When planning a recent extended family birthday dinner, my sister-in-law joked that we are a pathetic bunch with the combined list of food restrictions. Gluten-free, dairy-free, seafood allergy, vegetarian, and allergies to soy and a few other common foods thrown in for good measure. Picky eaters are the least of our worries! But in all…
Pizza night is always popular here. The kids and my husband have a few long-standing favorites, so a new recipe has to be really good to earn a spot in the regular rotation! Recently, I received a delicious care package from Formaggio Cheese to use in a Cooking Planit recipe in conjunction with a contest involving readers’…
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…
As many of you know, I’m a big fan of homemade dressings and vinaigrettes. Typically, they are easy to mix up with ingredients readily had on hand and the flavors have the ability to turn a basic recipe into something fantastic. As an added bonus, there’s usually a cost savings over store-bought varieties and no…
A go-to meal that’s hearty, healthy, and easy to make with basic ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights yet worthy of casual entertaining, too. We’re all looking for an arsenal of easy meals on those all-too-frequent busy nights, right? In the spirit of helping its volunteers, Girls on the Run recently asked its coaches…
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…
I bought cartons of almond milk for years, and I still do on occasion. My sister always made her own almond milk and told me that it was soooo worth the small effort. When I finally tried, I couldn’t believe how creamy and delicious it was. With a few simple tips, almond milk is also…
A complete meal that’s so very satisfying, and you’ll want to use the easy potato crust over and over! All-in-one meals that come together quickly and easily make me a happy cook. I think many busy people appreciate them as much as I do! When the recipes offer great flavor and versatility, they often become…
The tastiest, 3-ingredient crust makes an irresistible frittata crust and a super satisfying meal out of simply scrambled eggs. On more than one occasion, a mistake in the kitchen has led to an improvement on an old recipe or an altogether new recipe. I have cut recipes in half, only to mindlessly use the…
This easy, make-ahead recipe is everything we love about the classic deviled egg, but in the form of a light meal! Deviled eggs are favorite picnic and cookout fare — and they’re also an ideal way to use all those colored Easter eggs! My sister-in-law and my mom make the best deviled eggs, but this…
Some time ago, I shared a recipe that was essentially a speedy solution to a missing ingredient. When I found myself without the ingredients needed to fill the intended recipe–sort of a quiche in a crispy, cheesy potato crust–I made the crust as planned and filled it with what I had on hand. Everyone here…