Father’s Day Recipes
Kale and Boursin-Stuffed Grilled Portobellos
Mushrooms were never something I ate a lot of growing up, but my husband has always adored them. Since marrying him a few years back (almost 18 to be precise!), I have grown to appreciate the flavor and texture of a wide variety of mushrooms. They are so meaty and satisfying, and their earthy flavor…
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…
Gluten-Free Grilled Pizza
When my dad had to give up wheat, there were a few things he really missed: his favorite spice cake, a good cinnamon raisin cookie, and pizza. To this day, he gets excited when he sees a restaurant in town that offers gluten-free pizza. Most of the time, however, he reports that he wouldn’t order…
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,…
Blueberry Crisp (A.K.A. Blueberry Jammie)
An irresistible dessert with a silly nickname, this classic crisp is easy to make and oh-so good to eat! When we visit my in-laws at their lake house every summer, one of our favorite activities is blueberry picking. We can literally walk out the door, empty pretzel tub in hand, and pick away. …
Strawberry Slushy Punch
This is the perfect summertime, non-alcoholic drink. It makes a special beverage for kids or adults who prefer “unleaded”, as my dad would say. A convenient option to blender drinks, this slush is prepared in advance and stored in the freezer until ready to use. Entertaining made easy! Depending on the size of your group,…
Lemon Thyme Dijon Grilled Chicken (a variation on Wicked Good Chicken)
Wicked Good Chicken is a delicious in-a-hurry dinner that relies on pantry ingredients. No marinade time necessary. Bakes in twenty minutes. Pair it with one of my all-time favorite salads–Apple-Pecan Spring Greens with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette–and you have a complete meal that is worthy of company. Slice cold leftovers and serve them overtop of the same…
Fruit Rainbow
You can literally eat the rainbow with this vibrant fruit platter, which is sure to be a hit at backyard cookouts, birthday parties, and festive meals throughout the year. Roy G. Biv. I can remember the day my grandmother taught me that name as a way to remember the colors of the rainbow. Red, Orange,…
BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Classic flavors come together with ease in this BLT pasta salad that’s equally perfect for family meals, packed lunches, and casual entertaining. Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for a well-rounded meal. To celebrate my older son’s 14th birthday, we had a group of his friends over for a cookout. He chose hamburgers and hot…
Aunt Barb’s Strawberry Chiffon Pie
This retro dessert boasts a flavorful custard base that is lightened with egg whites and is the ideal way to make use of summer’s strawberry bounty. Aunt Barb was not technically my aunt; she was my neighbor growing up. She was a special lady and I was thrilled to get this recipe from her…
Summer Sauté
In the warmer months, many of the green vegetables are so tender, they need only a quick sauté to bring out their best flavor. I love this combination and will often keep it simple, sautéing in olive oil with a bit of salt and pepper. In a few extra minutes and with minimal ingredients, however,…
Classic Creamy Cole Slaw–with Options
I just love this cole slaw piled high on a pulled-pork sandwich–almost any sandwich, actually–or served alongside delicious vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet pickles, and just about anything off the grill. Soaking the cabbage in ice-cold water for about an hour after chopping but before mixing with the dressing will add an extra level of crispness to this…
