No-Cook Meals
Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt (or Cottage Cheese) Cups
Almost as quick as store-bought yogurt cups but fresher and endlessly versatile! The convenience of store-bought yogurt cups is undeniable, but there are a few good reasons to keep a stash of this easy, homemade alternative on hand. Ready-made fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt cups tend to be more jammy than fruity, and they’re usually a little…
Peach Melba Overnight Oats
Sweet peaches, tangy raspberries, creamy yogurt, and hearty oats come together quickly in this wholesome, prep-ahead breakfast that’s worth waking up for! Sweet, juicy peaches, tangy raspberries, creamy yogurt, and hearty oats. This is the recipe that sold my kids on oats several years ago–and eating them cold no less! Fruity flavors lead the…
Piña Colada Smoothie Bowl
As a boy, my Dad was required to take a spoonful of cod liver oil every morning before breakfast. It was one of those oft-repeated stories we heard if we voiced displeasure with what was on our plate. I still have this mental picture of my maternal grandmother hovering over my dad as a young…
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…
