Quick and Easy

You might think that as a food blogger, I’m cooking elaborate meals every day. And you’d be so, so wrong. Most days we eat simple meals, especially for lunch. Half the time David goes to the barbecue place down the street and gets pulled chicken for lunch and I have a black bean salad. And …

Mustard Cream Sauce is a French pan sauce with a white wine and Dijon mustard base–it’s simple, classic, and delicious! Try it with chicken or pork–this sauce makes any dish extra special! Are you intimidated by French food? Most of it sounds so fancy with long lists of ingredients. And fattening! But this Mustard Cream …

Do you love easy recipes as much as I do? This is not even a recipe, but more of a technique or idea. There are no set amounts and there are no set ingredients except for the egg. How’s that for instruction? We’re trying to eat a little healthier around here, so having eggs for …

I don’t know why but when I’m baking something I don’t mind a ton of extra steps. But just cooking for a weeknight meal? Give me easy! Minimum chopping, dicing, and slicing. Minimum planning ahead. Just easy! That’s why I knew I was going to like this recipe—and after tasting this chicken, I didn’t just …

Mexican Chicken and Rice in one pot with green onions and cilantro–it’s a quick and easy weeknight meal! Don’t you love recipes that only mess up one pot? I sure do! This Mexican Chicken and Rice fits the bill perfectly. One pot and one plate to hold the browned chicken while the rice cooks. That’s it. …

If you’ve wondered how to make a frittata, this post if for you. Easy step-by-step instructions and cook’s tips to help you make the best frittata for your family or guests! Do you love breakfast for supper? We sure do. One of the easiest things to make if you want an egg dish is a …

Prosciutto appetizer—this super easy appetizer made with prosciutto, arugula, and goat cheese can be made at the last minute or ahead of time! When you’re getting ready for a party, sometimes time slips aways and before you know it your guests are scheduled to arrive in 20 minutes. And you forgot to make an appetizer! …

Homemade Chocolate Chip Muffins—better than a mix, moist, and filled with real chocolate chips! These easy chocolate chip muffins are great for breakfast, brunch, afternoon or midnight snack! You know what’s lovely? A summer rain on a July afternoon to cool things off…a screened porch on which to sit and listen to the patter of the …

So simple but so tasty, this Parmesan Roasted Asparagus will have your people coming back for more and more! You just roast the asparagus on a baking sheet then add a little grated parmesan cheese. The whole thing takes less than 20 minutes and you have a perfect side dish.  If you don’t like asparagus …

This recipe comes from my friend Mary Ellen who first served it to me when I was at her house watching her work magic on Malorie’s wedding invitations. My friend is not only an awesome cook, she is a calligraphy maven! How lucky am I! She got the recipe many years ago from a friend …

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie is made with semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips, extra brown sugar and butter—and more chocolate sprinkled on top! Oh my goodness. I can’t even begin to tell you how much we love this chocolate chip cookie pie, and I wouldn’t dare tell you how many we have eaten over the last …

Chicken is a go-to weeknight dish for many busy moms, and keeping it from becoming boring can be something of a challenge. This recipe is easy to prepare but the complexity of flavors will delight your family and even make for great leftovers. I like to use a whole cut-up chicken, but have also used …

If you want to learn about Italian cooking, you need to start with Marcella Hazan’s collection, The Essentials of Italian Cooking. She is an Italian cook who started a cooking school in New York City in the 1960s, has written for the New York Times, is a James Beard award winning cookbook author and is beloved …

Easy French Apple Turnovers made with puff pastry and baked in the oven! Simple enough for a weeknight dinner and elegant enough for company! Classic French pastries, chaussons aux pommes or apple slippers, these turnovers are perfect for a weeknight dessert. They are easy to put together and a little healthier than the Southern traditional …

Quick and easy Black Bean Salad with a Cumin Lime Vinaigrette makes lunch or dinner fast and nutritious! Years ago, the Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a column each week called the 5:30 challenge. The challenge was for cooks to send in recipes that could quickly be made after work—5 ingredients put together in 30 minutes. …

A quick and easy microwave apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe full of goodness like chopped apples, walnuts and a hint of brown sugar. I use my microwave primarily for reheating or melting butter or chocolate, not much actual cooking. But oatmeal is a perfect fit for the microwave, especially when you add chunks of fresh apple. …

Chocolate pizza made on refrigerated pizza dough with chocolate hazelnut spread and lots of chocolate chips—this is a kid-favorite! All of my children have favorite desserts. Brian loves the cream cheese pound cake, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Malorie loves the pumpkin roll, cream cheese pound cake, banana pudding, red velvet cake and fudge …

This Easy Pie Crust recipe is made in the food processor in less than five minutes. You don’t need an egg and it turns out perfectly every time. I’ve never been one to spend a lot of time on homemade pie crust. I happen to think the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts are absolutely fine for …

This oven baked omelet is perfect for two for breakfast or a light supper. Just mix up some eggs and cheese and whatever vegetables you like and bake! Let me state for the record, unequivocally, I love Ina Garten. I love to watch her shows because she has such a calm, soothing manner as she …

This Rosemary Lemon Chicken is simple and easy—no chopping required! Just toss in some fresh herbs and lemon slices and roast for a perfect weeknight dinner.  I am an admitted Food Network junkie. I would watch all day long if I could. And, a few years ago when I had jaw surgery, that’s exactly what …