Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Bison Burgers
Love a good beef burger but want something leaner that’s still really flavorful? Bison is a great option. The taste is mild—not gamey—and because it’s leaner, your burgers won’t be greasy. Over the last few years, I’ve been using ground bison interchangeably with ground beef. What began as a simple way to vary the usual…
No-Mayo Broccoli Salad
This classic-tasting broccoli salad relies on a honey and Dijon infused vinaigrette to keep it light yet incredibly flavorful. Perfect for those who don’t (and do!) love mayo. In surveys aimed at ranking the most polarizing foods, mayonnaise consistently tracks as a top vote-getter. The thick, creamy condiment ranks right up there with the likes…
Lemony Dill Pea Salad with Salmon
Frozen peas and smoked salmon offer a super speedy way to whip up this fresh, flavorful salad, which can be enjoyed as an easy lunch, light dinner, or unique side dish when entertaining. A family trip to Paris last summer and a memorable meal at a chic little bistro inspired this herby, lemony, salmon and…
Black Bean Dip (or Salsa or Salad)
Enjoy this easy, endlessly versatile recipe as a dip with chips, a salsa for fish or chicken, a super simple salad, or as the foundation of a nutritious, plant-based meal. Perfect for a potluck and can be prepared in advance! Amidst all my experimenting with new recipes, this simple combination of ingredients never grows old…
Chili Lime Chicken
Add memorable flavor to basic chicken with a blend of spices you likely have on hand. Perfect as is and in burrito bowls, with or without the optional sauce. When I first wrote about this chicken for a newspaper recipe column in 2015, I alluded to a debate I was having with myself as to…
Rhubarb Bars
Sweet-tart flavor, gooey filling, and a crisp crust make these bars a must when rhubarb is in season! I’m not sure how many people would list rhubarb bars as their favorite dessert, perhaps favoring something featuring chocolate or ice cream. The first time I made this recipe many years ago, my husband—who did not grow…
Yellow Sour Cream Cake
Looking for a yellow cake that feels familiar but a little elevated? This one delivers. It’s light, tender, and just sweet enough to make any occasion feel special. Birthday dinners, weekend entertaining, and “just because” situations any night of the week are excellent reasons to bake this yellow cake. It boasts the most tender crumb…
Rosemary Paloma (NA or Classic)
Grapefruit, lime, and rosemary are the stars of this fizzy, bright drink that’s delicious with or without the alcohol. If you’re looking for a signature drink that works for everyone at the table, this Rosemary Paloma may be your new go-to. When I was creating the recipe, I wanted something refreshing, seasonal, and a little…
Roasted Baby Eggplants
With their caramelized exterior and velvety insides, these bite-size eggplants are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve with marinara for an especially irresistible side dish. Midsummer through the first frost is the ideal time for eggplant, and the baby varieties offer a little something special where this edible berry is concerned. Though commonly used as, and therefore considered,…
Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup (or Sauce)
Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup is an ideal way to use an abundance of tomatoes and can be adapted to include additional produce, proteins, and pasta. Delicious as a sauce too! Consider this an added value recipe. For starters, it’s an easy way to make practical, even long term, use of seasonal produce. (It freezes well.)…
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Dip
Traditional tomato bruschetta is reinvented as a dip for a fresh, flavorful appetizer that tastes like summer at its best! This summery dip began as an easy appetizer after a day at the beach in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. We’d buy tomatoes at the farmers market just down the road－Clinton Conover Farms. (As an interesting…
Curried Chicken Salad
Tender chicken is bathed in a light, creamy, curry-spiced dressing and studded with crisp celery and crunchy cashews for the ultimate chicken salad you’ll crave for every potluck, backyard BBQ, packed lunch, and casual dinner. I meant to post in the summer of 2015, and here we are 10 years later! This recipe for curried…
