Fall Recipes
Clementine Jack-o’-lanterns (plus a few other Halloween treats)
These healthy snacks make a fun project for children, whether at home or school parties, and are a welcome lunchbox surprise. There’s a fun story behind them (plus an important tip for making the ink stick). And because every good celebration can benefit from some themed trivia, I’ve included some Halloween fun facts to use as conversation…
Threaded Hot Dog or Sausage Spaghetti (aka “Spider Dogs”)
Move over meatballs! This squirmy pasta dish makes a fun project for kids and a crowd-pleasing Halloween-themed meal. For a more “mature” version, substitute your favorite cooked sausage for the hot dogs. I’m pretty sure a spoonful of laughter and silliness makes any dinner taste better –and when the preparation of that meal can…
Cinnamon Toast Breakfast Quinoa
My childhood bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch is all grown up (and healthy!) thanks to this crunchy, hearty, perfectly sweet quinoa. So many of us are trying to incorporate more healthy grains into our diets. It’s easy to do it occasionally, but if we’re not wowed by the options, it’s hard to make them…
Toasted Maple Muesli
Toasted Maple Muesli is all you need for quick, healthy, satisfying breakfasts every day of the week — and just like granola, this muesli tastes good enough to eat all by itself! 🍏 🍏 🍏 After a gentle nudge to simply give them a try, many serious skeptics have converted to overnight oats. Realistically, they have…
Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Healthy and endlessly adaptable Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette comes together in a flash thanks to my favorite basil vinaigrette — but your favorite pesto offers a quick fix all year round. Sometimes, we just need a meal to come together FAST, and this fresh-tasting, protein- and veggie-rich salad does just that! When I…
Pickle Brine Pork Chops (or Chicken) with Liquid Gold Sauce
Hold onto that pickle juice! Crazy as it may seem, the components will tenderize and flavor pork chops and chicken with no “pickle-y” taste. A sunshiny sauce adds an extra dimension of flavor with minimal effort. People often ask me how I come up with all the recipes I share in the newspaper and…
Quick Pickled Corn
Quick Pickled Corn is an easy-to-make condiment that will perk up burgers, tacos, and salads…and it tastes great by the spoonful, too! Corn on the cob is the quintessential summer vegetable. Who doesn’t love biting into a hot, buttery ear on a warm summer night? It’s a little package of perfection that requires…
Flourless Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Muffins that are healthy enough to eat for breakfast yet decadent enough for dessert – Flourless Chocolate Zucchini Muffins fit the bill. Plus they’re naturally gluten- and grain-free, use minimal sweetener, and freeze well! A recent train ride to New York City seemed like an ideal opportunity to write about the merits of today’s…
Easy Zucchini & Ground Beef Dinner
Six basic ingredients form the foundation of this one-skillet meal, which comes together quickly for a family-friendly dinner on even the busiest of weeknights. Follow the basic recipe or customize Easy Zucchini & Ground Beef Dinner to taste—and hope for leftovers because they improve with age! When my husband and I planned a quick family…
5-Ingredient Very Berry Smoothie (and make-ahead smoothie packs)
Loaded with filling protein, healthy fats, and a hearty dose of fruit (and optional veggie), this 5-ingredient very berry smoothie checks all the metaphorical boxes—and tastes great, too. For grab-and-go convenience, smoothie packs can be quickly assembled and stored in the freezer. For years, my childhood friend Christine and I would occasionally grab a…
No-Bake Healthy-ish Buckeye Bars
Easy-to-make, four-ingredient Buckeye Bars taste a lot like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and can easily be made gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and vegan. My grandmother’s recipe for chocolate peanut butter eggs, which she frequently made as buckeye bars or balls, has garnered friends from near and far. Sometimes, however, we want something quick,…
Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce or Simple Au Jus
Golden on the outside and pink in the middle, a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin will be the centerpiece of any special dinner. The recipe offers a less expensive alternative, as well as tips on how much meat to purchase per person. My husband and I had been friends for many years before we began dating, so I…
