Make-Ahead Recipes
Baked Ham & Cheese Bunwiches
The classic ham sandwich is redefined with two kinds of cheese, a flavorful spread, and a quick trip to the oven. Toasty bunwiches are easy to make ahead and party perfect! Over the course of two decades and three houses, these toasty sandwiches appeared at many of our game day parties and casual get-togethers.…
Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
A few key ingredients add vibrant color and flavor to this classically creamy, protein-rich dip. And while perfect as a filling snack or easy appetizer, hummus can be enjoyed in other unexpected ways as well! Traditional hummus pulls its weight as a filling snack and easy appetizer, but the creamy, protein-rich dip doesn’t stop there.…
Ratatouille
With its roots in Provence, France (not the 2007 Pixar film!) ratatouille is a rustic, end-of-summer, vegetable stew that will make the most of a bounty of fresh produce and can be enjoyed in so many ways. If you don’t like to chop, I give you permission to skip the following recipe. But before…
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…
