The easiest brownie recipe (to make with your kids!)

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This recipe from the Williams-Sonoma Dessert cookbook is the best brownie recipe I’ve yet tried. We make it often (too often, perhaps?), and they don’t last long. I love that it’s all ingredients I usually have on hand, that it only dirties one saucepan, and that my three-year-old can bake alongside me. A family favorite [...]

Rachael Ray’s Carbonara Recipe

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 [...]

Spanish Rice

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 [...]

Chicken Enchiladas with Creamy Salsa Sauce

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 [...]

Crock Pot Pinto Beans

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 [...]

Honey-Glazed Chicken Stir-Fry

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 [...]

Pacific Rim Stir-Fry

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 [...]