Winter Recipes
Easy Winter Fruit Salad
A straight-forward combination of fresh fruits with a little something extra to elevate the simple salad into something sublime. From the time my kids could hold a crayon, I helped them make the gifts they’d give their loved ones on Christmas morning. My hope was that amidst all the material trappings of the holiday,…
Rosemary Roasted Cashews
Rosemary, salt, and a hint of heat makes these easy-to-prepare nuts a snacking favorite. A jarful provides a welcome gift, too! When I visit my parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas, my eyes always scan their kitchen counter for a large, red canister. I keep my fingers crossed that…
Graham Cracker Houses
No-bake graham cracker houses are easier than their gingerbread counterparts but every bit as festive. The fun activity is sure to bring good cheer and enhance your holiday decor! Making and decorating gingerbread houses has been a holiday tradition in our house since the kids were little. In the early years, it was more…
Aunt Glenna’s Flourless Fudge Pie
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…
Sausage Soup with Tortellini (and/or Beans)
In a world where monumental decisions are made every day, choosing which recipes to include on this blog and in my weekly newspaper column ranks pretty low on the relevance scale. Yet I deliberate long and hard on this! What will she want to eat? Which recipes might he not merely read, but also…
5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
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…
Homemade Hot Cocoa
A clever method of preparation means there are no lumps or scorched milk in this cozy cocoa recipe. There’s even a cafe mocha variation! Before I started The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I had very little experience with photography. When I took the typical family snapshots, the camera decided how to focus and when to flash,…
Honey Lollipops — a Natural Sore Throat Remedy
A 2-ingredient, natural sore throat remedy that’s easy to make and helpful to have on hand. Fun to give away too! In the past few months, I have read several times about the antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties of honey and cinnamon. I am certainly not a doctor, but when I saw the idea from my…
3-Ingredient Chuck Roast in Foil
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…
Lucky Cake (or Peanut Butter Chip Cake) with Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting
A secret ingredient (that no one will guess) makes this cake delicious AND lucky…and who couldn’t use more luck in the New Year? Would you keep reading if I told you that there’s sauerkraut in this cake? When I see a recipe with an oddball ingredient or an offbeat method of preparation, I’m often…
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Protein-rich beans replace the cream in this flavorful soup, creating exceptional texture and staying power. Just before Thanksgiving, my older son endured the displeasure of jaw surgery. To eliminate additional procedures down the road, he had his wisdom teeth pulled, too. Lucky boy. In the week or so that followed, pureed or very soft…
Spinach Pomegranate Salad with Vanilla Vinaigrette
As satisfying as it is beautiful, this vibrant salad is worthy of a holiday table or paired with a simple protein any night of the week! When I originally shared my Autumn Salad with Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Dressing, my friend, Christine, mentioned that she serves a similar salad with a vanilla vinaigrette. Christine said…
