This has been an unusual Iowa winter because of the warmer temperatures and lack of snow. It’s beginning to look more like a typical Iowa winter now that snow has arrived. It has been a truly unusual snowless winter until recently when we received around 6 ½ inches at our home.

Looking at past record snow falls, the Des Moines Register reported that the blizzard of April 8, 1973, was dubbed the “Worst Spring Iowa Snowfall,” with 20 inches falling in some areas such as Dubuque and Benton counties. Hopefully, we won’t be seeing that happen this year.

Maybe it’s my age, but it makes it more inviting to stay inside to bake and prepare soups. A light snowfall is even pretty to watch while looking outside, especially if the sun is shining.

Hidden Valley Ranch Crunchy Pea Salad

Our family likes the light ranch dressing and the “nutty-ness” of this recipe. It actually is somewhat healthy if you use the light version of the dressing. Cashew nuts are considered to be a healthy fat and are a good source of protein and fiber. The frozen peas and cauliflower are also a good nutritional item to include in your diet as well.

Ingredients

1 (10 ounce) package of frozen baby peas, thawed

1 cup diced celery

1 cup chopped cauliflower

1/4 cup diced green onion

1 cup chopped cashews

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup prepared Hidden Valley Ranch Original Ranch salad dressing

Cooked, crumbled bacon

Best Ever Baking Powder Biscuits

This recipe brings back memories of when I used to have biscuits whenever I made chili. It is recommended to use cold butter. Also, try to handle the dough minimally and avoid overmixing, which allows the butter to create more flaky layers within the dough during the baking process.

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 egg

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup milk

Instructions

Sift dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in butter until it’s like cornmeal. Add milk slowly, then egg. Stir and knead gently. Roll out and cut with a biscuit cutter, then drop on a greased pan. Bake at 400 degrees till brown. To rewarm, cut the biscuits open and brush them with butter and warm them in the oven.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

This soup will warm you up on cold winter days. It is always good to try something different as this is not seen in most cookbooks. It might be a welcome change from the normal chili we all throw together and eat.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

2 cups white rice

2 cups chopped green pepper

2 beef bouillon cubes

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

In a large frying pan, brown beef and drain the grease off. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until peppers are tender. Yield: 8 servings.

Jello Cake — Quick and Easy

This is a great recipe and, like the name says, it is easy and makes for a pretty dessert as well. If watching calories, use the light instant gelatin and light Cool Whip.

Ingredients

1 white cake mix

*1 (3-ounce) package raspberry gelatin

1 ½ cups water

8 ounces whipped topping

Instructions

Bake cake mix according to directions on the box. Bake in a 9-by-12-inch pan. While the cake is baking, make gelatin with 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cool water. Do not chill.

Cool cake for 15 minutes. Poke holes all over the cake using a fork. Slowly spoon liquid gelatin over the cake so it can soak in. Doing so makes a pretty color all through the cake. Chill the cake for 3 hours before serving. Top with whipped topping.

*Any flavor of gelatin can be used, but using raspberry gelatin makes a very colorful dessert.

Loretta’s Tips

1. Refresh stale potato chips, crackers, or similar snacks by putting a plateful in the microwave oven for about 30 to 45 seconds. Let stand for 1 minute to crisp. Cereals can also be crisped in the same manner.

2. Do not salt meats and vegetables on the surface as it causes dehydration and toughens the food. Salt the meat after you remove it from the oven unless the recipe calls for using salt in the mixture.

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 38 years of newspaper experience. If you have any favorite recipes you would like to share, email them to krahling93@gmail.com.