Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Avocado, Watermelon & Mint Salad with Feta Cheese
Bursting with flavor and color, this light summer salad complements grilled chicken, fish, and steak beautifully. The simple prep makes it perfect for effortless weeknight meals and casual entertaining alike. My paternal grandmother and my mother shared an extraordinary knowledge of flowers, an ability to use them in artistic ways, and a general love of…
Blueberry Coconut Almond Baked Oatmeal
For added ease, prepare this filling casserole the night before and gently reheat in the morning. Serve as is or with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of milk. If you don’t care for coconut, simply omit it from the recipe. Flipping through my timeworn recipe box is like a…
Cilantro Lime Crema
Five ingredients and countless ways to enjoy. That’s this recipe in a nutshell. It’s like a little magic wand that can be waved to perk up plain chicken, fish, a simple baked potato, and so much more. And who couldn’t use a little dinnertime magic from time to time? I first made this sublime sauce…
Baked Potato Wedges
A versatile side dish that complements nearly any protein, Baked Potato Wedges are an economical addition to the weekly dinner rotation. A special trick makes them extra crisp. They’re not exactly French fries, but these simple baked wedges are always a hit in our house. I often fall back on this tasty side dish…
BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
In recent weeks, I’ve heard from many readers who offered kind praise for my Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe. Many noted the big flavor punch delivered by the small amount of lime juice that’s added to the mayo. The bright, fresh taste it delivers happens to be my favorite part of the salad, too. In the following…
Peanut Butter Popsicles
Four easy ingredients create a refreshing, protein-rich treat that the whole family will love. Perfect for healthy snacks and dessert－and they will pass for breakfast! Hot days call for cold treats. We’ve made our fair share of ice cream runs this summer (major thanks to Penny’s and Lancaster Sweet Shoppe 🙂…
Classic Gazpacho (A toppings bar makes it a meal－or a party!)
A selection of toppings turns this classic summer soup into a filling meal. Simple advance prep makes it ideal for casual entertaining and easy weeknight meals alike, and the flavor improves over time! While living in Spain for six months many years ago, I was told that when the weather gets hot, even a…
Grilled Shishito Peppers
Serve these sweet and (almost always!) mild Japanese peppers as a quick, easy, and surprisingly popular appetizer or side dish. Have you ever heard of chili peppers that are mild…most of the time? Such is the case with the shishito pepper, a small, slender sweet pepper that originated in Asia. A year or two…
Summer Breeze Chicken Salad
This fresh-tasting chicken salad offers a uniquely delicious way to savor sweet, seasonal peaches. The combination may seem unexpected, but once you try, I’m betting you’ll be sold! Some people are hard to forget. Take the gem of a teacher who totally gets your toddler. When my older son first went off to preschool he…
Slow Roasted Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
With their concentrated savory-sweet flavor, these little bites will transform many a meal, and I’ve included a list of ways we enjoy them. A great way to make use of a bounty of cherry and grape tomatoes, the roasted tomatoes can even be frozen for later use. If you told me that someone secretly…
Grilled Caesar Salads… with easy options for a complete meal and a bonus recipe for watercress
Grilled Caesar salads are a summertime classic and can be a quick, well-rounded meal. This bright-tasting dressing is easy to prepare—no need for a blender or food processor—and is egg and anchovy free. Anchovy fans may absolutely serve them alongside, of course, and I’ve included my favorite ways to turn the salad into a complete…
Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bowls
Inspired by a menu item at a local cafe, these satisfying breakfast bowls can be prepped in advance and assembled when ready to eat with seasonal fruit of choice. Move over granola (if only briefly)… we’re replacing crunchy with chewy. Traditional breakfast parfaits involve layers of fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, and crisp granola–and what’s…
