Meals Under 30 Minutes

Homemade Seasoned Salt

So often it’s the simple things made with run-of-the-mill pantry items that serve us best in the kitchen.  Thanks to their ease, versatility, and great flavor, staples like classic balsamic vinaigrette, basic marinara, homemade Bisquick, and aptly-named “everything” sauce have found their way into many recipes in my kitchen and throughout this blog.   An amped up salt fits nicely…

Not-Mushy Oatmeal (aka Chewy Granola)

This tasty, toasty twist on the usual bowl of stovetop oatmeal may be served hot or cold with your favorite milk. Or layer it with yogurt and fresh fruit for a satisfying breakfast parfait.       Did you ever think a bowl of stovetop oatmeal could look like this?  I mean, you can actually…

Pan-Seared Heart Chicken

A few simple cuts of the knife transform a boneless, skinless chicken breast into a festive meal. Fun for Valentineโ€™s Dayโ€ฆor any time! ❤️ Special occasion dinners can be memorable for many reasons. Perhaps the artistically plated tapas at a swanky new restaurant made an impression, or the view while cracking crabs by the bay…

Winter Porridge

The formula for the basic porridge is easy, and you can prepare it in advance for speedy breakfasts throughout the week.   I’ve always been amazed by people who go sockless in cold weather. When my feet are cold, everything is cold. So, it’s remarkable that, since the beginning of fall, I’ve only worn socks…

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 theyโ€™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 โ€“ 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 isnโ€™t limited to some far-flung locale. Itโ€™s an…

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