Byrdhouse Mushroom Barley Pilaf

Reviewed: Mar. 4, 2009

This was very hearty and a healthy alternative or a carb (i.e. pasta or white rice) in a meal. I ended up using marsala wine because I mistakenly thought I had sherry (whoops). I added a small amount of olive oil and left the butter out entirely. Basically, I used this recipe as a base for my own creative cooking. The cooking times were dead on (I'm at sea level). One drawback: It looks really unappetizing. I might add some color into it next time - red, yellow or green peppers.

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Carla's Fruit Dip

Reviewed: Feb. 18, 2009

Way too sweet and thick. Even the kids didn't care for it. Maybe I messed it up somehow?? Everyone else here seemed to really like it.

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Reviewed: Jan. 29, 2009

I tried this recipe, and it didn't turn out like I thought it should. It almost seemed like if I'd pt oatmeal in it, that it would've made No Bake cookies. It was too grainy and gooey.

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Shannon

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Searcy, Arkansas, USA

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Fillets

Reviewed: Jan. 27, 2009

Being from Alaska, it is easy for us to be fish snobs - I really do not like to take away from the flavor of the fish in my cooking. I thought this was a little too intense for the salmon that I have in my freezer. However, that being said, my children devoured it and asked for seconds. When they saw salmon defrosting today, they requested this recipe again.

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Slow Cooker Beef Stew I

Reviewed: Jan. 3, 2009

A great recipe although I made some changes - I added basil and oregano, used two bay leaves, used more Worcestershire sauce, and added some red wine. Excellent over sticky rice!

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Swedapina

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Cocktail Meatballs

Reviewed: Dec. 31, 2008

A terrific recipe! I added more seasonings to my meatballs - pepper, garlic and some worstershire. I served the meatballs with buttery mashed potatoes - use Yukon Gold. I will use this recipe again.

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Swedapina

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Soft Sugar Cookies IV

Reviewed: Dec. 31, 2008

This could use more flavor to it - I reduced the flour and added more sugar. I also added more vanilla and some orange extract. You have to press the balls of dough down - they will not flatten on their own as they bake. I frosted them once they cooled with homemade frosting (shortening, powdered sugar, vanilla extract) and sprinkled cotton candy flavored sugar over it. The cookies were nice and soft and didn't last very long!

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Swedapina

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Alfredo Sauce

Reviewed: Dec. 31, 2008

I prefer a lot more seasonings in my cooking but this was a great recipe to jump off of. The cheese and cream combo was great - you just have to wisk it really well as it cooks to get a creamy consistency. I seasoned the sauce with a pinch of salt, white pepper and garlic powder. I added sauteed chicken that I seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, basil and oregano. I also added some diced tomatoes and served it over fresh fettucini. Pretty good!

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Swedapina

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Greek Pasta

Reviewed: Dec. 9, 2008

I did not care for this. Without taste - needed a little more seasoning. It honestly just didn't work - it was a very water-downed version of a classic Greek dish. Not recommended if you are a fan of Greek food. Possibly good for young kids???

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Chicken Wellington Casserole

Reviewed: Dec. 5, 2008

This was good and my husband enjoyed it for the most part but I thought it tasted similar to any casserole that you would find at a churh potluck. I followed the recipe exactly but the instructions were vauge so I improvised on the dough. I baked for 20 minutes as directed then covered with foil and baked for another 20. It baked well, was super-easy to prepare with little fuss and muss. I will make something similar in the future but will include my own ingredients - shallots/onions and more veggies would be a good choice.

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Red Bean 'N' Sausage Soup

Reviewed: Oct. 29, 2008

Truthfully, I chose the recipe because I had the majority of the ingreients sitting around my house already. However, this delicious soup was received very well by my family and I would reccommend it to just about anyone for a quick cold winter ngiht meal. I served it with cornbread muffins. The only drawback is that it is very salty. Choosing a low-sodium chicken broth or tomatoes with no salt added may help.

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Mellie

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Anchorage, Alaska, USA

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Strawberry Rhubarb upside downcake

Reviewed: Jun. 13, 2008

Keep in mind that it is totally a shot in the dark so fiddle it to your own tastes and injoy !!!!!!!

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mommabear

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Great Falls, Montana, USA

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Sesame Shrimp Rice Salad

Reviewed: Jun. 9, 2008

I found this recpie just looking to use up some ingredients that needed to be eaten and found it to be great tasting to me and a hit with my family.

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Cat

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

Living In: Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

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Alienated Blueberry Muffins

Reviewed: Jun. 4, 2008

This is my first time making muffins and they turned out great! I will be making them again.

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Alaskan McCarthy

Cooking Level: Beginning

Home Town: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

Living In: Wasilla, Alaska, USA

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Salt and Garlic Bagel Chips

Reviewed: Jun. 1, 2008

These were very good. I placed mine flat and cut them that way (Sorta looked like an 8) The bagels I had were very dense and firm. I like mine chewy so I cut them thicker. Definately something to play around with but very tasty the way recipe is.

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