A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
A cold, creamy treat that’s easy to make, Nutella Pops remind me of the classic chocolate pudding pops that were so popular when I was a girl! Do you remember Pudding Pops? In the 1980s, Bill Cosby was the spokesman for this popular frozen treat. The chocolate version was similar to a creamy fudgesicle,…
Whether it is too hot to cook or you would simply rather be at the pool, summertime cooking begs to be easy. With a few fresh ingredients, a grill, and a versatile, make-ahead dressing, dinner can truly be as effortless as it is delicious. One of my friends mentioned a few months ago that she…
Two simple ingredients are all you need for a fast, flavor-packed appetizer that is guaranteed to be the hit of the party! When visiting my in-laws recently, we got talking about cheese. Most every night before dinner, we enjoy cheese and crackers when we are with them. Given the flavor journey I have been working…
Fresh, flavorful, and versatile, this speedy salad is a great way to use leftover corn on the cob, but frozen and thawed works well too. A few months ago, I was the emcee of a heart health expo. At one point in the program, I was asked to speak about some of the tips I…
After a yoga class one day, my friend Daina told me about her favorite salad. Daina is a master gardener and grows much of what she eats this time of year in her own backyard. She mentioned that her favorite greens are dandelion greens and that she doesn’t use dressing on her salads. Preferring my…
Looking for a light, fluffy pancake recipe that offers a nutritional boost? This delicious stack is packed with whole grains and fiber-but no one will ever suspect they’re healthy! A few weeks ago, my younger son, Christian, and I were the only ones home for dinner. I asked him if, for…
I had the pleasure of having a helper in my kitchen the other day. As much as I love it when my boys lend an occasional hand in the kitchen, it was a treat to have a female assistant this time around! Heather Green is an aspiring photographer who, at age 12, started her own…
The quintessential flavor of homemade strawberry jam is easy to achieve thanks to these simple instructions! This is the recipe my grandmother always used for her strawberry jam. It’s traditional strawberry jam at its best. The taste and color when freshly made can’t be beat. Opening a jar in the cold winter months provides the…
A while back, I picked up a good tidbit of information from a stand owner at our local farmer’s market: Rhubarb season lasts through the longest day of the year–the first day of summer. Same for asparagus. I find this helpful as the early days of summer approach. It is a reminder to get my…