Chinese (Napa) Cabbage Salad

salad

I remember the first time I got a Napa cabbage from my CSA. It was HUGE! And what the heck would I do with it? I used some in stir fry, some in salads; it’s really quite versatile. And this Asian salad is perfect for potlucks!

10 Budget-Friendly Dinner Party Ideas

Baking at my friend Jolon's "A Chocolate Covered Christmas" party

It’s easy to throw a dinner party on an unlimited budget (catering, anyone?), but when funds are tight it’s time to get creative. Potlucks are a common alternative, but sometimes you end up with bags of chips and various dipping things. Here are some ideas to help you think beyond the crock pot:

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

quinoa

This recipe is based on a whole bunch that I found online. I had to bring a dish to pass and there was a large bag of quinoa from Costco in my pantry just begging to be used; so I searched for various recipes and cobbled together something based on what sounded good to me.

Calico Bean Bake

beans

This is an old favorite recipe from my Pampered Chef days, which I had forgotten about. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.