16 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.