The best guacamole keeps it simple: ripe avocados plus a short list of flavorful add-ins in just the right amounts. Perfect as a dip, in tacos, on sandwiches, burrito bowls, and more. I tend to tuck recipes away and wait for what I hope will be just the right occasion for my readers. This…
I loved to collect the mail when I was a child. The thought of a special letter or magazine waiting for me fueled the anticipation. Now, letter writing is practically an ancient art form and most of the mail goes directly into the recycling bin. But when a new cookbook arrives unexpectedly…now that’s a good…
When paired with a protein-rich egg, these slender green spears form the basis of a satisfyingly simple meal with “French country” appeal! Years ago, I marveled at the description of a meal with two basic ingredients: eggs and asparagus. The simple combination was described as very “French country.” I envisioned ambling up to a…
Inspired by a traditional Jamaican dish, this easy, one-pot meal is loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and flavor. Rice and beans. Who doesn’t love them? Yet, depending on where a person is from, rice and beans can mean many different things. After returning from a family trip to Puerto Rico last month, I got on…
Dear Ann,I recently made and enjoyed some of your chia seed recipes. For quite a while I have been using another healthy ingredient in my morning oatmeal – flax meal. I was wondering, could you share some new recipes using this very nutritious food? The reader who issued this recent request was absolutely right in…
This quirky snack is quick, easy, and shockingly delicious. You wouldn’t think the flakes would stay crisp, but they really do! For the latest edition of Fountain Avenue Kids, my younger son, Christian, steps behind the camera to demonstrate the after-school snack he has made for himself countless times over the years. It’s a great recipe…
The flavor of homemade fried rice will rival your favorite takeout version and be healthier too. Make use of leftover rice and chicken for the easiest of meals. Leftovers seldom get the credit they deserve. Some meals, of course, really do improve over time, but perhaps the best way to forever change the perception of…
This cheddar-based dip is just the right balance of cheesy, peppery, and tangy and can be enjoyed in so many ways. A Southern classic! Last weekend, my in-laws celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage with a family trip to The Greenbriar in West Virginia. Their three children along with spouses, significant others and eight grandchildren…
Avocados and bananas have a lot in common. When you need to buy them for immediate use, they always seem to be rock hard and green. And then, once ripe, plans sometimes change and they’re overripe before you know it. There’s a multitude of delicious ways to ensure overripe bananas don’t go to waste–and they…
Veggies and lean protein come together with ease for a family-friendly meal that can be customized with a variety of toppings. I’m a big fan of recipes that incorporate a variety of vegetables with a basic protein in one, easy-to-assemble dinner. And when a meal is versatile and can be customized with a selection of…
Quite possibly the easiest trick that’s fun for all ages. One ingredient is all you need, and before you know it, everyone will be laughing! When I originally posted this silly “punch” on The Fountain Avenue Kitchen several years ago, I did it on the afternoon of April Fool’s Day, right after my kids…
🐰 🐣 🌷 🐰 🐣 🌷 🐰 🐣 🌷 🐰 🐣 🌷 🐰 🐣 🌷 🐰 🐣 🌷 I know that not everyone makes Easter candy–getting dinner on the table every night can be challenging enough! But all of these recipes have easy-to-follow steps, many of…