Weeknight Favorite Recipes
Baby Kale Chopped Salad
Once I put together the salad part of this recipe, I experimented with quite a few new dressings to really make it shine. My extended family served as official taste testers over several Sunday dinners. I offered two bowls, each with different dressings so everyone could offer his or her opinion. They had to keep…
Cranberry Almond Baked Oatmeal Muffins
These hearty muffins may be baked in advance for a quick breakfast or healthy snack. They are also ideal for those needing a vegan, eggless, gluten-free, or dairy-free option and can be customized to taste. Those who follow my blog have probably observed my love of baked oatmeal. I have created a dozen or more…
Green Monster Smoothie
I have been off my smoothie kick for months. Maybe it was all the excesses of the holiday season, but I actually craved a green smoothie yesterday. Seriously. And this from a girl who used to cringe at the thought of blending her greens! So, in the spirit of getting back on track, perhaps at…
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…
Toasted Cheeseburger Wrap (with a “neat” vegetarian option)
The daily task of getting dinner on the table can often be a grind for even those who truly enjoy cooking. Dinnertime is so often the busiest time of the day, with people getting home from work and school activities and then dashing back out for meetings and sports practices. And, of course, sometimes we…
Wild Rice and Sausage Casserole (or Stuffing/Dressing)
Initially created as a side to poultry, we enjoy this hearty recipe throughout the year as a main dish. It’s equally delightful paired with a green vegetable or salad. It’s hard to believe that my year of delving into the Top 10 Food Trends as a Sargento Flavor Journey Correspondent is winding…
Slow Cooker Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats (with easy day before method)
Easy prep-ahead method and slow cooker tip results in ready-to-eat oats with toothsome texture and easy cleanup. The classic spice combination is holiday worthy! The best part of this recipe? Lift the bowl of perfectly cooked oatmeal out of the slow cooker, cover and refrigerate for a wholesome breakfast at-the-ready. Done! As…
Avocado Turkey Panini
Leftover roasted or deli turkey combines with a short list of ingredients in this crunchy, creamy, satisfying sandwich that’s delightful with soup, salad, or a handful of chips. Whether you have leftover roasted turkey from the upcoming holiday or purchase your favorite deli variety, this Avocado Turkey Panini makes a satisfying casual dinner. These wholesome…
Apple Almond Baked Quinoa
Sometimes, I prepare a recipe many, many times, allowing for one adjustment at a time in efforts to achieve the precise texture and taste I envision. I always learn a lot from these little challenges. Occasionally, I end up with several worthy variations of the same recipe, never publishing the recipe because I have made…
Slow Cooker Maple Applesauce
A small amount of maple syrup is the key to a wholesome applesauce that allows the natural sweetness and flavor of the apples to truly shine. My grandmother was always known for her amazing applesauce. She used transparent or “early” apples–the ones that appear in farmers markets here in mid-July. Their appearance never fails…
Unstuffed Cabbage
While vacationing in Rhode Island recently, Mary Jane from Lebanon noticed a recipe in โNewport This Weekโ and passed it along to me. She thought this quicker version of a time consuming classic had the potential to be delicious, but had not yet made it. The simple preparation of this seasonal dinner appealed to me…
Vegetarian Meatballs (also known as neatballs!)
Since I started writing The Fountain Avenue Kitchen newspaper column and blog, I have had the privilege of meeting some truly fascinating people. I’m not referring to big name chefs or foodies either. I am talking about real people, just like you and me, who have some very interesting stories to tell. All of the…
