Valentine’s Day Recipes

William’s Habanero Hot Sauce… and a hot sauce taste test

Though we often cheat and hope for no frost (or April snow, as was the case this year), the safe time for backyard planting where I live is always said to begin on Mother’s Day. Ever since my husband and I bought our first house, we’ve planted a garden. There is something so satisfying about…

Muesli Baked Oatmeal

If you were to choose your career all over again, what would you be?  I  love what I do, but I could have been very happy as a scientist.  Given my love of experimenting in the kitchen, a career in the lab would have suited me well. Though it’s not exactly research for a new…

Simple Vanilla Syrup

A deliciously easy (and economical) way to sweeten homemade iced coffee, lattes, and a variety of other drinks and desserts. For basic simple syrup, simply omit the vanilla.   Have you ever added sugar to a glass of iced tea, stirred vigorously to dissolve it, only to find a puddle of semi-dissolved granules at the…

Homemade Lattes (and how to froth milk without a fancy gadget)

Café caliber lattes are easy to make in your own home with no fancy equipment and at a fraction of the usual cost - hot, iced, with foam or without!       As I was getting breakfast ready on Monday morning, a news story about lattes caught my attention.  Teasing his upcoming “exclusive,” the…

Cannellini Tomato Soup… with Grilled Cheese Croutons or Dippers

The unexpected addition of a simple can of cannellini beans provides protein and added creaminess when pureed into the soup…and nobody ever knows it’s there. Whether served with grilled cheese croutons or dippers, what kid (or adult) wouldn’t love it? Plus it’s easy to make with basic, inexpensive, pantry items. You may be wondering how…

Pan-Seared Heart Chicken

A few simple cuts of the knife transform a boneless, skinless chicken breast into a festive meal. Fun for Valentine’s Day…or any time! ❤️   Special occasion dinners can be memorable for many reasons. Perhaps the artistically plated tapas at a swanky new restaurant made an impression, or the view while cracking crabs by the…

(Slow Cooker) Chocolate Peanut Clusters with Sea Salt

A big batch of these sweet treats is easy to make in your slow cooker. The portion-controlled bites are hard to resist…and perfect for sharing!     Amidst all of the goodies we enjoy throughout the holiday season, there’s a special delivery that stands out from all the rest. It’s a cookie care package sent…

Winter Porridge

The formula for the basic porridge is easy, and you can prepare it in advance for speedy breakfasts throughout the week.   I’ve always been amazed by people who go sockless in cold weather. When my feet are cold, everything is cold. So, it’s remarkable that, since the beginning of fall, I’ve only worn socks…

Party Salmon

Enjoy hot out of the oven for an easy weeknight meal or serve at room temperature for a delightful addition to any buffet table. For a delicious breakfast or brunch, serve in place of lox with an assortment of bagels, cream cheese, chopped hard-boiled egg, capers, minced red onion, and thinly sliced cucumber. Party Salmon…

Roasted Beet Hummus

Serve this gorgeous show-stopper as a make-ahead appetizer, a satisfying snack, or as a base for an anything-but-boring lunch.   When I first laid eyes upon this colorful sister of the traditional middle eastern dip, I was smitten by its vibrant ruby hue. Thanks to the addition of a humble root vegetable, the color is…

Overnight No-Cook Oatmeal Yogurt Cups

This classic recipe for no-cook overnight oats offers meal prep convenience and is loaded with fruit, fiber, and protein-packed staying power!   Overnight oats have a lot going for them. The no-cook, prep-ahead recipe makes the morning routine a breeze with its winning combination of protein, calcium, fiber, and Omega-3s. And it tastes great! In…

5-Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Pure vanilla flavor shines in this no-churn ice cream recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat—and no fancy ice cream maker is required.   I can still picture my grandfather packing rock salt into the barrel of his old ice cream maker when I was a kid. My sister and I…

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