Make-Ahead Recipes
Gluten-Free Grilled Pizza
When my dad had to give up wheat, there were a few things he really missed: his favorite spice cake, a good cinnamon raisin cookie, and pizza. To this day, he gets excited when he sees a restaurant in town that offers gluten-free pizza. Most of the time, however, he reports that he wouldn’t order…
Barbecue Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
Meatloaf in muffin form offers a “just right” bite that’s fun to eat and can be frozen for a speedy protein addition to any meal. This flavorful take on the classic meatloaf was inspired a while back by some leftover homemade barbecue sauce. While I often use dry oats as a binder, you may also experiment…
Sautéed Minted Peas
A few fresh ingredients make sweet peas shine in this versatile side dish that takes less than five minutes to prepare. Fresh peas in the summer are such a treat. Tossed into salads and pasta dishes, they offer a hint of sweetness and color. Yet they are perfect all by themselves too. This…
Lemon Thyme Dijon Grilled Chicken (a variation on Wicked Good Chicken)
Wicked Good Chicken is a delicious in-a-hurry dinner that relies on pantry ingredients. No marinade time necessary. Bakes in twenty minutes. Pair it with one of my all-time favorite salads–Apple-Pecan Spring Greens with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette–and you have a complete meal that is worthy of company. Slice cold leftovers and serve them overtop of the same…
Curried Couscous Salad (with Gluten-Free Options)
This versatile, flavor-packed salad can be made in advance and pairs beautifully with a wide range of proteins. It’s hearty enough to be the centerpiece of a vegetarian meal, and an easy adaptation provides an excellent gluten-free alternative. Curried couscous salad has been one of my go-to summer entertaining recipes for…
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
A long time favorite that’s cold and creamy with deep chocolate flavor and plenty of protein – with chocolate peanut butter option! For years, I’ve been making this smoothie to satisfy my never-ending penchant for ice cream. Over time, I have tweaked the recipe and still switch it up from time to time. I have…
Fruit Rainbow
You can literally eat the rainbow with this vibrant fruit platter, which is sure to be a hit at backyard cookouts, birthday parties, and festive meals throughout the year. Roy G. Biv. I can remember the day my grandmother taught me that name as a way to remember the colors of the rainbow. Red, Orange,…
Heavenly (and Healthy) Carrot Cake Muffins
Deliciously wholesome way to start the day. Perfect for snacking too – or add frosting and call them cupcakes! These muffins are a big-time favorite in our house. I have even passed these healthy treats off as carrot cake cupcakes by adding a smear of buttercream icing on top. Sometimes, I use my gluten-free…
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,…
