Make-Ahead Recipes
Chicken Tortilla Soup
A brimming pot of this wholesome soup is a filling favorite in our house. Topped with grated cheese and a few crushed tortilla chips, it’s extra special! Last year, as I was pondering what to give to several of my friends for Christmas, I struggled to think of something they would really need or want.…
Royal Icing
Making gingerbread houses–well, actually, graham cracker houses –is an annual holiday event in our house. The first year I thought of doing this, I offered to make enough “bases” for my son’s entire pre-school class. It was a bit overwhelming at first. I wondered what the heck I had gotten myself into! But once you…
White Chocolate Pecan Pie
White chocolate and a graham cracker crust take the classic pecan pie to new heights in this crowd-pleasing dessert that assembles in a mere minutes. While my husband, Jack, does not often cook, there are two or three dishes he prepares quite well. Baking, however, is unexplored territory. So, when he bought the ingredients…
So Easy Fresh Pumpkin Puree
Canned pumpkin isn’t the only game in town. It’s easy to make your own pumpkin puree, and the fresh flavor can’t be beat! As I was wrestling with this pumpkin, trying to cut through it — all the while thinking of several people who have commented that they enjoy winter squash recipes, except for…
Prize-Winning Crunchy Top Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal — and a trip WINNER!
UPDATE: I am thrilled to announce that the winner of the trip to Canyon Ranch in Miami, Florida is Matthew Fairbanks! Thank you all for voting, entering, and being a friend of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen. I truly wish I could send you all on a trip! Congratulations to Matthew and wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving…
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie (grain and gluten free)
The last few days have proved to be quite exciting. My recipe for Crunchy Top Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal was in a national contest with Smart Balance and to, my great surprise, it won! The prize is an all expenses paid trip for two to Canyon Ranch Spa in Miami Beach. What’s more, I get to…
Crunchy Top Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
This tried-and-true breakfast offers a deliciously wholesome, make-ahead way to start the day. The recipe even won a national contest! I love oatmeal. I eat it almost every morning. Old-fashioned or steel cut oats, baked oatmeal or boiled, it’s all good. I have experimented with countless baked oatmeal recipes and this is a hands-down…
Cauliflower Leek Soup with Parmesan and Bacon
The arrival of cooler weather always puts me in the mood for steamy, savory bowls of soup. Each fall, I start with one of my favorite tomato soup recipes (see the “Soup” category for my top two tomato picks), then work my way through butternut squash and several other fall vegetables before starting in on…
Nutty Coconut Pumpkin Smoothie
Stocked with fresh pumpkin puree and having recently made pumpkin pancakes, muffins, and baked oatmeal, my mind turned to smoothies. My first thought was to combine pumpkin and fresh orange juice to keep the color bright and add natural sweetness. But guess what? No oranges. No orange juice either! We have been on a cider…
Baked Pumpkin Pancakes (Grain/Gluten Free)
Pumpkin and almonds hold a special affinity for one another. Generally speaking, combining these two ingredients has the potential for greatness. Yet the concept of combining them to create a gluten-free pancake—baked in the oven, no less–had the potential for epic failure! I remember well the first time I made this recipe. The batter tasted…
Salted Lime Baked Corn Tortillas Chips
The salted, lime-infused crunch of a favorite store-bought tortilla chip is easy to recreate at home with a short list of ingredients and in minimal time. My family adores the store-bought “hint of lime” tortilla chips. As I was making my Tex-Mex Chopped Salad one evening, which includes a crunchy element on top, I realized…
Tex-Mex Dressing
This is a super simple dressing I created for my Tex-Mex Chopped Salad. While you can use your favorite store-bought ranch, I like this easy-to-make and healthier version. It is delicious and, combined with the salsa, offers a bit of a kick and just the right flavor to enhance a variety of southwestern dishes. Use…
