Make-Ahead Recipes
Mix & Match Grilled Seafood Packets (aka Ocean Packets)
Looking for a special meal that keeps the work (and cleanup) to a minimum? My family raves when these flavorful packets are on the menu. They’re healthy but loaded with flavor and just plain fun to eat. As an added bonus, individual packets can be customized according to preference and food allergies. (Simply label the packets with…
Wicked Good Chicken
This old recipe with a funny name is like a grownup version of honey mustard chicken, no mayo required. The quick-prep meal is a friend on a busy night and the leftovers can be enjoyed in so many ways. “Wicked Good Chicken” was first published on my blog in March of 2012 – truly the early days…
Blue Cheese (or Feta) Turkey Burgers
Three simple ingredients make THE BEST turkey burgers. They’re tender, flavorful, and not the least bit dry, whether cooked on the grill or stovetop. The easy recipe quickly became a regular at our house, and I’m guessing it will become a favorite in your home too! After reviewing an impressive new cookbook authored by teen…
Easy Mud Pie
This easy, make-ahead recipe is sure to become a favorite for casual entertaining and special occasions. The quick, no-bake homemade crust adds something special (and allows for a gluten-free option) but a store-bought cookie crust works well, too. After a recent swim, I overheard a mother attempting to prepare her young daughter for a nap…
Slow Roasted Salmon
This need-to-know technique assures perfectly cooked, tender salmon every single time－and you can apply the method to other favorite salmon recipes.🐟 In my early days of cooking salmon, I often broiled it. The method is quick, and a little crispy char is delightful. I quickly learned, however, that there’s a fine line between…
PB&J Breakfast Bars
Healthy, filling and easy to make, Rachael Ray herself thinks these tasty bars are a total win! Convenient for grab-and-go breakfasts and anytime snacking. As if a compliment by Rachael Ray isn’t cool enough, the following recipe comes from a cookbook I recently reviewed call The Teen Kitchen －and Amazon just named it one of the best cookbooks…
Favorite Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
A luxuriously creamy (yet healthy!) sweet-tart dressing makes this seasonal salad a standout. A hearty portion is delightfully satisfying in its own right, and when paired with a protein of choice, offers an easy weeknight meal that’s 100% worthy of company.🍓 After devouring a truly spectacular salad at a local restaurant last spring,…
Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Fresh strawberries and a short list of pantry staples are all that’s needed for a dressing that’s sure to become a seasonal favorite! 🍓 Longer, warmer days mean one thing: strawberry season is coming soon. Before long, we’ll be savoring the sweet, red, juicy gems in Mom’s Classic Shortcake (or a healthy gluten-free alternative) jams,…
Veggie-Loaded Pasta with Sausage
Reader tested and family approved, this complete meal comes together easily and is equal parts healthy and satisfying. A few tips provide added convenience at dinnertime－and for those who’ve tried gluten-free pasta and been unimpressed, I have a helpful hint that might change your mind. When I cook pasta, I typically aim to work…
Spring & Summer Avocado Toast
Just when you thought you couldn’t love avocado toast more…a simple twist makes this protein-rich meal refreshingly delicious－and extra easy. Easy is good, right? Many of the meals I regularly prepare and enjoy in my kitchen involve simple assembly more than outright cooking. Recipes also have a way of evolving over time. Such is…
Banana Bread Pancakes (or Waffles)
A wholesome, naturally gluten-free version of the perennial favorite quick bread, these light and fluffy pancakes incorporate heart-healthy oat flour (or oats) and can be prepared as waffles, too. Sometimes we just need a stick-to-our-ribs breakfast – and, happily, we can have it in a deliciously wholesome way! The first banana bread I…
Aunt Peggy’s Turkey Chili
Quick, easy, and super satisfying, this flavorful chili is a go-to on busy nights and reheats beautifully. This recipe is quick and easy chili at its best. It may not be the nuanced, chili cook-off entry that’s layered with a variety of peppers and boasts hints of cocoa and coffee－but it’s family friendly and…
