Weeknight Favorite Recipes
Polenta Crust Pizza Pie
Ok…so first thing is first! What is the difference between polenta and cornmeal…and grits for that matter? In case you are wondering what to buy, or whether it matters, I am including an overview below that might prove helpful. When I began the Flavor Trend Journey with Sargento Cheese and Rick Bayless last winter, Rick…
Cheesy Grilled Pulled Pork (or Chicken) Sandwiches
There is nothing I love more than turning leftovers into something new and delicious. Sometimes, it enables us to get dinner on the table when we otherwise wouldn’t. Beyond providing time savings, repurposing leftovers saves precious dollars. For this casual but yummy dinner, I started with the remains of the pulled pork barbecue I cooked…
Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese
When I was a kid and my mom served beets, I was not a happy camper. I can remember, however, going to a restaurant in Virginia as a newlywed and, for some reason, being inspired to order a beet salad. That salad completely reversed my previous stance on beets and was a recipe I felt…
Parmesan Crusted Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
As summer draws to a close, I am always a little sad to say goodbye to seasonal favorites like peaches and corn on the cob. But with autumn’s cooler temperatures, there are many delicious options to enjoy anew. Crunchy, tart apples, creamy winter squashes, and an array of greens that truly improve as the…
Homemade Play Dough
Homemade Play Dough is easy with these simple instructions. As an added bonus, the texture is so much smoother than store-bought and there’s less crumby mess! The start of the new school year brought much change to our house. My older son made the leap to high school, and my younger son stepped up to…
Egg in a Hole
Cooking something fun and easy can truly start the day off on the right foot. Though my kids light up when served this classic breakfast, know to many as “Toad in a Hole,” my husband and I like it quite a lot, too! Growing up, we always called over easy eggs “dippy eggs,” and we…
Potato Crusted Salmon
Shredded potatoes and a short list of additional ingredients create an irresistible topping for this quick-cooking, heart-healthy salmon. I first shared this recipe in late summer of 2013, when I was working on a project with T-Fal cookware. They, in turn, were working with the creators of a new app called Cooking Planit, and the…
Zucchini, Potato, and Feta Frittata
A light but filling meatless meal that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this easy frittata is loaded with veggies and can be made ahead and reheated for added convenience. It isn’t often that a meatless meal will satisfy my houseful of boys, but the potato in this simple frittata lends a satisfying heartiness while…
Chocolate Peanut Butter “Ice Cream”
Those who know me are keenly aware of my fondness for ice cream! (I actually have some very funny stories that center around this beloved frozen treat…will have to get into that later!) Anyway, to satisfy my nightly cravings, I have developed a pretty fabulous chocolate smoothie but am always on the lookout for other…
Salmon, Corn, and Cucumber Salad
Corn and Cucumber Salad with Basil and Chives is one of the oldest salads in my repertoire. I return to it again and again for its delicious simplicity. Because the recipe is so basic, it lends itself well to easy adaptations. With Corn, Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Homemade Ranch, I added avocado, tomatoes, and my go-to…
Italian Hoagie Salad
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
Deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan
Two reader-favorite recipes come together to form a delicious twist on classic eggplant Parmesan where the eggplant stays crispy! This recipe was born from a desire to keep the eggplant in the classic eggplant Parmesan crispy. It is also a perfect marriage of two much-loved seasonal recipes: a quick and easy cherry tomato sauce…
