When I’m pressed for time, low on ingredients, and everyone’s sick of spaghetti, I go for carbonara. It’s cheap, easy, and really tasty. Our picky preschooler eats gobs of it every time I make it. Here’s the recipe, with a few mentions of our family’s tweaks. Photo by Culinary Curiosity salt & freshly ground black [...]

Photo by sideviewer Adapted from my good friend Brooke‘s recipe. 1 1/2 cups water 1 Tbsp. butter 3/4 tsp. salt 2/3 cup rice 2 Tbsp. onion, minced or 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. turmeric 1/2 tsp. cumin 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. garlic powder Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil in [...]

Photo by Mike Merrill Rich and creamy, this is not light and healthy. But it’s good. Adapted from The Big Book of Potluck by Maryana Vollstedt 3 Tbsp. butter 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (I get this from my weekly roasted chicken) 1/4 tsp. salt ground [...]

Photo by Lori Highfill 4 cups dry pinto beans 2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cumin 3 cloves garlic, minced 8 jalapeno slices 1/2 tsp. black pepper water The night before, rinse beans in water several times, then cover them with water in a large pot, at least 1 inch over the beans. Cover and let [...]

Photo by Jei Adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts) 3 Tbsp. honey 3 Tbsp. vinegar 3 Tbsp. orange juice 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 tsp. corn starch 2 Tbsp. oil 4 cups cut-up veggies, such as broccoli, green and red pepper, onion, mushrooms, and [...]

Photo by sizima Adapted from the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts) 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried basil, crushed 2 tsp. corn starch 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper 1/2 tsp. turmeric 1 Tbsp. oil 1 cup [...]