Spring Recipes
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…
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…
Favorite Flourless Chocolate Cake
Decadent and delicious, this flourless cake will be a special addition to any holiday table and is also a good option for those who need a gluten-free dessert. When it comes to chocolate cake, I’ve always preferred light and fluffy over rich and dense. When my husband and I married, I wanted a chocolate…
Bacon Roasted Cabbage
Incredibly easy, super satisfying, and a delicious way to get a hearty serving of a wholesome cruciferous vegetable! As a child, I’m pretty sure I never uttered the words, “Yum, cabbage for dinner!” Yet I’ve actually heard similar words when serving this wholesome, budget-friendly vegetable in the following way. For many years, I’d use…
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Quick and easy to make, full of fresh flavor, and tossed with a simple poppyseed dressing – a side of grilled chicken or salmon is all that’s needed for a light and satisfying summer meal. As I glance back on the last few posts, things are looking rather fruity and salad-y. Tis the season,…
Sautéed Shrimp & Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto & Parmesan
This wholesome, one-pan meal can be on the table in 15 minutes. For a quick meal another night, swap the shrimp with chicken. Variety is the spice of life, as the saying goes, and in my day-to-day work with The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I’m lucky to have a hearty helping of it. Beyond the…
Sautéed Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Parmesan
Three key ingredients turn this much-loved seasonal vegetable into a standout side dish – in about 10 minutes! I think we talked recently about low effort, high reward recipes. Add this one to that coveted list! The funny thing is, when I looked back to see which recipe I described that way, there were so…
Easiest Steamed Artichokes
If you’ve never cooked whole, fresh artichokes, you might not believe how easy it is…or how amazing they taste! Before I got married, I had never eaten an artichoke–one that didn’t come out of a can anyway. And then for our first Christmas together, my husband’s grandmother gave us a set of artichoke plates.…
Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage Soup
All the flavor of the classic Irish dish in soul-warming soup form. Easy, satisfying, and leftovers are a treat! I was jinxed! The very same day a friend asked me if I had ever made something that flat-out flopped, it happened. Usually, my kitchen disasters hinge on my general clumsiness, like dropped salad bowls…
Absolutely Famous Greek Dressing and Marinade
Looking for a vinaigrette that captures the flavor of an authentic Greek salad? This is it! Works beautifully as a marinade too. When I look through my ever-growing list of recipes, I notice quite a few that are modeled after memorable restaurant meals or frequently used store-bought products. In an effort to save money or…
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Candied Walnuts and Goat Cheese
Easy jam jar dressing and candied walnuts add amazing flavor to this crisp, fresh plate. Leftover chicken makes it a satisfying, complete meal. Friends and family provide some of the best recipe feedback, which often steers me towards sharing a particular dish sooner than later–or in some cases, going back to the drawing board.…
Amish Baked Oatmeal
This wholesome family favorite can be prepared in advance and tastes a lot like a cinnamon oatmeal cookie. I typically take a minimalist approach, but the recipe is easy to customize through the addition of raisins, nuts, etc. Twenty years ago, when baked oatmeal was hardly a blip on anyone’s breakfast radar, a friend…
