Make-Ahead Recipes
Potato Crusted Broccoli and Bacon Frittata
A complete meal that’s so very satisfying, and you’ll want to use the easy potato crust over and over! All-in-one meals that come together quickly and easily make me a happy cook. I think many busy people appreciate them as much as I do! When the recipes offer great flavor and versatility, they often become…
Deviled Egg Spread
This easy, make-ahead recipe is everything we love about the classic deviled egg, but in the form of a light meal! Deviled eggs are favorite picnic and cookout fare — and they’re also an ideal way to use all those colored Easter eggs! My sister-in-law and my mom make the best deviled eggs, but this…
Dark Chocolate Blondies (grain-free, no refined sugar)
Typically, I don’t mention the specific brand I use in a recipe unless it is integral to the recipe’s success or I just really love the product for one reason or another. I first became familiar with Bob’s Red Mill many years ago when my dad discovered he had to eliminate gluten. He never complained about all the…
Baked Pineapple Casserole
A delicious addition to a holiday table and anytime ham is served, this quick and easy recipe may be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch casserole. Can Easter really be less than a week away? After a weekend of delightful weather－so welcome after the long, cold, snowy winter－it’s actually starting to feel a bit…
Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
My grandmother’s recipe for the classic treat, this time-tested recipe rivals a Reese’s peanut butter cup. The recipe can be prepared in stages and makes enough to share! When I think of my grandmother, many things come to mind. She was full of life, funny and frugal, yet so very generous. This was a…
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
This meaty sauce is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The yield is a generous 3+ quarts, so there’s plenty to freeze or to share! This meaty sauce is the ideal foundation for a winning spaghetti dinner. It’s also perfect for sharing with a friend (or two) while having enough for your family as…
Quickie Cookie Baked Oatmeal
When I have the pleasure of some one-on-one time with my 3-year-old niece, I like to think of a project or activity she will really enjoy. Whether it’s making homemade play dough (has to be blue!) or a simple walk to the playground, I have at least as much fun as she does. After making…
April Fool’s Meatloaf Cake
A family favorite meatloaf recipe masquerades as a cake in this tricky dinner that delights kids and adults alike! My dad’s favorite April Fool’s joke wouldn’t play very well this year. When I was a girl, he’d celebrate this mischievous holiday by waking me up with the proclamation that a foot of snow had…
Butterscotch Bread Pudding
Crispy edges, tender insides, and notes of caramel and butter take the classic bread pudding to new heights. Easy and irresistible! Last fall, I mentioned that I was all set to share a recipe for butterscotch bread pudding when a thoughtful reader emailed me the recipe for her prized beet cake. Like my chicken in…
Brown Soda Bread with Steel Cut Oats
Hearty, wholesome bread has never been so easy, thanks to this yeast-free, no-knead recipe. The finished loaf slices beautifully and tastes great! When I experiment with recipes, I am never 100% sure how they will turn out. Sometimes, a new recipe takes repeated tries, especially in the baking department. I aim to limit white flour…
O’Brien Irish Stew
This classic Irish stew was passed down from the decades old recipe box of an Irish friend. The tried-and-true recipe offers oven and slow cooker options, and the flavor improves over time, making it a great make-ahead meal. Most Americans think of stew as having a thick gravy base. But traditional Irish stew is…
Make-Ahead Granola Parfaits
This slightly different preparation yields surprisingly delicious results. Consider preparing several at one time, as the parfaits will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. Preferring my granola crunchy, I was skeptical the first time I tried this. After resting in the fridge overnight, I was pretty sure the granola…
