Quick & Easy Trader Joe’s “Cheater” Meals We’re changing things up this week. Instead of a typical meal plan, I’m sending you a few of my favorite Trader Joe’s “cheater” meals. These dinners come together in minutes and save you when you’re tired or short on time. They’re also great to leave for a spouse…
All Recipes
Corn Chowder (Gluten-Free)
Corn Chowder with Roasted Poblanos, Chunky Potatoes and Yellow Squash Quick! It’s still corn season and you should make this chowder immediately. Hold on to summer as long as possible, I say. Eat all the pesto, tomato salad, zucchini and corn you can. For the next couple weeks, at least. And then we’ll turn the…
Instant Pot Chicken Tinga
Easy Instant Pot Chicken Tinga (Whole30, Keto and Paleo) Every once in a while, there’s a runaway recipe hit in my cooking classes. This Instant Pot Chicken Tinga was the star of the show recently. Full of flavor from dried chipotle chilies, it’s clean and healthy and Whole30 (if you don’t stuff it in a…
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…
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…
Tuna Poke Recipe
Simple Tuna Poke Bowls Summer cooking is all about low fuss and high reward. Actually, all cooking should rely on that ratio. Tuna poke, using sushi-grade fish, is the type of meal I’m talking about! Refreshing, flavorful, and finished without the use of a single pot or pan. Poke tuna is a ubiquitous Hawaiian convenience…