Whip up these chili-spiced sweet potato and black bean tacos for a savory, satisfying, and healthy dinner. Ready in about 30 minutes, naturally vegan, and flexible to finish with your favorite toppings. After testing many variations of sweet potato and black bean tacos, I landed on a method that delivers the right balance of texture … Read more

Swiss Roll Mousse Cake blends nostalgic childhood flavors with an indulgent adult favorite. As a child, Swiss Rolls were a lunchtime highlight. Today I still enjoy them, but my love of chocolate mousse has grown even stronger. This simple dessert pairs those two favorites into one elegant, easy-to-make treat. If you can slice Swiss Rolls … Read more

This Brie appetizer is irresistible: flaky puff pastry cups filled with melty brie and a tangy spoonful of cranberry sauce. It’s simple to prepare, makes a beautiful party bite, and comes with tips to avoid common mistakes. These baked brie bites are an elegant, handheld version of baked brie. Crisp, golden puff pastry cups cradle … Read more

These French Silk Brownies combine a homemade fudgy brownie base with a silky, creamy French silk topping for the ultimate chocolate dessert. Rich, soft brownies are layered with a smooth French silk frosting that melts on the tongue. If you love chocolate, this recipe is made for you. The brownie recipe produces a thick, fudgy, … Read more

This salmon salad with a toasted sesame seed dressing is light, healthy, and packed with fresh flavor. Try my Lemon Spinach Salmon Pasta or Easy Blackened Shrimp Tacos next. I rarely order fish in restaurants because it’s so easy to cook well at home. My go-to is salmon: rich, flaky, and ideal with creamy avocado, … Read more

A fun science activity, crowd-pleaser, and perfect boredom buster: sidewalk paint rockets that burst colorful chalk paint onto the pavement and wash away easily with water. We made a whole rainbow and had a blast launching them, decorating the backyard sidewalk as the rockets exploded into colorful splatters. Friends joined in, and everyone loved the … Read more

A Steakhouse Salad Bar Favorite This cottage cheese salad was a longtime staple on the salad bar at a local steakhouse for more than sixty years. The restaurant opened in 1952, long before the Interstate system knit the country together, and for decades it was a destination for dinners and celebrations. Located along Highway 30, … Read more

I recently discovered my new favorite way to enjoy asparagus: baked asparagus fries. They turn out perfectly crunchy and pair wonderfully with marinara sauce. Other dips like ranch or a lemon-garlic sauce would also be delicious. Since I already make baked zucchini fries, trying the same approach with asparagus was a natural next step. These … Read more

They called it a panini at the Italian market, though it was simply a sandwich — a very good one. It was layered with salami, cheese and a mild vegetable spread. That jarred red spread made from roasted peppers, eggplant and spices is far better than mayonnaise; there’s even a spicy version if you like … Read more

Filled with chocolate, marshmallows, and more, this Hot Chocolate Cake is a fun bundt cake that uses simple pantry ingredients, delivers rich hot chocolate flavor, and makes a perfect winter dessert. If you love chocolate, this cake stacks the flavor—chocolate in the batter, chocolate chips throughout, and a chocolate glaze on top. The addition of … Read more