Game Day Recipes
Old-Fashioned Horseradish Pickles
Make crisp, tangy pickles just like your grandmother used to make them with these step-by-step instructions for naturally fermented pickles. It’s a truly simple process and you can taste and adjust as you go. What is the difference between pickling and fermentation? Pickling involves soaking food in an acidic liquid – usually vinegar-based –…
Grilled Apricot Shrimp with Harissa Aioli
These flavor-packed shrimp will impress all who try. They’re equally perfect as an entree or appetizer and can be enjoyed hot off the grill or at room temperature. From week to week I toil—probably longer than I should－over which recipes to share on this page. The decision becomes more difficult when a…
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,…
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…
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
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 in the kitchen. The following crab salad was an early addition to my blog and has developed a loyal fan base. My…
Peanut Butter Energy Bars
These nutty, chocolatey, whole-grain bars are a tasty mix of chewy and crunchy and have been declared a winner by literal teams of kids and adults. Six years ago, my friend Carrie Johnson asked me to meet her for coffee to discuss a program she had been researching. Carrie was seeking input and, as a runner…
Amazing Parmesan Garlic Bread
Spaghetti for dinner is always a hit here. If I take a few extra minutes to make this special garlic bread, the smiles are twice as wide! For ease, I usually make the fried garlic a night or two before for this broccoli side dish. But as mentioned below, roasted garlic may also be used.…
O’Brien Irish Stew
This classic Irish stew was passed down from the decades old recipe box of an Irish friend. The tried-and-true recipe offers oven and slow cooker options, and the flavor improves over time, making it a great make-ahead meal. Most Americans think of stew as having a thick gravy base. But traditional Irish stew is…
Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting
In our family, February is full of birthdays. There are three, all spread out exactly one week after the next. With Valentine’s Day thrown into the mix, there is ample opportunity for cakes and other sweet treats! As I have previously reported, adoration for homemade caramel frosting runs deep on my husband’s side of the family.…
