Cinco de Mayo Recipes
3-Ingredient Mexican Cheese Bites
A curious thing happened a few days after my Mango Chicken Chili recipe appeared in this column a few months back. The chili recipe included mango salsa as a key ingredient. Figuring this might not be a regular grocery list item for many readers, I mentioned two reliable brands. Several days later, I received…
Slow Cooker Spicy Mango Chicken Chili
A couple of Sundays ago, this recipe appeared in my weekly newspaper column. A few days later, I received an email from Jane from Mrs. Renfro’s salsa company thanking me for mentioning their product. As a thoughtful gesture, she offered to send me any four of their products. I truly love the flavor and ingredients…
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
Whether it is kids’ sports practices, crazy work schedules, meetings, or a class at the gym, weekdays can be especially full. Everyone seems busy, it’s just the details that are different! I often find myself cooking extra on the weekends to guarantee a couple of quick meals throughout the week. There are many nights when…
Barbecued Bean Salad
A crowd-pleasing, family-friendly alternative to baked beans, this protein-rich salad can be prepared in advance and the flavor improves over time. As I walked to school with my younger son one morning last month, he mentioned that his 6th grade history class’s Colonial unit would be culminating with a special lunch. All students were…
Basil-Orange Edamame & Bean Salad
Quick and easy and loaded with fresh flavor, this wholesome dish complements chicken, fish, steak, and pork or can be the basis of a filling plant-based meal. As a bonus, a simple ingredient adjustment will create a new recipe! Even those who claim they don’t care for bean salad have been known to have…
Crab, Avocado & Corn Salad with Cilantro & Lime
Memorial Day weekend officially launches the season of cookouts, picnics, and pool time. A repertoire of simple, make-ahead recipes can ensure more time enjoying the outdoor fun and less time sweating it out in the kitchen. The following crab salad was an early addition to my blog and has developed a loyal fan base. My…
Loaded Dinner Nachos
You could say it was love after the first neatball! In all seriousness, I was truly skeptical when Laura Lapp first offered me a bite of the healthy meat alternative that she crafted in her kitchen. But it tasted great. By way of background, Laura began her experimentation process to address her two daughters’ decision…
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
We all experience times when motivation is lacking. I love cooking for its creative outlet, but the nightly ritual of getting dinner on the table can be a chore. Sometimes, feeding one’s family feels like a monumental effort. Even for me. Of course, we still get hungry and, sadly, there is no Dinner Fairy. Pouring…
Homemade Taco Seasoning
You likely have all the spices needed to make this classic seasoning blend, and it’ll taste fresher–and be more economical–than the store-bought packet. Early in our marriage, I discovered my husband’s fondness for taco salad. When I first served tacos, he piled all the filling ingredients on his plate and crumbled the shell over…
Walking Tacos
Walking Tacos offer a fun, portable way to enjoy the traditional taco salad and are perfect for kids’ parties and casual dinners. Those who prefer a plated taco salad may absolutely eat the meal that way. Both of my sons are swimmers and, like so many sports activities, the summer swim meets are always over…
Cheese Crisps
Low-carb cheese crisps require only one ingredient (jalapeño slices are optional) and cook in 2 short minutes－and believe it or not, the microwave produces better results than the oven. Perfect with a glass of wine or as a flavorful alternative to a crouton. If I said you could make a light and flavorful…
Chicken Tortilla Soup
A brimming pot of this wholesome soup is a filling favorite in our house. Topped with grated cheese and a few crushed tortilla chips, it’s extra special! Last year, as I was pondering what to give to several of my friends for Christmas, I struggled to think of something they would really need or want.…
