I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy live music. I don’t usually keep up with shows that come through town because I rarely have a default music buddy. Last night, Jordan texted me while I was photographing this salad with a last-minute free ticket to see Ok Go. Being the friend who’s always up for … Read more

Who says you can’t cook sweet potatoes in a pressure cooker? Try this Instant Pot sweet potatoes recipe for tender, perfectly cooked tubers in under an hour. Also check out other sweet potato ideas like baked sweet potatoes and candied sweet potatoes. With the holidays approaching, your oven will likely be busy. Using a pressure … Read more

Chicken salad with grapes and celery tossed in a light, creamy poppyseed dressing. This slightly sweet chicken salad is a fridge favorite and an easy way to add protein to your lunch. I use a modest amount of mayonnaise and bulk it up with plenty of mix-ins for texture and flavor. Ingredients you’ll need Cooked … Read more

This week we’re focusing on smoking whole chicken in a pie pan with apple wood. Why a pie pan? Because it’s a simple method that keeps breast meat juicy without brining or injecting. Smoked chicken is hard to beat, but breasts can dry out unless brined. My wife dislikes the texture brining adds, so I … Read more

This panko baked chicken is irresistibly crispy and golden-brown — a simple, family-friendly lunch or dinner that comes together quickly with just seven everyday ingredients. Biting into juicy chicken with a shatteringly crisp, crunchy panko coating is deeply satisfying. This oven-baked panko chicken delivers that texture without deep-frying and can be ready in about 35 … Read more

A homemade beef stock is the simple secret that elevates your favorite beef dishes. Making your own stock lets you control flavor, avoid preservatives and unnecessary additives, and create a rich, natural base for soups, stews, sauces, and braises. Use homemade beef stock in Beef and Barley Soup with Mushrooms or Dutch Oven Barbacoa Tacos … Read more

This easy pilau rice is fragrant with warm spices and fresh herbs, cooked until perfectly fluffy. It makes an ideal side for homemade curries and adds a restaurant-style touch to weeknight meals. This pilau rice pairs beautifully with pork curry, creamy coconut chicken curry, chicken thigh curry, coconut salmon curry, and cauliflower curry. Serve with … Read more

These Portobello Mushroom Sandwiches are juicy, loaded with flavour and so easy to make! Mushrooms shine when treated with a little care. A poorly prepared mushroom can be bland, but handled properly they become richly savory and satisfying. This recipe keeps the mushroom the star: garlic-butter roasted portobellos tucked into crisp ciabatta with hummus, caramelized … Read more

This gluten-free carrot cake mug cake with almond butter caramel and cream cheese frosting is a quick, single-serving dessert that satisfies cravings without baking a whole cake. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients—almond flour, shredded carrot, golden raisins, coconut, maple syrup and warm spices—it comes together in minutes and is easy to customize. The cream cheese … Read more

These low sugar oatmeal raisin cookies are a tasty option for anyone watching sugar intake. They’re egg-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, making them a simple, wholesome snack. Surprising as it may sound, oatmeal raisin is my favorite cookie. I know many prefer chocolate chip, but there’s something comforting about oats, cinnamon, and raisins together. I’ve shared … Read more