Red Quinoa and Avocado Salad

Add this side dish to your summer menu!  Red quinoa is gluten free, high in protein, and contains essential amino acids. Low in cholesterol and high in magnesium, quinoa is certainly a trendy superfood, but above all, in this side salad, it's delicious!  Make it in the morning and stash it in the fridge to chill for dinner. No need to spend hours in the kitchen midday during the hot summer months! Perfect for dinner at home, or for a pot-luck picnic! 

*By ingredients, this Red Quinoa and Avocado Salad is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Tex Mex Chicken Dinner

Fire up the grill, make a salad, and utilize some of the most popular recipes on this blog! Bright flavors, great textures, and simple to pull together on a summer night! Winner, winner, Tex Mex Chicken Dinner! 

Guacamole Dressing

I created this Guacamole Dressing for our Tex Mex Chicken Dinner. (Click HERE to go to that post.) I wanted something that had the bright taste of guacamole without having to actually make guacamole...so I guess this dressing was created because I was feeling a little lazy!  This dressing is creamy, tangy, and refreshing.  Best of all, it's dairy free and egg free...a rare combination for a creamy dressing!  

*By ingredients, this Guacamole Dressing recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Knife Skills for Children - Slicing

Today, I'm sharing some tips and tools to help you teach your children to become comfortable using a knife for slicing veggies in the kitchen. 

Photo Credit: Aidan Van Horn

Refrigerator Pickles

One of our favorite summertime uses for an abundance of cucumbers from the garden or the local farmer's market, is the crisp, tart Refrigerator Pickle!  These pickles don't require any canning heat, so they stay cold, crunchy, and bright tasting!  I make a couple jars each week because it's so simple, and my kids fly through them, adding them to burgers, sandwiches, or just eating a few as a snack! So, grab a few cukes, roll up your sleeves, and let's pickle!!

*By ingredients, this pickle recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is a kid favorite in our house. It's soft, with crunchy browned bits, great texture.  It's both mild and flavorful. It can be elegant or a finger food for children. And, I serve it often because it's SO easy! This versatile side dish is perfect both for weeknight cooking and for entertaining. 

*By ingredients, this roasted cauliflower is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends!

Hearty Chili Stoup

I love shopping for beautiful produce, wandering through the aisles, basking in locally grown, colorful veggies and fruits.  I love knowing that the food I serve my children is most often fresh. I admit, I'm a food allergy foodie. But...sometimes I need something from the pantry.  Sometimes, we get snowed in. Sometimes, I just don't make it to the grocery store before the fridge looks empty. Sometimes, the day gets away from me and it's 5 o'clock before I know it. Anyone with me here? Don't worry, I've got you covered with this recipe for Hearty Chili Stoup, my version of "7 can soup."

By ingredients, this recipe for Hearty Chili Stoup is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, fish-free, soy free, and shellfish-free. As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! (This recipe is not marked gluten free because certain spice manufacturers have a high rate of  cross-contamination.  Here's a LINK to more information! If you have a gluten free chili powder that is safe for you, then cook away!)