Nashville has had more 'April' weather than 'February' these past couple of days. The trees are blooming, daffodils are popping up EVERYWHERE, and the sun feels warm. Last night I went for a run and heard frogs down by the river's edge. I don't like it. This recipe is an 'Ode to Winter Weather'. The perfect warm, hearty meal to cozy up with during a snowstorm....
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!!!
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.
Autumn Vegetable Salad
I love squash. Squash squash squash. Squash is the tomato of Fall. Don't you think??? Squash is also one of the main ingredients in a dish I recently had at Spoon and Stable. The Autumn Vegetable Salad. Which I haven't stopped thinking about since.
Pictures this: spelt berries, roasted squash, sliced figs, sprinkled with pecans, all on top of a buttermilk ranch drizzle. A pleasant conglomeration of textures and tastes.
TACO TUESDAY - Homemade Healthier Tortillas
A couple of years ago, I did an internship with a health club in Minneapolis. I assisted with a twelve week program that provided a group of clients (about 25 - 30) with nutrition advice and 6:00 am workouts six days a week. I left my house by 5:00 am to get there on time, which means I woke up between 4:00 - 4:30 am every day. The quickest, most filling breakfast I could make, was a tortilla with egg whites, and maybe beans if I had enough time to open a can. My mouth is drier than the sahara desert just thinking about them. I cannot eat store bought tortillas. I hate the way they smell, taste, and last for years in the fridge. Even when they're slathered with peanut butter, I just can't do it.
I knew the solution was to make my own, but I was deterred for about 3 years by the fact that every single recipe I looked at involved lard or shortening. It took a couple months, but I finally developed a recipe and cooking method that works perfectly!
Blue Corn Cakes Topped with Avocado and Herby Heirloom Tomatoes
This summer, our favorite thing to eat is Grilled Romaine and Grilled Pizza. Last summer it was Grilled Panzanella, and the summer before that, it was Corncakes with Tomato Salsa. I recently made these, and we remembered how much we L O V E D them, that and it is the perfect 'cold' dish to serve during the heat of the summer!
Four great things about this dish: 1) it can be served as an appetizer or as a side, 2) it can be served cold, 3) it utilizes delicious heirloom tomatoes, 4) it harks back to traditional southern cuisine, but in a healthy way.
Heirloom Tomato, Beet, Avocado Cold Summer Salad
It took me a couple of years to acclimate to Nashville summers. No t-shirts (if you sweat as much as I do...), God help us, NO gray, breathable fabrics only, no pants EVER, you get the idea. One night before dinner time, I asked P to research exactly this: 'cold summer vegetable recipes' and 'cold dinners for hot summer days'. We didn't really find much that could be ready super quick. (Sometimes I wait until I absolutely MUST eat within minutes, and that kind of limits things.)