Winter Recipes
Make-Ahead Baked Mashed Potatoes
This flexible, make-ahead mashed potato recipe is a sure-fire hit on a holiday table. You can even freeze it before baking, and the Parmesan crust will not disappoint! Even though my job is all about cooking, I rely on make-ahead dishes as much as the next person. Ironically, aspects of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen often…
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
Nothing is more seasonal than hot chocolate…except maybe peppermint. This recipes combines both for a delicious, brownie-like cookie that may be your new family tradition! The name of these cookies caught my attention right away. How unique does a peppermint hot chocolate cookie sound? And what precisely would their taste and texture be like? I…
Quick & Easy White Chicken Chili
White chicken chili is creamy (but dairy-free), flavor-packed, and easy enough to pull off on a busy weeknight โ yet absolutely worthy of company! Iโm a big fan of traditional red chili โ Aunt Peggyโs Turkey Chili is a quick-and-easy family favorite for sure โ but thereโs something special about a good white chili.…
Super Bowl Nachos
Super Bowl Nachos are the gold standard of nachos and include two types of chips for maximum crunch. Loaded with flavorful toppings, these nachos are game day perfection and hearty enough to be an occasional meal. The meat mixture makes great tacos and taco salads too! Nachos have always held a special place in my younger son…
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chorizo and Manchego
Chorizo sausage and Manchego cheese give roasted Brussels sprouts a Spanish-style upgrade for a crowd-pleasing tapas or hearty side dish. The loaded sprouts are hearty enough that sometimes I even serve them as a main dish with a salad or side of rice. I first enjoyed a dish that was similar…
Baked Coconut Shrimp
Crisp, golden, and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, baked coconut shrimp are perfect as an appetizer or entrรฉe and may be prepped a few hours in advance. Crunchy on the outside and tender in the middle, these crisp, golden shrimp are baked instead of fried and will vanish off an…
Harvest Brussels Sprouts
Shredded Brussels sprouts are quickly seared then topped with crisp bacon, tangy cranberries, and crunchy nuts for a super satisfying side dish that complements poultry, salmon, beef, and pork. Growing up, Brussels sprouts were not a welcome guest on my dinner plate. Every fall, my parents would comment as to how the sprouts from…
Air Fryer Chili Cheese Toast
A simple, prep-ahead spread makes this golden, crunchy, cheesy toast a big win any time of day. Perfectly satisfying on its own or to bolster a light meal of soup or salad. Crunchy, gooey, buttery, salty, and a little spicy. This remarkably easy recipe quickly toasts to golden-brown perfection and is versatile enough to…
7-Minute Salted Caramel Sauce
With just five basic ingredients, foolproof caramel sauce is easy to make and is perfect for last minute desserts and holiday gifts. Delicious in coffee too! You’re entertaining and dinner alone feels like a sufficient task. Or maybe you need a last-minute hostess or teacher gift. Or perhaps you’d like to elevate your cup of…
Baked Tomato Bruschetta
Canned tomatoes work beautifully in this fresh-tasting, crowd-pleasing appetizer thatโs easy to whip up any time of year. I’ve been making these tasty bites for more than 20 years, and they still haven’t lost their luster. A simple tomato mixture (which may be prepared in advance) is scooped onto toasted baguette slices (which may…
Prep-Ahead Steel Cut Oatmeal
With their nutty flavor and toothsome texture, steel cut oats take longer to prepare than typical old-fashioned rolled oats. But thanks to this easy trick, you can prepare them the night before in about three minutes. In the morning, simply reheat and add all your favorite oatmeal toppings. A warm bowl of oatmeal offers…
Easy Cauliflower Soup
Made with only a few ingredients, this soup is easy, satiating, and adaptable to most any taste, allergy, or preference! When I was growing up, my mom would make me soup if I wasn’t feeling well. We weren’t above chicken noodle from a can, but sometimes she would make her own concoction. The following…
