Kalua Pork (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
Everything you wanted to know about electric pressure cookers PLUS an easy, melt-in-your-mouth pork recipe that you’ll want to make again and again…with a slow cooker option, too! Given its sustained high ranking spot on gift lists and mail-order sites far and wide, chances are good that you or someone you know is the…
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken (with freezer bag option)
A good freezer bag meal will come to your rescue on busy weeknights and when cooking for a friend in need. Taco chicken is family friendly, endlessly versatile, and quick to prep. Last year I turned the bags into practical gifts for several friends, because who couldn’t use a healthy meal and a night off…
Threaded Hot Dog or Sausage Spaghetti (aka “Spider Dogs”)
Move over meatballs! This squirmy pasta dish makes a fun project for kids and a crowd-pleasing Halloween-themed meal. For a more “mature” version, substitute your favorite cooked sausage for the hot dogs. I’m pretty sure a spoonful of laughter and silliness makes any dinner taste better –and when the preparation of that meal can…
Sheet Pan Sweet & Sour Chicken
Sweet and spicy mingle with a hint of heat in this family-friendly sheet pan meal that’s worthy of a spot on the weekly dinner rotation. The prep-ahead sauce stores well and makes enough for a second meal another night. Or use it for quick stir fries with your favorite protein and vegetables. Opposites attract, or…
Baked Tacos
This clever approach to tacos offers a fun twist on an old favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, casual entertaining, and game day. Plus you can serve everyone at once! Taco Tuesday is about to get easier, healthier – and quite possibly a little tastier! Taco night was a big deal when I was…
Sazón Grilled Chicken
Who doesn’t love a new way to use an old standby? Though sazón is traditionally used in Latin chicken and rice dishes, using this little spice packet as a rub for grilled chicken is a fast way to make a memorable meal. For those who feel inclined, my homemade sazón recipe can be mixed up…
Pickle Brine Pork Chops (or Chicken) with Liquid Gold Sauce
Hold onto that pickle juice! Crazy as it may seem, the components will tenderize and flavor pork chops and chicken with no “pickle-y” taste. A sunshiny sauce adds an extra dimension of flavor with minimal effort. People often ask me how I come up with all the recipes I share in the newspaper and…
Crispy Skin Salmon
A quick sear on the stovetop creates tender salmon with deliciously crispy skin… perfect with your favorite seasonal side dishes or as a salad topper! Do you ever get tired of cooking? It’s a question I’m asked frequently, and the answer is a definitive yes! Most days, I genuinely enjoy cooking for so many…
Cornell Chicken (with how-to for perfectly barbecued bone-in chicken)
Reminiscent of the classic roadside barbecue－complete with advance prep convenience and tender, juicy meat－this chicken dinner is a real winner. For those who enjoy, Cornell Chicken can be served with a favorite BBQ sauce on the side. What does Dad cook best? After a little teasing that his grilled cheese sandwiches are amazing (when he turns down…
One-Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies
One-Pan Pesto Chicken and Veggies provides filling protein and a hearty serving of colorful vegetables for a speedy, flavor-packed weeknight meal! What do your food habits say about you? I recently read an unscientific but altogether amusing article written by Phil Mutz that assessed what people’s eating habits revealed about their personality. Slow eaters, for…
One-Pot Spring Pasta with Smoked Salmon
A streamlined cooking process, lots of veggies, and filling protein make this fresh and flavorful pasta dinner a winner! Though “spring” is in the name of this delightful recipe, I fully encourage you to partake of it well into the summer for its light, bright flavor and effortless appeal. It’s the sort of all-in-one…
Easy Zucchini & Ground Beef Dinner
Six basic ingredients form the foundation of this one-skillet meal, which comes together quickly for a family-friendly dinner on even the busiest of weeknights. Follow the basic recipe or customize Easy Zucchini & Ground Beef Dinner to taste—and hope for leftovers because they improve with age! When my husband and I planned a quick family…
