Appetizer Recipes
Easiest Steamed Artichokes
If you’ve never cooked whole, fresh artichokes, you might not believe how easy it is…or how amazing they taste! Before I got married, I had never eaten an artichoke–one that didn’t come out of a can anyway. And then for our first Christmas together, my husband’s grandmother gave us a set of artichoke plates.…
Easy Baked Refried Bean Dip (or taco or burrito filling)
Let’s face it. No one goes to a Super Bowl party expecting Brussels sprouts, quinoa, and salmon. Hot wings, chips, and chili are more likely on the menu, and that’s perfectly okay. My family most definitely enjoys the typical game day fare, but I do like to add a couple of healthy fillers to the…
Doctored Up Hummus
A simple hack will elevate store-bought hummus, making it creamier and more flavorful – with a little extra protein too! We can all use the occasional shortcut, right? And when that shortcut happens to pull double duty as a healthy, convenient snack and a delicious, last-minute appetizer, all the better! My older son is…
Arepas
A South American staple, arepas are cornmeal cakes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients, from cheese to chicken salad, and the ingredient list is short. Three years ago, I tagged along on one of my husband’s business trips to Florida,…
Spiced Pecan Chex Mix
This sweet and savory spin on the classic snack mix is easy to make and hard to resist. Perfect for gift giving too! Why is it nearly impossible to replace a favorite pair of shoes? You know, the shoes that are really comfortable and go with everything, but their near perfection wasn’t apparent until…
How to Make Kimchi
Make kimchi worthy of a Korean kitchen in your kitchen with these easy instructions. The flavor-packed, probiotic-rich condiment will keep for months and can be added to tacos, burgers, eggs, rice, pasta, and grain bowls or enjoyed as a simple side dish. My intro to traditional kimchi-making came in an unexpected way several years…
Classic Chex Party Mix
Making your own Chex mix is easy and will outscore store-bought any day! This variation on the classic mix is a little nuttier and offers several ways to customize according to taste. Plus, it makes a big batch…for which you will likely be grateful! My boys recently had their annual physical at the pediatrician’s office,…
Classic Gazpacho (A toppings bar makes it a meal－or a party!)
A selection of toppings turns this classic summer soup into a filling meal. Simple advance prep makes it ideal for casual entertaining and easy weeknight meals alike, and the flavor improves over time! While living in Spain for six months many years ago, I was told that when the weather gets hot, even a…
Grilled Shishito Peppers
Serve these sweet and (almost always!) mild Japanese peppers as a quick, easy, and surprisingly popular appetizer or side dish. Have you ever heard of chili peppers that are mild…most of the time? Such is the case with the shishito pepper, a small, slender sweet pepper that originated in Asia. A year or two…
Slow Roasted Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
With their concentrated savory-sweet flavor, these little bites will transform many a meal, and I’ve included a list of ways we enjoy them. A great way to make use of a bounty of cherry and grape tomatoes, the roasted tomatoes can even be frozen for later use. If you told me that someone secretly…
Snappy Honey Grilled Shrimp
Have you ever wondered what food item is most commonly stolen from grocery stores worldwide? (Stick with me here…I’m going somewhere with this.) The answer surprised me. It’s cheese. In the United States, cheese actually ranks fourth behind meat, candy, and baby formula. (France skewed the global figures.) These stats are one more reason the following…
Spicy Sweet Potatoes with Smoked Paprika Aioli
Packed with flavor and so satisfying – I could make a meal out of these sweet potatoes. The easy aioli puts them over the top! The mention of great sweet potato fries could lure me to any restaurant. A plateful of these alone could easily be my entire meal. My first taste of this…
