Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

I hope you had a good week despite everything that’s going on. I know it’s not easy! It’s been more than a month now for Wisconsin's Safer-at-Home order, and I’m starting to get used to a routine. Instead of driving to work in the morning, I walk over to my dining room table which is now my home office. I’m up early every day working on new recipes to help make your life in the kitchen a little easier and more fun. Let me tell you my coffee maker is getting a real work out! LOL. Seriously, I’m so happy I can help you out with new ideas!

Five weeks ago I started cooking LIVE on Facebook. A huge THANK YOU to all of you who are watching daily. I want to thank you all so much for your kind words and support! As long as we are stuck home, I’m going to keep on cooking and doing what I do best! I’m sharing simple recipes to help get you through this difficult time. You can see me at 3:30pm CST LIVE daily from my kitchen!

This week I’ve got some recipes I think you and your family will really LOVE! I think its important to do something a bit special on the weekend! You know, to make it really feel like a weekend!

It’s a Friday night in again. I can’t tell you how much I miss going out for a Wisconsin Friday night fish fry! To make tonight more fun, I’m planning a date night in. We’re going to watch a movie and just make the best of it! I’m all about a really good dip! My Hot Swiss Almond Dip is AMAZING! Just 4 ingredients. You can whip it up in minutes! Then bake it when you are ready. Serve it warm out of the oven with crackers. BRING IT ON! I’m getting excited just thinking about it! Click Appetizers for more of my favorite appetizer and dip recipes.

For breakfast why not WOW everybody with my Nutella Stuffed Strawberry French Toast! It looks so fancy but it’s actually super easy! Serve it with Brown Sugar Bacon. Now, that’s one delicious way to kick off the weekend! Click Breakfast & Brunch for more of my favorite recipes.

If the weather cooperates we also try to take a big hike or a long walk with Arlo, our 6 year old black lab. By the way he’s lovin’ all this at home time and attention!

I always try to start dinner with a big beautiful salad. I LOVE pears! Seems like you can get them year round at the grocery store. I picked up a few this week and I’m making my favorite Poached Pear Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing. I know it sounds fancy. Not to worry, it’s super simple. Don’t like bleu cheese? You can use feta or go with no cheese at all. It’s still going to be delicious. Try it! Click Salads for more sensational fresh salad recipes.

For dinner, I had a pork tenderloin in the freezer. I’m going to use it to make my bacon wrapped Just Peachy Pork Tenderloin. It’s a WINNER!

On the side I think I’ll make my Cheddar Potatoes Au Gratin. I have everything in my kitchen to make them. I'm betting you do too! Who doesn’t love cheesy potatoes? Sign me up! Click Sides for more super delicious side recipes.

It’s been a chilly week here in Wisconsin. I always try to make a pot of soup over the weekend so we can have it for lunch during the week. I made my Hungarian Sausage Soup yesterday. Man, is that good! So easy too. Soup's on in 30 minutes or less. LOVE THAT!

This weekend, I’m craving something healthy but full of flavor! I think I’m going to get out my slow cooker and make my Southwest Chicken Stew! It makes a big batch so it’s perfect to have around for next week! Click Soups and Nice ’n Lite for more soups, stews and lighter recipes.

My slow cooker has been working overtime. What a life saver, especially now! Click Slow Cooker Secrets to read my blog post with more great slow cooker recipes!

The weekend is a great time to throw on the apron and do some baking. Get the kids in the kitchen too! There are just 3 ingredients in my Super Easy Peanut Butter Cookies. I mean it doesn’t get much easier than that!

If the kids are bored, have them crush cookies and whisk pudding to make Dirt Cups. Talk about cooking up some memories. What fun! Click Desserts for more super simple but delicious dessert recipes.

We’ve Got Another Facebook Winner!

Because we all need some fun, I thought let’s do some social media contests to give some of my favorite things away! Congrats to this week’s Facebook contest winner - Amy! She wins my favorite Nesco Roaster!

Instagram Contest!

It’s EASY for you to win, too! Just click on Instagram Contest and follow me for your chance to enter to WIN one of my favorite Nesco products!

Shop and Save!

If you need a new Nesco Roaster, Slow Cooker or Electric Skillet, now’s a great time to order one. Click Shop to get 20% off.

Order Amy's Cookbooks on Amazon!

If you are stuck in the house and need some new ideas and recipes to keep busy why not treat yourself to my cookbooks? I have two cookbooks with lots of beautiful color pictures and each is filled with nearly 200 unique, delicious recipes. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

You can always see what I’m up to on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’ve got lots of recipe videos on YouTube, too! Follow me!

Hang in there everybody. Together we've got this! Cook up some memories this weekend!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

Buy Amy's Cookbooks on Amazon!