There’s no better way to share your joy than to offer something you love — your baking! Everyone will say “I do” to these three great reception treats.

Trays of charming Wedding Bells will set the tone for your celebration. Easy Fruit Tarts add a splash of color and fresh fruit to the mix. And no one can resist rich, dense chocolate Irish Cream Truffles — simple yet impressive and immensely satisfying.

Congratulations, and enjoy your reception!

It's heartwarming to see how you value your friendships. Why not take advantage of the flavors of the season by treating them to a delightful Springtime Quiche accompanied by a simple Fresh Lime Fruit Salad and mini bagels covered in one of our Flavored Brunch Spreads. Just the comforting fare that shows you care, and nothing so complicated that it keeps you from a good time with your friends.

Enjoy every minute!

A lot of readers will be glad you asked about this. Preparing delicious, home-cooked meals for today's smaller, and often busier, families can be a challenge. You're on the right track by planning ahead and using freezer-friendly recipes. Our new Land O Lakes® Butter in Half Sticks was created to help simplify your meal preparation. Each of the recipes below uses one half stick of Land O Lakes® Butter.

Even on hectic days, you can serve a piping-hot meal if you plan ahead and make creamy Oven Ready Macaroni & Cheese (shown above) or another favorite dish on the weekend. These three delicious Assemble It recipes freeze and reheat beautifully.

Red Bean & Vegetable Rigatoni is simple, satisfying and makes enough for a second meal that only needs reheating. Find this recipe with four other terrific Cook Once, Eat Twice dinner ideas that essentially give you a bonus meal every time you make one!

Everyone loves an unfussy sauce that is quick and versatile. Sauce It Up features five fuss-free sauces, including lively Honey Mustard Sauce, perfect for perking up simple pastas, vegetables and meats. And as a special side, try our Blueberry Cornbread with Maple Butter.

Don't forget dessert. Irresistible Small Batch Baking treats are easy, convenient and always welcome.

I hope you enjoy this collection of 20 outstanding recipes that make the most of planning ahead.

Happy Cooking!

Fresh vegetables are plentiful year-round, as are high-quality frozen vegetables in almost endless varieties, so it is easier than ever to prepare vegetables that taste fresh and stay crunchy!

There is a world of difference — in both taste and nutrition — when you take the effort to prepare vegetables "al dente," or just until crisply tender. The three recipes below use different cooking techniques — all of which preserve the crispness wonderfully.

Try Roasted Honey Carrots, shimmering with a glaze of brown sugar and honey. Or cook up our Garden Vegetable Sauté, a mixture of vegetables sautéed with Italian spices until crisp yet tender. For something a little more unusual, try Peas & Pods with Onions — the veggies are cooked lightly in a small amount of broth with fresh tarragon that complements the dish beautifully.

In the Test Kitchens, we've known for years that browning butter adds a deliciously distinctive flavor to frostings and desserts, and we also love using it to flavor sauces for entrées, pasta or vegetables. Browning gives the butter a delightfully toasted, nutty flavor.

Knowing just when to pull the butter off the stove-top can be a little mysterious on your first try, so start simply with our recipe for Butter Cake with Browned Butter Frosting and watch the video demonstrating how to tell when the butter is perfectly browned. Then, try our recipes for Browned Butter Shortbread and Broccoli & Peppers in Browned Butter. You'll be amazed at how such an easy technique can produce such a wonderfully unique flavor!

We agree that breakfast is important, and it’s very kind of you to help your grandson slow down enough to eat something healthy. Muffins are a wonderful option — they’re easily portable and can be loaded with whole grains, fruits, and even vegetables such as zucchini or carrots. Try Blueberry Cornmeal Muffins, Good Morning Muffins or simple Chewy Granola Bars, they are easy to enjoy in the car or on the walk to school.

When my boys were young, we often packed homemade snacks for breakfast or treats during the day. When you make them yourself, you avoid the preservatives and fillers sometimes found in packaged products. Plus, they’re fresh, delicious and full of love.

What a busy and exciting family. Dinner can be equally as wonderful when you bring everyone together for these crowd-pleasing casseroles.

Transform a popular restaurant dish into an at-home favorite for your crew with our Italian Chicken Cacciatore. Offer up a hearty Chilironi Bake or a satisfying Popover Pizza — a delicious casserole filled with ground beef and pizza ingredients, topped with a unique popover crust.

Enjoy your family!

Great question, Angelia.  Most casseroles can be made ahead and frozen. Two great examples are Spicy Black Bean & Chicken Enchiladas and Stuffed Pasta Shells. They are hearty, delicious crowd pleasers that can easily be prepared a few weeks before your sister arrives. Instead of baking them, put them in the freezer. Then – when you really need a break – just pop the pan into the oven and relax with your family while dinner bakes!

And, please, don't forget dessert. A batch of Nutty Chocolate Chunk Cookies or two can be baked and frozen ahead for a sweet ending to any meal. And since nobody ever thinks about leaving the table during dessert, I find it's a great time for sharing stories and unwinding. Best of luck with your new baby!

If you know your kids love chicken, it's great to have lots of recipes to meet their healthy appetites. We searched and found some tasty recipes that were a little out of the ordinary, but sure to please your little chickadees and fairly simple for you to prepare.

Start the week with a tempting Chicken Pizza Olé — spicy Monterey Jack cheese and salsa give this favorite some zip. Midweek, serve them up BBQ Chicken 'N Macaroni, a deliciously unexpected combination kids will crave. As the weekend approaches, wind down with the comfort of Skillet Chicken & Potato Dinner.

Enjoy your meals together!

It’s so easy to be generous with these three family-friendly recipes. Each is ready to bake in 15 minutes or less, and is as delicious as it is welcome in time of need.

How wonderful to receive a creamy Chicken Pesto Bake when the house is upside down with a new baby. The multicolor rotini and roasted red peppers are sure to please the proud siblings. Hasten a recovery with a hearty Mexican Casserole Dinner made up of ground beef and rice, and topped with chips for an irresistible crunchy finish. Spicy Black Bean & Cheese Enchiladas — easily frozen for baking when needed— are another way to lend a much-needed helping hand.

Be sure to include heating directions and prepare your meals in disposable aluminum pans. Pack your garnishes separately, using plastic containers or bags so there’s no need to clean and keep track of any dishes.