Homepage: Practical Takeaways for Families

Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Dinner

Sheet pan butternut squash is a quick vegetarian main – made with squash, red onions, pine nuts, tahini yogurt sauce, za’atar, and cilantro!

Smartphones & Kids – A discussion of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

A discussion of Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, addressing the risks of smart phone use to kids and adolescents. Also, what parents can do to mitigate those risks.
Sharing at Home: Takeaways from The Second Shift by Arlie Russell Hochschild

A discussion of Arlie Russel Hochschild’s The Second Shift, addressing how various working couples share the work at home (and a critique, because I can’t help myself).

“White Trash” Bibimbap with Crispy Ground Beef

I’ve been working on this bibimbap with crispy ground beef since my late teens. I’ve finally perfected it as the perfect easy, quick, and delicious weeknight dinner that also appeals to toddlers. It makes a complete dinner for the whole family.
Easy Baked White Fish with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers

This fish with tomatoes, olives, and capers comes together quickly and is full of bright Mediterranean flavors.
Whole Wheat Dutch Baby

Simple recipe, with impressive results, and nearly irresistible for the little ones . . .

Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Dinner

Sheet pan butternut squash is a quick vegetarian main – made with squash, red onions, pine nuts, tahini yogurt sauce, za’atar, and cilantro!
Whole Chicken Roasted in Maple Rosemary Butter

Just in time for fall, this roasted chicken with maple rosemary butter makes our whole house smell amazing . . . For spring, I use thyme!
Preserved Lemon Chicken with Saffron & Thyme

This preserved lemon chicken is a twist on the classic lemon pepper chicken . . . Continuing on my theme of finding the perfect lemon pepper chicken, this preserved lemon chicken, made with fresh and preserved lemons, saffron, thyme, and garlic, is a top contender. The recipe is based on one from the Ottolenghi Simple…
Skillet Chicken & Gnocchi with Caramelized Fennel, Onion, and Apple

This skillet chicken and gnocchi with caramelized fennel, onion, and apple cooked in chicken drippings makes a perfect fall one-pot dinner . . . It’s also super simple. You basically throw everything together in a cast iron skillet and roast it for about an hour. You’re left with caramelized fennel and onion baked in chicken…

Spanakopita-Style Greens Pie with Fresh Summer Herbs

Rainbow Chard, Ricotta, Feta, Cheddar, Lemon Zest, and Summer Herbs . . . This greens pie is my current favorite recipe. It is very similar to spanakopita, which I’ve always loved. In college, I would buy 5 or 6 packs of the little spanakopita triangles at a time. There were weeks where I would eat…
Mediterranean Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs with Celery Root

Fresh oregano and thyme, plus garlic, lemon, and pepper chicken thighs. . . These lemon pepper chicken thighs with celery root are very easy to make and absolutely delicious. You can make this recipe either with a full chicken, or with just thighs. Either way, the celery root cooks in a combination of chicken fat,…
Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins

These delicious pumpkin gingerbread muffins are made with dates, honey, and loads of spices . . . A Healthier Pumpkin Muffin Option Sometimes, on a very cold morning in fall, nothing is more comforting than warm gingerbread. But typical gingerbread is essentially cake. So I wanted to see if I could make a gingerbread that…
White Ragu (Pasta Abruzzese with pork sausage and fennel)

White ragu over pasta is a quick Friday night dinner that makes both the adults and the kids happy. Plus, multiple easy variations for those who like red sauce or don’t eat pasta.

Ginger Apple Bran Muffins

If you could put an apple crisp into a muffin, these ginger apple bran muffins would be how . . .These are relatively healthy, super-fiber apple and bran muffins. Because they are made with apple, dates, and bran, they are packed with nutrients and natural sweetness (no refined sugars in the recipe!), making them both…
Buttermilk Cornbread Pancakes

This recipe makes a fluffy, delicately crispy, and comforting cornbread pancake. My ideal pre-Thanksgiving pancake (but we also eat them in summer with fresh peaches, whipped ricotta, and maple syrup!)
Oatmeal Griddle Cakes

These oatmeal griddle cakes are made with whole wheat flour, oats, and tangy buttermilk – and they are currently our kids’ favorite pancake.
Simple Sweet Potato Pancakes

Basic and very easy recipe for sweet potato pancakes that is very popular with my kids . . .