Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
Quinoa, Cheddar and Zucchini Bake
Simple ingredients mix up in a snap and then bake to golden perfection for an easy, cheesy meal enjoyed by kids and adults alike! Delicious recipes that allow for seasonal adjustments rank high in my book. Originally, I developed this baked quinoa dish because I wanted to use this wholesome grain in a new…
Blackberry, Feta and Mint Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Last summer, a friend of mine offered me one week of her farm share as her family was leaving town and wouldn’t be home to use the food. Included in the stash of colorful summer veggies was a bunch of fresh spearmint, some crisp greens, and a box of plump, juicy blackberries. My mind immediately…
Black and Blueberry and Oat Muffins
Packed with filling protein, fiber, calcium, and a generous dose of naturally sweet fruit, these muffins offer a deliciously wholesome way to start the day! In my mind, blueberry muffins are a delicious, tender, white flour affair–sort of like cake! As often as I create healthy muffin recipes, until now I had not messed with…
Classic Spanish Sangria
Authentic Spanish sangria is simple to make and delivers nuanced flavor with eye-catching appeal. Perfect for entertaining and easy to customize with your favorite fruits and wine. My first taste of sangria came years ago while living in Madrid. It has been a summertime favorite ever since. Fruity and refreshing, it is popular with…
Gluten-Free Grilled Pizza
When my dad had to give up wheat, there were a few things he really missed: his favorite spice cake, a good cinnamon raisin cookie, and pizza. To this day, he gets excited when he sees a restaurant in town that offers gluten-free pizza. Most of the time, however, he reports that he wouldn’t order…
Blueberry Crisp (A.K.A. Blueberry Jammie)
An irresistible dessert with a silly nickname, this classic crisp is easy to make and oh-so good to eat! When we visit my in-laws at their lake house every summer, one of our favorite activities is blueberry picking. We can literally walk out the door, empty pretzel tub in hand, and pick away. …
Strawberry Slushy Punch
This is the perfect summertime, non-alcoholic drink. It makes a special beverage for kids or adults who prefer “unleaded”, as my dad would say. A convenient option to blender drinks, this slush is prepared in advance and stored in the freezer until ready to use. Entertaining made easy! Depending on the size of your group,…
Lemon Thyme Dijon Grilled Chicken (a variation on Wicked Good Chicken)
Wicked Good Chicken is a delicious in-a-hurry dinner that relies on pantry ingredients. No marinade time necessary. Bakes in twenty minutes. Pair it with one of my all-time favorite salads–Apple-Pecan Spring Greens with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette–and you have a complete meal that is worthy of company. Slice cold leftovers and serve them overtop of the same…
Fruit Rainbow
You can literally eat the rainbow with this vibrant fruit platter, which is sure to be a hit at backyard cookouts, birthday parties, and festive meals throughout the year. Roy G. Biv. I can remember the day my grandmother taught me that name as a way to remember the colors of the rainbow. Red, Orange,…
BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Classic flavors come together with ease in this BLT pasta salad that’s equally perfect for family meals, packed lunches, and casual entertaining. Add grilled or rotisserie chicken for a well-rounded meal. To celebrate my older son’s 14th birthday, we had a group of his friends over for a cookout. He chose hamburgers and hot…
Watermelon Rosemary Flavored Water
I drink a lot of water, but in the summertime, flavored waters hold a certain appeal to me. Yet, I know they are not all natural and many have artificial sweeteners. So, when I came across suggestions for various all-natural, flavored waters recently, I decided to give it a go. To me, the watermelon looked…
Aunt Barb’s Strawberry Chiffon Pie
This retro dessert boasts a flavorful custard base that is lightened with egg whites and is the ideal way to make use of summer’s strawberry bounty. Aunt Barb was not technically my aunt; she was my neighbor growing up. She was a special lady and I was thrilled to get this recipe from her…
