Back-to-School for Everyone! Early morning alarms, routines, new teachers and new adventures. Kids love the new gear, shiny and sharp new supplies and the promise of a great year ahead. If you’d like to make this dream come true for underserved kids, we’d love to encourage you to donate to CCSC in Houston. They provide…
Weekly Meal Plan // August 12-16
An Easy, No-Oven Weekly Meal Plan Back-to-school season means back-to-routine season. Healthy dinners at home are the first place to start. And an easy weekly meal plan is just what I need to tackle the schedule of dentist appointments, ortho appointments, haircuts and errands we have on deck. My kids won’t be allowed back to…
Mixed Greens with Chili-Almond Croutons
Mixed Greens with Crunchy Almonds This salad came together out of pure luck one day. The chili-almond “croutons” were left over from a soup recipe, and they just happened to be the perfect match for mixed greens with tart apple cider vinaigrette. The Almond Topping The crunchy topping is part of a carrot-harissa soup recipe…
Tropical Eton Mess
Mango and Blueberry Eton Mess When I’m looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert, there’s nothing better than Eton Mess. In the dog days of summer when you don’t want a hot oven to heat up your house, it’s a cold dessert that requires just a little assembling. It almost feels like cheating. Fruit Variations The…
Veracruz-Style White Fish
Baked Veracruz-Style White Fish: Whole30, Gluten-Free and Keto When I see Veracruz-style fish on a restaurant menu, it’s time to put down the menu. It’s always a winner. Full of tangy and tart flavor from olives, capers and tomatoes, it’s one of my favorite fish entrees. Since it comes together in about 30 minutes flat,…
Easy Planter’s Punch
Super Easy Planter’s Punch On a recent trip to Round Hill Resort in Jamaica, in the late afternoons we made the trek from beach to thatched-roof pool bar for planter’s punch. I’m not usually a rum fan, or much of a hard alcohol fan, but this fruity and punchy cocktail was the perfect warm weather…
Summer Cooking
Why I Don’t Meal Plan During Summer Break Routine is good, and so is a break from routine. Summer cooking means cooking from the farmer’s market, grilling outdoors, making big snack platters that “count” as dinner, and generally just relaxing and enjoying a looser schedule. During the school year, our schedule is like a military…
Fourth of July Menu
What We’re Cooking for the 4th I’m planning an easy 4th of July menu that will feed a crowd, but won’t knock me off my feet in terms of prep and cook time. I want something different than burgers and dogs, although truthfully I love those too. Here’s some menu inspiration in case it helps…
Fourth of July Favorites
Friday Live List: Fourth of July Favorites! My amazing assistant Melissa is planning an easy chili dog buffet for her 4th of July guests in Chappell Hill, complete with Teton Waters Ranch grass-fed sausages, buns, grated cheddar, relish, Bubbies sauerkraut, chopped red onion and Marcia’s Weeknight Chili. End the night with dessert served on these…
Grilled Chile-Lime Flank Steak
Grilled chile-lime flank steak is the ultimate feed-a-crowd meal. Marinate it with a Arbol chile and Mexican lime marinade and we’re talking about a delicious main dish, fajita fixing or chopped carne asada for tacos. With the 4th of July around the corner, I thought you might need this recipe in your back pocket. Marinate…