My husband likes gourmet dishes. He's from New York and I'm a southern girl. Needless to say, I had to learn a whole new way of cooking. Over the years, I discovered easy recipes with a gourmet flair. I will also share some of my own down home cooking, easy desserts and gift giving recipes. I am a lifetime Weight Watchers member so I will also share some of my favorite WW recipes. Please enjoy!  

1 bag Butter Snaps pretzels (shaped like window panes)

1 bag chocolate & vanilla candy melts (used for candy making)

Candy Corn and/or Candy Pumpkins or

M&M's in seasonal colors or Reeses Pieces

Cover a round dinner plate with a layer of pretzels.  Place one candy melt on each pretzel.  Mirowave 30 seconds on high.  Turn 1/4 turn and microwave 30 seconds more.  According to the power of your microwave, you may have to mirowave 30 seconds more rotating 1/4 turn.  Candy should be soft.  Press 1 Candy Corn/Candy Pumpkin in center of each candy melt.  I usually make half of each.  Let

cool completely.

Use your imagination.  Use different color M&M's for different holidays…pink and red for Valentines Day, etc.  You can also use different flavors and colors of candy melts.

3 plates full will fill a quart wide mouth canning jar if you want to give as a gift.  Coordinate with a fabric lid cover.  Tie with raffia.

2 lbs. beef for stew (cut in 1" cubes)

1 med. onion, sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup oil

1 1/2 cups water

3/4 cup ketchup

2 table. Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins best)

1 table. packed brown sugar

2 teas. salt

2 teas. paprika

1/2 teas. dry mustard

Dash of cayenne red pepper

2 table. cornstarch in 1/4 cup cold water

Brown beef, onion, and garlic in oil in Dutch Oven. Drain. Add rest of ingredients except cornstarch and water. Cook in oven at 325 degrees for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Take out of oven and stir in cornstarch and water mixture. Bring to boil to thicken. Serve over noodles.