Certain days are easy to remember. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday in November, and Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May. For my family, there’s another annual occurrence penned in our family calendar for the Sunday before Thanksgiving–The Apple Pie Auction & Variety Show. First Presbyterian of Lancaster—our family church—hosts the evening in the…
Pure vanilla flavor shines in this no-churn ice cream recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—and no fancy ice cream maker is required. I can still picture my grandfather packing rock salt into the barrel of his old ice cream maker when I was a kid. My sister and I…
Four simple ingredients come together with ease in this vibrant sauce that adds sweet and tangy flavor to yogurt, oatmeal, vanilla ice cream, pound cake, and more. Or enjoy it by the spoonful–just like applesauce. Freezes well too. For many years, my maternal great-grandmother taught in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. That meant teaching all…
Easy to make but company-worthy, a spoonful of rice is all you need to complete this flavor-packed meal. Convenient prep-ahead options included. Shrimp Creole was one of my mom’s “special dishes,” a meal she served when company came or there was something to celebrate. But the flavor and ease of this southern Louisiana staple makes…
When paired with a protein-rich egg, these slender green spears form the basis of a satisfyingly simple meal with “French country” appeal! Years ago, I marveled at the description of a meal with two basic ingredients: eggs and asparagus. The simple combination was described as very “French country.” I envisioned ambling up to a…
Quite possibly the easiest trick that’s fun for all ages. One ingredient is all you need, and before you know it, everyone will be laughing! When I originally posted this silly “punch” on The Fountain Avenue Kitchen several years ago, I did it on the afternoon of April Fool’s Day, right after my kids…
Flavorful, fork tender meat with ease…and your kitchen will smell amazing! This hands-off recipe has been a longtime favorite in our family, and it might just make the regular rotation at your house too. Last September, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. When I think about that number, it’s sort of shocking to…
A scrumptious grain-free pie crust is easy to make with this recipe and a few helpful hints. Perfect for all your favorite fillings! The perfect pie deserves the perfect crust. Traditional rolled crusts can be daunting for many, and some simply can’t eat the wheat flour. Whatever the reason, this nutty, cookie-like crust is a…
Sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb are a match made in heaven in this easy-to-make dessert that is destined to become a seasonal favorite! In an effort to make my tried-and-true recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp into an equally loved gluten-free dessert for company a couple of years ago, I realized that I had essentially turned…
Rhubarb always reminds me of my grandmother. Late every spring, she froze rhubarb to enjoy throughout the year. To my grandmother, the word rhubarb did not just refer to the celery-like stalk, it was the actual recipe. Her rhubarb was just like applesauce, only red and with a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Though…
Over the last couple weeks, I’ve noticed rhubarb reappearing at our local farmers markets. I have held out buying any as the two rhubarb plants in our backyard garden have been growing quickly. I marvel at how briskly rhubarb grows ever spring, from those first early leaves that poke out of the ground when it…