Make-Ahead Recipes
One Pan Tex-Mex Quinoa
Pantry staples make this filling, flavorful, plant-based meal a weeknight win โ and there’s no need to pre-cook the quinoa! Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes. For your daily dose of trivia, I’ll also mention that this idiom came from William Cowper’s 1875 poem entitled “The Task,” and the full line…
Homemade Tostadas
Tostadas are an easy way to transform a soft tortilla into a crunchy base for all your favorite toppings–in under a minute. Taco night suddenly got a little more exciting! Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? No matter which night you enjoy the classic fare, a quick upgrade to a soft tortilla will create a deliciously…
Salsa Verde Chicken (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
Quick to prep and brimming with flavor, this endlessly versatile chicken can be served over rice, in tacos or enchiladas, and can be customized with a variety of toppings. This is on my list of easy meals that defy expectationsโand we can never have too many of those! Looks can be deceiving. Case in…
How to Make a Chocolate Tasting Board
An interactive way to sample a variety of chocolate and see what you like best, a tasting board offers a festively easy dessert for holidays, birthday parties, bridal showers, potlucks–even a special night for two! Many of us enjoy a sweet treat after dinner. If youโre like me, youโd love to taste everything on…
Roasted Potato Bites
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these flavor-packed bites take minutes to prepare and may just be the star of your dinner plate! I’ve mentioned recipes that don’t always make it to the dinner plates. This is one of them! Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and expertly seasoned…
Steak Bites
Lightning fast cook time and exceptional flavor may just earn these easy steak bites a spot on the weekly dinner rotation. Round out the meal with rice and a vegetable of choice. I have long been drawn to the incredibly easy prep and quick cook time of this flavorful steak dish. My family enjoys…
Favorite Brussels Sprouts Salad
A healthy, go-to salad for busy nights, parties, potlucks and holiday tables, this super-satisfying salad can be made in advance and the dressing is a versatile keeper! This salad could be described as an overachiever. The ingredients are fairly ordinary, yet they come together in a way that’s somewhat extraordinary. The recipe earns early points…
Homemade Hot Honey
Hot honey is the buzz-worthy condiment that adds spicy-sweet appeal to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes. It’s easy to make at homeโand cheaper than store-boughtโand is a great gift! Traditionally used over fried chicken and biscuits in the south and more recently to flavor the likes of gourmet pizzas and fancy cocktails…
Cranberry Mimosas
Quick, festive, and colorful, this twist on the traditional mimosa is an easy choice for holiday breakfasts and brunches throughout the year. A merry looking drink that offers easy prep and broad appeal, my family has given this drink a variety of names over the years. Christmas and holiday mimosas are the more straightforward…
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Classically light, fluffy, creamy, and buttery, this recipe is everything good mashed potatoes should be–and so simple. Recipe pairings and lots of great leftover ideas are included. Easy comfort food at its best, these dreamy potatoes are quick enough for casual weekday meals (especially when utilizing the included tips) yet special enough for holiday tables.…
Grandma’s Rugelach
This two-bite cookie is hearty, subtly sweet, and can be filled with a variety of jam, chocolate, and/or nut fillings. It’s easy to make and perfect to bring to a Hanukkah party or any gathering! When Ann and I first started working together she asked me if wanted to share any of my own…
Snowballs
The cookie itself is lightly sweet and similar to a pecan sandie. A dusting of confectioner’s sugar provides the finishing touch of flavor and looks so pretty, too. (And for those with allergies–no eggs and a gluten-free option!) In the world of cookies, snowballs are neither cold nor wet, but they do pair well…
