Make-Ahead Recipes
Velvety Chocolate Mousse and a Guide to Unrefined Sweeteners by Chef Amber Shea Crawley
Whenever possible, I like to use natural sweeteners–pure maple syrup being a favorite–and try to limit overall sugars in general. I do have a sweet tooth, so it is an ongoing challenge! With wider access to a broad range of sweeteners, I have started to dabble with options such as coconut sugar and stevia and…
Rhubarb Bars
The sweet-tart flavor and slightly gooey filling, which is balanced by a crisp crust, make these bars a must when rhubarb is in season! Happy Mother’s Day! Not only is the following dessert a favorite of my mother, the timing is ideal, as rhubarb’s short season is upon us. If you haven’t baked with rhubarb before,…
Homemade Cashew Milk — an easy option to almond or soy milk
A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend Daina after a yoga class and, as it often does, the conversation turned to food. Daina is a master gardener and a talented cook who crafts healthy and delicious recipes with ease. When she mentioned her favorite go-to dinner which incorporated her homemade cashew…
Big Batch Peanut Butter Congo Bars
I wasn’t going to cook today. I really wasn’t. But then, my kids and their friends wanted to have a lemonade stand. After a cooler than usual spring, the weather has been sunny and warm. It was a perfect idea and, somehow, every time there is a lemonade stand in our driveway, I make cookies…
Everything Sauce
Lacking a better name for this sauce, I call it my “everything” sauce because it seems to taste great with almost everything! I typically make it for my Spice-Rubbed Grilled Chicken, and I frequently use leftovers drizzled on steamed veggies, as a light, flavorful pasta sauce, or as a tasty alternative to mayonnaise. Over the…
Gluten-Free Bread
With crusty edges, soft insides, and an appealing taste, this loaf is hands-down the best gluten-free bread that has come out of my kitchen. Over time, I have found there are so many excellent ways to navigate easily around gluten and not feel deprived. Through trial and error, I have found worthy substitutes for items…
Spiced Pecans
These crisp, sweet nuts are easy to prepare and make a delightful hostess or holiday gift. Sprinkle in salads or enjoy by the handful! My aunt, who grew up in the original Fountain Avenue kitchen, shared this simple recipe with me years ago, and it has been a favorite in our house ever since.…
Turkey Cobb Salad with Honey Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Do you ever eat a meal at a restaurant and want to replicate it at home? Do you often think that salads you eat at a restaurant taste better than what you make at home? My friends and I have joked many times that food always tastes better when someone else makes it for you!…
Honey Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
A few months ago, I enjoyed a restaurant salad that tasted especially delicious. Where salads are concerned, I firmly believe that a well crafted dressing has the ability to push a salad over the top. In this case, I had ordered a basic turkey cobb salad and paired it with a creamy orange dressing from…
Strawberries and Cream “Ice Cream”
Some people refer to this lusciously sweet and creamy treat as “nice” cream, and for good reason. It’s decadent-tasting enough to feel naughty, yet healthy enough to enjoy on repeat! After an early spring snowstorm and generally chilly temperatures, spring finally arrived. Although, if we weren’t paying attention to the calendar, we may have…
Roasted Asparagus with Panko
Serve these deliciously crunchy spears as a satisfying side dish or appetizer – they can be finger food. For a delicious, gluten-free adaptation, substitute crushed Rice Chex for the panko. (Trust me, it works!) Many years ago, I read Barbara Kingsolver’s book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The story chronicles her own family after they vowed…
White Chocolate Gorp
Easy to make and fun to eat, this tasty treat makes a festive addition to any holiday celebration with the use of seasonal M&Ms. As a kid at camp in Maine, I loved to sign up for the hiking trips. Typically, we hiked portions of the Appalachian Trial, usually carrying supplies in a frame…
