Make-Ahead Meals
Rainbow Bowls with Peanut Sauce
A literal rainbow of fresh produce adds colorful crunch and visual appeal to these flexible rice-based bowls. The flavor-popping peanut sauce is easy to make and endlessly versatile–the proverbial pot of gold! Who doesn’t love a rainbow? They’re pretty to look at and their fleeting nature adds thrill to a sighting. In many cultures, rainbows are…
Matzo Ball Soup
Matzo ball soup may be new to you, or it could be an old favorite you haven’t had in a while. Either way, I’m excited to introduce you to an adaptation of my family’s recipe. Besides the use of duck fat – which makes for an extra scrumptious matzo ball – this classic take on…
Stovetop Lentils with Veggies
Colorful vegetables and hearty lentils come together with ease in this one pot dish that can be served as a filling vegetarian stew, a flavorful side dish, or a restaurant-worthy base for seared salmon or another protein of choice. This meal goes way back. I first discovered the delicious brilliance of plating salmon on…
Spaghetti Casserole
Saucy, meaty, cheesy, and delicious, this make-ahead casserole is a longtime favorite that’s perfect for family dinners, casual entertaining, potlucks, and anytime you need to take a meal to a friend. My clearest memories of this spaghetti casserole is eating it in the days after my first son was born. Appreciating the sleep-deprived state…
One Pan Tex-Mex Quinoa
Pantry staples make this filling, flavorful, plant-based meal a weeknight win – and there’s no need to pre-cook the quinoa! Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes. For your daily dose of trivia, I’ll also mention that this idiom came from William Cowper’s 1875 poem entitled “The Task,” and the full line…
Beef Short Ribs
A low and slow stint in the oven yields flavorful, fork tender meat that will warm your soul. Optional day-ahead prep offers added benefits and convenience. Certain foods smell as good as they taste. And I’ve noticed that special memories are often tightly linked to the intersection of these two senses. What comes to…
One Pan Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
One pan. Three basic ingredients. Endless ways to mix it up. This quick and easy meal pulls out all the shortcuts for a well-rounded meal the whole family will enjoy! Stir-fries are great for so many reasons. They’re quick to whip up, full of contrasting flavors, and an excellent way to load up on crisp,…
Ratatouille
With its roots in Provence, France (not the 2007 Pixar film!) ratatouille is a rustic, end-of-summer, vegetable stew that will make the most of a bounty of fresh produce and can be enjoyed in so many ways. If you don’t like to chop, I give you permission to skip the following recipe. But before…
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
A modern remake of my mom’s classic casserole, this rendition of a childhood favorite is lighter but still delivers the memorable flavor. There’s even a crunchy topping, an option for extra veggies, and excellent alternatives for some dietary restrictions. (And Mom approves!) Who doesn’t love a comforting chicken and rice casserole? If…
Vegan Chili (that meat-eaters enjoy too!)
With its flavor-packed, quick-cooking, crowd-pleasing appeal, this meatless recipe defies traditional chili logic and is 100% worthy of the weekly dinner rotation. Good enough for game day too! When we think of chili, we typically think of a meaty, long-simmered stew that requires a lengthy list of ingredients and a good bit of chopping.…
Sausage & Egg Casserole
This tried-and-true casserole can be prepared in advance and is perfect for holidays and special brunches. A smaller batch option follows the main recipe and is ideal for more intimate gatherings and the occasional breakfast for dinner! In the years before The Fountain Avenue Kitchen came to be, this recipe was one of the…
Turkey Sausage, Kale & Potato Soup
Quick to make with minimal ingredients, this soup is nourishing comfort food at its best. A complete meal on its own, the soup is perfect for the weekly rotation and comes with built-in flexibility! Five ingredient meals are all the rage. And why not? The concept suggests a dinner you can get on the…
