Tired of hearing 'What's for Dinner?'

Daunting words are echoing across the households of America: "What's for dinner?" The busy, fast-paced culture we live in doesn't always provide time to reply with a home-cooked answer.

However, the Taste of Home Cooking School is about to come to your rescue!

Check out the show at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Tickets cost $10 each and can be purchased at the BannerGraphic and The Brazil Times. The program begins at 7 p.m.

Taste of Home Cooking School understands that gathering everyone around the table can be a challenge in itself. Add to that making something that is tasty, yet simple enough to fit in your schedule can be a nearly impossible task! The BannerGraphic along with Gallo Family Vineyards, McCormick, Taste of Home Entertaining and Viva present the Taste of Home Cooking School "Swing Into Spring" show. This show is blooming with great new recipe ideas -- along with tips and tricks to make your kitchen time painless! The two-hour show will be sure to spice up your weekday dinner routine.

What helpful guidelines do the experts at Taste of Home offer to keep dinnertime convenient? Keep your pantry and fridge stocked with must-have items. Staples such as sugar, brown sugar and all-purpose flour are always good to have on hand. Additionally, keep quick meal fixes like olive oil, dry pasta, jarred pasta sauces and canned vegetables in your pantry. It's also a good idea to stock up on ingredients that can be easily frozen and thawed later. Purchase ground meats in bulk, then form into patties or crumble and cook in a large pot and freeze to use later. It can quickly be defrosted in the microwave. You can do the same with cookie dough or cake layers.

"I'll be sharing more helpful tips like these at the show," says Dana Elliott, Taste of Home Cooking School Culinary Specialist. She adds, "It's part of my job to let the audience know that great home-cooked meals don't have to be a lot of work."

The cooking school guarantees a show packed full of the best spring recipes. They'll demonstrate how to make crowd-pleasing favorites like Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Taco Meatball Ring, Italian Herb Frittata, Avocado Eggs Benedict, Lemon Nut Twists, Meringue Nests and Flower Power Lemon Cupcakes. Be the envy of everyone at your office potluck or treat your friends to a delightful spring brunch. This program has a menu that is sure to inspire!

For more information on the Taste of Home Cooking School "Swing into Spring" show, contact John York at the BannerGraphic at 653-5151, ext. 19 or via e-mail at john@bannergraphic.com.