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

Southwestern Rice Salad

This crowd-pleasing dish can be assembled in advance, travels well, and caters to a variety of eating styles. Ideal for backyard barbecues, potlucks, and stress-free family meals!   You know all those times you’re searching for something a little different than the usual pasta or vegetable-based salad while maintaining broad appeal?  For me, this tried-and-true…

Baked Swiss Chard with Peppers and Feta

Crave-worthy greens are within easy reach thanks to a unique method of preparation, which delivers crispy edges and golden brown bits of feta, all while adding a few other colorful veggies to the mix!   Since much of the work I do for The Fountain Avenue Kitchen takes place in the quiet of my kitchen…

Classic Strawberry Salad with Sweet Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

A light drizzle of this sweet and tangy vinaigrette makes a classic strawberry salad shine. Eating your greens never tasted so good!   When local strawberries are at their peak, I make salads with them almost every night. Once a simple dressing has been prepared and left to wait in the fridge, salads in general…

Mexican Mule (and several mule variations)

A cross between the classic Moscow mule and the much-loved Margarita, this refreshing cocktail requires just four ingredients and may just become the drink of the season!        As I was reading up on some food history recently, I stumbled upon a curious newspaper article from 2016.  While at a cocktail convention (who knew?),…

Southern (with a Twist) Cornbread… naturally gluten-free with a dairy-free option

The magic begins when you pour the simple batter into a hot skillet. This unique recipe is naturally gluten-free with a dairy-free option and has been a hit with readers (and my family) for years. And have you noticed how leftover cornbread always seems dry? There’s a great tip for “refreshing” it, and I also mention how I…

Frisco’s Peruvian Green Sauce

Looking for a condiment that complements and elevates seemingly everything? This flavor-packed sauce is easy to make-and makes enough to share. We almost always have a jar in the refrigerator, and whenever I whip up a fresh batch, I give a jar away.         How many times have you enjoyed a restaurant…

Chicken Chip Bake

Easy-to-make comfort food at its best, this family friendly chicken dish has stood the test of time…and got a little lighter along the way! I was in high school when I scribbled the following recipe on a piece of pink scrap paper as my grandmother prepared it in her kitchen. That was the original Fountain…

All Purpose BBQ Spice Rub

Taco seasoning isn’t the only spice blend that will serve you well all year round. From chicken to shrimp, pork and tofu, this simple spice rub adds incredible flavor…whether grilled, sautéed, baked or slow cooked!   This is one of those kitchen staples I rely on heavily because it makes creating a variety of flavorful…

Aperol Spritz

Bright orange in color, lightly sweet, and crisply refreshing, an Aperol spritz conjures up the taste of summer all year round. This simple formula guarantees a perfectly balanced cocktail every time. No cocktail shaker required!     A really good Aperol spritz conjures up images of sitting on a piazza in Italy (or maybe your front…

Easy Fresh Chile Lime Sauce

A handful of fresh chile peppers and a few simple ingredients come together beautifully in this not-too-hot sauce that can be slathered on so many things! 🌶         When considering a condiment made with chile peppers, hot sauce usually comes to mind. The following silky sauce, however, is a balanced combination of…

Loaded Zoodle Bowls

A bowlful of zucchini noodles serves as a low-carb base for all sorts of flavors, textures, and colorful additions. The bowls make a deliciously satisfying plant-based meal, although meat may be added if desired. Don’t have a spiralizer? Don’t worry. There’s an easy alternative!       Hot summer days call for cool meals and…

Cowboy Caviar

A make-ahead recipe with a cheeky name, this bean-based dip, commonly served with tortilla chips, is equally delicious as a salad or salsa. Perfect for family meals and casual entertaining, Cowboy Caviar is always a hit!   Some may be wondering. What exactly is cowboy caviar? To clarify, there are no fish eggs in cowboy…

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