Make-Ahead Recipes
Polenta Crust Pizza Pie
Ok…so first thing is first! ย What is the difference between polenta and cornmeal…and grits for that matter? ย In case you are wondering what to buy, or whether it matters, I am including an overview below that might prove helpful. When I began the Flavor Trend Journey with Sargento Cheese and Rick Bayless last winter, Rick…
No Bake Butterscotch Haystacks
Three ingredients are all you need for this salty-sweet, crunchy treat that takes mere minutes to make. No baking required! Butterscotch Haystacks are, without a doubt, my younger son’s favorite cookie. I always make them over the holidays and he frequently requests them throughout the year. When his science class organized a nature-themed bake…
Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix
The best DIY recipe adds cozy fall flavor to pumpkin pie, muffins, cakes, and more โ with just four spices you likely have on hand! Beyond cooler weather, shorter days, and football games, the arrival of fall means apples, pumpkins, and a host of other delicious fall fruits and vegetables. This is often the time…
Roasted Beets, Two Ways
There are so many ways to cook beets: ย steam, boil, roast, microwave. ย What is really the best way? ย After trying quite a few methods over the years, I have settled upon two that produce perfectly cooked beets. In my opinion, roasting brings out the robust flavor of beets, allowing for a certain creaminess while maintaing…
Curried Chicken Rice Salad
A few key ingredients join the usual chicken salad components for a filling meal that hits all the right flavor notes. Someone recently sent me one of her favorite recipes and mentioned that I hope she didn’t think she was being presumptuous. I told her I love it when readers send me their top…
Zucchini, Potato, and Feta Frittata
A light but filling meatless meal that’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this easy frittata is loaded with veggies and can be made ahead and reheated for added convenience. It isn’t often that a meatless meal will satisfy my houseful of boys, but the potato in this simple frittata lends a satisfying heartiness while…
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter “Ice Cream”
Those who know me are keenly aware of my fondness for ice cream! (I actually have some very funny stories that center around this beloved frozen treat…will have to get into that later!) Anyway, to satisfy my nightly cravings, I have developed a pretty fabulous chocolate smoothie but am always on the lookout for other…
Salmon, Corn, and Cucumber Salad
Corn and Cucumber Salad with Basil and Chives is one of the oldest salads in my repertoire. I return to it again and again for its delicious simplicity. Because the recipe is so basic, it lends itself well to easy adaptations. With Corn, Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Homemade Ranch, I added avocado, tomatoes, and my go-to…
Italian Hoagie Salad
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
Nutella Pops
A cold, creamy treat that’s easy to make, Nutella Pops remind me of the classic chocolate pudding pops that were so popular when I was a girl! Do you remember Pudding Pops? In the 1980s, Bill Cosby was the spokesman for this popular frozen treat. The chocolate version was similar to a creamy fudgesicle,…
Zucchini Pizza Casserole
This family-friendly meal is a deliciously clever way to use an abundance of zucchini. Naturally gluten- and grain-free too! Fresh herbs and zucchini are currently overflowing from our garden. The kale, chard, and spinach will make a comeback as cooler weather returns. So, for the next recipe in my Sargento flavor journey, I…
Zucchini, Tomato and Sausage Casserole
Don’t you love it when a friend shares a time-tested, family-favorite recipe? This one contains everything you need for a well rounded meal and quickly became a quick favorite in our house too! Stacie is a friend of my husband’s from elementary school days with whom we reconnected when I started The Fountain Avenue Kitchen.…
