Game Day Recipes

Doctored Up Hummus

A simple hack will elevate store-bought hummus, making it creamier and more flavorful โ€“ with a little extra protein too!   We can all use the occasional shortcut, right? And when that shortcut happens to pull double duty as a healthy, convenient snack and a delicious, last-minute appetizer, all the better! My older son is…

5-Can Weeknight Chili

A great bowl of chili is just minutes away thanks to a handful of economical pantry ingredients. Top with a simple sprinkle of cheese or load it up with chopped avocado, crushed tortilla chips, minced onions, etc.       The wee hours of Christmas morning last year found my extended family in an airport.…

Lancaster Cheesesteaksย 

I was 13 years old when the blockbuster movie Witness was filmed in Lancaster. Without a doubt, it was a very big deal to have Hollywood heartthrob Harrison Ford come to our town. A good bit of the production took place in the vicinity of my childhood home. My friends and I tried to catch…

Baked Potato Wedges

A versatile side dish that complements nearly any protein, Baked Potato Wedges are an economical addition to the weekly dinner rotation. A special trick makes them extra crisp.   They’re not exactly French fries, but these simple baked wedges are always a hit in our house. I often fall back on this tasty side dish…

Cider Baked Apples

The sweet aroma of warm spices and baking apples is matched only by the flavor of this easy-to-make recipe. Enjoy for breakfast with a dollop of yogurt or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream โ€“ or anytime in between!  Growing up, my family ate apple dumplings for dinner once or twice every fall.…

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (Grain-Free)

Naturally sweetened and grain-free, these tasty muffins are easy to whip up and perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts and snacks. (Dessert-worthy too!)   It all began with this recipe for Pumpkin Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie. Until that point, I had frequently used peanut and almonds butter in savory soups, smoothies, sauces, and more (love these sesame peanut…

Easy Scalloped Apples

An easy-to-make alternative to applesauce that can be enjoyed as a side dish, over oatmeal, mixed with yogurt, or even as a cheater version of apple crisp. (Just sprinkle with granola!)   The inspiration for this recipe goes all the way back to 5th grade and THE BEST after-school playdates. In the dwindling days of summer…

Classic Chex Party Mix

My boys recently had their annual physical at the pediatrician’s office, and it seems my younger son grew five inches in less than a year. Though I joke that my boys have hollow legs, the impressive growth rate better explains their never-ending appetites. Now that school is in session again, I’m back to packing daily…

BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado

In recent weeks, I’ve heard from many readers who offered kind praise for my Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe. Many noted the big flavor punch delivered by the small amount of lime juice that’s added to the mayo.  The bright, fresh taste it delivers happens to be my favorite part of the salad, too. In the following…

Classic Gazpacho (A toppings bar makes it a meal๏ผor a party!)

A selection of toppings turns this classic summer soup into a filling meal. Simple advance prep makes it ideal for casual entertaining and easy weeknight meals alike, and the flavor improves over time!   While living in Spain for six months many years ago, I was told that when the weather gets hot, even a…

Grilled Shishito Peppers

Serve these sweet and (almost always!) mild Japanese peppers as a quick, easy, and surprisingly popular appetizer or side dish.   Have you ever heard of chili peppers that are mildโ€ฆmost of the time? Such is the case with the shishito pepper, a small, slender sweet pepper that originated in Asia. A year or two…

Summer Breeze Chicken Salad

This fresh-tasting chicken salad offers a uniquely delicious way to savor sweet, seasonal peaches. The combination may seem unexpected, but once you try, I’m betting you’ll be sold!   Some people are hard to forget.  Take the gem of a teacher who totally gets your toddler.  When my older son first went off to preschool he…

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