Meals for Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day

Blue Cheese (or Feta) Turkey Burgers

Three simple ingredients make THE BEST turkey burgers. They’re tender, flavorful, and not the least bit dry, whether cooked on the grill or stovetop. The easy recipe quickly became a regular at our house, and Iโ€™m guessing it will become a favorite in your home too! After reviewing an impressive new cookbook authored by teen…

Easy Mud Pie

This easy, make-ahead recipe is sure to become a favorite for casual entertaining and special occasions. The quick, no-bake homemade crust adds something special (and allows for a gluten-free option) but a store-bought cookie crust works well, too. After a recent swim, I overheard a mother attempting to prepare her young daughter for a nap…

Oven Baked BBQ Ribs

Melt-in-your mouth ribs with crispy edges are a breeze to prepare with this easy recipe. No need to tend the grill for hours and perfect any time of year!   Have you ever received a recipe from a trusted source, proceeded to tuck it safely into your recipe box where, despite the best of intentions, it…

Favorite Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

A luxuriously creamy (yet healthy!) sweet-tart dressing makes this seasonal salad a standout. A hearty portion is delightfully satisfying in its own right, and when paired with a protein of choice, offers an easy weeknight meal thatโ€™s 100% worthy of company.🍓     After devouring a truly spectacular salad at a local restaurant last spring,…

Cilantro Lime Hummus (tahini-free)

This nourishing, easy-to-make hummus redefines the classic dip by shaking up the usual ingredients and adding south-of-the-border flavor. No need to purchase tahini for this recipe either.    My first order of business is to thank longtime reader Mary Lou for this fabulous hummus recipe. She shared it with me several years ago, and why…

Maryland Crab Cakes

Crisp edges with no fryer? Prep-ahead convenience AND classic crab cake flavor? This recipe covers all those bases with ease, making it ideal for entertaining yet easy enough for a special meal on a busy weeknight.     We have some die-hard crab fans in our family.  The perfect summer evening could very well involve sitting…

Salty Sweet Gourmet Sprinkles

Sprinkles are all grown up thanks to this stellar 3-ingredient combination that’s perfect for holiday gift giving! 🎁   The season of gift giving is upon us, and so often we need just a little something to give to a teacher, a co-worker or party host. But it’s fun when that “little something” has a…

Avocado Tomato Salsa

Keep this super simple salsa recipe in your back pocket all year round to add flavor and flare to chicken, fish, beans, salads, eggs, and in place of guacamole in your favorite south-of-the-border fare. Perfect as a dip with tortilla chips, too!   My family always enjoys something saucy on grilled meats, and the following…

Low Carb Mock Potato Salad

A delicious alternative to traditional potato salad, mock potato salad is a perfect accompaniment to burgers, grilled chicken, steak, and pulled pork and offers advance prep convenience. No amount of Momโ€™s savory brown butter sauce could save the day when steamed cauliflower appeared on my childhood dinner plate.  But even though I once wrote it…

Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

Healthy and endlessly adaptable Tomato & White Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette comes together in a flash thanks to my favorite basil vinaigrette โ€” but your favorite pesto offers a quick fix all year round.   Sometimes, we just need a meal to come together FAST, and this fresh-tasting, protein- and veggie-rich salad does just that! When I…

Basil Vinaigrette

When we think of basil, we often think of traditional pesto. Basil Vinaigrette, however, offers a streamlined alternative that can be used in much the same way. A jar in your fridge will perk up meals all week long–and don’t miss all the easy recipe inspiration!   Easy.  Healthy. Delicious.  Ideally, those three words would accurately…

Pickle Brine Pork Chops (or Chicken) with Liquid Gold Sauce

Hold onto that pickle juice! Crazy as it may seem, the components will tenderize and flavor pork chops and chicken with no โ€œpickle-yโ€ taste. A sunshiny sauce adds an extra dimension of flavor with minimal effort.    People often ask me how I come up with all the recipes I share in the newspaper and…

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