Easy Everyday Cooking

Latkes are traditionally served during Hanukkah to remind Jews of the miracle of the oil associated with the holiday.   They are different from hash browns in that they include grated onions and other binders that allow them to easily form into pancakes. Latkes are customarily …

The perfect balance of sweet and pumpkin spice. You do not need to be beholden to Starbucks to get your pumpkin spice scones.  These are a tasty way to get your pumpkin spice fix any time of year. A great copycat recipe that is super …

A quick and easy make-ahead recipe that works amazingly for a potluck, picnic, BBQ, or just a quick lunch. Perfect to pack in the cooler for a stress-free (and dishes lite) meal on a camping trip. This is a favorite recipe for me because it …

An amazing, light-and-fluffy, make-ahead, baked French toast that will have people asking you for the recipe. Be it Father’s day brunch, Christmas morning, or just a regular day breakfast, this is a simple but delicious dish that is a great addition to any brunch. I …

Dessert for a crowd or just as an afternoon snack, these blueberry pie bars are always a big hit. Juicy blueberries in a buttery crust are perfectly packaged into portable squares. If a cookie and a pie had a baby this would be the outcome.  …

A tropical twist on a traditional Italian dessert. This version is a great alternative if you like tiramisu, but are not a fan of coffee, or if you like piña colada and want something other than a drink. All the amazing flavors of a Piña …

A refreshing adult beverage that is great for an afternoon by the pool or just for an evening cocktail.  Lemonade for adults.  This great beverage is very easy to drink.  It can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge until you are …

These muffins are great for breakfast or for an afternoon snack.  It is also just a great way to use up those extra bananas.   This recipe is quick to come together and does not require a mixer.  It is a great recipe if you have …

Hearty, delicious, and easy. Chicken tortilla soup is quick to come together and perfect for a weeknight meal. Having different choices for the garnishes allows everyone to make this soup their own. Forgot to defrost some chicken? No problem, just toss it in frozen and …

  This recipe from my friend Heather has a super sweet history.  Heather’s mom was given the recipe from her own mother written on the outside of an envelope.  When Heather asked for the recipe, her mom continued the tradition and passed it on written …

A delicious sweet-tart combination of lemon curd with an almond flour crust makes this take on traditional lemon bars gluten-free and kosher for Passover. This recipe is the answer to what to do with all those egg yolks after you make some Strawberry Meringue Cake.  …

An amazing gluten-free dessert that with one minor modification can be made into a kosher for Passover dessert (swap the corn starch with potato starch – it works perfectly with either).  This cake has layers of meringue, creamy decadence, and fresh strawberries. You can make …

While these little bundles of coconut goodness are kosher for Passover, there really is no reason why they have to be limited to once a year. A great gluten-free treat that only has 6 ingredients.  These coconut macaroons are heaven by themself but become otherworldly …

This recipe first came from my friend Wendy.  She made it for book club one evening and I was hooked.  This version is a great alternative to traditional chili. While it does take a little planning ahead, it works well in the Instant Pot, in …

A staple on Passover these dumplings belong in a bowl of Bubbies Chicken Soup. Matzo balls should be light and fluffy throughout the entire dumpling.  If you don’t cook them long enough or mess with the batter too much before cooking they end up as …

Home-made sloppy joes with no preservative-laden packet or pre-made sauce required. These are not only delicious, but they are quick and easy to make. They are perfect for a busy weeknight meal. You can make it ahead of time and quickly reheat it in the …

Smooth like hot cocoa, tasty like a brownie, all in the portable package of a cookie. I wanted to call these triple chocolate brownie cookies since they contain three different types of chocolate, but my son insisted that I call these Travis’ favorite cookies because …

Almost 100 muffins later we have a winner for the best lemon poppyseed muffins. There were lots of versions of muffin and frosting and different combinations of the two.  Then there was playing with the cooking time.  While muffins are typically denser than a cupcake, …

A quick, easy, inexpensive one-pot dinner. This makes great leftovers and transports well in a thermos for school lunch. It is reminiscent of hamburger helper, but from scratch and I can even pronounce all of the ingredients.  This is a very flexible recipe that allows …

Japanese-style cucumbers are a great quick side dish for any meal.  A huge hit with the kids, it is often requested to be added to the menu.  These are best made when you are ready to serve them.  Don’t mix everything together too far in …

A delicious, easy sesame chicken recipe that is great for a weeknight dinner. Lots of flavor with not a lot of time required. A big hit with all the kids. This is one of my go-to recipes for a busy weeknight.  It can be put …

A delicious balance between tart lemons and the sweetness of dusting with powdered sugar makes this cookie a delicious lemony treat.   A tablespoon cookie scoop like this one helps to keep all of the cookies the same size. This dough is quite sticky.  Don’t …

What happens when you have a lemon squares recipe that you love and your husband comes home from a boys’ snowboarding trip and says you have to make these lemon bars they are amazing?  You have a lemon bar recipe off. I baked both recipes …

An amazing coffee cake full of delicious blueberries and topped with a delicate lemon streusel.  This always the first thing requested by my oldest when I ask what I should bake.  It tastes just as good the next day as it does straight out of …

A delicious twist on a well-loved recipe.  This version of banana bread is highly requested in my house.  The Nutella adds depth to the bread that you just don’t expect.   Swirls of Nutella are nestled into the banana goodness creating a delicious crispy top …

If there is only one food that you would eat for the rest of your life, my son would choose this.  Lasagna is by far his most favorite food on the planet.  This recipe does take a bit to put together, but it freezes well …

This is a great one-pot recipe that is quick to put together.  And thanks to the Instant Pot, is also easy to cook.  It is also a great way to use up some extra ham if you made one of those for the holidays.  I …

There are a few recipes that called for a Cajun spice mix.  My family likes lots of flavors but does not tolerate spicy (heat) well.  So I usually mix up my own Cajun blend so I can control how much heat goes into it.  Also, …

Couldn’t leave Costco without a rotisserie chicken and don’t know what to do with it? Have left over turkey and need an alternative to a turkey cranberry sandwich? Enter the Pot Pie.   Savory chicken and vegetables encased in a flaky crust. Yes please! Using …

The taste of a brownie, with the crisp of a cookie.  For those that like things crispy and chocolaty these are for you. We came across something like this at Costco and my husband challenged me to make them at home.  I scoured for recipes …