By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

If you you have a few too many baked potatoes left over, don’t throw them out.

They can appear on the menu the next day in another dish with just a few simple steps.

You may decide to make extra potatoes on purpose just so you can transform the leftovers for another meal.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

One of my favorite things to eat from almost any Mexican restaurant is guacamole, but avocado can hold its own in a variety of dishes.

This fruit has a rich, buttery taste, and paired with lemon juice and lightly salted makes a tasty snack. It’s rich in potassium, fiber, calcium and B6 and has no cholesterol.

It is a real bonus to know something this good is also good for you.

Please enjoy these dishes.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

Sometimes you crave something sweet.

And when that happens, it’s nice to have an alternative to thick and gooey.

These cookies are easy recipes without a lot of prep time.

And the results are light, delicate treats that will reduce your sugar guilt. So bake and enjoy with a guilt-free conscience.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

Rice is one of my favorite foods of all time. I consider it one of the essentials.

And although rice and gravy is hard to beat, that’s a dish firmly in the comfort zone. This week we’re featuring four rice dishes with different kinds of rice.

There are numerous rice varieties on the market, and it’s always fun to try something a little different. You may get suspicious looks from some seated at the supper table, but to try it is to love it

None of these are intense or time consuming, and I hope you’ll like at least one. With rice, what’s not to like?

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

Breakfast is one of my favorite meals.

The recipes featured here make something special out of breakfast with egg recipes that are delicious and don’t show up all the time.

Some of these might take a little more time than your ordinary breakfast fare, but there’s always the weekend.

Enjoy.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

The angel food cake featured this week was always served at the White House for Eleanor Roosevelt’s birthday. It was also a favorite cake of Rachel Jackson.

Abigail and John Adams were frugal New Englanders who favored simple foods, and the Indian Pudding recipe was an old and treasured favorite of theirs.

Mary Todd Lincoln is reported to have constantly been trying to get Abraham to eat, as he often was so immersed in work he forgot to eat lunch and frequently settled for an apple or piece of cheese. This Courting Cake is said to have been one of his favorites.

Dolley Madison’s Layer Cake was often served at the White House. She was said to be a genial hostess and enjoyed entertaining.

I especially like the Angel Food Cake recipe and think it’s much better than what you can buy. Enjoy.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

All over the world, people believe that serving certain dishes on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day will bring a prosperous New Year.

Greens of almost any kind are chosen to represent folding money, pork is considered a prosperous meat and peas and beans represent coins in many cultures.

In the South, especially the Carolinas, collard greens, black-eyed peas and rice are universally thought to be most important for New Year’s dishes.

This tradition can be traced to several other regions, primarily Africa, France and the Caribbean.

The pork roast and saurkraut tradition is favored in states with strong German and Dutch heritages, and the orange brandy cake is a Greek Island tradition.

They’re all good. And I hope prosperity will come to you immediately after eating at least one of these dishes.

By Olivia Fowler
For the Courier
ofowler@thepccourier.com

All four of these Christmas punches are non-alcoholic and can be enjoyed by children and adults.

They all taste good, are a little different and look beautiful in a punch bowl.

Freezing some of the punch with garnish in a Bundt cake pan adds a really festive touch to your holiday table.

Enjoy.