Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Homemade Frappuccino (healthy, creamy & dairy-free)
Frappuccino fans rejoice! This healthy, dairy-free coffee smoothie is creamy and decadent like a Frosty but naturally sweetened with dates－and because not everyone loves them, no bananas! Dessert-worthy but loaded with enough nutrients and staying power to be a meal. If you have yet to dream about coffees smoothies, you surely will after…
Mix & Match Grilled Seafood Packets (aka Ocean Packets)
Looking for a special meal that keeps the work (and cleanup) to a minimum? My family raves when these flavorful packets are on the menu. They’re healthy but loaded with flavor and just plain fun to eat. As an added bonus, individual packets can be customized according to preference and food allergies. (Simply label the packets with…
Blue Cheese (or Feta) Turkey Burgers
Three simple ingredients make THE BEST turkey burgers. They’re tender, flavorful, and not the least bit dry, whether cooked on the grill or stovetop. The easy recipe quickly became a regular at our house, and I’m guessing it will become a favorite in your home too! After reviewing an impressive new cookbook authored by teen…
Easy Mud Pie
This easy, make-ahead recipe is sure to become a favorite for casual entertaining and special occasions. The quick, no-bake homemade crust adds something special (and allows for a gluten-free option) but a store-bought cookie crust works well, too. After a recent swim, I overheard a mother attempting to prepare her young daughter for a nap…
Oven Baked BBQ Ribs
Melt-in-your mouth ribs with crispy edges are a breeze to prepare with this easy recipe. No need to tend the grill for hours and perfect any time of year! Have you ever received a recipe from a trusted source, proceeded to tuck it safely into your recipe box where, despite the best of intentions, it…
Favorite Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
A luxuriously creamy (yet healthy!) sweet-tart dressing makes this seasonal salad a standout. A hearty portion is delightfully satisfying in its own right, and when paired with a protein of choice, offers an easy weeknight meal that’s 100% worthy of company.🍓 After devouring a truly spectacular salad at a local restaurant last spring,…
Cilantro Lime Hummus (tahini-free)
This nourishing, easy-to-make hummus redefines the classic dip by shaking up the usual ingredients and adding south-of-the-border flavor. No need to purchase tahini for this recipe either. My first order of business is to thank longtime reader Mary Lou for this fabulous hummus recipe. She shared it with me several years ago, and why…
Maryland Crab Cakes
Crisp edges with no fryer? Prep-ahead convenience AND classic crab cake flavor? This recipe covers all those bases with ease, making it ideal for entertaining yet easy enough for a special meal on a busy weeknight. We have some die-hard crab fans in our family. The perfect summer evening could very well involve sitting out…
Salty Sweet Gourmet Sprinkles
Sprinkles are all grown up thanks to this stellar 3-ingredient combination that’s perfect for holiday gift giving! 🎁 The season of gift giving is upon us, and so often we need just a little something to give to a teacher, a co-worker or party host. But it’s fun when that “little something” has a…
Avocado Tomato Salsa
Keep this super simple salsa recipe in your back pocket all year round to add flavor and flare to chicken, fish, beans, salads, eggs, and in place of guacamole in your favorite south-of-the-border fare. Perfect as a dip with tortilla chips, too! My family always enjoys something saucy on grilled meats, and the following…
Low Carb Mock Potato Salad
A delicious alternative to traditional potato salad, mock potato salad is a perfect accompaniment to burgers, grilled chicken, steak, and pulled pork and offers advance prep convenience. No amount of Mom’s savory brown butter sauce could save the day when steamed cauliflower appeared on my childhood dinner plate. But even though I once wrote it…
Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Healthy and endlessly adaptable Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette comes together in a flash thanks to my favorite basil vinaigrette — but your favorite pesto offers a quick fix all year round. Sometimes, we just need a meal to come together FAST, and this fresh-tasting, protein- and veggie-rich salad does just that! When I…
