Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Summer Peach Sangria
A summery spin on the classic sangria, you can use all peaches or mix it up with a combination of fruit, like mangos, cherries, nectarines, plums and/or apples. After living for a short time in Spain, I developed a love of paella, tortillas Españolas, and a certain time-honored, fruit-filled drink. Though my recipe for…
Lemon Chicken, 2 Ways
A reader shared her recipes for two lemony marinades, which are simple to prepare and complement a wide range of seasonal side dishes. We both ran side-by-side taste tests with our families to determine a favorite. Which would you choose? When a reader takes the time to send me a favorite recipe, I am always…
Sesame Soy Salmon (an easy 4-ingredient marinade)
Four simple ingredients come together with ease in this flavor-packed marinade that makes the most of salmon and so much more! I could hardly let a summer pass without sharing some version of my favorite 3-ingredient marinade. This marinade has been quite popular with my family and friends for at least a decade now,…
Classic Peach Jam
Clear, simple instructions make canning your own peach jam a breeze. Perfect for enjoying the sweet taste of summer all year long! There is something special about homemade jam. The smell of fruit cooking is sweet and delicious and the aroma truly takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. As someone who lived through The…
Blueberry Peach Pound Cake
A handful of basic pantry ingredients and fruit are all you need to whip up this fabulous pound cake. Plus, the flavors improve as the cake sits, so the recipe is ideal when looking for day-ahead preparation. On a recent trip to a local farm stand, a longtime employee mentioned that whenever she sees me,…
Barbecued Bean Salad
A crowd-pleasing, family-friendly alternative to baked beans, this protein-rich salad can be prepared in advance and the flavor improves over time. As I walked to school with my younger son one morning last month, he mentioned that his 6th grade history class’s Colonial unit would be culminating with a special lunch. All students were…
Slow Grilled Baby Back Ribs
The cooking time for these crowd-pleasing ribs is long but the effort is minimal – and the results are nothing short of finger-licking good! Though my husband doesn’t do a lot of cooking, his talents shine bright when it comes to the grill. He has the Midas touch when it comes to tender, juicy chicken…
Giant Chipwich Cake
Get ready to see eyes pop and smiles stretch from ear to ear! As an added bonus, this recipe can be prepared in steps and stored in your freezer until needed. I vividly remember bringing my first baby home from the hospital. That first evening, my husband and I sat in our screen porch just…
Big Batch Bacon Horseradish Broccoli Salad
I adore broccoli. It doesn’t even have to be fancy. Simply steamed or raw and dipped in homemade ranch dressing, it’s all good. Where broccoli salad is concerned, I have a special bond. But in order to make me really swoon, this salad must meet high standards! The following recipe is one of a few…
Basil-Orange Edamame & Bean Salad
Quick and easy and loaded with fresh flavor, this wholesome dish complements chicken, fish, steak, and pork or can be the basis of a filling plant-based meal. As a bonus, a simple ingredient adjustment will create a new recipe! Even those who claim they don’t care for bean salad have been known to have…
Crab, Avocado & Corn Salad with Cilantro & Lime
Buttery avocado and corn meet lump crabmeat plus a few flavorful extras for a low effort salad that tastes like something special. Memorial Day weekend officially launches the season of cookouts, picnics, and pool time. A repertoire of simple, make-ahead recipes can ensure more time enjoying the outdoor fun and less time sweating it out…
Grilled Balsamic Carrots with Rosemary and Thyme
When they appear on the dinner plate, cooked carrots don’t always elicit oohs and aahs. When carrots are grilled or roasted, however, their flavor is enhanced and they don’t become mushy. They are really quite good! I occasionally roast carrots in the winter and love to use my Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette as a marinade. Grilling is…
