This is a dish my brother prepared for me in Seattle. Salmon is smoked by cooking it on a cedar plank. It is by far the best salmon I’ve ever eaten. I like to serve with an Asian inspired rice and roasted asparagus.

This is a dish my brother prepared for me in Seattle. Salmon is smoked by cooking it on a cedar plank. It is by far the best salmon I’ve ever eaten. I like to serve with an Asian inspired rice and roasted asparagus.

Cool cucumbers with sour cream, dill, and green onion make up an easy salad that’s perfect to serve with spicy foods.

Cool cucumbers with sour cream, dill, and green onion make up an easy salad that’s perfect to serve with spicy foods.

Russet potatoes are blended with roasted garlic, butter and milk.

Russet potatoes are blended with roasted garlic, butter and milk.

Pasta combined with tuna, mushroom and celery soups; layered with American cheese, topped with crushed potato chips and baked until bubbly and slightly browned.

Pasta combined with tuna, mushroom and celery soups; layered with American cheese, topped with crushed potato chips and baked until bubbly and slightly browned.

You can make these ahead several days and store in the fridge. If baking cold, let stand 30 minutes first.

You can make these ahead several days and store in the fridge. If baking cold, let stand 30 minutes first.

If you like jalapeno poppers, you will love these fried wontons stuffed with cheese and jalapeno!

If you like jalapeno poppers, you will love these fried wontons stuffed with cheese and jalapeno!

My mother has been making corned beef and cabbage this way for years. She has no idea where the recipe came from but it is absolutely the best. Easy and quick…Enjoy!

My mother has been making corned beef and cabbage this way for years. She has no idea where the recipe came from but it is absolutely the best. Easy and quick…Enjoy!

Melted marshmallows are sandwiched between a layer of brownies and chocolate-peanut butter crispy rice cereal in this decadent dessert.

Melted marshmallows are sandwiched between a layer of brownies and chocolate-peanut butter crispy rice cereal in this decadent dessert.

Make this frittata even easier by using cooked bacon from the freezer. It’s a wonderful dish to serve at brunch or to take as leftovers for lunch.

Make this frittata even easier by using cooked bacon from the freezer. It’s a wonderful dish to serve at brunch or to take as leftovers for lunch.

A citrus and spiced dry tea mix that can be given as gifts.

A citrus and spiced dry tea mix that can be given as gifts.