Our go to fast(er) food places are Chipotle and Vui's Kitchen. This summer while I was training for the Chicago Marathon, I had a slight case of food poisoning the night before and then again after my run. It was the only long run I did inside, you know, easy access to bathrooms... I needed something that would be easy on my stomach, and Vui's pho was just the remedy. I now associate it with magical healing powers. Making broth from scratch is something I have always wanted to do and was also a goal for this year in my life, this was a great starter recipe to fulfill my goal! (One more thing!! Hello to my precious friend Jess, from college, who requested this recipe!!)
Fresh Greens + Satsuma Oranges + Burrata = Super Salad
Last weekend, I managed to scarf down two doughnuts before we left the parking lot of the Franklin Farmer's Market. I felt like I needed some greens to balance me out. The crisp, crunchy greens paired with the sweetness of satsuma oranges would be good enough on its own, but add in creamy burrata with flakes of salt sprinkled on it and a drizzle of tangy balsamic vinaigrette?? DREAMY!
Vegan Lentil Mushroom Meatballs
I have been making Lentil Mushroom Meatballs on the reg for the last two years. After a long history with veggie burgers, I welcomed the challenge of developing a recipe for flavorful 'meat'balls. I figured it was an attainable goal since veggie burgers are one of my favorite things to eat. In the process, I found two magical ingredients that really make these AMAZEMEATLESSBALLS!!!
Crispy Herbed Chickpeas over Bucatini with Tomato Sauce
Things are hectic right now. It seems like every minute during this season is filled with holiday activities, whether its shopping for Christmas presents, attending Christmas functions, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, or baking Christmas treats! Busy times plus the fact that my diet has recently consisted of pumpkin molasses cookies, espresso shortbread with butterscotch glaze, the bag of potato chips someone left at our house from our Christmas party (I don't even like potato chips but these are just so DELICIOUS), and citrus fruit.
This is why it is KEY to have a couple healthy, easy, quick recipes on hand! Add warm and filling to the list, and here you have the perfect winter dinner!
Quinoa, Black Beans, and Sweet Potato with Spicy Lime Sauce
This recipe has been my go to recipe for years!! It is super quick, easy, and nutritious! Somehow, during the last couple of months, I managed to make it even easier by straight up microwaving the sweet potato instead of roasting it.... This recipe is will be the perfect addition to your life during these next few weeks when everyone seems to have delicious holiday candy and cookies on hand.
EASY Cracker-thin Pizza Crust + Delightful Pizza Accoutrements
I have been playing around with a new recipe for thinner crust pizza, almost cracker thin. I finally perfected it this summer!! If you have always wanted to make your own pizza dough, this is a GREAT recipe to start with! There are only 4-5 ingredients needed for the dough, and It is so much quicker than your usual pizza dough recipe! I also compiled some delightful pizza topping accoutrements that you must try, especially if you're looking for some new Meatless Monday recipes!
Burrata, Peaches, Cherry Tomatoes, and Grilled Sourdough Bread
Every summer, there is one dish that dominates mealtime. We try to make it whenever possible. Last year it was Grilled Romaine and the year before that, it was Heirloom Tomato Panzanella. This year, the winner is this lovely compliation of everything that is in peak season right now!
Taco Tuesday: Sweet Potato Black Bean Falafel Tacos + Kale Slaw + Tahini Sauce
Aside from being healthy and worthy of the mid-chewing 'mmmmmm's' (I'm thinking specifically of the scene in What About Bob? where Bob is eating corn at the family dinner table), my favorite recipes have three things in common:
- They make great leftovers
- They are easy and relatively quick
- They keep me satiated for a long time
Spicy Almond Chickpea Salad Sliders
I love to be sneaky and trick people who usually shy away from anything labeled 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' into eating exactly those kinds of things and then watching their reactions of surprise and delight.
This is a GREAT recipe for that purpose.
Thanksgiving Leftover Sliders!!!
Obviously, breakfast on Friday is always BRÛLÉED MAPLE PUMPKIN PIE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUST and then for lunch you have leftovers, of course. Growing up, I loved leftovers on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Everyone loves the first round of leftovers.
Its day 4 of leftovers that I dread. The turkey is dry. The rolls are rather stale. Someone ate all the marshmallows off of the sweet potato casserole. And I wouldn't touch the green bean casserole with a ten foot pole, no matter how fresh they were.