Make-Ahead Recipes
Roasted Carrots with Za’atar
A singular spice rub, a sprinkle of feta, and a quick stint in a hot oven will reinvent cooked carrots and add delicious variety to your usual veggie routine. The secret to perfectly roasted vegetables rests in the details. In the case of the following recipe, the tricks include a high enough oven temperature (to…
Toll House Pie
Everything you love about a chocolate chip cookie but in pie form, this irresistible dessert is a breeze to make and always a hit! This pie dates back to when my boys, now in their twenties, were toddlers and we’d often get together with friends and their kids for casual weekend dinners. The kids would…
Egg White Muffins
A filling, wholesome, grab-and-go breakfast, egg white muffins are protein-rich, reheat well, and freezer friendly. Plus, there are options to use the whole egg, vary the add-ins, and customize for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. I’m the sort of person who likes to know what I’ll be eating for breakfast before I go to…
Easy Roasted Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Sausage, peppers, and onions are tossed with simple Italian seasonings and then roasted to perfection for an easy meal that can be enjoyed over rice, pasta, or as the best sausage sandwiches. Easy, colorful, and hearty. This meal is versatile comfort food at its best. The most basic of ingredients – sausage, vegetables, and seasonings…
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…
Jeweled Salad
This stunning salad adds fresh flavor and visual appeal to weeknight dinners and holiday meals alike. And while the recipe is delightful as is, there are many ways to customize depending on what you like and have on hand. Any meal can benefit from the crisp crunch and visual appeal of a good salad. Perhaps…
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…
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
Nothing is more seasonal than hot chocolate…except maybe peppermint. This recipes combines both for a delicious, brownie-like cookie that may be your new family tradition! The name of these cookies caught my attention right away. How unique does a peppermint hot chocolate cookie sound? And what precisely would their taste and texture be like? I…
