American Cuisine Recipes
Homemade Sausage
Enjoy sausage with all the flavor of classic Italian sausage but without nitrates, nitrites, and other ingredients you prefer to avoid. There’s an oft-repeated saying that bacon makes everything better. Cooking with sausage is much the same way. From pizza, pasta, and egg sandwiches to soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, and casseroles (I could go on!),…
Valentine’s Day Heart Brownies
A little ingenuity and a heart-shaped cookie cutter is all that’s needed to make Valentine’s Day feel extra special! A heart-shaped cookie cutter does it again.. Start with this classically delicious homemade brownie recipe (minus the Halloween candy theme), an equally scrumptious Nutella brownie, or store-bought brownies, with Ghirardelli leading the pack in my humble…
Valentine’s Day Cheerio’s Snack Mix
This creative (and low effort!) snack may be all that’s needed to make Valentine’s Day feel extra special this year. 💘 For years, this effortless, no-cook mix was a regular after-school and lunch box snack for my boys. Thanks to the simple combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy, they continue to enjoy it now…
Valentine’s Day Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
A simple message of love can begin with something as simple as a cookie cutter. 💘 Grilled cheese and tomato soup have long been considered a match made it heaven…one that becomes infinitely more fabulous with a festive (and extremely easy) presentation. When I was a child, I fully preferred chicken noodle soup to tomato, so…
Pepper Jack Tomato Soup
Bright tomato flavor is balanced by a hint of creaminess and mild kick in this takeoff of a restaurant favorite. Easy to make and especially tasty with the optional toppings. Those who live in the South Central, Pennsylvania area may be familiar with the pepper jack tomato soup at Isaac’s, a small chain of restaurants…
Pork & Sauerkraut (with lots of options)
Get ready for a New Year filled with luck and good health with this traditional dish, which can be customized in several ways to keep everyone happy! (slow cooker and oven method) There seems to be two distinct camps where pork and sauerkraut is concerned: those who love it and those who…well…tolerate it. Growing…
Mustard Sauce for Crab Claws
With just four ingredients, this speedy dipping sauce is the perfect match for crab claws yet versatile enough to jazz up shrimp, fish, chicken, sandwiches, and more. This sauce was inspired by summer vacations on the Jersey shore and the appetizer I’ve considered a special treat since I was a little girl. The bite-size yet…
Jack’s Favorite Bloody Mary
A pitcher-full of outstanding Bloody Marys is easy to make and infinitely tastier than store-bought mixes. Bloody Maria, Dirty Mary, and Virgin Mary variations are included and are customizable by the glass. For added fun, offer a make-your-own garnish station! An olive loaded Bloody Mary with a crisp stalk of celery and a generous amount…
Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes
This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…
Fig Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest
Judging Fig magazine’s 2024 holiday cookie contest was a sweet job, and I’m delighted to share the winning recipes, which are endlessly creative and oh-so delicious! Counters covered in flour and sugar, the sink full of mixing bowls and spatulas, and the sweet smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from a hot oven—these are the…
Apple Cake
No frosting is needed for this rustic cake that is studded with tender apples and comes together in a single bowl with pantry staples. Serve as is or with a scoop of ice cream and caramel sauce. (Or my favorite, salted caramel ice cream!) My grandmother’s apple cake brings back so many memories. Economical and…
From the Recipe Box: Edition 3!
In this recurring series, I dig into my decades-old recipe boxes and share three tried-and-true recipes, which after over a dozen years, STILL haven’t made it to the blog. A little different from my usual posts, this is more like an old-fashioned recipe swap! The latest edition of From the Recipe Box is seasonal, practical,…
