Search: “pumpkin”
Creamy (Healthy) Peanut Butter Dip… and some acceptable “double dipping”
Recipes have a way of evolving over time. Preferences shift, dietary needs change, and we learn from trial and error. Sometimes, we simply have a clever idea. At face value, the following recipe is a simple dip for apples, bananas, pretzels, and more. Mixing peanut butter and maple syrup into a base of Greek yogurt…
No-Bake Energy Bites
Chewy granola bar meets cookie batter in these easy-to-make bites, which include whole oats and a whopping half cup of heart-healthy flax meal. In a bold moment a few years back, I decided to give up ice cream for Lent. It was a test of sorts, as I seriously wondered if I had the discipline…
Roasted Root Veggie Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
The easy vinaigrette is key to memorable flavor in this endlessly adaptable, jewel-toned salad. A favorite protein makes it a complete meal. Think of all the people you see regularly, but only in passing. People with whom you may exchange friendly banter but never have the time to really know. Maybe it’s your faithful…
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats (with easy day before method)
Easy prep-ahead method and slow cooker tip results in ready-to-eat oats with toothsome texture and easy cleanup. The classic spice combination is holiday worthy! The best part of this recipe? Lift the bowl of perfectly cooked oatmeal out of the slow cooker, cover and refrigerate for a wholesome breakfast at-the-ready. Done! As…
Chocolate Acorns
These adorable fall treats are easy to make and fun to eat! Chocolate acorns are great project for kids and make a lovely host gift. Just place in a cellophane bag and tie with a bow. My kids and I made these festive fall treats for the first time last year and, like the…
Roasted Beets, Two Ways
There are so many ways to cook beets: steam, boil, roast, microwave. What is really the best way? After trying quite a few methods over the years, I have settled upon two that produce perfectly cooked beets. In my opinion, roasting brings out the robust flavor of beets, allowing for a certain creaminess while maintaing…
Favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette
A year-round staple that pulls double duty as a flavorful marinade for chicken, this versatile homemade dressing will add zip to a wide variety of vegetables and basic pantry ingredients. The key to fresh, flavorful meals that feel effortless and truly enjoyable? Find a few homemade dressings and sauces that you enjoy and keep…
Quinoa Salad with Edamame, Bok Choy & Lemon Soy Vinaigrette
Crisp bok choy and edamame add fresh crunch to this tender quinoa salad. Tossed in a light lemon-soy vinaigrette, the versatile side pairs perfectly with salmon or chicken—or stands alone as a protein-rich meatless meal. When dinnertime rolls around, it’s easy to fall into a rhythm of the familiar meals we know by heart and…
Classic Kale Caesar Salad
My very favorite (and easy!) Caesar dressing pairs beautifully with shredded kale for a hearty salad that can be enjoyed as a versatile side dish or as a complete meal with the addition of a protein of choice. When contemplating the salads I make most often, this super satisfying number is most definitely in my…
Baked Oatmeal and a Weekend in Miami…
It is hard to believe a humble oatmeal dish took my husband, Jack, and me on a trip to Miami. When Smart Balance asked me to participate in their national recipe contest, I almost didn’t do it. Would asking for votes, repeatedly over a month, be an annoyance to people? I certainly didn’t want to be…
Tips for Making the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Are your chocolate chip cookies too flat, too cakey, not chewy or crisp enough? Whatever the issue, this post will troubleshoot all your baking dilemmas! I started thinking about the perfect care package when my older son left for collegeseveral years ago. In my quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, I was suddenly compelled…
Lipton Onion Soup Mix Copycat Recipe
A homemade version of this popular pantry staple is easy and economical to make for convenient use whenever needed. A single recipe makes 4½ “packets.” Homemade versions of store-bought staples can be really useful. Sometimes, the DIY version is healthier, cheaper, and/or allows you to swap out off-limits ingredients. Most times, they taste better…
