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The Recipe Exchange

Readers sometimes wonder how The Connection chooses which recipes to publish, and though the criteria are far from strict, we generally look at a few factors:  First, and most important, do the recipes on these pages guide readers in creating something they will want to eat and serve to friends and family?  If the answer is no, you will not see it here.

We also consider the difficulty level of recipes and try to include an even mixture of both simple-to-prepare recipes (some salad and fresh-produce recipes are more about assembly and don’t require cooking or baking at all) and more difficult dishes.  It is rare that we include recipes that require preparation spanning several hours or lots of expert know-how, so if we do, our food editor is pretty confident that the time and effort will be worth it.

For the most part, recipes we gravitate toward do not require specialty shopping for tools or ingredients, and nearly everything is fairly budget friendly. Most of the selections you’ll find here are based on either traditional favorites for a particular time of year, or what is growing in the fields and readily available at the supermarket or the farmers market.  Much of what we write about are recipes our food editor has made hundreds of times with consistent results.  We do experiment with new things too, and if it’s tasty, you’ll probably read about it here.

Finally, we are thrilled to say that this column is interactive, and sometimes readers catch something we’ve missed, give feedback for how a recipe could be improved, or simply contact us to let us know they have particularly enjoyed something they have read here in their own kitchen.  Please join in!

We hope you enjoy our collaboration with other cooks, testing their recipes and sharing the enjoyment that results.

For holiday dessert, use your NOGgin

November 27, 2024

This is it. December: the big show for people like me who love to go into the kitchen and really make a mess. One of my favorite traditions is making…

A holiday dish that is a side of ease

November 1, 2024
mixed vegetables on white plate

In just a few weeks, those of us who love to cook put on our big show for the year. Maybe your family’s feast is straight out of Norman Rockwell,…

Pasta for pumpkin season

October 1, 2024

  ‘Tis the season to eat … and drink, and smell, and even wear … pumpkin. I, for one, am all in favor of this 24/7 approach to the consumption…

Take a dip for game day

September 1, 2024

Fall is in the air. This means lots of things – shorter days, cooler temperatures, sweaters. For most people, it also means logging hours cheering for a favorite football team.…

Shake it up for summer snacking

August 1, 2024
A clear plastic cup filled with a rich, chocolate milkshake sits on a surface. In the background, there are rolling hills leading up to distant, majestic mountains under a clear blue sky.

Some foods taste good, no matter what. A perfectly grilled burger or steak; fresh veggies, lightly sautéed and delicately seasoned; a juicy peach; the first potato chip out of the…

The devil is in the delicious

July 1, 2024

Summertime living is easy… right? To me, summer is a season of good times and great food, and also a season to relax a bit. I love my kitchen, but…

A summer snowstorm

June 1, 2024

Summer is almost here, and I can literally taste it. It’s still early in the season, but soon there will be fresh ears of corn to boil and salt; zucchini…

Mom’s Day without crying “Mayday”

May 1, 2024

I love the month of May. The weather, while often unpredictable, is generally lovely (random Colorado snowfall notwithstanding). It is also a month of celebrations – Mother’s Day, milestones like…

Spring strawberries in a jam

April 1, 2024

I love fresh berries. This time of year, I especially love strawberries, and it is common for me to literally eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Berries are sweet…

Take a dip in springtime goodness

February 27, 2024

Anyone who knows me, knows I love dessert. In fact, earlier in my tenure as the writer of this column, one of my children (who was about 7 at the…

Breakfast for your Valentine

January 28, 2024

Love is in the air this month. I know there are people who think Valentine’s Day is a “Hallmark holiday” designed to sell cards, but an occasion to let people…

In praise of the big bowl of vegetables

December 28, 2023
bowl of various vegetables

It is January. The Monday of the year. Time to get back in the saddle. Sigh. The house is clean and the holidays are behind me, and while I look…

New toys under the tree for me

November 27, 2023
potato stacks

  Christmas makes everyone a kid, and what kid doesn’t like new toys?  In my memory of childhood Christmas presents, one of my favorites was an Easy-Bake Oven.  With just…

A butter board for which to be thankful

October 29, 2023
butter with different toppings on festive orange platter

I’m way too middle-aged to spend much time on TikTok, but I’m not ashamed to say that in the last few years, most of my cooking inspiration comes from 30-second…

Frosting that’s a piece of cake

September 27, 2023
cupcakes with orange frosting

  There are a number of television shows about cake.  Like, a lot.  It almost seems like there are too many, but I think I have binge-watched nearly all of…

Magnificent meatless Monday

September 1, 2023
photo of veggies in bowl

One of my children is something of a vegetarian.  He’s not opposed to eating meat, but he likes lots of vegetarian dishes, and in a nod to his preferences, I’ve…

We all scream for … cottage cheese?

July 27, 2023
three bowls of ice cream

Here we are again, the dog days.  This is the time of year when I crave all the summer foods – things that are crunchy, creamy and above all cool. …

A raspberry shrub

July 1, 2023
photo of raspberry drink in glass

…No garden required   I am a terrible gardener.  Plants cower in fear in my presence.  I used to have a fantasy of growing the food I eat each summer…

Taste the rainbow with Thai peanut wraps

May 28, 2023

I eat lunch every day. I am sure there are some readers who might find this a strange thing to “admit” – I mean, most people do, right? But there…

Sing a song of celery

May 1, 2023

Celery has had sort of a renaissance in the last few years. Prior to 2019, I mostly thought of celery as a delivery mechanism for peanut butter or as the…

Springy salad for brighter days

April 1, 2023

This is the time of year when I usually find myself with a fridge full of hard-boiled eggs. Even though my kids are all adults now, it is not at…

Sugar cookies three ways – a sweet way to say ‘be mine’

February 1, 2023

I have a confession to make: I secretly love Valentine’s Day, cheesy though it may be. It comes smack in the middle of winter, when things are often dreary, giving…

Latkes Light Up the Holiday

December 1, 2022

Hanukkah begins on December 18 this year, just a few days before the shortest day on the calendar – a joyful celebration of light during dark times. I don’t celebrate…

A party punch that’s perfect for fall

October 1, 2022

Some foods are inextricably linked with certain times of the year.  I can’t eat a slice of fresh tomato without being transported to summer – even if I’m eating said…

Green Chile, a Colorado Favorite

September 1, 2022

I’ve spent most of my life living in the West, but it wasn’t until I moved to Colorado that I discovered green chile. Of course I had eaten green chiles,…

Chile lime cucumber watermelon salad

August 1, 2022

A summer refresher that’s as cool as a cucumber Longtime readers of this column will know that I have a serious obsession with Trader Joe’s (TJ’s). One of the happiest…

Take Taco Tuesday to the Next Level

July 1, 2022

I, like most humans, love a taco. There’s something deeply satisfying about the near-perfection contained in the simple ingredients that comprise a taco. Eight years ago, The Lego Movie –…

Taquitos That Are a Breath of Fresh Air

May 1, 2022

Since I can remember, I have loved having a new toy. I have lived half a century, and I still get excited when I open a box, painstakingly unpack some…

Crisp, tender carrots –

April 1, 2022

for a spring feast Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love spring. Even though I’ve experienced the change of seasons more times than I care to admit, there’s always…

March is for Muffuletta

March 1, 2022

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love the television show “Friends.” I was an avid fan back in the day, often hosting watch parties in my tiny apartment with…

A pot roast for my Valentine

February 1, 2022

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett There was a time, a long time ago, when Valentine’s Day meant I would be getting dressed up and heading out to eat something…

Bulgar Salad – less is more

January 1, 2022

Grain salad for lunch or dinner Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’m starting the new year with a dramatic change in my life. My nest, which has been happily…

Chocolate Cornflake Cake

December 1, 2021

A grown-up take on a childhood favorite Article and photo by Lisa Crockett This time of year is full of food nostalgia. Most of us, even the Scroogiest among us,…

Banana Cream Pie

November 1, 2021

Thanksgiving desserts that are pie perfect Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Whoever coined the phrase “easy as pie” was a liar. Pie, which in my opinion is one of…

TikTok pasta

September 1, 2021

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’m a proud member of Generation X. According to the latest vernacular, this makes me very likely to be “cheugy.” This nonsense word is…

Giving great greens a new life

July 28, 2021

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Nothing delights me more than using up every scrap of food I buy. I’m not always successful, and when I fail, I feel a…

Beautiful brat board for a sumptuous celebration

July 1, 2021

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Brats on the grill are practically synonymous with summer, particularly the celebrations that take place in July. A quick trip to Tony’s for whatever…

Dad’s day doughnuts – a little lovin’ from the oven

June 1, 2021
Photo of oven baked cinnamon doughnuts

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett National Doughnut Day is June 4, so doughnut shops and bakeries far and wide will be offering their best, tastiest treats in celebration. Doughnut…

Strawberrylicious balsamic strawberries

May 1, 2021
Balsamic Strawberry Compote

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas and I make no apologies for that. I love all kinds of delicious foods, but…

Saucy spring brisket

April 1, 2021

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love magazines in much the same way I love to see old friends – they are filled with things I find interesting and…

Shepherd’s pie in miniature: A sure symbol of good luck

March 1, 2021

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I have, as far as I can tell, no Irish blood. I don’t have red hair, green eyes, or particularly good luck. In March…

Rice frittata

February 1, 2021

Rice so nice you’ll eat it twice Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’ve been logging more than my share of TV hours lately. Luckily, the folks at Netflix launched…

Treat yourself in the New Year

January 1, 2021
Photo of Keto Peanut Butter cookies

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’m on a roll. I’m in the zone. I’m eating to live, not living to eat. These are all the things I tell myself…

Holiday pancake mix

December 1, 2020

Holiday pancake mix for festive gifting Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s the time of year when indulgence is on the menu, and no holiday tradition embodies this idea…

Spice up your table with buffalo cauliflower “wings”

November 1, 2020

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the things I love about food and cooking is that it’s a great way to bring very different things together and discover…

Roasted fall veggie salad

October 1, 2020

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s a transitional time of year. Shorter days and changing colors signal the end of one season and the beginning of another, and with…

Sourdough success: part two

September 1, 2020
Photo of Sourdough bread

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I spent my childhood years living just outside of San Francisco. Sourdough bread is a symbol of that city, and I think it must…

Sweet on sourdough

August 1, 2020
Photo of sourdough scones with berries

A baker’s saga Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Sourdough is very on-trend right now. Everyone, it seems, is whipping up their own starter (or getting some from a friend)…

Grilled chicken

July 1, 2020
Photo of grilled chicken

To beat the summertime heat Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A few days ago, a near-tragedy struck our household. I had my taste buds set for something light and…

No eggs, no milk, no butter

June 1, 2020
Photo of chocolate cake

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett There are some recipes that are kind of magical, taking the simplest of ingredients and turning them into something special: BLT sandwiches, pasta with…

Out of this world marinara sauce

May 1, 2020
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett For me, the ultimate expression of love is cooking something delicious for someone. For obvious reasons, my ability to do that has been severely…

Simple Strawberry Fool

April 1, 2020
Photo of Simple Strawberry Fool dessert

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett What’s your favorite first-day-of-April prank? Salt in the sugar bowl? A quick phone call to see if your neighbor’s refrigerator is running? The beginning…

A taste of spring in this veggie-packed side dish

March 1, 2020
Photo of Italian Spinach with Garbanzo Beans and Raisins

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have an aspirational collection of cookbooks. Sure, the internet is a virtually limitless source of ideas and inspiration for what I might do…

Jambalaya

February 1, 2020
Photo of jambalaya

A tale of making a classic dish my own Article and photo by Lisa Crockett This is comfort food season. It’s the time of year when I crave things that…

Resolution-worthy chicken lettuce wraps

January 1, 2020
Photo of Lettuce Wrap

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett There’s a freshness to a new year. A blank slate, a clean canvas, a whole host of new possibilities just waiting to be discovered.…

Chicken and cranberries – Easy

December 24, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love cranberries, with their quintessentially American flavor and deep red color. To me, they just scream “holiday.” I love cranberry sauce, cranberry bars…

Carrot Soup – Easy

December 24, 2019

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett October is the month of orange, one last burst of color as the season changes. It’s such a fallish hue, with the cozy connotation…

Baked Apples – Fast and Easy

December 23, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Nothing encapsulates the feeling of early fall quite like an apple. Crisp and sweet, a fresh fall apple is one of nature’s most divine…

Cookies for a gluten-free holiday

December 1, 2019

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett December is a cookie month, and I have lots of favorites. For years, my standby has been a to-die-for sugar cookie with lovely flavor…

Be elated by late-summer elote

August 1, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I recently spent an afternoon with one of my children at an international fair. It was an amazing day full of experimenting with different…

Parfaits – Patriotic Two Ways

July 1, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Each month as I decide what foods to write about, I take into consideration what is fresh and appealing, and also what might fit…

Cheesy Beer Bread

June 5, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett June is all about dad (Father’s Day is June 16), so I’m always looking for good “man food” to rustle up around this time…

Crackers – Homemade

May 2, 2019

Eaten alone or paired with a delicious cheese and/or fruit combination, these tasty homemade crackers will not disappoint. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I was recently gifted a beautiful…

Green Lentil Salad

April 1, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the reasons I like to cook is that I can do something a little out of the ordinary without too much risk,…

Fresh Banana Jam

February 28, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have a love hate relationship with bananas. Most of the time, I love them. They’re nutritious enough that I feel pretty virtuous when…

Chocolate lava cake

January 31, 2019

Chocolate lava cake for a sweet celebration Article and photos by Lisa Crockett In this issue, The Connection is taking a look back at its past. As the writer who…

Ramen – Soup up your ramen

January 1, 2019

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Like a fresh coat of snow, the new year offers a blank slate. Now is the time for contemplation and simplification. Perhaps this year…

Turkey Hand Pies

November 1, 2018

Turkey hand pies Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love Thanksgiving. I love a day devoted to gratitude. I love a day devoted to national pride. I love a…

Roasted sweet potato breakfast stack

October 1, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s that time of year when I stock up on candy for little ghosts and goblins, where there is sugar in every nook and…

Coleslaw, redefined

August 1, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Every once in a while, I encounter a recipe so strange, I simply have to try it. A few years ago, this column featured…

Milk Cake – Hot

May 31, 2018

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Sometime this month, it’s likely that my oven will go on hiatus for six or eight weeks. I can usually be found at the…

Ham sandwiches in Mornay sauce

April 30, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the classic and repeated punchline topics on the beloved 90s sitcom “Friends” is the character Joey’s love for sandwiches. They are his…

Cheesy Soufflé

March 28, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crocket Eggs are an important part of my diet. They’re almost miraculous: cheap, tasty, nutritious and fast. With the notable exception of a period when…

Cacciatore

March 5, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Crock-Pots, generally a pretty ho-hum kitchen tool, have been making headlines lately due to their involvement in the (fictional) tragedy that took the life…

Apple cocoa truffles

January 30, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett My relationship with Valentines Day is complicated. I am always ambivalent about this “Hallmark holiday,” waffling between protesting the naked commercialism it’s based on…

Green super food Soup

January 1, 2018

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett A new year has arrived, and that means it is time to get back on track. More than a month of butter, cream, flour…

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

November 2, 2017

A one-pan meal worth giving thanks for Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Last year, my family and I went out for Thanksgiving dinner. There, I said it. As a…

Apple Cider Muffins

October 2, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett This is the time of year when all the good things happen: leaves turn, football is in full swing and Halloween is just around…

Chili Salsa

September 25, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s harvest time, and after a trip to the farmers market, my kitchen is a veritable vegetable wonderland. Zucchini and eggplant are sliced and…

Zucchini and peppers on the grill

August 25, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Grilling really is the perfect way to prepare food. It’s fast, it produces delicious results and it cleans up with a minimum of fuss.…

Cream Bisquits

May 1, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Lately, I’ve been binge watching a Netflix show called “The Great British Bake Off.” It’s a familiar reality show format, with a group of…

Orzo with Parmesan Cheese

April 4, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I like to cook, I like to eat, and I like to feed the people that I love.  So, you might think that dinner…

Peas and radishes, a springtime story

March 1, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Most of the time when I cook, I am either following someone else’s recipe or riffing on something someone else thought of.  Every once…

Sausage stuffed sweet potatoes

February 1, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Ah, love is in the air.  It’s the time to grab the scissors and construction paper to make a homemade card for the one…

Pomegranate vinaigrette salad dressing

January 1, 2017

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett January is a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.  Once the holiday decorations are safely stored for another year and I’ve had…

Creamy caramel for Christmas

December 1, 2016

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love to give a gift from my kitchen this time of year.  I think it’s a lovely way to show my affection at…

Chili in the Crock-Pot

October 1, 2016

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s here, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Crocktober.  It’s the time of year when we dust off the slow cooker and put…

Apple (Butter) of Your Eye

August 29, 2016

 September 1, 2016 Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Early fall is apple season.  One of my favorite treats is an apple picked in the wee hours on the Western…

Pasta Primavera

April 1, 2016

Spring into the season with this colorful and tasty dish Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When I was a teenager, I made most of my spending money babysitting. One…

Hoppin’ John Rice & Beans

March 23, 2016

Have a happy, lay-low, and hoppin’ New Year Article and photo by Lisa Crockett New Year’s Day has always been kind of a non-starter for me as a holiday.  It…

Sugar Cookie Bars

March 23, 2016

Stress-free cookies for the holidays   by Lisa Crockett It happens every year. I have big plans. Plans that include a clean house, happy children (always dressed in something cute…

Chocolate Refrigerator Roll Cake

March 23, 2016

Chocolate Refrigerator Roll Cake Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love cake. All kinds of cake. But the dog days of summer don’t exactly make me long to turn…

Passover charoset for your springtime table

March 1, 2016

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Every once in a while, I get curious about how other cultures express their traditions in the kitchen.  To satisfy that curiosity, I have…

Roasted Garbanzo Beans

February 1, 2016

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love a good snack.  This time of year is perfect for a cozy evening in, binge watching Netflix while the temperatures take a…

Waffles for dinner

January 1, 2016

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Brinner (“breakfast for dinner”) is one of my favorite meals.  Breakfast foods are delicious and simple to make, and on a cold winter night…

Lasagna Soup

December 1, 2015

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love a cozy dinner this time of year, something warm and simple, but still hearty and satisfying.  Daylight is in short supply, but…

Pumpkin Steamers beverage

November 1, 2015

Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s become sort of fashionable to disrespect pumpkin this time of year, mocking its widespread popularity. I recently saw a photo of a Mexican…

Seven-layer bar cookies

October 1, 2015

Seven layer bar done better; an old classic transformed Article and photos by Lisa Crockett I have been on a quest for years.  As a kid, I determined that the…

Orzo Salad with Pine Nuts and Cranberries

September 1, 2015

Pasta perfect for summer’s end Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love noodles, I really, really do.  When I was a teenager, someone had the genius idea to transform…

Summer overnight oatmeal

August 1, 2015

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett When I was a kid, my dad made breakfast every Saturday.  He made excellent pancakes and waffles, and often added special ingredients like mashed…