Valentine’s Day Recipes
Overnight Oven-Baked French Toast
Amidst the last minute preparations for Christmas Day, there are a few non-negotiable activities on my calendar every December 24th. First and foremost, I must wrap the gifts my dad buys for my mom. To clarify, this annual ritual is not a hardship. In fact, I secretly love it. You see, while I am cutting…
Parmesan Mushroom Polenta
A former White House chef shares his recipe for a versatile side dish, which can be easily transformed into a winning meal. A must make! Early in my marriage, my husband was amused by how I could read a cookbook as though it were a best-selling novel. Well, I recently discovered a cookbook that…
Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable tags included! A delicious cookie-in-a-jar recipe was harder to devise than I expected. Not only did the cookie have to taste great, the mix…
Overnight Lasagna (Turkey and Greens with Options)
I love a good lasagna, but it always seems like a big production. I hit upon this clever way of making lasagna years before no-cook noodles were discovered and it really works. Simply use regular noodles, assemble the night before with a little extra “juice”, and pop in the oven the next evening for a…
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…
Nutella Iced Latte
A cafe-worthy latte is easy to make at home and for a fraction of the price! When the weather is warm, I particularly enjoy an iced latte. As much as I love this coffee house treat, I am always a little annoyed with myself when I spend four dollars for what is essentially…
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…
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…
White Chocolate Gorp
Easy to make and fun to eat, this tasty treat makes a festive addition to any holiday celebration with the use of seasonal M&Ms. As a kid at camp in Maine, I loved to sign up for the hiking trips. Typically, we hiked portions of the Appalachian Trial, usually carrying supplies in a frame…
Almond Bark with Sea Salt
Every year before Easter, I find myself up to my elbows in chocolate. For as long as I can remember, making homemade chocolates has been part of my family’s holiday tradition. I have so many fond memories of making Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs with my grandmother. Dipping Coconut Cream Eggs with a dear friend, who…
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Garbanzos
Recently, I posted my new and improved technique for roasting garbanzo beans–also known as chickpeas. Additionally, I had fun experimenting with roasting various other types of beans lurking in my pantry. (To see the details, click here.) Somewhere between the black eyed peas and the butter beans, My Whole Food Life shared her sweeter version of this…
