No-Cook Meals
Royal Icing
Making gingerbread housesโwell, actually, graham cracker houses โis an annual holiday event in our house. The first year I thought of doing this, I offered to make enough โbasesโ for my sonโs entire pre-school class. It was a bit overwhelming at first. I wondered what the heck I had gotten myself into! But once you…
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…
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…
Eastern North Carolina Barbecue Sauce
We are usually the tomato-based barbecue sauce type in this family. However, a very dear Southern friend shared her favorite vinegar sauce with me a while back and it was a complete hit! Her recipe has just the right amount of tang and makes for one delicious sandwich. I asked my friend, Lisa, if…
Make-Ahead Blueberry Almond Smoothie
First, I must say that the color of this blueberry smoothie is about as luscious as the taste! Since I first tried the make-ahead smoothie concept, I have been hooked. ย I love a nice, thick smoothie and typically rely on frozen fruit and ice to get the consistency I prefer. ย Using the oats and chia…
Gorgonzola Tomato Salad
Prepare this flavorful dressing ahead and you will have a delicious salad ready in a flash. Perfect as a dip or as a salsa over grilled steak or chicken, I also like using this dressing on Grilled Romaine and Prosciutto Salads. The use of Greek yogurt allows for a thick, delicious option to your favorite…
Honey Ginger Tomato Salad
Don’t you love it when a friend shares a favorite recipe, or when you come across an idea for a flavor combination that you had never before thought of? Well, Beth, a friend of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, did both! The pairing of honey and ginger with the sweet tomato grapes is truly delicious, and…
Mango Freeze
In my never-ending quest to satisfy my sweet tooth and provide a worthy alternative to my favorite indulgence, ice cream–not an easy task, mind you!–I hit upon this gem of a dessert. My kids started the mango craze in our house a couple of years ago. They consider mangoes a real treat…sweet like candy. Once…
Blackberry, Feta and Mint Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Last summer, a friend of mine offered me one week of her farm share as her family was leaving town and wouldn’t be home to use the food. Included in the stash of colorful summer veggies was a bunch of fresh spearmint, some crisp greens, and a box of plump, juicy blackberries. My mind immediately…
Citrus Vinaigrette
To me, this dressing is the perfect summer vinaigrette. The taste is light and crisp and allows the flavor of summer-fresh fruits and vegetables to shine. Originally, I created this to compliment a salad with mint, feta, and blackberries although it is perfect whenever you want a hint of citrus with just enough sweetness and…
Classic Spanish Sangria
Authentic Spanish sangria is simple to make and delivers nuanced flavor with eye-catching appeal. Perfect for entertaining and easy to customize with your favorite fruits and wine. My first taste of sangria came years ago while living in Madrid. It has been a summertime favorite ever since. Fruity and refreshing, it is popular with…
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…
