Make-Ahead Recipes
Tomato Tuna Melts
Light on mayo and big on flavor, two of these speedy Tomato Tuna Melts deliver 25 grams of protein with just 10 grams of carbohydrates and 289 calories. Most Mondays since the early โ90s, my father has eaten a tuna melt. He belongs to a menโs lunch group that meets weekly, and after all…
Classic Chex Party Mix
Making your own Chex mix is easy and will outscore store-bought any day! This variation on the classic mix is a little nuttier and offers several ways to customize according to taste. Plus, it makes a big batch…for which you will likely be grateful! My boys recently had their annual physical at the pediatrician’s office,…
Sweet Tea Brined Chicken
Sweet tea provides unexpected magic in this incredibly easy, marinated chicken that takes mere minutes to prep. Rest assured, the finished chicken is tender and juicy but doesn’t actually taste like iced tea! When Mitch Nugent made a point by connecting two things I loveโlive theater and ice cream–I perked up.…
Peanut Butter Popsicles
Four easy ingredients create a refreshing, protein-rich treat that the whole family will love. Perfect for healthy snacks and dessert๏ผand they will pass for breakfast! Hot days call for cold treats. Weโve made our fair share of ice cream runs this summer (major thanks to Pennyโs and Lancaster Sweet Shoppe ๐…
Green Goddess Dressing… and a trip to the Green Mountain State
For much of my life, summers have been all about New England. As a girl, I spent many memorable years going to camp near Camden, Maine, and camp was followed by family vacation on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. My sons veered only slightly off my path, attending a boys camp along the coast of…
Classic Gazpacho (A toppings bar makes it a meal๏ผor a party!)
A selection of toppings turns this classic summer soup into a filling meal. Simple advance prep makes it ideal for casual entertaining and easy weeknight meals alike, and the flavor improves over time! While living in Spain for six months many years ago, I was told that when the weather gets hot, even a…
Honey Nut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
This twist on the usual overnight oats is a deliciously satisfying way to use leftover quinoa and may be scaled up for grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week. Does anyone else start thinking about dinner while breakfast is still digesting? And do you go to bed thinking about breakfast? I’ve always been the sort…
Grilled Shishito Peppers (with stovetop option)
Serve these sweet and (almost always!) mild Japanese peppers as a quick, easy, and surprisingly popular appetizer or side dish. Have you ever heard of chili peppers that are mildโฆmost of the time? Such is the case with the shishito pepper, a small, slender sweet pepper that originated in Asia. A year or two ago,…
Paleo Zucchini Bread
A short list of basic ingredients yields a tender, wholesome loaf of the classic quick bread that is naturally gluten- and dairy-free. I don’t advocate or personally subscribe to a Paleolithic diet, yet many of the recipes I make do qualify as Paleo. As you may know, the idea behind a Paleo diet is to…
Summer Breeze Chicken Salad
This fresh-tasting chicken salad offers a uniquely delicious way to savor sweet, seasonal peaches. The combination may seem unexpected, but once you try, I’m betting you’ll be sold! Some people are hard to forget. Take the gem of a teacher who totally gets your toddler. When my older son first went off to preschool he…
Slow Roasted Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
With their concentrated savory-sweet flavor, these little bites will transform many a meal, and Iโve included a list of ways we enjoy them. A great way to make use of a bounty of cherry and grape tomatoes, the roasted tomatoes can even be frozen for later use. If you told me that someone secretly…
Creamy Chocolate Power Shake
Thick enough to eat with a spoon and loaded with a wholesome balance of ingredients that will deliciously fuel your day. I LOVE this shake–although you can call it a smoothie if you prefer. Initially, I was not a believer. My friend Anita gets all the credit for showing me the wisdom of adding…
