Best Snack Recipes
Congo Bars
Congo Bars = the ultimate blondie! Perfectly chewy and so much easier to make than a batch of cookies, this foolproof recipe is a childhood favorite that has stood the test of time. Readers occasionally ask me if I ever really mess up a recipe โ and the answer is a definite โYes!โ Earlier this…
Green Goddess White Bean & Artichoke Dip (great as a sandwich spread, too)
Protein-rich and loaded with fresh flavor, this versatile dip tastes equally fabulous in a sandwich or wrap. Think of it as an easy alternative to hummus๏ผand don’t miss the short list of creative ways to enjoy it! Inspiration for this recipe came from a Better Homes & Gardens magazine I was flipping through on a…
Easy Fermented (or Fresh) Garden Salsa
Who knew how easy it is to make flavorful homemade salsa thatโs full of gut-healthy probiotics? No special skills or equipment are needed, and unlike other fermented foods, salsa takes only a few days to ferment.🍅 Does the idea of fermenting food sound daunting? Did you ever think to ferment salsa? (And why would…
Zucchini Banana or Applesauce Bread (grain-free & naturally sweetened)
This grain-free, naturally sweetened zucchini bread puts a healthy spin on the ultimate summer quick bread. As an added bonus, it’s easy to customize and tastes great! This bread is all about choices. In the big picture, this recipe illustrates how we can have our proverbial cake and eat it, too. Cake๏ผor quick bread in this…
PB&J Breakfast Bars
Healthy, filling and easy to make, Rachael Ray herself thinks these tasty bars are a total win! Convenient for grab-and-go breakfasts and anytime snacking. As if a compliment by Rachael Ray isn’t cool enough, the following recipe comes from a cookbook I recently reviewed call The Teen Kitchen ๏ผand Amazon just named it one of the best cookbooks…
Spring & Summer Avocado Toast
Just when you thought you couldn’t love avocado toast more…a simple twist makes this protein-rich meal refreshingly delicious๏ผand extra easy. Easy is good, right? Many of the meals I regularly prepare and enjoy in my kitchen involve simple assembly more than outright cooking. Recipes also have a way of evolving over time. Such is…
Lolita’s Low Sugar Granola
Granola is supposed to be healthy, right? Yet too often a small serving is surprisingly high in sugar and calories. Happily, Lolita figured out a way to do it differently. Lucky for us, she shared her trade secrets! Granola is supposed to be healthy, but so often the first or second ingredient is sugar. All…
Emma’s Favorite Cupcakes (dairy- and gluten-free optional)
What happens when a dear friend requests a spot-on replica of the utterly perfect cupcakes her mom used to make๏ผminus the dairy and gluten? You figure out a way, of course! This cupcake recipe, however, is bigger than any one birthday or Valentineโs Day. It represents love and loss and how we can form everlasting…
Cilantro Lime Hummus (tahini-free)
This nourishing, easy-to-make hummus redefines the classic dip by shaking up the usual ingredients and adding south-of-the-border flavor. No need to purchase tahini for this recipe either. My first order of business is to thank longtime reader Mary Lou for this fabulous hummus recipe. She shared it with me several years ago, and why…
Spiced Glazed Nuts & Pretzel Mix
Sweet and spicy mingle with salty and crunchy in this crowd-pleasing cocktail snack that doubles as a convenient hostess or holiday gift. Want to add a gourmet touch to your next batch of chocolate chip cookies โ or brownies or caramels for that matter? Dust the surface with the faintest bit of flaky sea…
Fruitcake Quick Bread
Finallyโฆa fruitcake youโll want to eat! This quick and easy batter bread is packed with fruit and nuts but unlike traditional fruitcake is lighter, less sweet, and more mildly spiced. A name isnโt just a name. Itโs an identity, and with that, it conjures up feelings and memories. In some cases, it also carries baggage. …
Clementine Jack-oโ-lanterns (plus a few other Halloween treats)
These healthy snacks make a fun project for children, whether at home or school parties, and are a welcome lunchbox surprise. Thereโs a fun story behind them (plus an important tip for making the ink stick). And because every good celebration can benefit fromย some themed trivia, Iโve included some Halloween fun facts to use asย conversation…
