Dad’s Chunky Guacamole
My dad has always liked chunky guacamole. Over the Christmas holiday, he brought this recipe to one of our gatherings. He had already chopped up the veggies and let us finish putting it together. We didn’t think there was nearly enough avocado for the amount of veg that went into the dish. But once it was finished, we realized how wrong we … Read More...
Spinach Parmesan Balls with Tomato Sauce
We used to host a lot of dinner parties. But as our friends grew their families or moved away, our hosting activities have mostly become smaller get-togethers with family at holidays. We spent Christmas in California with my family this year, which meant most of the cooking duties were left in their very capable hands. It was fantastic to sit back … Read More...
Mini Frittatas with Spinach Goat Cheese & Sun-dried Tomato
Trust me -- you're going to love these. I just made these for a party and they were a crowd-pleaser. The goat cheese center is a fluffy surprise, which is complemented by the sweet tangy bite of the sun dried tomatoes. Or whip up a batch for yourself. You can mix everything up first thing in the morning, throw them in the oven, and they will … Read More...
Stuffed Belgian Endive Spears with Blue Cheese Apple Walnuts & Pomegranate
I recently made these for a Christmas party and they went over pretty darn well, if I do say so myself! They make for a very festive-looking appetizer and are easy to put together. I particularly like the way the endive, which is slightly bitter and a little peppery, contrasts with the sweetness of the romaine lettuce and the honey-Dijon … Read More...
Collard Greens Stuffed with Lentils Quinoa Tomato Peas Carrots & Parsley
I think I have a new favorite – stuffed collard rolls! I recently posted a recipe for a Vegetable Lentil Quinoa Loaf where I confessed that it really doesn’t become a “loaf” until the next day after the quinoa absorbs all of the liquid so it can set up properly. I wanted to come up with a way to serve the dish right away without things falling apart … Read More...
Hummus 3 Ways – Parsley Sun-Dried Tomato & Garlic
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like hummus. It’s a crowd pleaser and one of the first dips to run out at a party. We have a party to go to this weekend and I can’t decide between bringing hummus or the mini frittatas. Maybe I’ll bring both! Even if you are cooking for one, I highly recommend making a double batch as it keeps … Read More...
Vegetable Lentil Quinoa Loaf
This recipe resulted from one of those “clean out the fridge and freezer” days. I was going to make a vegetable stew but decided to see if I could make a meatless loaf instead. To be honest, this really doesn’t turn into a “loaf” until the next day after the quinoa absorbs all the liquid and it has time to set up in the fridge. It’s great piping … Read More...
Chocolate Banana Protein Shake with Pomegranate
If you happened to read the intro on the Dessert page of my blog, you’ll know I’m not a big dessert person. I certainly used to be! But over the course of the past 16 years as I’ve experimented with food and now eat a mostly plant-based diet, I’ve lost my taste and cravings for sweets. I’m not joking when I say I’d rather have another serving of … Read More...
Arugula Beet Salad with Pea Sprouts Avocado Orange Walnuts Goat Cheese & Pomegranate
While traveling recently, my husband called me from the road to rave about a salad he had with dinner the night before. I asked him to describe it – he remembered arugula, beets, avocado, and a balsamic vinaigrette, but the rest was a blur. I thought it sounded like a great combination of ingredients so I decided to create my own version. I could … Read More...
Pointers on Pomegranates
It's pomegranate season! I remember the first time my mother brought some home around Christmas to use as part of a centerpiece. After the party was over, she showed us how to remove the beautiful deep red ruby-like seeds and pop them open in your mouth to get a burst of their sweet juice. Although pomegranates are in season from September to … Read More...