Poinsettia Drive

Twice-baked potatoes in all their cheesy, bacon-loaded goodness as a comforting casserole.

1 pound thin bacon

16 russet potatoes

6 tablespoons canola oil

4 sticks (1 pound) salted butter, plus more for buttering baking dish

2 cups sour cream

2 cups grated Cheddar or Jack (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

2 cups whole milk

4 teaspoons seasoned salt

6 green onions, sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cook the bacon in a saute pan until crispy; let cool and then crumble.

Scrub the potatoes, then place them on baking sheets. Rub the potatoes with the canola oil and bake until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the potatoes and lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Slice the butter into pats and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the bacon and sour cream. With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise and scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl. Tear up 3 of the skins and throw them in. Smash the potatoes with a potato masher. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and some salt and pepper and mix together well.

Butter a baking dish, and then spoon the mixture into the dish, top with more grated cheese and bake until warmed through, 25 to 30 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond

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10-Minute Pumpkin Dip

This after-dinner dessert dip tastes just like pumpkin pie, but even more fun to serve at a party.

One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup heavy cream

Ginger snap cookies, for garnish

Suggested dippers: ginger snaps, cinnamon-sugar pita chips, graham crackers

Put the pumpkin puree, light brown sugar, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Add the heavy cream and continue to beat on medium-high until very thick and fluffy. Transfer to a dip bowl and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Right before serving, garnish with a border of ginger snaps. Serve with dippers.

Food Network

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Hard Times

In the hard times, we discover our worth. Hard times can make us feel disqualified for ministry ... and sometimes we can even question our faith. But that's a lie Satan tells us. He's always wanting to stamp disqualified on our lives, but God gives us a different label - and that's worthy.

- Glynnis Whitwer #First5

I sometimes fall in that trap believing the lies Satan likes to lead me to believe. But after doing a heart check-up and getting re-focused, I am reminded that God is good. What ever hard time I am going through He will see me through it because His goodness always shines through. xoxo Linda

Chicken Piccata

Lemon and white wine flavors this dish. I even add capers to give it a salty punch.

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 extra-large egg

1/2 tablespoon water

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved

1/2 cup dry white wine

Sliced lemon, for serving

Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

2007, Ina Garten

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