Meals Under 30 Minutes
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…
Pesto Baked Chicken
A short list of ingredients and speedy prep make this healthy, flavorful chicken dish worthy of the weeknight rotation － and it’s as easy to cook for one as it is for a big group! I recently saw a list of the top 10 most popular backyard herbs, and basil sat in the number one spot.…
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…
Breakfast Banana Split
So many possibilities for a fun, deliciously wholesome breakfast. Feel free to use the recipe as a framework, adding more or less of the various ingredients as preferred. My younger son has been a major yogurt fan since he took his first sloppy spoonful as a toddler. My older son wouldn’t touch it.…
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…
Low Country Shrimp Boil
This festive, all-in-one meal is sure to become a summertime favorite! For a small gathering or fun weeknight family meal, simply cut the recipe in half. When I offered to cook for a dozen or so family members this past Mother’s Day, I pondered the perfect recipe long and hard. Ideally, the meal would be…
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Quick and easy to make, full of fresh flavor, and tossed with a simple poppyseed dressing – a side of grilled chicken or salmon is all that’s needed for a light and satisfying summer meal. As I glance back on the last few posts, things are looking rather fruity and salad-y. Tis the season,…
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…
Sautéed Shrimp & Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto & Parmesan
This wholesome, one-pan meal can be on the table in 15 minutes. For a quick meal another night, swap the shrimp with chicken. Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes, and in my day-to-day work with The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I’m lucky to have a hearty helping of it. Beyond the…
