Summer Recipes
Beef & Rice Stuffed 8-Ball Zucchini
8-ball zucchinis offer a fun option in this all-in-one meal, but if they aren’t available, by all means use regular zucchini or summer squash. The savory filling can even be used for stuffed peppers. The first time I laid eyes on an 8-ball zucchini, I was intrigued. Its forest green skin with pale green striations…
Blueberry Lime Jam
Homemade jam is a breeze with these clear, simple instructions － even true beginners will feel like a pro. And thanks to the hint of lime, the end result is worthy of a specialty store! One of my fondest memories from my grandmother’s dinner table is, silly as it may sound,…
Easy Fruit & Yogurt Popsicles
Two basic ingredients are all you need for wholesome, creamy, refreshing popsicles that can be customized to taste. I have a vivid memory of running through the sprinkler with my sister on a hot summer day, only to hear the distant melody of an ice cream truck. No sound was more thrilling or inspired…
Dinner (and leftovers) out of one 3-ingredient marinade
Minimal ingredients come together with flavor-packed ease in this wholesome, all-in-one meal that can be customized to taste. Effortless summer cooking at its best! So, I did what I have been strictly avoiding for a very long time. I cooked on live TV. The thought of preparing something delicious in two to three…
Prosciutto Fig Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella, Arugula & Manchego
Like many of you, I frequently use the “a little of this, a little of that” approach to cooking. But when writing for this blog, I keep pencil and paper beside my mixing bowl and precisely measure or weigh every ingredient. Oftentimes, however, ingredients really can be eyeballed. So I encourage people to use certain…
Southwestern Confetti Coleslaw (no mayo)
Classic, creamy coleslaw is a perennial picnic and cookout favorite. Like potato salad and baked beans, coleslaw plays a popular supporting role on any plate starring fried chicken or barbecued ribs. While I adore a thick slaw with a hearty dose of mayonnaise, many people prefer a lighter vinegar base. Smoky cumin, tangy lime and…
Almond Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes (Gluten- & Grain-Free)
Gluten- & Grain-Free Almond Coconut Strawberry Shortcakes are healthy enough to eat for dinner but delicious enough to be dessert! Delving into my mom’s strawberry shortcake was a much-anticipated welcome to the local strawberry season when I was a child. Mom always made her biscuit-like shortcake in a 9×13 pan and served big, warm squares…
Almond Flour Pie Crust (gluten-free)
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…
Tuna in Rustic Tomato Sauce
Quick, wholesome, and brimming with flavor, this one-pan meal makes a perfect dinner for two, but the recipe doubles easily. As summer dwindles and the days grow shorter, I find myself savoring the many varieties of local produce that will soon be gone until next summer. Sad as I am to say goodbye to…
No-Sugar Homemade Jam (choose your favorite flavor－even use frozen fruit－in this easy, small batch recipe)
This flexible, small batch recipe doesn’t use pectin as a thickener, so there’s no need for a copious amount of granulated sugar as is used in traditional jams. Instead it relies on heart healthy chia seeds and a small amount of maple syrup or honey. Healthy jam that tastes great…really? The perks of…
Crispy Baked Eggplant
Perfect all by themselves or dipped in your favorite marinara sauce, these tasty bites often vanish straight from the baking sheet in our house! My family always felt lukewarm towards eggplant…until this recipe. And it’s easy! Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of Parmesan, crumbs, and seasoning. Then roast the…
Seven-Day Pickles
Seven Day Pickles have been a family favorite around here for too many years to count. The tried-and-true recipe originally came from the grandmother of a dear friend and offers a taste of summer all year long! Every summer, I look forward to making seven-day pickles. Although the name implies a long,…
