Recipe IDEAS

To the right you'll find some wonderful recipes for a wide range of delicious meals, romantic dinners, holiday treats according to the seasons, and much more.The searchable database is a truly handy resource when meal planning becomes a chore. Please feel free to download the recipes and try them out. And check back often, as the selection will change frequently.

In addition to the recipes at right, here's a "classic" recipe which has been the most popular recipe ever featured in Western New York Family over the years. it will keep the kids busy or delight the whole family. Although you cook it, it's not for eating — it's for shaping all kinds of fun creations!

STOVETOP PLAYDOUGH

Whether you're trying to keep the kids busy on a rainy day or looking for a birthday party activity, "Stovetop Playdough" will be a big hit. It's quick and easy to make; inexpensive and lasts longer than the store-bought kind. It's non-toxic and very easy to roll and manipulate so that even the littlest kids can have fun with it. Here's what you need:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar (sold in the spice aisle of your supermarket)
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons of food color (more or less for brightness)
• 1 Tablespoon oil

Combine the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium saucepan. Add the water, food color and oil to the dry ingredients in the pan and stir. Cookthe mixture over MEDIUM heat and stir CONSTANTLY for about 3 to 5 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken and form a ball in the center of the pan. Once it has formed a ball and you can't stir it anymore, turn it out of the pan onto a sheet of waxed paper or heat-proof countertop and knead. When cool, it's ready to play with. This is edible so don't worry if your little one samples some! Store in an AIRTIGHT plastic container or double plastic bag closed securely and the playdough will last many months. One caution: this type of dough is not suitable for hardening and making ornaments, etc. It does work well in the playdough "machines" and shapers sold commercially. And if the kids accidentally get some on the rug, just wait until it dries; crumble it and it will vacuum right up!