A delicious combination of protein-packed ingredients, this weeknight meal is straightforward and quick to create. Ground sausage and pasta serve as an anchor for the dish, providing heartiness. Spinach adds great flavor, while beans add a creamy texture. Topping it off, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese add the final finishing flavors. Allowing for ingredient flexibility, this recipe is the perfect addition to your cooking arsenal. Why I love this recipe. A weeknight meal can be easy to leave to a drive-thru or take-out. After working all day, hauling kids around, and running errands, cooking a ..read more

A springtime blend added to potatoes creates a simple but powerful side dish. Garlic, paprika, and rosemary coat each bite with fresh flavor. Cornstarch makes the potatoes crispy, while Parmesan cheese finishes off the dish with a salty twang. This classic pairs perfectly with any meal and is great for a last-minute addition to the spread. Why I love this recipe. Food does not need a long recipe with endless ingredients to be delicious and worthy of a special meal. This recipe for garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes proves that simple, maybe even pantry staples for some, ingredients can crea ..read more

Making a ham is not complicated, yet it adds so much to a large meal. In this recipe, a bright orange and lemon glaze enhances the flavor of a cured ham, perfect for an Easter meal. This traditional centerpiece takes little preparation and will quickly become the talk of the table. Why I love this recipe. At one time, lamb was the traditional choice for Easter meals. After WWII, wool decreased in demand, the price of lamb increased, and ham became the more economical choice. Now, ham is the traditional main dish for most Easter meals. Ham is a great option. There is little required to make a ..read more

A modern twist on a classic lemon bar, this three-layer delight provides melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. A crumbly crust fuses with a creamy cheesecake layer. Tart flavors of lemon custard top the bar. This dessert is the perfect springtime treat with bright flavors and a soft texture. Why I love this recipe. Lemon bars are an iconic dessert. These are the treats that everyone looks at and knows what they will taste like before taking a bite. A slightly puckering at the cheeks with a sour edge that is offset but has a sweet, curd-like texture. The lemon bar has become so standard that most ..read more

This roasted asparagus dish is a springtime recipe that can fill any need. It’s great as a side, an appetizer, or even as a standalone meal. The asparagus is tender yet has a crisp exterior. A light lemon vinaigrette is drizzled over the top, combined with fresh herbs and hardboiled eggs. Crispy prosciutto brings a balanced richness to this bright dish. Why I love this recipe. Even if the weather is not cooperating, Easter Sunday means a springtime meal for my family: fresh flavors and the best of what spring has to offer. Asparagus is the first vegetable I usually harvest from the garden. An ..read more

A springtime centerpiece, this salad creates a meal packed with fresh flavors. A vinaigrette made with shallot, lemon, Dijon mustard, and honey pairs with butter lettuce to form a bright base. Snap peas and toasted Marcona almonds provide powerful texture. Fluffy orzo soaks up the dressing, adding robustness to the dish. Simple and quick to create, this layered dish is prime for an Easter meal. Why I love this recipe. My goal is to make a salad worthy of being at the table for every meal. I am dishearted to see a bland lettuce mix sitting among beautiful dishes of food. A salad should be brigh ..read more

Living in a 130+-year-old home is a lifetime labor of love. And living in a home that your parents and grandparents lived in before you adds an additional layer of determination to keep the house in good shape while loving it even more than the previous generations. Let’s go through a bit of backstory. My grandparents purchased my house in 1980. In 1982, my parents moved in after they married. In 1988, my parents purchased the generational farmhouse from my grandparents (right across the road), and they swapped houses. That sounds confusing, but it means that I grew up with my grandparents acr ..read more

Adding a beautifully marinaded chicken to a Caesar salad transforms it from a side dish into a main dish. A creamy dressing made from Dijon mustard, Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, and anchovies adds unparalleled flavor to crisp romaine lettuce. Juicy lemon chicken sits on top, paired with a quick homemade crouton. Individually crafting each element is worth it. The result is a flavorful salad hearty enough for any meal. Why I love this recipe. My first taste of Caesar salad was when I was young. I was never afraid to try something new, and this salad sounded exotic to a kid from a farm in Iow ..read more

A simple recipe for a delicious classic, this blueberry muffin is great for novice and expert bakers alike. A lemony sugar topping, juicy blueberries, and velvety texture from sour cream make these muffins a luscious treat. These muffins are made in just one bowl and are a delightful sweet to create and enjoy! Why I love this recipe. A blueberry muffin is an icon. Some version of it graces most coffee shops and bakeries. Maybe that is some of the reason we don’t think about the muffin, it is over produced. I think the real problem is they have lost all flavor. Mass-produced baked goods become ..read more

Using everyday ingredients, this quick one-pan meal is great for any weeknight meal. Onion, Brussels sprouts, and potato form a hearty vegetable base for the kielbasa, creating a dish with complex flavors. A honey mustard sauce adds the finishing touch to this exceptional dinner. Why I love this recipe. Made with potatoes, Brussles sprouts, and Kielbasa this recipe is a weeknight meal that may be quicker than ordering in. The ingredients are humble and can be easily replaced with what is on hand in the pantry. The Key is the mixture of spices and the kielbasa. This polish sausage may not be a ..read more