When I began my little Fountain Avenue Kitchen adventure four years ago, I hadn’t the slightest idea where it would take me. I had never posted anything on social media, didn’t own a real camera, and didn’t follow a single blog. In fact, I was reluctant to call my website a blog because, to me,…
Serve this gorgeous show-stopper as a make-ahead appetizer, a satisfying snack, or as a base for an anything-but-boring lunch. When I first laid eyes upon this colorful sister of the traditional middle eastern dip, I was smitten by its vibrant ruby hue. Thanks to the addition of a humble root vegetable, the color is…
In a world where monumental decisions are made every day, choosing which recipes to include on this blog and in my weekly newspaper column ranks pretty low on the relevance scale. Yet I deliberate long and hard on this! What will she want to eat? Which recipes might he not merely read, but also…
DIY burrito bowls are wholesome, loaded with fresh flavor, and easy to customize to taste! There’s a well-known restaurant that is famous for its burrito bowls, and I can see why. The flavorful all-in-one meal offers a high degree of customization and it’s sort of fun. It’s viewed as a healthier option than many…
Inspired by a traditional Jamaican dish, this easy, one-pot meal is loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and flavor. Rice and beans. Who doesn’t love them? Yet, depending on where a person is from, rice and beans can mean many different things. After returning from a family trip to Puerto Rico last month, I got on…
I have a random memory of a bitterly cold day last winter. I was standing in front of the washing machine, folding laundry. It was such a simple task, yet I was completely exhausted. Folding one more shirt or matching one more pair of socks seemed just plain impossible. As I slumped over my pile,…
Hearty greens, protein-rich edamame and chickpeas, and a handful of other ingredients combine with a light but flavor-packed vinaigrette for a wholesome salad that’s great for meal prep. A well-rounded, plant-based meal as is, a protein topper like salmon or chicken will provide extra staying power. We often think of salads as warm weather…
Protein-rich beans replace the cream in this flavorful soup, creating exceptional texture and staying power. Just before Thanksgiving, my older son endured the displeasure of jaw surgery. To eliminate additional procedures down the road, he had his wisdom teeth pulled, too. Lucky boy. In the week or so that followed, pureed or very soft…
A couple of Sundays ago, this recipe appeared in my weekly newspaper column. A few days later, I received an email from Jane from Mrs. Renfro’s salsa company thanking me for mentioning their product. As a thoughtful gesture, she offered to send me any four of their products. I truly love the flavor and ingredients…
A crowd-pleasing, family-friendly alternative to baked beans, this protein-rich salad can be prepared in advance and the flavor improves over time. As I walked to school with my younger son one morning last month, he mentioned that his 6th grade history class’s Colonial unit would be culminating with a special lunch. All students were…
A go-to meal that’s hearty, healthy, and easy to make with basic ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights yet worthy of casual entertaining, too. We’re all looking for an arsenal of easy meals on those all-too-frequent busy nights, right? In the spirit of helping its volunteers, Girls on the Run recently asked its coaches…