30 california recipes

The crock pot was scrapped clean. Best rating I could have gotten. Everyone raved at how good it was.

Fresh California tomato summer soup with diced ripe tomatoes, pasta shells, carrots, celery, onion, and basil in chicken broth. A garden-driven minestrone built for peak tomato season. Topped with Parmesan.

California pizza topped with melted cheddar, black olives, sliced avocado, alfalfa sprouts, sour cream, and crumbled bacon. A retro West Coast pizza in 25 minutes.

California ricotta cake: devil's food cake layers brushed with orange liqueur, filled and frosted with sweet ricotta whipped with cream, orange zest, almonds, and chocolate chips.

California-style Boboli pizza topped with melted cheddar, ripe olives, creamy avocado, alfalfa sprouts, crispy bacon, and sour cream. A 20-minute pizza that skips the sauce entirely.

Savory bread machine loaf made with onion soup mix, cottage cheese, and sour cream for a soft, tangy crumb. Tastes like California onion dip baked into bread.

Stunning layered fruit terrine with strawberries, kiwi, mango, and papaya set in white grape juice gelatin. Served with a honey-raspberry cream dressing.

A lighter, golden fruitcake with apricots, golden raisins, candied orange peel, and walnuts in a buttery brandy batter. Baked in decorative molds for a gorgeous holiday centerpiece.

Buttery brown sugar cookie bars with crunchy walnuts and a hidden layer of golden apricot jam. Rich, chewy, and dangerously easy to eat by the handful.

My family really loves this recipe. I almost never have leftovers, and when I do there is a race to see who gets to them first.

California fig oatmeal cookies with dried figs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts. A chewy, fruit-studded drop cookie that bakes in just 10 minutes.

No-bake fig and coconut candy balls with ground nuts and bright lemon zest. Naturally sweet, chewy, and rolled in finely chopped coconut for a vintage confection.

Crunchy toasted coconut and oat crust layered with a creamy lemon yogurt filling and topped with more golden coconut. A chilled, no-fuss dessert that cuts into tidy squares.

A refreshing vegan brown rice salad tossed with fruit cocktail, tomato, celery, and green onions in a tangy tarragon-Dijon vinaigrette. Light, nutty, and naturally sweet.

California country meatballs with a beef, pork, and veal blend seasoned with fennel seeds, tossed with sauteed tri-color bell peppers, onion, and black olives. A colorful, Italian-inspired skillet dinner.

A four-layer Snickers pie: graham cracker crust, fudgy chocolate brownie layer studded with Snickers chunks, creamy cheesecake, and drizzled milk chocolate ganache on top. Decadent dessert overload.