Make-Ahead Recipes

Homemade Hot Cocoa

A clever method of preparation means there are no lumps or scorched milk in this cozy cocoa recipe. There’s even a cafe mocha variation! Before I started The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I had very little experience with photography. When I took the typical family snapshots, the camera decided how to focus and when to flash,…

Yogurt Bran Muffins

Do you have a favorite community cookbook?  I have a few, which I enjoy reading from time to time.   The recipes are like a slice into someone else’s kitchen, and they’re personal in a way that many mainstream cookbooks are not. Recently, Stonyfield Organic sent me the Yogurt Cookbook, which is a compilation of recipes submitted…

Chopped Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette (with an easy Meyer lemon substitute)

Hearty greens, protein-rich edamame and chickpeas, and a handful of other ingredients combine with a light but flavor-packed vinaigrette for a wholesome salad that’s great for meal prep. A well-rounded, plant-based meal as is, a protein topper like salmon or chicken will provide extra staying power.    We often think of salads as warm weather…

Maple Tamari Roasted Almonds and Cashews

These tasty little bites are a sweet-and-savory spin on my classic recipe for Tamari Almonds.  People often use tamari as a gluten-free option to soy sauce, but after reading the label of the bottle of tamari I had in my cupboard–and seeing wheat as an ingredient–I did a little more investigating. By way of The Kitchn, I found…

Classic Chicken Rice Soup

Wholesome comfort food as its best, this recipe yield is generous and is perfect for sharing, freezing, or enjoying leftovers throughout the week. As a long-lasting stomach virus worked its way through my family early last month, this soup (along with toast and ginger ale) was the only food some of us wanted to eat…

Honey Lollipops — a Natural Sore Throat Remedy

A 2-ingredient, natural sore throat remedy that’s easy to make and helpful to have on hand. Fun to give away too!   In the past few months, I have read several times about the antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties of honey and cinnamon.  I am certainly not a doctor, but when I saw the idea from my…

3-Ingredient Chuck Roast in Foil

Flavorful, fork tender meat with ease…and your kitchen will smell amazing! This hands-off recipe has been a longtime favorite in our family, and it might just make the regular rotation at your house too. Last September, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. When I think about that number, it’s sort of shocking to…

Sheet Pan Dinner: Roasted Chicken, Potatoes and Artichokes

Quick to prep and family friendly, this all-in-one meal is a weeknight gift that relies on pantry staples. The optional quinoa recipe pairs well, but a simple side salad will also round out the meal.    After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a break from cooking would suit many of us just fine.…

Tamari Almonds

Simple to make and delicious to eat, these flavorful almonds offer a satisfying crunch and hint of saltiness with just two ingredients. Is is possible that Christmas is behind us and a new year is just a day away? Where does the time go? For all those who celebrated, I hope your day was merry.…

Lucky Cake (or Peanut Butter Chip Cake) with Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting

A secret ingredient (that no one will guess) makes this cake delicious AND lucky…and who couldn’t use more luck in the New Year?   Would you keep reading if I told you that there’s sauerkraut in this cake? When I see a recipe with an oddball ingredient or an offbeat method of preparation, I’m often…

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Protein-rich beans replace the cream in this flavorful soup, creating exceptional texture and staying power.    Just before Thanksgiving, my older son endured the displeasure of jaw surgery. To eliminate additional procedures down the road, he had his wisdom teeth pulled, too. Lucky boy. In the week or so that followed, pureed or very soft…

Spinach Pomegranate Salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette

As satisfying as it is beautiful, this vibrant salad is worthy of a holiday table or paired with a simple protein any night of the week! When I originally shared my Autumn Salad with Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Dressing, my friend, Christine, mentioned that she serves a similar salad with a vanilla vinaigrette.  Christine said…

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