Meals Under 30 Minutes

5-Ingredient Tropical Green Smoothie

I was skeptical.  I purchase fresh spinach in a 5-ounce box, and the thought of putting all of it into a single smoothie recipe seemed…well…excessive. But in the name of helping a friend, I gamely tried this recipe.  Ally Phillips, cookbook author, blogger, and longtime friend in food, was looking for a little assistance as…

Pineapple Serrano Hummus

I grew up watching the Parade of Roses every New Year’s Day.  Flowers have always been a hobby for my mom.  She had a greenhouse, an undisputed green thumb, and a knack for arranging flowers in the most beautiful way.  I remember being utterly amazed when she told me that all of the parade floats…

Easy Winter Fruit Salad

A straight-forward combination of fresh fruits with a little something extra to elevate the simple salad into something sublime.   From the time my kids could hold a crayon, I helped them make the gifts they’d give their loved ones on Christmas morning. My hope was that amidst all the material trappings of the holiday,…

Rosemary Roasted Cashews

Rosemary, salt, and a hint of heat makes these easy-to-prepare nuts a snacking favorite. A jarful provides a welcome gift, too!         When I visit my parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas, my eyes always scan their kitchen counter for a large, red canister. I keep my fingers crossed that…

Creamy Horseradish Dill Sauce

Bright, herby, and quick to make, this creamy sauce will elevate fish, crab cakes, latkes, baked potatoes and more.    Not every actor in a movie can have a starring role. Strong supporting characters are integral to the success of any movie – or play or television show for that matter. That’s how I view…

Creamy (Healthy) Peanut Butter Dip… and some acceptable “double dipping”

Recipes have a way of evolving over time. Preferences shift, dietary needs change, and we learn from trial and error. Sometimes, we simply have a clever idea. At face value, the following recipe is a simple dip for apples, bananas, pretzels, and more. Mixing peanut butter and maple syrup into a base of Greek yogurt…

Roasted Beet Hummus

Serve this gorgeous show-stopper as a make-ahead appetizer, a satisfying snack, or as a base for an anything-but-boring lunch.   When I first laid eyes upon this colorful sister of the traditional middle eastern dip, I was smitten by its vibrant ruby hue. Thanks to the addition of a humble root vegetable, the color is…

Rio Grande Skillet Dinner

This easy, all-in-one meal is healthy, economical and so family friendly!       When I open my cupboard, I see more than enough food to sustain my family for a week, and likely much longer. For too many people, this is not the case. This problem isn’t limited to some far-flung locale. It’s an…

Crispy Black Bean Skillet Tacos

Pantry and fridge staples come together in a flash for these crispy meatless tacos that are deliciously filling and economical too.   You know the feeling.  You get home late from work, a meeting, or kids’ sporting events. Everyone is hungry, no food has been prepared, and you just want to eat…five minutes ago. As…

Blistered Green Beans

Cook green beans in a flash while bringing out their very best flavor with this minimalist but effective approach.   Need a 10-minute side dish that tastes great and goes with practically everything?  For years I steamed my green beans. Occasionally, I roasted them.   For the past year or two, however, broiling has been…

Chipotle Lime Crema

  Fashioned after a friend’s recipe for lime crema, which she uses as an awesome finishing touch on her chili, this easy sauce adds the smoky heat of a chipotle pepper.  The spiced-up version is perfect for chili and most anything based on south-of-the-border flavors. I use this versatile condiment on a couple of recipes…

Flounder with Bacony Corn

With the familiar flavors of bacon and corn, this wholesome, all-in-one meal might just make a fish lover out of the toughest critic!   At its best, summer cooking should be light yet satisfying, keep the heat to a minimum, and include lots of shortcuts. Realistically, we want to eat well without spending too much…

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