For most of us Winter is already here and Hot Cocoa always hits the spot on a cold night. Here is a quick and easy recipe that is sure to warm you up. You can even double this recipe to increase the servings for that special Holiday Party or Family gathering.

2 cups cold milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa
Dash of Salt
1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
Marshmellows (optional)
Candy Cane or Peppermint Stick (optional)

In a small bowl or cup combine sugar, cocoa, salt and 1 tablespoon milk or cream and mix well. Heat the milk in a small pot until very hot but not boiling. Stir in cocoa mixture and heat for another minute. Remove from heat and pour into cups.

Makes 2 large cups or 3 or 4 small cups. Enjoy!

This recipe is so good when you can’t have the real thing. Actually, you probably won’t even notice it is missing the tortilla shells.

1/2 Pound Ground Beef
1/4 cup Chopped Onion
1/2 cup Sugar Free Tomato Sauce
1/4 water
Salt & Pepper
Chilli Powder
Garlic Powder
Shredded Lettuce
Cheddar or Mixed Cheese
1 Teaspoon Sour Cream

Brown ground beef, drain, then add onions and saute. Add tomato sauce, water, and seasonings to taste. Simmer for five minutes. Serve with shredded lettuce, cheese and top with sour cream.

Here is a quick low-carb dessert recipe when you need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth.

2 ounces Cream Cheese
A few drops heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
10 Sugar free Chocolate chips or
1 square Dark Chocolate
Splenda to taste

Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature and stir in a few drops of heavy cream. Mix until smooth. Add Splenda and chocolate. Chill in refrigerator for about 20 minutes or eat as is.

Note: Adding Dark Chocolate will add some sugar in the recipe. You may prefer to omit the chocolate depending on what Low carb diet you follow. Either way, this cream cheese dessert really hits the spot.

These days we are busy people especially around the Christmas Holidays.  So here is a quick recipe that you can whip up for your family when your time is limited.

2 pounds fresh ground beef
1 chopped onion (optional)
1 Jar of spaghetti sauce
1 pack of dry spaghetti sauce mix
1 can tomato paste
1 cup water

Salt and Pepper to taste

Boiled Spaghetti Noodles
Garlic Bread (optional)

Brown ground beef and drain thoroughly. Add onion and saute for a few minutes. Add sauce, dry sauce mix, tomato paste, and water. Simmer on medium/low heat until done.

Serve over boiled noodles — along with Garlic Bread and Salad.

What goes into a recipe? A cup of this and a spoon of that and you have a culinary work of art? Not necessarily. For example, when I make cakes from a mix — I followed the directions to a tee. I beat the batter for however long it says to beat it. My cakes usually always came out moist and scrumptious. My friends would ask me how I was able to make it come out so well. I would tell them — I followed the directions. They would later come back to me and tell me that they also followed the directions and even tried to do it again but their cakes would never come out like mine.

Honestly, I did not know what to tell them. Perhaps it is like taking care of a plant? You either have a green thumb or you don’t? Maybe some people can bake better than others? But I really had the feeling that there was more to it than that. When I drilled my friends about how they went through every step in preparing their cake the answers began to surface.

They were not following directions. Some told me that it looked as though there was too much water so they spooned some of it out. Or, they felt all of that oil just couldn’t be too healthy so they either omitted it or did not put enough. They also admitted to being distracted by the kids or phone, or just didn’t have much time so they were not sure if they beat it long enough.

When I prepare for a recipe I read the entire card at least twice to get a good handle on what will be required of me. I ask myself if I have everything that I need? Remember, if you want your recipe to come out exactly the way Aunt Clair or Grandma made it, you must follow the directions precisely. Do not substitute anything unless the recipe states that you may. Take your time. Make sure that you can set aside the time it will take without a lot distractions if possible.

All it takes it that one great dish and they will be singing your praises forever.