Spring and summer time meals are all about optimizing convenience. Minimal time prepping and cooking, maximum time enjoying the outdoors - Aperol Spritz or Rosé in hand. Grain salads are always my go-to vehicle for utilizing seasonal produce and making a meal earlier in the day (i.e. nap time) and enjoying it for dinner or lunch the next day. This grain salad formula is adaptable to what you have on hand or what you can snag at the greenmarket. If you can’t find or want asparagus or peas, try string beans, radish, grilled zucchini, fresh or oven roasted tomatoes or even corn. The options are yours! If you are gluten-free swap in brown rice in place of the farro and if you are dairy-free, consider kite hill ricotta as a vegan cheese alternative.
Read more10 things to make this memorial day weekend
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial kick off of summer! Whether you are throwing a barbecue in your backyard, attending a pool party, or bringing a dish to a pot luck or a picnic, celebrate the holiday with these seasonal and simple festive eats.
Read moremushroom and pepper tacos with cilantro lime crema
Tacos are one of my all time favorite quick meals. Whether you choose to start with an egg and avocado centric taco or opt for meaty mushroom and pepper tacos for lunch or dinner, there is always a good opportunity for a taco party. Tacos are simple to prepare, economical, and can come together in under 30 minutes just like this recipe for mushroom and pepper tacos. These particular tacos are topped with a kale and cabbage slaw and finished with a refreshing cilantro lime creama. Finish your taco with avocado and crunchy radish, and you have the perfect balance of textures and flavors all rolled up in your favorite tortilla.
Read moremother's day brunch - corn and blueberry johnnycakes
Mother’s Day can be a loaded holiday. It can be very difficult for those who have lost a mother or a child, a gut punch to those struggling with fertility, and challenging for those who have strained or complex relations with their mother or child. On the flip side, it can also be a wonderful opportunity to be with your children, mother, grandmother, or the special lady in your life. If you enjoy your solitude, it is the ideal opportunity to take some much needed YOU time. Whether you are enjoying a day of solo indulgences, spending time with loved ones, or viewing the day as just another Sunday, I hope that it begins with these light and delicious corn and blueberry Johnnycakes.
Read morezesty overnight oats with gingery strawberry rhubarb compote
Overnight oats serve as a great option for you bleary-eyed, non-morning people. It is an easy breakfast to grab and go if you are too rushed in the AM or are just one of those individuals who do not like to eat first thing in the morning. Overnight oats can be prepared the night before, stored in a mason jar in the fridge, and grabbed on your way out the door. This rendition of overnight oats is mixed with zesty citrus, nut milk, Quaker oats, cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup. For a seasonal and delicious topping, a compote of ginger, strawberry, and rhubarb adds layers of flavor and texture.
Read morecinco celebration! chipotle rubbed cauliflower tacos, green rice, and smokey beans
If you are like me, you love any excuse to eat tacos. They are the perfect vehicle for combining your favorite protein, something crunchy, some avocado, and, of course, salsa. If you don't eat meat, no need to miss out on the taco party. I've got a recipe for spicy and flavorful cauliflower tacos that will fit in perfectly with your Cinco de Mayo festivities or any taco Tuesday.
Read moresavory oat bowl
Oatmeal is typically a breakfast item that leans toward the sweeter side of the palate spectrum. Switch up your oat game and try breakfast, lunch, or even dinner with savory oats made with nutritious ingredients. Simply prepared, these savory oats are topped with crispy umami rich shiitake bacon, garlicky kale, creamy avocado, and an optional poached egg, creating a delicious meal.
Read morespiced carrot dip
It is officially spring, and that means moving away from heavy roasts and hot ovens. It is also the time when beautiful and vibrant produce starts appearing, and the Easter and Passover holidays occur. If you are looking for a new way to use those farmers’ market carrots or just need a new dip idea that is not hummus, try this spiced carrot dip for your holiday table, cocktail party, or snack time needs.
Read morenapa cabbage chop
The humble cabbage is an underrated vegetable. Not only does it come in multiple colors and varieties, it contains plenty of nutritional benefits. Cabbage has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is a good source of Vitamin C. Purple and green cabbage, simply tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasted for 20 minutes, is one of my all time favorite vegetables to eat. This method achieves the ideal balance of tenderness and crispness. This cabbage chop leans on the crunchy, tender, and refreshing Napa cabbage, a longer, leaner relative of the traditional round cabbage. This salad is an interpretation of one that I enjoyed at west~bourne, an “all-day” cafe in Nolita, NYC. It’s crunchy, creamy, layered, and light - all of the things I typically look for in a salad. It has depth from the charred scallions and sheep milk feta, crunch factor from the cabbage and sunflower seeds, and zippiness, thanks to the limey dressing. You can certainly add other veggies or a protein on top, but I think that it is delicious just the way it is.
Read moresweet potato wedges with cilantro lime yogurt
Roasted sweet potatoes are in heavy rotation in our household. They are simple to make, loaded with Vitamins A and C, and are usually a favorite of Jack’s - albeit that is a moving target these days. To amp up the nutritional mileage and add some protein into the mix, I made a cool and zippy yogurt sauce that compliments the sweetness of the potatoes and creates a more balanced side dish or snack.
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