Weeknight Favorite Recipes

No-Bake Energy Bites

Chewy granola bar meets cookie batter in these easy-to-make bites, which include whole oats and a whopping half cup of heart-healthy flax meal.    In a bold moment a few years back, I decided to give up ice cream for Lent. It was a test of sorts, as I seriously wondered if I had the…

Easy Yogurt Cream Cheese

Yogurt “cheese” really isnโ€™t cheese at all. ย It’s simplyย yogurt that has been thickened into a soft, cream cheese-like consistency…and it’s delightful on your morning bagel or in recipes calling for cream cheese or sour cream. Although I have used fat-free and 2% yogurt to make this creamy spread, I prefer whole milk yogurt for a…

Seriously Delicious Gluten-Free Crispy-Top Mac & Cheese

My younger son suffered through strep throat nine times before he was 18 months old, endured pneumonia twice before he finished pre-school, had his tonsils and adenoids removed at age two, and started weekly allergy shots before he was five. He felt miserable pretty much all the time and, consequently, did not want to eat…

Homemade Hot Cocoa

  Before I started The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I had very little experience with photography. When I took the typical family snapshots, the camera decided how to focus and when to flash, and I had certainly never taken pictures of our meals. In fact, until recently, I took all of my food photos with my…

Yogurt Bran Muffins

Do you have a favorite community cookbook?  I have a few, which I enjoy reading from time to time.   The recipes are like a slice into someone else’s kitchen, and they’re personal in a way that many mainstream cookbooks are not. Recently, Stonyfield Organic sent me the Yogurt Cookbook, which is a compilation of recipes submitted…

Chopped Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette (with an easy Meyer lemon substitute)

Hearty greens, protein-rich edamame and chickpeas, and a handful of other ingredients combine with a light but flavor-packed vinaigrette for a wholesome salad that’s great for meal prep. A well-rounded, plant-based meal as is, a protein topper like salmon or chicken will provide extra staying power.    We often think of salads as warm weather…

Classic Chicken Rice Soup

As a long-lasting stomach virus worked its way through my family early last month, this soup (along with toast and ginger ale) was the only food some of us wanted to eat for days on end. In the last couple of weeks, I prepared this recipe two more times for friends who were fighting the…

Dulce de Leche Latte

Since I stumbled upon the overwhelming hit of Crock Pot Dulce de Leche a few years ago, the kids regularly enjoy this caramel-like dip on sliced apples and we drizzle it over ice cream and pound cake.  One reader loves it as a topping for Crunchy Top Apples and Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal. I even concocted…

3-Ingredient Chuck Roast in Foil

Flavorful, fork tender meat with ease…and your kitchen will smell amazing! This hands-off recipe has been a longtime favorite in our family, and it might just make the regular rotation at your house, too.    Last September, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. When I think about that number, itโ€™s sort of shocking…

Lipton Onion Soup Mix Copycat Recipe

A homemade version of this popular pantry staple is easy and economical to make for convenient use whenever needed. A single recipe makes 4ยฝ “packets.”    Homemade versions of store-bought staples can be really useful. Sometimes, the DIY version is healthier, cheaper, and/or allows you to swap out off-limits ingredients. Most times, they taste better…

Sheet Pan Dinner: Roasted Chicken, Potatoes and Artichokes

Quick to prep and family friendly, this all-in-one meal is a weeknight gift that relies on pantry staples. The optional quinoa recipe pairs well, but a simple side salad will also round out the meal.    After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a break from cooking would suit many of us just fine.…

Baked Denver Omelet

Similar to a frittata, this baked omelet can be mixed in one bowl and requires no sautรฉing prior to baking. Itโ€™s a super speedy meal that is perfect with your favorite deli ham or leftover baked ham.ย  Thereโ€™s a special appeal to a recipe that mixes up in a single bowl. Who isnโ€™t thrilled at…

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