recipes

My copycat of Tomato Street's best dish: Shrimp Aragosta. It is a splurge financially and nutritionally. This is never going to be a cheat meal, but this recipe creates a luxurious pasta dish for 4 to 6 people about the same price as one serving at the restaurant!

A one-skillet weeknight dinner that tastes like Qdoba's smoky queso nachos: homemade smoky sausage, roasted poblanos, fire-roasted green chiles, and beans in a creamy green-sauce blend, topped with melty cheese, crispy tortilla strips, and a sweet-spicy homemade hot honey drizzle. A Blue Apron riff turned copycat-but-better.

An open-faced gyro reimagined as a personal pizza – creamy hummus, seasoned meat, and crisp veggies finished with feta and tzatziki. Make the components ahead or grab them prepared, and the whole thing comes together in ≈20 minutes.

Cool, creamy, and built for dipping – thick yogurt folded with grated cucumber, garlic, and dill, brightened by a squeeze of lemon. The fresh, garlicky sauce that pulls double duty on gyros, pita, and roasted vegetables alike.

Loosely built on horiatiki, the classic Greek salad – crisp vegetables tossed into something fresh, versatile, and ready in minutes. Great on its own or as a make-ahead base that dresses up countless other meals.

Soft, pillowy, and pocketless – the Greek-style flatbread made for wrapping gyros and scooping dips rather than stuffing. A handful of pantry staples and a little patience turn out a pliable, golden round you'll want warm off the pan.

A blender Caesar from fridge staples – real parmesan, anchovy paste, fresh lemon, and as much garlic as you dare. Ten minutes, no raw eggs, and it keeps two weeks in the fridge.

Crushed pineapple does the sweetening in this ten-minute blender barbecue sauce – smoky, tangy, no added sugar, and built entirely from shelf-stable ingredients. One million thumbs up, per my niece.

A family heirloom – my grandma's gingersnap recipe, the one everyone at the cookie parties begged her to share. Crackly-topped, deeply spiced, and chewy in the middle, these are the kind of cookie that quietly makes a reputation.

Transform oversized zucchini into crispy, pizza-inspired bites that deliver all the cheesy, saucy goodness of traditional pizza without the heavy feeling. These air-fried zucchini rounds topped with thick tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings create a veggie-packed snack that's both satisfying and surprisingly addictive.

This aromatic ginger garlic rice turns ordinary jasmine rice into something restaurant-level using a 5-minute shrimp shell micro stock, whole garlic cloves, and warm ground ginger – ready in 35 minutes. Perfect alongside Asian-inspired meals, as a grain bowl base, or as tomorrow's fried rice.

A dry-brined, umami-rubbed brisket flat smoked low and slow – about 30 minutes of hands-on work spread across a lazy weekend day. Intimidating reputation, genuinely hands-off reality: the smoker cooks, you live your weekend, and dinner tastes like you worked for it.

Rediscover the comforting taste of old-school fruit-at-the-bottom yogurt: a quick, chunky apple compote with cinnamon and vanilla layered under lightly sweetened, creamy yogurt. Each spoonful is real fruit and wholesome yogurt – pure, simple, and faithful to a beloved (and discontinued) store-bought favorite.

This is my go-to blend for chicken, meats, seafood, roasted veggies, and sauces/dips. Makes a great starting point for creating rubs and marinades.

A savory powerhouse that stacks MSG, mushroom powder, and chicken bouillon for deep, meaty umami, with smoked paprika and lemon pepper for brightness. Rub it on chicken, steak, salmon, or roasted vegetables and watch a plain weeknight dinner punch above its weight.

Skip the store-bought packets packed with fillers and create this cumin-free fajita seasoning that transforms any weeknight dinner into a flavor-packed Mexican feast in just 5 minutes. Perfect for busy home cooks, this versatile spice blend delivers bold, smoky flavors without the overwhelming earthiness (cumin) of traditional store-bought versions.

A vegetarian Mexican pizza that beats the drive-thru: crispy oven-baked tortillas layered with a smoky three-can bean mixture, finely grated cheddar, and your favorite salsa. Lighter, endlessly customizable, and built almost entirely from the pantry – perfect for easy dinners, meal prep, and family nights.

Savor the ultimate weeknight dinner with our Crispy Chicken with Garlic Mushroom Sauce, featuring perfectly seasoned chicken, roasted garlic, and a rich, savory mushroom sauce that’s sure to impress. 

A classic BLT with a twist: oven-baked bacon, crisp lettuce, and a bright grape tomato topping. Perfect any time of year, this sandwich delivers big flavor without relying on summer heirlooms.

Transform overripe bananas into incredibly nutritious, high-fiber muffins using the WHOLE banana - peels included - for maximum nutrition and less waste. Not only are they healthy but the batter is made in the blender! You truly cannot taste the peels – just moist, hearty banana-nut goodness that comes together as fast as a morning smoothie.

A copycat of Taco Time's Northwest-famous crispy burrito – creamy, chile-spiked pulled chicken rolled tight in a tortilla and crisped until golden. Make them ahead or freeze a batch; they're honestly even better the next day.

This easy homemade blackberry basil soda syrup recipe is tart, refreshing, and surprisingly batchable...perfect for warm evenings or brunch spreads. Budget-friendly and SodaStream compatible. Make café-quality drinks at home!

Sour cream meets salsa verde, fire-roasted chiles, ancho, and a hit of pequin – a tangy, smoky, ten-minute dip invented for Mexi-Tots that ends up on everything. No cooking required.

The Inland Northwest's answer to fry sauce – mayo loaded with dill pickles, capers, lemon, Dijon, and Fab Four seasoning. Ten minutes, no cooking, and ketchup never stood a chance.