A (more traditional) man looking for the one

Modern culture convinced women that being protected is oppression, but being exhausted, anxious, overworked, and alone is “empowerment.”

No thank you.

A husband who leads well does not need to shout.

He sets the direction. He carries the responsibility. He keeps watch over the horizon. He makes his wife feel safe enough to stop bracing against the waves.

That kind of authority is not oppression.

It is always shocking to me when I see young girls these days who don't know how to cook or bake a single thing. I absolutely LOVE cooking and it is my happy place. I started to get familiar with the kitchen from the time I was a little girl and my mom always pulled me into the kitchen to help her bake cookies or cinnamon buns or make perogy dough from scratch. My grandmother is also an absolute BOSS in the kitchen and her meals are always pouring with love and comfort. She is one of those grandma's who always offers food until suddenly your pants are unzipped and you're waddling out the front door.

I think cooking and baking is an absolutely wonderful way to show your husband and children love and care through providing them nourishing and enjoyable meals. Food really does bring people together, whether friends or family or couples on a date. Food is such a universally known language for happiness and enjoyment and I believe every good housewife or homemaker should teach themselves and learn how to make the basics when it comes to being in the kitchen. Having a list of recipes that you can use time and time again without fail will be invaluable to you and your family and as well it will boost your self confidence to see the enjoyment of a good home-cooked meal on your husband & children's faces.

Not only that, but the added bonus, is that learning to cook is a healthier and more affordable way to enjoy meals. Just say no to all the fast food and packaged food that are loaded with preservatives and unhealthy fats/sugars and say yes to making your own delicious meals from scratch.

1. A FANTASTIC BREAD RECIPE

A good recipe for bread will not only save you money, but it will impress your family and guests! There is nothing more satisfying then the smell of homemade bread in the oven and taking that first bite of a warm slice with butter.

I HIGHLY recommend starting out with a good sourdough recipe. Sourdough bread mix can be used for so many other things as well, such as donuts, cinnamon buns, dinner buns, etc.

The two woman I would look to for amazing sourdough recipes are:

Farmhouse On Boone Written Recipe YouTube Recipe

The Ballerina Farm YouTube Step by Step Tutorial

You can purchase amazing sourdough starter kits on Amazon and these are the things I would recommend to start you off! Sourdough Starter Kit With Baskets Sourdough Starter Mix

2. A SIGNATURE COOKIE RECIPE

There is nothing more comfy then coming home to homemade cookies. Every housewife should have a go-to recipe for a never fail cookie that everyone enjoys. They work great for after school snacks for the kids and after work snacks for your husband and are always a great offering for guests who may drop by.

My signature cookie is a Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie. It never fails and everyone loves them!

3. A SIGNATURE DRINK RECIPE

Everyone loves a refreshing drink, especially served at a barbecue, during the hot summer or at a backyard party. Have a signature drink recipe that you can easily and quickly make for your family and unexpected guests. My signature recipe over the years has been a party punch that is always cleaned right out of the bowl. I'm also searching for that perfect recipe for a Southern strawberry lemonade that isn't too sweet and is refreshing for the summer months.

4. DELICIOUS MASHED POTATOES

Mashed potatoes go good with any meal and are a quick and easy way to get a healthy starch on your dinner plate. They are loved by almost everyone and potatoes are inexpensive to buy and easy to grow in your garden for some homemade nourishment. You can either mash your potatoes with a hand masher (my preference) or you can use a mixer for a smoother, creamier potato!

A few staple items I always add to my mashed potatoes are: -LOTS of butter (not margarine) -Cream or full fat milk -A large dollop of sour cream -A clove or two of minced garlic -Salt & Pepper to taste For something a little extra, I have used a combination of these, or just one for something a little more decadent in my mashed potatoes: -Dill weed (finely chopped or dried) -Green onions or chives (finely chopped) -Cream cheese or feta cheese -Parsley -Chopped cooked bacon

5. A SIGNATURE DESSERT

Desserts are such a wonderful way to end a bountiful meal and gives a little sweet kick to your taste buds after having a more savory dinner. Again, they are a wonderful way to entertain guests and your husband and kids will thank you!

My signature dessert is a brownie recipe that one of my son's brought home from his Home Economics class and after some tweaking, it has become a go-to family favorite.

6. A SIGNATURE SANDWICH

There is something so familiar and comforting about a good old-fashioned sandwich. They are great to pack for school lunches or with your husband for work. They also make a quick and easy filling meal or snack for when you might be too rushed or tired to cook anything else.

My go-to signature sandwich that makes all of my kids come flocking for one, is a simple toasted tomato sandwich. Next up would be a classic grilled cheese. Here is my simple toasted tomato sandwich (Note: The fresher the tomatoes, the more sensational this sandwich will be and bonus points for garden grown freshly picked tomatoes) -Two slices of bread (darkly toasted and buttered so that the butter melts into the toast) -4 slices of tomatoes -A pinch of salt and lots of pepper For a little something extra, we have made these into what we refer to as "farmer sandwiches" and we add bacon, sliced pickles and cheddar cheese slices. OR we just add cheese for a toasted tomato and cheese sandwich.

*A little note on frying sandwiches on the stove (such as grilled cheese). Use mayo to slather on the bread for frying instead of butter. It gives such a tangy and nice kick!

7. A SIGNATURE SALAD

Having a refreshing signature salad that you can whip up in a heartbeat is a fantastic way to get some freshness into an otherwise savory meal, or a great alternative to a hot vegetable on the side. It's also a great thing to bring to a backyard BBQ, a church potluck or a picnic and is a great way to add some extra antioxidants and vitamins into your meals.

My signature salad was inspired by the delicious non-stop salad from The Olive Garden. It's so fresh and tasty and almost everyone loves it! I also have a tuna macaroni salad that is always a hit with my family!

My fresh salad includes: - Romaine lettuce, bib lettuce or arugula -Chopped red onions -Chopped green onions -Diced fresh tomatoes -Crunchy and savory croutons -Crumbled feta cheese -Sliced cucumbers -Mini pepperoncini peppers -Sliced green olives (optional) - Pepper to taste *I pair this with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, a Greek dressing or the classic Olive Garden Italian dressing that can now be purchased in the grocery store.

8. A SIGNATURE PASTA DISH

Even if it's just a basic spaghetti recipe, having a fantastic pasta recipe in your arsenal is a wonderful way to provide a filling and comforting meal! I have such a large variety of pasta recipes that never fail to please. One day I left some of my lazy lasagna at my grandparents house and they ended up sending some home with their son (my Uncle) to share with his wife. A couple of weeks later my grandparents asked my Aunt how she had enjoyed the lasagna and she was really confused. My Uncle sheepishly admitted that he had eaten the whole container with HIS HANDS on his way home in the car. My Aunt didn't see a bite of it. A good pasta is PARAMOUNT to a housewife and I believe everyone should have at least one amazing pasta recipe to make for her family and husband.

My go-to pasta recipes are classic spaghetti with tomato meat sauce, my secret lazy lasagna recipe, a classic goulash recipe and my signature spicy chicken spaghetti (that everyone absolutely leaves no leftovers from).

Here is my recipe for my Spicy Chicken Spaghetti: -In large pot, brown bite sized pieces of chicken thigh or breast with butter and one diced onion -Add in 2-3 cloves minced garlic, and diced red or yellow pepper -Season with salt and pepper -Once chicken is almost cooked through and veggies are soft, add in about 2 tbsp ketchup and a large dash or worcestershire sauce. -Add oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, and parsley to taste -Add in your favorite jarred pasta sauce (mine is Classico sweet basil marinara) -Allow to simmer on med-low heat for about 5-10 minutes -Add in a dash of your favorite hot sauce (mine is Cholula sauce) -Add in 2-3 diced fresh tomatoes -Add in about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of jarred banana peppers (drained and chopped) -Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Add a tsp or two of sugar or more ketchup if you want the sauce to be sweeter. -Serve with classic spaghetti pasta, and garnish with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil if wanted. I also like to serve this dish with toasted buttered buns.

9. A SIGNATURE CASSEROLE

Casseroles are not only filling, but they pack a LOT of ingredients in one dish, making for a very satisfying meal. They are also perfect for bring to a potluck dinner, a family gathering, a church potluck or a backyard BBQ. They are always comforting to my family and eaten pretty quickly. They make for GREAT leftovers for lunches the next day too!

My favorite go-to casserole that everyone seems to love is my version of CRACKED UP CHICKEN CASSEROLE and here is the recipe:

-Start preparing a box of chicken Rice A Roni according to package directions, adding double the amount of butter. -Meanwhile, in separate pot, boil about 1 cup of chopped carrots and 1 cup of broccoli until softened in salted water. (drain when finished) -About halfway through cooking rice, add in one diced small onion and one finely chopped green pepper -When rice is finished cooking (as to package directions), add in 1 can of cream of chicken condensed soup, 1 cup of sour cream, 2 cups of shredded and chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is BEST), plus the softened carrots and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper to taste (taste test this to make sure you have added enough salt and pepper) -Mix everything together thoroughly and transfer to casserole baking dish -Top with as much or as little shredded cheddar cheese as you want -Bake at 350*F for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden brown

10. A DELICIOUS ROAST CHICKEN OR TURKEY

Knowing how to properly roast a chicken or turkey is a MUST for any homemaker! They make for an amazing hearty meat and potato classic meal, and they also are large enough to provide a ton of leftovers so that you can make many dishes in the days to follow with them. You can also freeze them for future meals.

Now as easy as it may seem to make a chicken or turkey, it is more particular then it might seem to avoid a dry meat.

Here are some tips for cooking a whole chicken: -Replace giblets with large dollops of butter and also coat the outside of the chicken liberally with butter and season well with salt and pepper. -Consider adding cloves of garlic and celery stalk to the bottom of your roasting pan. -The best temperature to roast a chicken is 350*F -Roast your chicken for 20-25 minutes per pound for a 3-8 lb chicken -Check the temperature of your chicken by the deepest part of the thigh. It should read between 165-175 degrees F.

Here are some tips for cooking a whole turkey: -Replace giblets with large dollops of butter and coat the outside of the chicken with your seasonings, salt and pepper and lots of butter. -The best temperature to roast a turkey is 350*F -Roast your turkey for 13 minutes per lb for an unstuffed turkey and 15 minutes per lb for a stuffed turkey. -Check the temperature of your turkey by the deepest part of the thigh. It should read 175 degrees F.

11. A SIGNATURE SOUP OR STEW

Soups and stews are a wonderful and easy meal to make and during the cold winter months are so comfortable and filling! Either a soup or a stew can be easily paired with a dinner roll or bun and provides such a nice one pot meal for your family! My family LOVES it when I make certain soups and stews and you can't go wrong with a classic chicken noodle soup when you feel a cold coming on.

My favorite go-to recipe for a good stew is a chicken stew and dumpling dish and it is just so hearty and delicious. There is never leftovers when I make this!

12. A DELICIOUS POT ROAST

Making a pot roast provides a meal with so much nourishment and deep rich flavors. It pairs so well with potatoes and any kind of vegetable and is extremely versatile for leftovers. I love cooking my roast either in the oven, or the slow cooker, and make it using Dr. Pepper, Coca Cola, or Root Beer for a tangy and moist taste. Finding a roast recipe that works for you as a homemaker is so important as beef is always a hit with husbands and growing children.

13. AN AMAZING SLOW COOKER RECIPE

I used to use my slow cooker/crock pot A LOT! I was busy as a single mother and working full time so the slow cooker was an easy way for me to throw some things together and come home to a delicious smelling home with supper ready and waiting. I highly recommend finding one or two slow cooker recipes that work for you to save time, and that you can put together in a pinch when you're strapped for time or you have a lot going on in a day.

My favorite go-to slow cooker recipe is my V8 Hamburger Soup! It is so tasty and filling and it can take only a few minutes to prepare depending on whether or not you use canned or fresh vegetables.

Here's my recipe for V8 Hamburger Slow Cooker Soup:

-Add to the slow cooker 1 lbs of cooked ground beef (cook this up before hand in a pan with a chopped onion, garlic and salt and pepper) -Add to the slow cooker either canned, frozen or fresh (or a mixture of all) varieties of each of these items: 6-8 potatoes peeled and diced or 2 cans of diced potatoes, 1 can of corn, or 1 cup of frozen corn or fresh corn, 1 can of green beans or 1 cup of fresh or frozen green beans, 1 can of chopped carrots or 1 cup of frozen or fresh carrots, 1 onion finely chopped, 1 can of peas or 1 cup of frozen or fresh peas. -Add in one stalk of celery finely chopped -Add in 1 large jug of V8 classic juice (salted) -Add in 1 small can of Rotel diced tomatoes with chilis -Add in 2-3 tbsp ketchup -Add in 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce -Add in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, oregano and salt and pepper to taste (do a taste test and make sure it tastes amazing!) -If the soup tastes too acidic, add in 1 tbsp brown sugar, or 1-2 more tbsp ketchup. *Serve with fresh bread, toasted and buttered buns or crackers. Note that you can also choose to add cooked rice or cooked macaroni noodles as a substitute for the potatoes or in addition.

14. A DELICIOUS DEVILED EGG RECIPE

I LOVE a good deviled egg and they are a perfect snack for kids and husbands who need a little kick of extra protein. They are also a great addition to any potluck dinner or backyard BBQ and are just SO tasty! I am pretty traditional with my deviled egg recipe, but I know there are TONS of fantastic recipes out there custom to what you want. Personally I have to use real regular mustard in mine for that classic tangy taste and I also like a little kick by sprinkling paprika or cayenne on top of the eggs.

15. A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE PANCAKE RECIPE

Homemade pancakes should be a staple of every household for a lazy Saturday morning or an extra treat for the kids! I definitely prefer to use a buttermilk pancake recipe and I love to add dollops of butter and syrup to top them off. You can definitely make pancakes a little healthier by adding some fresh berries or fruit to top them off.

Another super awesome thing about pancakes is that you can make them in a sheet-pan oven recipe or you can freeze or refrigerate leftovers and they are easy to pop in the microwave or toaster for a delicious leftover treat.

16. A YUMMY CUP OF TEA OR COFFEE

Making tea or coffee is something every housewife should know how to do. It's a great way to start your day with a little kick or serve to your husband after a long day of work. It's also such an easy and quick thing to fix up for unexpected guests! I learned how to make the most delicious tea while I was in Jamaica and ever since then, I almost always make my tea this way and it's converted even the most non tea loving people.

Jamaican Milk Tea -Chai or black tea bag -Fill about 3/4 of the cup with hot water -Wait until the tea bag starts to color the water -Full the rest of the cup with evaporated milk or evaporated milk powder to taste -Sweeten (if needed) with dark or golden brown sugar to taste.

17. A WINNING PORK CHOP RECIPE

Pork chops are such a cheap and easy meat to make and it provides you with the protein you need and is versatile with tons of side options. I prefer to oven fry my pork chops, but they are great baked as well.

I was camping this year, and I didn't have any flour but I did have pancake mix with me so I used that instead and seasoned it the same way I seasoned my bread crumbs. They turned out fantastic! My Tangy Pork Chops -Place all of your pork chops in a bowl and use either a generous dollop of mayo or Dijon mustard (trust me it's good) to mix everything together and get your pork chops well coated. -In a separate bowl mix together a couple of cups of either finely crushed corn flakes, panko bread crumbs, pancake mix or plain flour, and add Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. -Coat the marinaded pork chops into the bread crumb mixture and cook on high-medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side in a generous pan of hot oil (about 2-3 tbsp).

18. A WINNING CHICKEN RECIPE

You can never go wrong with an amazing chicken recipe! Chicken is such a lean, wonderful and versatile meat that can be made in so many different ways. I highly recommend trying out a bunch of recipes with different preparations to find one that works for you! You don't want a dry piece of chicken and it's easy to end up with this (especially with chicken breast) so it may take a bit of tweaking to find out what works best for you.

My signature chicken dish would be either my spicy chicken spaghetti (see recipe above in the pasta section) or a tender baked Parmesan chicken with spaghetti.

Here's a fail proof way to cook chicken breasts that turn out juicy and perfectly cooked: -Season your chicken breast well (you can choose to also marinate your chicken in mayo or yogurt) -Pan fry your chicken in 2-3 tbsp of hot oil on medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side -Place on pan and cook in oven for 11-13 minutes at 425*F

19. A SIGNATURE CAKE RECIPE

Oh my word, I am a sucker for a delicious cake! Cakes are a wonderful thing to have around for dessert or guests and depending on the type of cake you make, it can be served with tea or topped with whipped cream, icing or berries.

As a homemaker you might not be that talented in the baking department but having a stand-by recipe for a delicious cake that never fails will impress your husband and guests!

My favorite go-to recipe is an old fashioned Hot Milk Cake that I found in a vintage cookbook. It is delicious served with fresh whipped cream, vanilla ice-cream, drizzled with hot honey, sprinkled with powdered sugar or on it's own. Here is my recipe for Vintage Hot Milk Cake: 2 eggs (room temp) 1 cup flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup whole milk 2 tbsp butter Preheat oven to 350*F and grease a 9X9 cake pan with butter or cooking spray. Stir together flour and baking powder in one bowl. Beat eggs until creamy and frothy in separate bowl. Add in sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Gradually add in flour mixture until batter is smooth. In small pot or saucepan, heat up your milk, butter and vanilla until butter is fully melted. Pour milk mixture slowly into flour mixture and mix well. Pour into a round or square 9X9 cake pan and bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Should be SLIGHTLY golden brown on the top. Allow to cool and sprinkle with a light dusting of powdered sugar, serve with hot honey drizzled on top, or with whipped cream and fresh fruit. For an extra treat I have also served this cake hot, and poured cream over top, or served it with vanilla ice-cream.

20. A WINNING HAM RECIPE

Ahh ham. You either love it or you hate it, but regardless of how you feel, it packs a lot of natural flavor, is a great source of protein and it's also relatively inexpensive. I think it's useful as a homemaker to have at least one good ham recipe that everyone will enjoy.

Now I will admit, my family does not really care for ham. I don't either, but I will often pick one up on a sale or for a holiday so that we have a lot of leftovers. I tried everything to LOVE ham, and I just wasn't crazy about it UNTIL I found a vintage recipe for a ham and potato soup (sounds kind of gross but TRUST ME) and the first time I made it, I knew I would be tweaking it as my own and making it often. My family LOVES it and is always excited about our ham soup and it's an excellent way to use ham leftovers.

Here is my recipe for Leftover Ham & Potato Soup:

-Melt 1/4 cup of butter in large pot and add in 1 chopped onion, 1 cup of diced and peeled carrots and 1 cup of finely chopped celery (include the celery leaves, they are where the most flavor is!). Saute until slightly tender. Add in 2 cloves of minced garlic. -Add in 5-6 potatoes peeled and diced -Add in 3-4 cups of chicken broth (add extra enough to cover the potatoes about 1 inch above them) -Add in 1 tsp oregano, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp thyme, and salt and pepper to taste (be careful not to over-salt as the ham is already salty) -Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 15 minutes. -Add in 2 cups of cooked ham diced and 1 cup of frozen, fresh or canned corn. -Cook for 5 more minutes. -Meanwhile, in another small-medium pot, melt 1/4-1/2 cup butter and whisk in 1/3 cup flour until mixture becomes a thick yellow paste. Slowly add in a cup at a time about 3 cups of whole milk. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat when thickened and immediately add in 1/2 cup of full fat sour cream. Mix well and add milk mixture gradually to soup. Stir well and cook 5 minutes. *Top with green onion and serve with toasted buttered buns for dipping.

21. A YUMMY BREAKFAST/EGG RECIPE

Having a good breakfast can really help your day along and start it off right! Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and nourishment and if you do workout's in the morning as well, eggs will really help foster a good work-out. You can either find a recipe for a breakfast casserole dish that you can make ahead of time or you can make something in the morning that will be filling and delicious. I recommend that everyone learn how to make a good fluffy scrambled egg, as well as a healthy and golden brown perfect omelette.

My most favorite breakfast food is either an egg-rich French Toast or my grandmother's Mennonite recipe for Ruhrei (which is basically an extra fluffy and thick scrambled egg). In contrast to the following recipe for Ruhrei our family recipe differs slightly and we love to sprinkle our eggs with white sugar and eat them that way, they are just DELICIOUS and unexpectedly so. Ruhrei by The Mennonite Girls Can Cook

22. A DELICIOUS HOMEMADE HAMBURGER

There are few people I know who don't love a good hamburger. I'm not talking about a flattened McDonald's burger but a real homecooked burger and I think it should be a staple for every homemaker to know how to make a good one.

There are countless recipes for homemade hamburgers that are everything from simplistic to complicated depending on how much flavor and extravagance you are going for. A couple of things I always do when making homemade hamburgers is to add an egg to my mixture for a fluffier and more thick burger, and I always season my mixture (not just the top and bottoms of the patties).

An easy hamburger mix that always turns out amazing for me is as follows:

Homemade Hamburger Mix: -Mix 1 lb ground beef with 1 egg, 1 tbsp Montreal Steak Seasoning, a 1/4 tsp salt, pepper to taste, and garlic powder to taste (about 1 tsp)

23. A SIGNATURE STIR FRY

Stir fry meals are so easy to make and so packed full of flavor and nutrients. I have made many many stir fry's in my life using beef, pork, ground beef, chicken, sausage and even hot dogs (on days when I have been left with no meat in the house and couldn't afford anything else - it's actually a lot more tasty then you can imagine)! I have to say that my favorite meat to do stir fry's with is without a doubt, chicken.

I think it's important to have a good solid base of a stir fry recipe that you can alter or change between meats and veggies. It is such an impressive and tasty meal that everyone will enjoy, and you can serve it with a healthy dose of rice.

24. A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

Now I am not much of a drinker and it's very rare that I even partake in a glass of wine. However, I think it is only natural that every homemaker should have a heck of a delicious signature cocktail for serving at parties, for celebrations at home, or just for a nice treat for yourself or your guests.

There are SO many cocktail recipes that require a lot of ingredients and can get very complicated but taste delicious. About 10 years ago, I ended up ordering an alcoholic cocktail from one of my favorite places to eat in the city and I actually asked the waitress what was used to make the drink. Astonishingly she told me, and more astonishing was that it was super easy to make and very refreshing. Of course I have added my own flare to it, but it's definitely my go-to drink if I ever really want to impress someone!

Raspberry Vodka Cocktail: Mix 1 cup of sprite or 7-up with 1 shot glass of vodka and about 2 tbsp of blended/pureed fresh raspberries. Garnish with lemon, raspberries and mint. This is just DELICIOUS!

25. A SIGNATURE FRUIT DISH

Fruit is ALWAYS a good idea. It has loads of antioxidants and vitamins and it is so refreshing, sweet and tasty. It gives you all of the natural sweetness without having to reach for any candy. Having a good fruit dish recipe on hand is always a good idea, especially if you need an easy idea for contributing to a potluck, backyard BBQ or party.

A couple of go-to things that I love to do with fruit is obviously a really good fruit smoothie, a fruit platter with dip, or a fluffy raspberry fluff!

A simple fruit dip that is always a hit is just mixing 1 cup of cool whip with 3/4 cup - 1 cup of raspberry or strawberry yogurt. So yummy!

Vintage Raspberry Fluff Mix together 1 package of vanilla COOK & SERVE pudding mix (not instant), 1 package of raspberry jello mix, and 3 cups of water in pot over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Once it reaches a rolling boil, immediately remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. With a mixer, beat the jello mixture until it's nice and creamy. Gently fold in 1 container of cool whip (low fat is best!). Then add in 3 cups of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries or blackberries or a mixture of all and gently mix in. Put the mixture back into the fridge and chill for about 1 hour before serving.