Blogs By Dallas

10 Ways to Prepare for Homeownership    1. Decide what you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income. 2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.3. Select where you want to live. Compile a list of t...

Tips for Pricing Your Home •·       Consider comparables. What have other homes in your neighborhood sold for recently? How do they compare to yours in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities? •·       Consider competition. How many other houses are for sale in your area? Are you competing against n...

Teriyaki Marinade INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup prepared teriyaki sauce 2 tablespoons dry sherry 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Marinate meat for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, in a resealable plastic bag. Turn occasionall...

Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting INGREDIENTS: 1 cup canola oil 2 cups sugar 2-1/2 cups flour 2 eggs 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp vanilla 4 cups chopped and peeled tart cooking apples 1 cup chopped pecans DIRECTIONS: Preheat ...

Sticky Chicken INGREDIENTS: 3 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. finely minced gingerroot 1 4-lb whole roasting chicken 3 minced garlic cloves 1 whole orange, sliced 2 Tbsp. cornstarch 3 Tbsp. orange juice DIRECTIONS: Rinse chicken and drain well. Pat the chicken with paper towels to dry. Place...

Spinach Dip INGREDIENTS: 1 (9 to 11-ounce) package, frozen spinach 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 clove garlic, minced 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS: Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain thoroughly. Place all ingredients in blender ...

Chicken-Fried Steak and Gravy INGREDIENTS: 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 or 5 (4-ounce) cube steaks 38 Saltine crackers (1 sleeve), crushed 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoons salt, divided 1-1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided 1/2 teaspoon groun...

Banana Bread INGREDIENTS: 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/2 cup bread flour or unbleached all-purpose 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas 1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans DIRECTIONS...

Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes INGREDIENTS: 1 pound Italian sausages, casings removed 1 medium onion, chopped 3 large garlic cloves, chopped 1 28-ounce can diced, peeled tomatoes 1/4 cup purchased (or homemade) pesto sauce 10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked 8 cups ...

Despite the various ways in which homeowners can enhance their home's value, perhaps none has the same impact as a brand new coat of paint. Although it's not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination, it makes sense when you consider that a few $20 cans of paint can result in adding hundreds...