When I shared my Cool Ranch Baked Tortilla Salad Bowls a few weeks ago, you probably knew this was next. After dialing in a homemade Cool Ranch seasoning for those bowls, I couldn’t resist going the rest of the way and making Homemade Cool Ranch Doritos. Cool Ranch Doritos and I have a long history. … Read more

Can you believe another week has already passed? Time flies, and I’m back with an Easy Meal Plan featuring six dinner recipes, one side dish, and two desserts to help make your week quick, simple, and stress-free. With this plan, you won’t have to ask, “What’s for dinner?” This week’s lineup is family-friendly, budget-conscious, and … Read more

This delicate cucumber scallion salad is wonderfully simple: julienned English cucumber and scallions tossed with rice vinegar, a touch of oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and salt. It’s a light, crisp side that pairs especially well with fish and other delicate proteins. Most families could use a few more vegetables, and this salad is a gentle, … Read more

I have a confession that may surprise some of you: I make cheesecakes professionally. I bake and sell cheesecakes—everything from Caramel Apple and Dark Chocolate topped with raspberry coulis to Dark Chocolate with crystallized ginger and rum sauce, plus classic New York and homestyle styles. They turn out wonderfully, even though I learned by trial … Read more

Is it wrong that I post two desserts in a row? Maybe. But I have a very good reason: yesterday my second child turned fourteen and requested a coconut cake in honor of his southern dad. I decided to make an authentic, classic southern Coconut Cake — the kind of tall, white, fluffy cake that … Read more

Disclosure: This post and giveaway are sponsored by JCPenney. All opinions and ideas remain my own. Is there a parent who doesn’t both love and loathe reusable water bottles? They’ve saved me more times than I can count—no more forcing kids to sip from public drinking fountains—but they also create relentless clutter. Each person in … Read more

Whether you’re prepping breakfasts for the week or feeding a crowd, this high-protein egg bake with cottage cheese is a filling, versatile choice. Use leftover meats or vegetables to customize this protein-packed breakfast to your taste. High Protein Egg Bake with Cottage Cheese Protein helps you feel full and satisfied between meals, and this recipe … Read more

  I enjoy making at-home versions of foods and household items that people commonly buy. Whether it’s basics like potato chips, bread, or ice cream, or niche items that can be hard to find, I find that preparing things in the kitchen is often worth the effort. Sometimes friends admire the results; other times they … Read more

I spent nearly seven years as a vegetarian, surviving mostly on hummus, cheese and big green salads. Though I’ve happily returned to eating meat, hummus still features prominently in my snacks and meals. It’s my go-to spread for crudités and pita chips, and it quickly becomes the centerpiece of any springtime gathering. Hummus is the … Read more

When the weather warms up, I crave Southeast Asian flavors — and lemongrass is at the top of that list. With the days humid and hot, I’ve been on a serious lemongrass kick lately. I love the classic mix of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, basil and cilantro with a little heat — to me, those flavors … Read more