Tomato sauce, or marinara, is a staple for many satisfying, family-friendly dishes. Although readily available as fresh or jarred sauces, homemade marinara sauce can be customized for your family (more or less garlic, with or without vegetables, sausage, and other ingredients, including herbs of your choice). Homemade marinara is easy, quick, and delicious. A basic […]
I do like to make gifts from my kitchen. One of my favorites is a sweet hot mustard that is delicious with holiday turkey and ham. I put it in a pretty jar, and tie on the recipe with a ribbon (also instructions to keep it refrigerated, and ideas of what to serve it with, such as […]
Looking for advice on cooking and food is my lifelong pursuit. I love learning new techniques, skills, ingredients, recipes, and methods. The advice that had has the most impact on my cooking is to use the best quality ingredients that you can find. Starting any dish with the freshest, most authentic ingredients will vastly improve […]
Puff the Magic Pastry! The ultimate convenience food. It keeps in the freezer, cooks quickly, and works with almost any ingredient — savory or sweet. Puff pastry is an elegant addition to a tray of tea sandwiches or a dessert buffet, but it can also be a fast and easy vehicle for family snacks, […]
5 Fast and Easy, Warm and Hearty Fall Dinners Cooler autumn days invite a warm and hearty menu to feed your family. Planning for five meals allows for one night out (or take-out) and one night of leftovers – it covers the week! Dinner 1 Chicken Noodle* Soup Homemade stock makes all the difference in flavor […]
The Great Veggie Challenge Why do we need to eat vegetables every day? Vegetables have an incredible nutrient to calorie ratio. Vegetables are so low in calories that it is almost impossible to gain weight eating them. Vegetables are a rich source of vitamins and phytonutrients and are packed with fiber. All of these are […]
Be Saucy Zest up lunch or dinner with tasty dipping sauces for raw and cooked vegetables, proteins, and breads. Making your own sauces is fast, easy, and allows you to skip the artificial sweeteners or preservatives used in many pre-made sauces. Expand beyond ketchup, mustard, or ranch with these healthy alternatives. You probably have most or […]
Feeding Brains and Stomachs If you send your kids to school with packed lunches, then you are probably getting mentally ready for the challenge of making sure they get healthy, fulfilling options every day. Although most of us have spent summer making lunches for our kids anyway, the prospect of making sure they eat healthy […]
Feeding your family in the summer is usually more laid back due to different schedules, warmer weather, and the abundance of fresh produce. After spending an afternoon outside, or just avoiding a hot stove and oven, it is refreshing to assemble a no-cook meal sometimes. For menu inspiration think of climates and cultures with hot […]
In honor of Father’s Day, we asked the fathers in our households to write their answers for the question this week – enjoy! From Anthony (Sharon’s husband): Ok, first, I grew up in England. For a kid, England meant lots of baked beans, mashed potatoes, and the occasional beef tongue sandwich. Solid food, but not inspirational […]