Meals Under 30 Minutes
One Pan Tex-Mex Quinoa
Pantry staples make this filling, flavorful, plant-based meal a weeknight win โ and there’s no need to pre-cook the quinoa! Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes. For your daily dose of trivia, I’ll also mention that this idiom came from William Cowper’s 1875 poem entitled “The Task,” and the full line…
Homemade Tostadas
Tostadas are an easy way to transform a soft tortilla into a crunchy base for all your favorite toppings–in under a minute. Taco night suddenly got a little more exciting! Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? No matter which night you enjoy the classic fare, a quick upgrade to a soft tortilla will create a deliciously…
How to Make a Chocolate Tasting Board
An interactive way to sample a variety of chocolate and see what you like best, a tasting board offers a festively easy dessert for holidays, birthday parties, bridal showers, potlucks–even a special night for two! Many of us enjoy a sweet treat after dinner. If youโre like me, youโd love to taste everything on…
Favorite Brussels Sprouts Salad
A healthy, go-to salad for busy nights, parties, potlucks and holiday tables, this super-satisfying salad can be made in advance and the dressing is a versatile keeper! This salad could be described as an overachiever. The ingredients are fairly ordinary, yet they come together in a way that’s somewhat extraordinary. The recipe earns early points…
Homemade Hot Honey
Hot honey is the buzz-worthy condiment that adds spicy-sweet appeal to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes. It’s easy to make at homeโand cheaper than store-boughtโand is a great gift! Traditionally used over fried chicken and biscuits in the south and more recently to flavor the likes of gourmet pizzas and fancy cocktails…
Cranberry Mimosas
Quick, festive, and colorful, this twist on the traditional mimosa is an easy choice for holiday breakfasts and brunches throughout the year. A merry looking drink that offers easy prep and broad appeal, my family has given this drink a variety of names over the years. Christmas and holiday mimosas are the more straightforward…
Cracker Toffee
Easy to make and quick to disappear, this family-favorite treat is salty, sweet, crispy, buttery, and chocolatey. A variety of optional toppings ramp up the flavor and seasonal appeal! Old recipes have a way of bringing back special memories. And when those old recipes are also very good recipes, they seem to create new memories!…
Crispy Potato Peels
Instead of tossing the peels when preparing potatoes for mashing, save them. They make a fun snack that’s crisp and flavorful–and nothing goes to waste! The first time I roasted what were essentially the mashed potato scraps, I did it as an experiment and had low expectations. Little did I know the crispy…
The Rachel Sandwich (Grilled or Baked)
Sandwiches for dinner are truly a treat thanks to this crunchy, saucy twist on the classic Reuben. Use Thanksgiving leftovers or your favorite deli turkey for an easy meal any time of year. Two methods of preparation mean you can easily serve one person or a crowd. For those who grew up watching the…
Magic Six Layer Bars (only 6 ingredients!)
This crowd-pleaser comes together in a snap and is perfect for parties, potlucks, bake sales, and holiday cookie platters. Six simple ingredients never tasted so good. See recipe notes for excellent gluten-free adjustment. One of my all-time favorite cookies is my grandmother’s recipe for six layer bars–six simple ingredients, layered in a pan, and…
One Pan Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
One pan. Three basic ingredients. Endless ways to mix it up. This quick and easy meal pulls out all the shortcuts for a well-rounded meal the whole family will enjoy! Stir-fries are great for so many reasons. Theyโre quick to whip up, full of contrasting flavors, and an excellent way to load up on crisp,…
Spider Cider
The name may be catchy but the flavor really delivers in this crowd-pleasing Halloween cocktail that you’ll want to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. Easy to mix one cocktail or a pitcher! It seems the older I get, the more I enjoy playing with my food! Holidays, of course, provide an abundance of…
