American Cuisine Recipes
5-Can Weeknight Chili
A great bowl of chili is just minutes away thanks to a handful of economical pantry ingredients. Top with a simple sprinkle of cheese or load it up with chopped avocado, crushed tortilla chips, minced onions, etc. The wee hours of Christmas morning last year found my extended family in an airport.…
Homemade Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Homemade Jiffy corn muffin mix beats the boxed version any day, and it can be made gluten-free! Most of us have a short list of recipes that, for one reason or another, we return to again and again. One of the recipes from my own time-honored list is a cross between baked corn and cornbread…
Apple Crisp Baked Oatmeal, Holiday Style
Apple Crisp Baked Oatmeal is a super-satisfying breakfast, and this seasonal spin can be prepped and enjoyed over several days. Or serve it for a wholesome holiday brunch. Genetics are a funny thing. When my dad drove me to a recent appointment for outpatient eye surgery, he commented apologetically that I had him to…
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…
7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce
7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce is a holiday twist on my classic recipe, and adjustments for classic and salted variations are included in the recipe header. Easy and foolproof! As I was purchasing my favorite vanilla bean ice cream a few months ago, a friendly cashier asked me if I had tried a flavor called…
Bacon & Egg Quinoa Fried “Rice”
This twist on a takeout favorite uses quinoa in place of rice for a breakfast-inspired meal that makes a great dinner too. As we coast into the season of mashed potatoes, cookies, eggnog, and pie, I figured it was more important than ever to share a few easy meals that are healthy yet filling–and…
Lancaster Cheesesteaks
I was 13 years old when the blockbuster movie Witness was filmed in Lancaster. Without a doubt, it was a very big deal to have Hollywood heartthrob Harrison Ford come to our town. A good bit of the production took place in the vicinity of my childhood home. My friends and I tried to catch…
Baked Potato Wedges
A versatile side dish that complements nearly any protein, Baked Potato Wedges are an economical addition to the weekly dinner rotation. A special trick makes them extra crisp. They’re not exactly French fries, but these simple baked wedges are always a hit in our house. I often fall back on this tasty side dish…
Candy Bag Brownies
Candy bag brownies are a deliciously decadent way to use leftover Halloween candy. No candy? No worries. The base brownie recipe is delightful as is, chewy edges and all. When I think about what George might do someday, I can envision this talented boy singing his heart out on a Broadway stage or double-backflipping…
1-Minute Peanut Butter Cup Greek Yogurt
Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to combine a little naughty with your nice. And when the naughty (i.e., the candy) happens to have less sugar and nothing artificial, all the better! Midway through the afternoon, I frequently get a sensation of hunger that no carrot or celery stick will satisfy. I like vegetables a lot, but…
Cider Baked Apples
The sweet aroma of warm spices and baking apples is matched only by the flavor of this easy-to-make recipe. Enjoy for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream – or anytime in between! Growing up, my family ate apple dumplings for dinner once or twice every fall.…
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
Sugar and spice and everything nice, these crispy seeds offer a snack-worthy way to make the most of your annual pumpkin carving ritual. Taking the time to dry out the seeds, as described in the recipe notes, will create the crispiest, most flavorful seeds. As we were picking pumpkins last weekend, my older son…
