Make-Ahead Recipes

BLT Ranch Pasta Salad

Classic flavors come together with ease in this BLT pasta salad that’s equally perfect for family meals, packed lunches, and casual entertaining. Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for a well-rounded meal.   To celebrate my older son’s 14th birthday, we had a group of his friends over for a cookout. He chose hamburgers and hot…

Watermelon Rosemary Flavored Water

I drink a lot of water, but in the summertime, flavored waters hold a certain appeal to me. Yet, I know they are not all natural and many have artificial sweeteners.  So, when I came across suggestions for various all-natural, flavored waters recently, I decided to give it a go. To me, the watermelon looked…

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing with Greek Yogurt

This recipe has been in my box for years, but I stopped making it because it was so laden with…well…fat.  Recently, I decided to revamp the recipe and was thrilled with the result. This creamy dressing is absolutely delicious with a fraction of the fat and calories of the original.  Moreover, this salad topping is…

Summer Sauté

In the warmer months, many of the green vegetables are so tender, they need only a quick sauté to bring out their best flavor.  I love this combination and will often keep it simple, sautéing in olive oil with a bit of salt and pepper.  In a few extra minutes and with minimal ingredients, however,…

Classic Creamy Cole Slaw–with Options

I just love this cole slaw piled high on a pulled-pork sandwich–almost any sandwich, actually–or served alongside delicious vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet pickles, and just about anything off the grill. Soaking the cabbage in ice-cold water for about an hour after chopping but before mixing with the dressing will add an extra level of crispness to this…

Quinoa Salad with Dried Cranberries and Pistachios

I always think I could have a lot of fun cooking in the kitchen with Amee from  Amee’s Savory Dish.  Her culinary style is appealing, approachable, and doable…not to mention delicious.  I am so pleased to welcome the multi-talented Amee Livingston and her amazing quinoa salad to The Fountain Avenue Kitchen… Amee is a southern…

Mom’s Classic Strawberry Shortcake

While this classic recipe is traditionally served as dessert, my family has long enjoyed it for the occasional dinner when local strawberries are in season. Served with milk or yogurt, it’s great for breakfast too! Making strawberry shortcake with freshly picked, local berries has long been tradition in my family.  My sister and I loved…

Grilled Tuna with Avocado Wasabi Sauce

Sitting at our sons’ lacrosse game, my friend, Christina, told me about a marinade that she had recently used on swordfish.  When the evening’s plans went awry and she had to save the already-marinating swordfish for the next night, she realized that an overnight marinade worked quite well with this recipe. She was kind enough…

(Make-Ahead) Egg & Cheese Sandwiches with Crispy Prosciutto

When my sons were born, many friends were kind enough to drop off dinner.  I often wondered how I ever would have gotten dinner on the table those first few weeks if it weren’t for the kindness of those dear friends.  After the birth of my second son, one clever person delivered breakfast sandwiches.  I…

Grilled Romaine and Prosciutto Salad with Greeked-Out Gorgonzola

I don’t cook a lot of red meat, but flank steak is one meal that I enjoy for both is ease of preparation and great flavor.  Plus, it’s inexpensive compared to many other cuts of beef and I like what I can do with the leftovers.  When I first served this grilled romaine salad with…

Make-Ahead Sweet Green Smoothie

For years, I have enjoyed making smoothies.  There are many I enjoy, but I often return to my favorite smoothie which has a chocolate base and is a healthier way to satisfy my never-ending sweet tooth. Although I like my greens, NEVER did I have any inclination to put them in the blender.  Until recently.…

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Evolution Power Yoga, the studio where I take my yoga classes–which are fabulous, by the way–offers a “40 Days to Personal Revolution” program about twice a year.  This program incorporates much over that time period, from daily yoga and meditation to a healthier eating regimen.  From week to week certain foods are eliminated and by…

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