 chicken breast boiled with Mrs. Dash then…

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

Dacula Cook of the Week Shares Soul Warming Seafood Soup Recipe

Judy Blackwell shares a delicious recipe that will bring a warm smile to your table.

A delicious bowl of soup on a cold winter night will warm your soul and bring smiles to your dinner table. You can make those warm smiles even bigger by filling that bowl with the big flavors in Judy Blackwell’s seafood soup “I love the soup for its flavor and seafood,” Blackwell said. “It is a favorite because it always makes me smile watching others enjoy it.” Blackwell has been making this crowd-pleaser for years. You can add whatever seafood you prefer to the recipe. No matter what you add, it's easy to make and she says that the end result is always wonderful. “Just adjust the seafood to what you like,” Blackwell suggests. “Shrimp is a must, but I also add scallops, which is not called for. If you prefer oysters, add those too.” This …

jo

8:19 am on Friday, December 30, 2011

This one is a keeper, Judy!!! (Just like all of your delicious recipes!)   more ›

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

A Holiday Dinner From the Angels

The Kitchen Angels from Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church share their recipes for a wonderful holiday dinner.

On Wednesday nights at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church (HMUMC), the Kitchen Angels gather together to make dinner for 150 to 200 people. This group of amazing cooks recently made a delicious turkey and dressing dinner that could proudly be serve at your holiday dinner table this year. Susan Gulden organizes this great ministry, and was kind enough to share these wonderful recipes. “This meal consists of oven roasted turkey, southern cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry apple salad,” Gulden said. Like all of the great meals created and served by the Kitchen Angels, this meal is a collaborative effort. “The recipes come from several Kitchen Angels,” Gulden explains. “We like to gather together two weeks in advance …

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

This Homemade Holiday Gift Is Simple and Inexpensive

Wendy Jones shares her recipe for spicy glazed pecans.

Do you love to make homemade gifts for the holidays, but just do not have time? With all of the festive activities, shopping and parties to attend, no one has hours to spend in the kitchen. Wendy Jones has the perfect solution. Her recipe for spicy pecans is a quick homemade holiday gift. “The pecans are easy to make and can be used as a gift or put in a salad with blue cheese, pears and a vinaigrette salad dressing for a holiday dinner,” Jones shared. Are you making a homemade gift this year? Tell us in the comments! This recipe will be perfect for all of those upcoming parties. “They are also great to set out on the coffee table for people to snack on if you are having a party,” Jones said. You can alter the recipe to your own liking by …

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

Warm-up With Delicious Brunswick Stew

Brenda Knight shares her quick and easy crock pot recipe.

Imagine coming home to the smell of a warm and delicious Brunswick stew in the crock pot. The kitchen will smell like you have been slaving away all day, but it really only took a few quick minutes. “The best thing about this recipe is that it’s quick,” Brenda Knight said about her delicious and flavorful Brunswick stew recipe. Knight’s recipe only takes minutes to make because it is made from canned goods. But that does not mean it lacks anything in flavor. “It’s one of my favorites because everywhere I’ve taken it, everyone always raves about it -- especially when they find out that it’s made from all canned goods,” Knight said. Do you make a quick and easy dish that your friends all rave about? Tell us in the comments! But if you do not…

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

An Amazingly Simple Southern BBQ Meal With BIG Southern Flavor

Judy Viktora shares her secret for getting that amazing smoky flavor without spending hours around the BBQ pit.

Nothing describes southern comfort food better than a plate of BBQ, slaw and cheesy potatoes. No need to spend hours around the BBQ pit to get that great southern flavor. Judy Viktora’s delicious southern meal will bring the big flavors of the south to your kitchen with her amazingly simple recipes. This delicious meal is one of Viktora’s family favorites because it reminds her so much of her southern childhood. “Being born and raised in the South, I grew up with the family gathered around the open BBQ pit slow cooking for eight hours and making our family BBQ sauce,” Viktora shared.  What is your favorite childhood meal? Tell us in the comments below. Like any southern classic, Viktora’s recipe was perfected over time. “After marriage, …

Jenn Harris

10:43 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

To answer your question Chris, I tried the BBQ recipe in the crock pot last night. It worked great! You need to cook it a little longer. It took 8 hours on high, and then I seared it on the grill like Judy's recipe calls for. Yum! We have enough BBQ for four meals now :-)! This is a great money saving recipe. We had BBQ last night, and I plan on making BBQ Nachos this weekend. And then I will use…   more ›

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

A Great Dip for Before or After Thanksgiving Dinner

Kelly Dyar shares her recipe for a sweet and easy dip made in the crock pot.

Pumpkin pie dip will be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Hamilton Mill resident Kelly Dyar shares her recipe for a sweet dip that can be used as an appetizer or a dessert. “It is easy, seasonal and tasty,” Dyar said. “Most dips are savory but this is sweet, which is fun.” This dip is also unique because it can be made in the crock pot. “We like all things pumpkin and I love using my crock pot,” Dyar said. “This one uses the Little Dipper and it is super simple.” Dyar has an important tip for making the pumpkin pie dip. “Make sure to use pumpkin pie in a can, not just pumpkin,” Dyar warns. “It needs the sugar and spice.  Also it doesn't have to be in a crock pot, but that does make it super easy.” Pumpkin Pie Dip  Ingredients…

Jenn Harris

10:48 am on Tuesday, November 22, 2011

My favorite Thanksgiving appetizer is my deviled eggs made with candied jalapenos! But I will be making pumpkin pie dip this year too. Thank you Kelly for sharing this great recipe!   more ›

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

Think Meatloaf is Boring? Try This Marvelous Recipe

Heather Doran shares a recipe for meatloaf that makes the ordinary extraordinary.

When you think meatloaf, do you think boring? This week’s recipe takes an ordinary dish and creates extraordinary flavor. Heather Doran shares her family favorite Italian meatloaf recipe. “My kids love this meatloaf and won't eat 'regular' meatloaf,” Doran said. “The last time I made it, my 8-year-old son, Ian said 'Mommy this is the best meal I ever ate!' That's a big accomplishment for a mom of picky-eaters!” There are a few special ingredients that makes Doran’s recipe different and give it great flavor. “I like the added ham and mozzarella,” Doan said. “It gives it a unique taste.” Doran has a great time-saving tip for all of you busy cooks out there. “The recipe can be a little time consuming but it can be made and frozen which is …

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

Delicious Creamy Southwestern Chicken in a Crock Pot!

Renee Dickhute shares a great crock pot meal.

This week’s recipe is a creamy southwestern chicken that you can alter to your own taste. Dacula cook of the week Renee Dickhute was happy to share one of her favorite meals. “It is a favorite on mine because it is easy, delicious and pretty good for you,” Dickhute said. “Everyone in my family likes it.”  Dickhute often uses low fat cream cheese to make the dish even healthier. She also had a few different suggestions on ways to make this dish one of your favorites. “You can choose how spicy you want it to be by changing the flavor of the salsa,” Dickhute suggests. “You can serve it as a dip, with chips or as a meal over lettuce. Enjoy!” Southwestern Chicken Ingredients: 4-6 chicken breasts (can be frozen) 2 cans black beans 1 can corn 1 …

Jenn Harris

7:43 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2011

I get to try all of the great recipes highlighted in the Dacula Cookbook, and this is one of the best!   more ›

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Dacula Cookbook

A Fast and Easy Chicken Casserole the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Whitney Muyres shares her recipe for Crunchy Chicken Casserole.

Chicken casserole is a favorite dish because it is so quick and easy to make. But why waste your time on another chicken recipe if you are going to end up making a second meal for the children? Hamilton Mill resident Whitney Muyres shares a chicken casserole that has added sweetness and crunch to make your children ask for seconds. Do you often have to make a separate meal for your children? Do you have any family-friendly recipes to share? Tell us in the comments. “I like to make it because it's fast, easy, and the kids will eat it,” Muyres said. However, this is not just a dish that the kids will enjoy. According to Muyres, kids of all ages will enjoy the dish for years to come. “I like the water chestnuts in it and my husband loves the …

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