World-Herald Living staff's favorite recipes

Peanut butter whiskey is relatively new to the spirit market. First made popular by Skrewball in 2018, many other brands have followed suit with more than a dozen now available.

It’s not a traditional whiskey, but more of a sweetened and flavored liqueur with a whiskey base. Discerning whiskey drinkers generally aren’t fans because of the liquor’s sweetness. But many others love it because it’s sweet and easy to drink.

On our latest Omaha’s Great Grub quest to find the best bacon cheeseburgers, one thing was abundantly clear: condiments can make or break a burger. Garlic aioli, raisin jam and house-made barbecue sauce all pushed burgers to the top of our lists.

Surprisingly, many condiments are simple to make — and taste oh so much better than what you can buy at the store.

Just in time for Father's Day, why not try cooking with the king of Irish beers — Guinness?

Wine is frequently used as an ingredient in recipes, and cooking or baking with a rich stout like Guinness isn’t much different. The roasted wheat flavor definitely adds a unique dimension to dishes. Just beware: While Guinness pairs well with other strong flavors, it can overwhelm subtle ones.

Homemade ice cream is a fun activity for a backyard campout or any hot summer day. There’s no need for a fancy ice cream maker; two zip-top bags work like a charm.

Ice Cream in a Bag

By the luck of the Irish, I discovered this finger-licking, lip-puckering recipe. It has the perfect balance of buttery, flaky shortbread and creamy lime filling. As much as I love chocolate desserts, the citrus flavor in this treat is my new favorite.

Creamy Lime Squares

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer which means one thing: grilling season begins.

But keep in mind, the grill is not just for steaks and chicken. Every good barbecue needs a delicious side dish, and we’ve got you covered with a few recipes that can cook right alongside your protein — and we don’t mean a simple baked potato or plain grilled veggies (though those are tasty, too).

Was last year’s zucchini harvest so abundant that you shredded a bunch and froze it for later? I know, dumb question. Isn’t every zucchini harvest abundant?

Well, if you are like me and still have some stashed in the back of the freezer, now it the time to use it up before a new batch begins growing in the garden.

Mongolian Beef is a favorite when dining out. The tender beef, ample peppers and onions and a sauce that’s both sweet and savory are a mouthwatering combination.

But even better is making it at home in less than 30 minutes.

The tang of the goat cheese and sweetness of fresh raspberries are a delightful combination in these sweet empanadas. They are the perfect ending to any meal.

The sweet dough is much more fragile than a savory empanada dough. We had the best luck with them not tearing when the dough was rolled to about 3/16-inch thick. But no matter how careful you are, don't be surprised if the fruit leaks out a bit. 

Years ago on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”, Guy Fieri visited a small diner in Pittsburgh and highlighted a dish that looked pretty easy to make and that would be a great way to use the head of cabbage in my fridge.

Haluski is a combination of cabbage, onions, noodles, bacon and butter. Isn’t everything cooked in butter and topped with bacon amazing?

If you love pancakes but want a breakfast that will keep you feeling full longer, give syrniki a try. The main ingredient of these Ukrainian pancakes is farmer’s cheese which pumps up the protein on a traditionally carb-filled breakfast.

Syrniki is a classic Slavic treat with a sweet flavor and moist texture. They’re traditionally served with sour cream and fresh berries or preserves on top. If you prefer, you can serve them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup, chocolate sauce or honey instead. If you can’t find farmer’s cheese and don’t want to try making your own (it’s very simple), you can use ricotta cheese — just drain it in a colander overnight in the fridge to get the extra liquid out, otherwise your syrniki will fall apart when you form them..

This carrot cake has become my go-to recipe when I need to make cupcakes. It comes together quickly and can be made in one bowl.

Applesauce replaces some of the oil which helps make this recipe incredibly moist (and cuts some of the fat and calories).

Food safety is rarely part of dinnertime conversation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, at least a million people get sick — some seriously — from improper cooking, handling or storage of meat and poultry.

A friend brought us a dozen of these white chocolate chip banana muffins while visiting after the birth of our first child.

I’d had chocolate chips in banana bread before but never white chocolate chips. I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical. Boy, I was wrong to be a doubter.

Over the holidays, I finished reading “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles.

The book is set in 1954 and Emmett Watson has just finished a stint on a juvenile work farm in Salina, Kansas. He’s returning home to a fictitious Nebraska town not far from the Lincoln Highway.

Banana bread is a favorite at our house. The usual request is to add mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. Looking for a slightly healthier option for breakfast, I happened upon Blueberry Banana Bread.

A generous amount of fresh blueberries, along with yogurt for added moisture, make this a go-to quick bread recipe.

Santa's cheerful face is sure to usher in smiles at the holidays. This lightly sweetened bread shaped like Jolly Old St. Nick will be the perfect addition to your Christmas breakfast or dinner.

Santa Bread

Are you cooped up inside on a snowy winter day? Looking for a fun activity to keep the kids busy over the holiday break? These melted snowmen cookies are the perfect treat.

Melted Snowmen Cookies

If hitting the coffee shop for a Caramel Apple Spice is on your to-do list, consider making one at home.  

You can whip up a batch of the cinnamon simple syrup and salted caramel sauce fairly quickly. The recipes make enough to enjoy about a dozen Caramel Apple Spice drinks.

It's sweater-weather season, which means it's time to curl up in a blanket or by the fire with a hot drink.

If you like a chai latte and a hot chocolate, this drink is a perfect combination of the two. Whole milk makes it extra creamy but it could be made with skim or 2%.

You never need a special occasion to eat cookies, at least according to Cookie Monster. But Tuesday is the birthday of the beloved, furry blue Muppet from Sesame Street, which is the perfect occasion for eating cookie-filled fudge.

Cookie Monster Fudge is simple, yummy and kids of all ages will swoon over how adorable it is.

Fridays are always a reason to celebrate. But when National Cheese Curd day falls on a Friday there's extra reason to celebrate.  

In my book, the perfect fried cheese curd has a golden, crunchy exterior with breading that's not too thin or thick. This easy-to-make recipe fit the bill. The curds should be frozen a minimum of 30 minutes prior to frying, but you can prep them well before and just leave them in the freezer until it's time to cook them.

Gourmet caramel apples are so eye-catching. And they come in so many fun flavor combinations that it’s often hard to choose.

The problem comes when trying to eat one. They are often made with gigantic apples and are covered in so much gooey goodness you can barely sink your teeth into them.

W hen it comes to food and fall, we can’t resist a pumpkin spice latte. That got us thinking about adding pumpkin to everything! Here’s an entire meal with pumpkin purée (from a can!) as the starring ingredient. The verdict from our Momaha taste-testers: Yes, please!

Savory Pumpkin Hummus

This fall salad has the perfect pairing of salty and sweet, with a little bit of crunch.

Autumn Pear and Apple Salad (serves 4)

While amazingly elegant-looking, these spiced pears wrapped in puff pastry are deceivingly simple to make. I thought for sure I’d have a “Pinterest fail” on my hands when tackling this dessert, but I was surprised how easy the dish came together.

They are delicious served with the syrup made from a reduction of the poaching liquid. But next time, I’m going to try it with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream.

If you like fresh fruit, you need to make these fruit pizza cookies. Your kids will love giving you an assist. And everyone lucky enough to eat one will rave about the flavor and texture for days.

Fruit Pizza

Chicken tenderloins — a cut of meat found underneath and attached to the chicken breast — are perfect to use for a weeknight meal because they cook quickly. Three to four minutes per side is all you need to cook this tender cut of meat.

Make a fast, healthy meal by serving with fresh fruit and baby potatoes. We made our baby red potatoes, cooked in the microwave for five minutes, then added a tablespoon of butter and 1 to 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. A quick and delicious side dish.

Lo mein is a favorite take-out meal. It’s chock-full of vegetables and leftovers reheat like a charm.

But making it at home takes only 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s quicker, tastier and healthier than take-out.

Looking for a new quick and tasty dinner?

This garlic-lime shrimp is not only delicious, but it can also be on the table in 15 minutes. It’s wonderful served over cilantro rice, pasta mixed with olive oil and garlic, brown rice, grilled vegetables, garlic bread, or a simple side salad. They would even make a great appetizer.

Smoothies are good any time of day. But we especially like these for breakfast or an after-school snack.

Chocolate Avocado Peanut Butter Smoothie

When fresh produce fills my garden and farmers market stands, my weekly meal plans begin to revolve around homemade salsas. The variations are endless, and salsas are an easy way to get your fill of fruits and vegetables. These recipes are great over chips, as a topping on a salad or grain bowl, or as a side with any protein.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

As football season approaches, Husker fans are undoubtedly talking quarterbacks and fans in stadiums.

Sure, those are important, but let's get real. Food reigns supreme.

Nine twists on a classic campfire treat, from “S’mores!” by Dan Whalen.

Every recipe is designed to be made under the broiler as well as over a campfire, which means you can try new flavors year-round — and with s'mores, more is always better.

Have you ever accepted a last-minute barbecue invite and scrambled to come up with a quick and delicious dessert to take?

Semi-homemade is perfect for such an occasion.

When it comes to ice cream, the majority of us are like big kids — ready to chase down the ice cream truck and add extra chocolate to our hot fudge sundaes.

Here’s how to put a colorful spin on this beloved summertime treat.

Homemade ice cream is a fun activity for a backyard campout or any hot summer day. There’s no need for a fancy ice cream maker; two zip-top bags work like a charm.

Ice Cream in a Bag

Mimosas are a classic brunch staple — perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays, holidays, even a casual weekend breakfast while lounging in your favorite PJs.

Traditional mimosas combine equal parts of dry — not sweet — sparkling wine and orange juice. 

By the luck of the Irish, I discovered this finger-licking, lip-puckering recipe. It has the perfect balance of buttery, flaky shortbread and creamy lime filling.

As much as I love chocolate desserts, the citrus flavor in this treat is my new favorite.

Soft and tender homemade beer pretzels are bursting with flavor. They're a perfect snack or a delicious way to make a sandwich. Even better, you don't need to let the dough rise so they can be ready in a little more than 30 minutes. 

SOFT BEER PRETZEL BITES

How do you like to eat your Oreos? Dunked in milk? Twisted apart to lick out the middle?

Do you prefer double stuff? Or do you prefer a flavor other than the original: golden, lemon, birthday cake, red velvet cake or one of the myriad others that appear seasonally?

When I think about special family recipes, my great-grandma's cherry bars are at the top of the list. They have just the right amount of sweet from the cherries and icing, combined with the buttery goodness of the crust.

My mom fondly remembers learning how to make them in my great-grandma's kitchen. Today, the bars are a family favorite for the Fourth of July, but I love them any time of year.

Hand pies are an easy grab-and-go dessert — no utensils or plates required. They taste great served warm, at room temperature or cold and can't be beat for portion control.

Traditional hand pies are round but add your own flair by making them square or rectangle or any other shape. We used a large heart cookie cutter for ours.

There are three main ingredients in shortbread cookies:  Butter, sugar and flour. Each is imperative for the perfect structure, texture and taste. This version of the classic cookie recipe is dressed up with maraschino cherries and white chocolate.

White Chocolate-Cherry Shortbread

Banana bread is a favorite at our house. The usual request is to add mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. Looking for a slightly healthier option for breakfast, I happened upon Blueberry Banana Bread.

A generous amount of fresh blueberries, along with yogurt for added moisture, make this a go-to quick bread recipe.