Weeknight Favorite Recipes
Reader Favorites from the First 5 Years
One of the fifth grade teachers at my elementary school was as popular for his likeable personality and teaching style as he was for his birthday–he was born on Leap Day. We all thought it was so funny that he was only 7 or 8 years old, but I remember feeling a little sad for…
Crock Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup (with freezer bag option)
Crock Pot Chicken & Wild Rice Soup is classic comfort food that’s wholesome and easy to make. Freezer bag option provides added convenience. We all have days that don’t go as planned. Computers crash, kids get sick, or the car doesn’t start, but we still have to eat. An easy recipe is especially welcome…
Roasted Cauliflower Rings
Roasted cauliflower is suddenly finger food thanks to this wholesome recipe. Naturally gluten-free, these rings can also be dairy-free and vegan based on chosen topping. Andrea calls these bagels, but I couldn’t quite go there. Whatever the title, this bagel-shaped alternative to the usual roasted veggies tastes really good. And like bagels, you can…
Baked Tamari Maple Salmon
Since February marks American Heart Month, there’s no better time than the present to think about small changes that could possibly make a big difference in our health. There seems to be a “Top 10” list for everything these days, likely because it’s a great way to group items in a manageable way. (David Letterman…
Raspberry Vanilla Muffins
A combination of frozen fruit and pantry staples makes these muffins a convenient year round option. I love that the recipe uses the whole bag of fruit too. I’m a firm believer in celebrating the little things in life. With all the worry in the world today, why not seize any excuse to create a…
Speedy Mexican Pizzas
This speedy, customizable meal is a family-friendly dream when you don’t feel like cooking. It also happens to be a healthy, plant-based option that satisfies meat-eaters and vegetarians alike! My brother’s wife clued me in on this quick and easy meal years ago, and it’s been a favorite in our house ever since. My…
Arepas
A South American staple, arepas are cornmeal cakes that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients, from cheese to chicken salad, and the ingredient list is short. Three years ago, I tagged along on one of my husband’s business trips to Florida,…
Easy Egg Roll Stir Fry
The classic takeout appetizer is reinvented as a complete, one pan meal that comes together quickly with ground beef, pork, or your favorite plant-based alternative. For several years when her children were young, one of my good friends hosted an annual Chinese New Year’s party. Her youngest child was adopted from China, and the yearly…
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Boats
A takeout favorite meets wholesome veggie in this all-in-one dinner the whole family will enjoy. It even comes with its own bowl! If you were to teach a cooking seminar to nearly 40 middle school girls and boys, what would you make? As you ponder that question, I will mention that Janice Estabrook has…
Easy Pizza Sauce
This simple sauce comes together quickly with pantry staples and makes the most of homemade pizza and stromboli. Use it to lend Italian flavor to other saucy other recipes too. Pizza sauce is one of the easiest things to make and will perk up homemade pizzas and a variety of other recipes with its…
Tuscan Lentil Soup
A hint of sausage supplies smoky, savory flavor in this one-pot soup, which is packed with plant-based protein, colorful veggies and satiating appeal. Wholesome comfort food at its best－and a customer favorite at a regional restaurant chain! It never fails. When one of my sons issues a last-minute request for a friend to stay for…
Best Recipes of 2016
Happy New Year! To get things started in 2017, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite recipes from 2016. As a food blogger, I can’t take much time to rest on my culinary laurels. But like everyone else, I crave what’s familiar, satisfying, and easy. So these are the recipes from the…
