Make-Ahead Recipes
Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal
A while back, I picked up a good tidbit of information from a stand owner at our local farmer’s market: Rhubarb season lasts through the longest day of the year–the first day of summer. Same for asparagus. I find this helpful as the early days of summer approach. It is a reminder to get my…
Homemade Ricotta
When cheese is made, the leftover whey is used to make ricotta. In general, to create cheese, live cultures (a fancy name for bacteria) are typically added to fresh milk. This starts a fermentation process that results in the milk separating into curds and whey. Depending on the type of cheese being made, the curds…
Sesame Peanut Noodles
I have two favorite preparations for noodles in a peanut sauce so, before I chose one for this space, I made them both for dinner recently. My family declared a tie in the side-by-side comparison. They were no help! It almost came down to a coin toss, but ultimately, I chose this recipe because I…
Hoisin Beef Skewers (or Whole Flank Steak)
Prep-ahead convenience, versatility, and appealing flavor make this recipe a go-to for easy weeknight grilling and weekend entertaining. Iโm the type of person who thinks about dinner as I am eating breakfast. So, it may not be surprising that I ponder what to cook for my newspaper column up to a month in advance!…
Spring Millet Salad
This springy salad is equally delicious served warm, chilled, or room temperature. And though you could replace the millet with couscous or quinoa, the tiny grain has a mild, corn-like flavor that offers a great way to mix things up. As I continue to experiment with recipes using millet, I have made variations of…
Rhubarb Streusel Muffins
Sweet and tangy with a tender crumb, Rhubarb Streusel Muffins are sure to become a seasonal favorite. The recipe makes a big batch too! When short-lived, seasonal ingredients that you really enjoy become available, do you feel as though you have to eat them with abandon to get your fill? With many fruits and vegetables,…
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Three basic ingredients come together with ease in this flourless, dairy-free cookie that is sure to become a favorite! This recipe originally came from my friend Abby, who has a delightful blog called Manila Spoon. Besides being incredibly easy, the cookies are grain- and dairy-free to boot. My gluten-free dad adores them, yet those who can…
Velvety Chocolate Mousse and a Guide to Unrefined Sweeteners by Chef Amber Shea Crawley
Whenever possible, I like to use natural sweeteners–pure maple syrup being a favorite–and try to limit overall sugars in general. I do have a sweet tooth, so it is an ongoing challenge! With wider access to a broad range of sweeteners, I have started to dabble with options such as coconut sugar and stevia and…
Ginger Almond Rhubarb Bars with Coconut Crust
Happy Mother’s Day! ย Not only is the following dessert a favorite of my mother, the timing is ideal, as rhubarbโs short season is upon us.ย If you havenโt baked with rhubarb before, this recipe is a very good starting point. I am not sure how many people would offer up rhubarb bars when asked their…
Homemade Cashew Milk — an easy option to almond or soy milk
A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend Daina after a yoga class and, as it often does, the conversation turned to food. ย Daina is a master gardener and a talented cook who crafts healthy and delicious recipes with ease. ย When she mentioned her favorite go-to dinner which incorporated her homemade cashew…
Big Batch Peanut Butter Congo Bars
I wasn’t going to cook today. I really wasn’t. But then, my kids and their friends wanted to have a lemonade stand. After a cooler than usual spring, the weather has been sunny and warm. It was a perfect idea and, somehow, every time there is a lemonade stand in our driveway, I make cookies…
Everything Sauce
Lacking a better name for this sauce, I call it my “everything” sauce because it seems to taste great with almost everything! ย I typically make it for my Spice-Rubbed Grilled Chicken, and I frequently use leftovers drizzled on steamed veggies, as a light, flavorful pasta sauce, or as a tasty alternative to mayonnaise. Over the…
