Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Hoisin Beef Skewers (or Whole Flank Steak)
Prep-ahead convenience, versatility, and appealing flavor make this recipe a go-to for easy weeknight grilling and weekend entertaining. I’m the type of person who thinks about dinner as I am eating breakfast. So, it may not be surprising that I ponder what to cook for my newspaper column up to a month in advance!…
Baked Greens with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese
As my garden grows and local market stands overflow with spring greens, I have been diving deeper into one of my two assigned food trends: bitter greens. For those who may not have read previously, I am on a yearlong journey with Sargento Cheese, developing recipes and exploring the food trends that were developed by…
Rhubarb Bars
The sweet-tart flavor and slightly gooey filling, which is balanced by a crisp crust, make these bars a must when rhubarb is in season! Happy Mother’s Day! Not only is the following dessert a favorite of my mother, the timing is ideal, as rhubarb’s short season is upon us. If you haven’t baked with rhubarb before,…
Big Batch Peanut Butter Congo Bars
I wasn’t going to cook today. I really wasn’t. But then, my kids and their friends wanted to have a lemonade stand. After a cooler than usual spring, the weather has been sunny and warm. It was a perfect idea and, somehow, every time there is a lemonade stand in our driveway, I make cookies…
Cheese Crisps
Low-carb cheese crisps require only one ingredient (jalapeño slices are optional) and cook in 2 short minutes－and believe it or not, the microwave produces better results than the oven. Perfect with a glass of wine or as a flavorful alternative to a crouton. If I said you could make a light and flavorful…
Caramel Popcorn with Salted Peanuts
Make gourmet-quality popcorn at home with these easy instructions and helpful tips. Delicious for anytime snacking and makes a fabulous gift too. Salty, sweet, and crunchy. What better combination could one hope for? My aunt made a similar recipe years ago and gave tins filled with this mouth-watering mixture as holiday gifts. I noticed that…
Honey Sweetened Corn Muffins (gluten-free option)
My husband adores cornbread, so I have made it scores of different ways over the years. Since his birthday is today, and because we like to start birthdays in our family with birthday muffins, bagels, donuts or baked oatmeal — basically, anything I can stick candles in to start the day off in a festive…
Fiery Grilled Shrimp
Asian and Cajun flavors come together and create new levels of flavor in this prep-ahead recipe that’s delicious as an appetizer or entree. You know how when you eat something at a friend’s house that is so delicious you hope to leave with the recipe? This is one of those recipes. When I first…
Better-for-You Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Update: As I made a fresh batch of this tasty dressing for the big game tonight, I thought it worth linking in a few more ways I like to use this beyond the typical dressing or dip (links provided below). Also, my friend, Carrie, kindly figured out the nutritional information which I have included below.…
Easy Yogurt Fruit Dip
A fruit tray is a delicious addition to any party menu as well as a healthy option that looks pretty and is typically a hit with kids and adults alike. Recently, I hosted an event and wanted a dip to serve alongside the fruit. I experimented with the following recipe and served it in a…
Butterscotch Oatmeal Blondies
These Butterscotch Oatmeal Blondies are one of my husband’s favorite treats. So much so, I have actually wrapped a batch and given it to him as a Christmas or anniversary present over the years. He likes to freeze and eat them very cold. The rest of us enjoy them at room temperature－and…
Sunshine Smoothie
Every Tuesday, Project Healthy Ever After hosts a smoothie party and invites people to share their favorite blended combinations. Today, I used one of my kids’ favorite smoothies, a Mango-Peach Smoothie, and added a bit of pureed watermelon to the top, just for fun. The colors were beautiful and reminded us all of a sunny day–on…
