Kitchen Basics
Small Batch Refrigerator Pickles
Quick Pickled Vegetables are easy to make with almost any vegetable and are a practical way to use the odds and ends in your crisper drawer. The tangy, crisp bites are great for snacking and will elevate salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, burgers, burrito-type bowls, stir fries, and more. Pickling can be a very simple process.…
DIY Coleslaw Mix
A bag of coleslaw mix offers a convenient shortcut, but for fresher results and cost savings, you can do it yourself in minutes! Below I share my favorite ratios, the quickest way to make consistent shreds, and a few tips for truly stunning salads. Cabbage is economical, widely available throughout the year, and keeps in…
Homemade Graham Cracker Crust
Using just three pantry staples, and about 10 minutes prep-time, this crisp and toasty homemade crust elevates your pie game to new heights! A good pie crust will elevate dessert. And in this case, it’s easy. No rolling. Three simple ingredients. Nothing fussy. Trusty store-bought options offer a convenient choice and do the trick, but…
Homemade Whipped Cream
Three ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to make the freshest tasting whipped cream that is a dreamy topping for so many desserts. Homemade whipped cream adds an irresistible finishing touch to a variety of desserts, from pies and ice cream sundaes to hot chocolate and fresh strawberries. The following tips ensure…
Quick Russian Dressing
Five minutes is all you need to prepare creamy, tangy Russian dressing that will elevate Reubens, Rachels, burgers, and more. The first time I prepared this sauce, I was making Rachels and Reubens and realized as the meal was underway that I had no Russian dressing, a necessity in the classic deli fare. Thousand Island…
Honey Mustard Sauce (or Dressing)
A speedy way to elevate a simple weeknight meal, this versatile sauce pairs perfectly with chicken, pork, fish, veggies, and so much more! Store-bought condiments have their place, but sometimes, a homemade version is easy to whip up at home with basic ingredients–and actually tastes better than a name brand bottle. We don’t always…
Parchment Packet Chicken
This zero-cleanup technique delivers tender, juicy chicken and is perfect on its own yet especially helpful for all those recipes calling for precooked chicken. Works with one chicken breast or many and offers endless flexibility with flavors. Welcome to another edition of Fountain Avenue kids! Joey is in the house today, and this spunky…
Baked Brown Rice
What’s the best way to cook brown rice? In the oven! This hands-off, foolproof method produces light, perfectly cooked grains every single time. It reheats beautifully too. Brown rice is one of the most readily available grains on grocery store shelves. It’s economical too. (Both of these details are especially welcome these days, right?)…
Spinach Pesto
Easy, accessible, and endlessly versatile, this flavorful pesto is especially ideal when fresh herbs aren’t available. Perfect for adding flavor to pasta, pizza and flatbread, sauces, sandwiches, and so much more, the simple recipe can be customized with a variety of nuts, seeds, and cheeses. Plus it maintains its vibrant green color and freezes well! …
Christmas Potpourri
The aroma of warm spices and fresh citrus join festive cranberries in this colorful, easy-to-make mix that is perfect for gift giving. Printable gift tags included above recipe card. My very thoughtful friend, Anne Besterman, is to thank for this festive recipe, which although made of edible ingredients, is not intended for consumption. Christmas…
Olive Oil Smashed Potatoes
Light and creamy mashed potatoes can be dairy-free, fuss-free, and utterly delicious. A sprig of optional rosemary adds a little something extra! Do mashed potatoes make infrequent appearances on your dinner plate because they feel like a hassle to make? Or do you steer away from some of the customary ingredients? This spin on…
Salsa Verde
Have you sized up what look like little green tomatoes with papery husks while strolling through the produce section of the grocery store, only to pass them by? This green salsa offers a compelling reason to put what are actually tomatillos in your cart. I first fell in love with salsa verde while in…
