No-Cook Meals
Jack’s Favorite Kale Caesar Salad
Luxuriously creamy yet egg- and mayo-free, this Caesar dressing is the star of the show and coats the hearty, wholesome kale beautifully. Don’t miss the optional Polenta Crouton recipe! Three or four years ago, my husband sent me a text while on a business trip in Chicago: “Had an awesome kale Caesar salad for…
Mediterranean Zucchini Noodle Salad
Sort of like pasta salad (but not!) this flavor-packed recipe offers all the flavors of an Italian sub but with vegetables taking center stage. Think Italian sub in veggie form. That may sound like a strange comparison (and you might say hoagie, depending on where you’re from), but it’s a pretty good way to sum…
Sunflower Basil Pesto
This easy recipe is economical, loaded with flavor, and ideal for families with a nut allergy. Plus the pesto freezes well, so you can enjoy the versatile condiment all year long! If I were to choose just one condiment to get me through the summer, it would be pesto. The fresh seasonal sauce can…
Tzatziki (and a few graduation pictures!)
In addition to the requisite photos of this cool, creamy, perfectly summery sauce, I have graduation pictures for you! As I mentioned last week, the past couple of weeks have been equal parts busy and exciting around here. The main event was last Thursday when John and 699 of his classmates paraded across the stage…
Crunchy Chicken Poppy Seed Slaw
We’re gearing up for our first graduation around here! That on the heels of last weekend’s big garden tour — over 500 people came to our home over the course of the weekend. (Major props to our sons who couldn’t shoot hoops or do much of anything else in our yard on the first sunny…
Avocado, Watermelon & Mint Salad with Feta Cheese
Bursting with flavor and color, this light summer salad complements grilled chicken, fish, and steak beautifully. The simple prep makes it perfect for effortless weeknight meals and casual entertaining alike. My paternal grandmother and my mother shared an extraordinary knowledge of flowers, an ability to use them in artistic ways, and a general love of…
Honey Yogurt Poppy Seed Dressing
Nothing screams “Summer is almost here!” like red, ripe, juicy strawberries. (Side note: This reminds me of one of my sons’ favorite childhood storybooks, The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. If you have toddlers in your life and like to read aloud to them, this is a fun one!) But…
Special Sauce recipe… and tips for a better burger
The sauce that makes the burger plus all the tips you need for the best backyard burgers! “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun….” Can you almost hear the music? This iconic McDonald’s jingle was etched into my childhood brain, even though I never quite made the…
Chocolate Caramel Matzo Brittle
Sweet, salty, and crunchy, this traditional Passover treat will be a crowdpleaser any time of year! Good recipes have roots in the most unexpected places. Standing on the sidelines of a lacrosse game last year, the grandmother of my son’s good buddy and teammate mentioned a seasonal recipe she likes to make for family…
Cilantro Lime Crema
Level up basic chicken, fish, potatoes, and virtually anything Tex-Mex with a dollop of this simple sauce. Five ingredients and countless ways to enjoy. That’s this recipe in a nutshell. It’s like a little magic wand that can be waved to perk up plain chicken, fish, a simple baked potato, and so much more. And…
Doctored Up Hummus
A simple hack will elevate store-bought hummus, making it creamier and more flavorful – with a little extra protein too! We can all use the occasional shortcut, right? And when that shortcut happens to pull double duty as a healthy, convenient snack and a delicious, last-minute appetizer, all the better! My older son is…
Snow Cream
Snow Cream is a thing…and it’s delicious! All the kids in your life (and the kids at heart) will enjoy this sweet treat on a snowy day. For those who are checking the calendar: No, it’s not April 1st, and yes, “snow cream” is really a thing! Even if you don’t love the cold,…
