Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day

Small Batch Canned Peaches

Beginner’s guide to perfect Small Batch Canned Peaches every time -with lots of helpful hints and options.   “Putting up” food for the winter can seem like a daunting task.   had the benefit of watching my grandmother preserve jams, pickles, applesauce and more, and I still had questions when I began canning on my…

Easy Fruit & Yogurt Popsicles

Two basic ingredients are all you need for wholesome, creamy, refreshing popsicles that can be customized to taste.   I have a vivid memory of running through the sprinkler with my sister on a hot summer day, only to hear the distant melody of an ice cream truck. No sound was more thrilling or inspired…

Dinner (and leftovers) out of one 3-ingredient marinade

Minimal ingredients come together with flavor-packed ease in this wholesome, all-in-one meal that can be customized to taste. Effortless summer cooking at its best!    So, I did what I have been strictly avoiding for a very long time. I cooked on live TV.   The thought of preparing something delicious in two to three…

Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream (easy 5-ingredient recipe that’s dairy-free and naturally sweetened)

Luxuriously sweet and creamy, it’s hard to believe this ice cream is dairy-free and naturally sweetened – and incredibly easy to make.    After years of developing mostly healthy recipes, people logically assume that I am one of those really virtuous eaters. And I truly enjoy lots of wholesome foods. Truth is though, I also…

Shortcut Soft Pretzels

Roll these clever pretzels into letters and spell out names for special occasions or twist them into the traditional shape. Either way, they’re a fun project and a crowd-pleasing snack!     Throughout all my years of being a mom, I can say with 100% certainty that my favorite gifts have been homemade. A handcrafted…

Hamburger Wedge Salad

You’ll never miss the bun when you serve a juicy, protein-rich burger over this crisp wedge salad…and you need not be cutting carbs to adore this meal!           Various sources credit the early fame of the wedge salad to diners in the 1950s and 1960s. Its appeal waned in the 1970s as consumer…

Southwestern Confetti Coleslaw (no mayo)

Classic, creamy coleslaw is a perennial picnic and cookout favorite. Like potato salad and baked beans, coleslaw plays a popular supporting role on any plate starring fried chicken or barbecued ribs. While I adore a thick slaw with a hearty dose of mayonnaise, many people prefer a lighter vinegar base. Smoky cumin, tangy lime and…

Almond Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes (Gluten- & Grain-Free)

Gluten- & Grain-Free Almond Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes are healthy enough to eat for dinner but delicious enough to be dessert!   Delving into my mom’s strawberry shortcake was a much-anticipated welcome to the local strawberry season when I was a child. Mom always made her biscuit-like shortcake in a 9×13 pan and served big, warm squares…

Classic Guacamole

The best guacamole keeps it simple: ripe avocados plus a short list of flavorful add-ins in just the right amounts. Perfect as a dip, in tacos, on sandwiches, burrito bowls, and more.   I tend to tuck recipes away and wait for what I hope will be just the right occasion for my readers. This…

Mango Pineapple Salsa

Sweet and savory with a hint of heat, this vibrant salsa adds flavorful appeal to fish, chicken, shrimp, tacos, pork, and grilled meats of all kinds. Recently, my friend Justine asked if I would create an orange recipe to shine a light on something near and dear to her heart. You may be wondering… Why orange?…

3-Ingredient Mexican Cheese Bites

  A curious thing happened a few days after my Mango Chicken Chili recipe appeared in this column a few months back. The chili recipe included mango salsa as a key ingredient. Figuring this might not be a regular grocery list item for many readers, I mentioned two reliable brands. Several days later, I received…

Almond Flour Pie Crust (gluten-free)

A scrumptious grain-free pie crust is easy to make with this recipe and a few helpful hints. Perfect for all your favorite fillings! The perfect pie deserves the perfect crust. Traditional rolled crusts can be daunting for many, and some simply can’t eat the wheat flour.   Whatever the reason, this nutty, cookie-like crust is a…

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