Meals Under 30 Minutes

Pizza with Goat Cheese, Thyme & Honey Lime Chicken

Years ago, a friend who runs a local cooking school called Essen suggested topping a grilled pizza with Manouri cheese, honey, and thyme. Manouri cheese is a Greek goat’s milk cheese with which I was not  familiar at the time.  What threw me, however, was the honey. Honey on pizza?  I like to mix sweet…

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…

Summer Tomato and Leek Sauce

A simple, summer sauce is the perfect way to enjoy a bounty of vine-ripened tomatoes and works beautifully as a light pasta or pizza sauce or as a flavorful topping for chicken or fish. My original plan for this sauce was to use red onion, until I saw some baby leeks at market. Leeks provide…

Baked Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Pesto

This is so easy, it hardly qualifies as a recipe.  It is so tasty, however, that I thought I should mention it!   These tomatoes are a novel twist on the traditional tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad and are another wonderful use for Asiago Pesto Spread.  You may certainly substitute your favorite pesto, purchased or…

Grilled Pesto Veggiewich

Years ago, I ate my first “veggiewich” at a restaurant and I was hooked.  Vegetables never tasted so delicious yet made such a hearty meal.  My home version incorporates my Asiago Pesto Spread, although your favorite pesto would be perfect. This time, I used leftover Balsamic Dijon Grilled Vegetables and fresh mozzarella cheese. Havarti with dill is…

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…

Healthy Banana Nut Pancakes

Start the weekend with a wholesome stack of pancakes–and don’t miss the crunchy, salty-sweet topping suggestion!   I adore pancakes. I also adore maple syrup. So much so that I often have a dull headache after eating this favorite weekend breakfast fare. Likely because the pancakes act like a sponge, and when the syrup disappears,…

Sautéed Minted Peas

A few fresh ingredients make sweet peas shine in this versatile side dish that takes less than five minutes to prepare.     Fresh peas in the summer are such a treat. Tossed into salads and pasta dishes, they offer a hint of sweetness and color. Yet they are perfect all by themselves too. This…

Curried Couscous Salad (with Gluten-Free Options)

This versatile, flavor-packed salad can be made in advance and pairs beautifully with a wide range of proteins. It’s hearty enough to be the centerpiece of a vegetarian meal, and an easy adaptation provides an excellent gluten-free alternative.         Curried couscous salad has been one of my go-to summer entertaining recipes for…

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