Make-Ahead Recipes
Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
You control the ingredients with this copycat recipe that’s easy to make with everyday spices. Fast, fresh-tasting, economical, and endlessly versatile! A packet of Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing provided a convenient shortcut for me for years. I first discovered it when I was dating my husband and we were invited to a coworker’s…
Replenish Smoothie
This make-at-home rendition of a local cafe’s customer-favorite smoothie offers natural sweetness, filling fiber, and plant-based protein with just five simple ingredients! This is my at-home rendition of a smoothie my husband and I have ordered many a Saturday morning from the café at a wonderful local market called Lemon Street. The names of…
Classic Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Sweet and tangy with a hint of heat, this easy sauce is the perfect complement to chicken, chops, ribs, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches. Or stir some into mayo for a delicious sandwich spread! When I make this barbecue sauce, I still think of the day over 20 years–and a different career–ago when I…
Taco Refrigerator Pickles
Cool, crisp refrigerator pickles get a new flavor twist in this easy recipe that’s perfect for snacking, adding to sandwiches, and serving alongside a variety of barbecue fare. No canning required! On his holiday shopping expedition last year, Christian stopped in a local store that makes a small but impressive variety of pickles. Along…
Roasted Potato Salad with Special Sauce
No need to peel the potatoes in this customizable salad, which uses a uniquely flavorful dressing that can be made in advance. I’ve been making this salad for years without actually measuring the ingredients. A little different than the average potato salad, it’s always a hit. Most recently, I prepared the summer staple for…
Southwestern Rice Salad
This crowd-pleasing dish can be assembled in advance, travels well, and caters to a variety of eating styles. Ideal for backyard barbecues, potlucks, and stress-free family meals! You know all those times you’re searching for something a little different than the usual pasta or vegetable-based salad while maintaining broad appeal? For me, this tried-and-true…
Tender, Juicy Turkey Burgers
Tender, juicy, flavor-packed turkey burgers are possible with lean breast meat thanks to a few simple additions. A go-to weeknight meal and worthy of a weekend barbecue! Tender and flavorful, these burgers defy the dry, flavorless hockey pucks some people associate with turkey burgers, especially those made with lean breast meat. The best…
Strawberry Bread
Move over zucchini and banana bread, there’s a new quick bread in town! Strawberry bread is lightly sweet with a delicate crumb and may just become a new favorite. Some recipes keep me up at night. This was one of them. Baking, as we often hear, is a precise science. Small variations in the…
Flourless Black Bean Brownies
Decadent, fudgy brownies score big points in flavor and texture while delivering a filling dose of fiber and protein. A total dessert win! “I love these brownies because you think they are going to be gross, but they are delicious and nutritious.” Those words, from “Chef E.” age 9, sum up these brownies perfectly. Let’s…
Easy Chilaquiles
Protein-rich eggs and black beans pair with a handful of Tex-Mex staples in this versatile, satisfying, one-pan meal that can be enjoyed any time of day! My friend, Keely, is the owner of a Lancaster County bed & breakfast and events venue. As such, she will tell you that she takes her brunching pretty seriously.…
Crunchy Top Strawberry Baked Oatmeal
Red, ripe strawberries highlight this seasonal favorite, which offers make-ahead convenience and countless ways to customize. In a pinch, frozen berries may be used. I clearly remember the first time I served this seasonal addition of my original baked oatmeal recipe. My younger son, who was a rather picky fourth grader at the time, asked…
Cilantro Lime Rice
A few key additions transform basic rice into an extra special side dish that enhances a wide variety of cuisines. Not a fan of cilantro? Not to worry. You may omit it and the resulting lime-infused rice will still be a winner! Perhaps no food better embodies feelings of sustenance and comfort than…
