Sweet Bing Cherry Pie (This recipe is part of the “End of Summer Picnic Experience”) Easy as Pie? The phrase “as easy as pie” always puzzled me. For years, my pies were disasters—crumbly crusts, runny fillings, and lots of wasted effort. My mother and grandmother, however, made flawless pies, so I was rarely trusted with … Read more

This Classic Cheese Ball is an ideal appetizer—creamy, flavorful, and easy to serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. It’s a family favorite that appears at birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and every gathering in between. Why make a cheese ball? A Classic Cheese Ball is hard to beat for parties and casual get-togethers. It’s a nostalgic crowd-pleaser—many … Read more

These Cucumber Salmon Bites are impossibly simple and irresistibly good. Thin, crisp cucumber rounds are topped with a bright lemon-and-dill cream cheese and finished with delicate slices of smoked salmon. They look elegant on a platter, work well for drinks parties or as a light starter, and are quick to prepare. Why we love this … Read more

Warm spiced apple filling tucked into flaky, crunchy pastry—these puff pastry apple turnovers are an irresistible treat. They’re simple to make, and by using store-bought puff pastry sheets you can have bakery-style pastries with minimal effort. This version can be made gluten free and dairy free using suitable packaged puff pastry and plant-based butter and … Read more

If you search for birch beer today you’ll often find a sweet soda flavored with a few drops of birch oil. Historically, however, birch beer was a real fermented beverage. Alcoholic birch beer, birch wine and birch mead were brewed for centuries in regions where birch trees grow. Birch sap runs later in spring than … Read more

EASY PESTO RECIPE A simple, flavorful roasted red pepper pesto that uses only a few ingredients and comes together quickly. This bright, savory pesto combines roasted red peppers with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a versatile sauce that’s perfect on bread, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, pizza, or enjoyed on its own. MEET THE INGREDIENTS Exact … Read more

I recently rebuilt my blog using the Genesis Grid Loop, a useful feature in the Genesis framework that lets you present a few large feature posts followed by a grid of smaller posts. To get started, these two tutorials are helpful: How to Use the Genesis Grid Loop and Genesis Grid Loop Advanced. After working … Read more

High-protein pasta with chicken, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a light, creamy sauce. This pasta is an easy, comforting weeknight dinner that packs in protein and vegetables. Tender chicken and a creamy bone-broth-based sauce add satisfying protein, and choosing a higher-protein pasta (like chickpea or lentil pasta) boosts the overall protein content. It’s flavorful, … Read more

Until recently, I never appreciated the culinary potential of a grape. For most of my cooking life, grapes meant one thing: a bag to snack from in the fridge. Pick, nibble, repeat. They’re great eaten fresh, of course, but when you view them through the lens of dessert—introducing butter, sugar, and flaky pastry—you unlock an … Read more

The BBQube TempMaster Pro is a compact barbecue temperature controller that manages both pit and food temperatures with a built-in fan that connects to your grill or smoker via a rubber hose. The device combines a variable-speed fan housed in the base with a detachable, rechargeable thermometer module. Its tidy, guitar-like design is complemented by … Read more