Make-Ahead Recipes

Stretch-a-Can-of-Tuna Salad

Loaded with filling protein and fiber-rich veggies, this remake on the classic recipe is economical, nutritious, and completely delicious! Cabbage and tuna may not seem like kindred spirits, but when mixed together in a simple salad, the results are decidedly delicious.  What’s more, every crisp forkful delivers filling protein, nutrient-rich veggies, and satisfying flavor.  What’s…

Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal

The warm, spiced flavors of the classic muffin find their way into a satisfying baked oatmeal for a nourishing, make-ahead way to start your day!   In October of 2015, Kim asked via email if I happened to have a recipe for morning glory baked oatmeal. Kim mentioned that her brother had purchased something similar…

Overnight Oats Breakfast Cookie

This unconventional recipe is essentially overnight oats in cookie form and can be adapted to create different flavors and add protein and various mix-ins. If you’re a fan of overnight oats like I am, chances are good you’re going to fall in love with this clever spin on the traditional method of preparation.  I cannot…

Denver Mug Omelet

  This super-speedy, protein-rich meal can be customized to taste and enjoyed any time of day!   A few days before my older son John was heading off to college and we were checking off the remaining items on his packing list, my laptop started acting finicky. He still needed a new pair of sneakers…

Basic Kale Salad with Options

“Eat more vegetables” is frequently heard advice, and green, leafy varieties are usually ranked at the tippy top of the good-for-you list.  Getting the recommended daily servings, however, tends to be far easier said than done, so I have a few tricks to help me get there. Adding a cup of baby spinach to any…

Elisabeth’s Granola Bark

Granola bark is a cross between a thin, crunchy granola bar and those big clusters of loose granola that everyone digs for. Lightly sweet, it’s loaded with healthy whole grains and protein-rich nuts and seeds.   School is back in session, so the lunch-packing factory is once again open for business.  Given the amount of…

Salsa Chicken

Quick and easy to make. Short list of ingredients. Tastes great. This flexible meal is destined to become a family favorite! While perusing the magazines at an airport newsstand several months ago, I spied one with a title indicating that all of the recipes had five ingredients or less and could be prepared in 15…

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Basil

Prep these tasty bites in advance for an appetizer or entree that’s equal parts easy and delicious – with just three main ingredients!   If you ask a group of children what their favorite season is, you’ll likely hear a chorus of “Summer!” amidst a few shrieks of “Winter!” No school and frequent dips in the pool…

Fresh Peach Cake

My enthusiasm for fall apples knows no bounds and I hold no grudges against pumpkin spice everything.  But just because schools are back in session doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to all the amazing fruits and veggies that are still at their peak.  (Speaking of school, when this recipes posts, I will be…

John’s Dilly Beans

This is a simple canning process requiring no fancy equipment. You can even use a stockpot instead of a canner.   As I unpacked my older son’s duffle bag after his first summer at camp 10 years ago, I found a small glass jar carefully nestled among the dirty socks and damp towels. When I…

Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt (or Cottage Cheese) Cups

  The convenience of store-bought yogurt cups is undeniable, but there are a few good reasons to keep a stash of this easy, homemade alternative on hand. Ready-made fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups tend to be more jammy than fruity, and they’re usually a little too sweet for me. Starting with fresh, seasonal fruit adds so much…

Roasted Zucchini and Mushrooms with Feta

This garden-fresh dish is super simple to make and complements most any protein. When tossed with pasta, it becomes a complete meal!   At the start of each season, I spend a little too much time pondering how to fill the three months that follow. Sometimes, I have a minor panic that I won’t have…

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