At the National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, Maryland, these scrumptious crab cakes won me first place. I entered them on a whim after trying many crab cake recipes for my family.

My mom used to make this wonderful dish, and I’ve always enjoyed it. The gravy is especially dense and flavorful.

If you like chili, you'll enjoy my slow-cooker specialty packed with turkey sausage, pasta and vegetables. My family gobbles it up! It's not only tasty, but loaded with protein and low in fat.

Here’s a take on a favorite you’ll make over and over again. This dish tastes like it’s cooked all day, but it’s ready to eat in 40 minutes. The pasta cooks right in the skillet, and the 20-minute simmer gives me plenty of time to fix the rest of the meal.

I like to serve this microwaved meal with egg rolls and fortune cookies for a fun, Asian-themed "easy cooking night."

These golden Cornish hens, shown at right, are seasoned with basil, sage and thyme for plenty of flavor. They're simple to prepare yet make any occasion seem special. For a fast finish, serve corn bread stuffing and chunky cinnamon applesauce...or roasted cubed potatoes with pepper and carrots plus instant chocolate pudding for dessert.

"My husband is delighted every time we have this pork and rice bake for dinner," says Karen Hossink of Lansing, Michigan. "I've also made it for new moms who need meals brought in, and I'm frequently asked to share the recipe."

I clipped this recipe from our local paper a few years ago. It's a tasty lunch treat for hearty appetites. Plan on doubling the recipe for hungry grandkids.

I can't remember were this recipe came from, but I've been making it for several years. Everyone who tries it enjoys it. When the chicken is done cooking, it's so tender it falls off the bone.