Instant Pot Vegetarian Lentil Tacos are delicious and so flavorful, even non-vegetarians will enjoy them. Two of my boys are dating vegetarians, so during “girlfriend week,” I made vegetarian dinners along with regular meals to satisfy everyone’s dietary choices. The twins actually have high cholesterol (they inherited the bad cholesterol genes from my husband’s side…
Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
Gluten-Free Marbled Chocolate Banana Quick Bread Recipe
Gluten-Free Marbled Chocolate Banana Quick Bread makes a healthy and delicious breakfast or snack. My mom made banana bread a lot when I was growing up, mostly because we always seemed to have lots of overripe bananas. When the weather is hot, bananas seem to turn brown even faster, so I, like my mom, end up making…
Broccoli Red Pepper Egg Bites Recipe
Broccoli Red Pepper Egg Bites are perfect for on-the-go breakfasts, quick pick-me-up snacks, or as part of a breakfast buffet when entertaining. These egg bites are super cute and the recipe is easy to modify to use in-season vegetables and satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. This past week, we hosted “girlfriend week” at our house. Each of…
Vegetarian Fried Rice Recipe
Vegetable Fried Rice is a simple, delicious meal that reheats well and serves a crowd. I’ve been making fried rice for more than 30 years, so I know how to make really good fried rice, if I say so myself. Fried rice is a crowd pleaser and reheats easily, so when my kids are home…
Avocado Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe
Avocado Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad is a simple, healthy and delicious summer salad that can be enjoyed at lunch or dinner. I just returned from a nine day mission trip in a small community in the Dominican Republic. Forty-nine of us built cement block walls for a community center and school lunchroom, dug ditches for…
Corn Tomato Avocado Salsa Salad Recipe
This Corn Tomato Avocado Salsa Salad is perfect for warm weather entertaining. Serve it as a dip for an appetizer, salsa on top of grilled chicken or fish, or as a salad. Casual summer dinners, barbecues and get togethers call for easy recipes that can be thrown together quickly with fresh in-season ingredients. I love…
Watermelon Tomato Gazpacho Recipe
Watermelon Tomato Gazpacho is a refreshing, healthy cold summer soup that features summer produce at their peak. My mom used to make gazpacho in the summertime. It was perfect for the sweltering heat as no cooking was involved and the soup was served cold – that’s a win win in my book. Most people either…
Georgian Tarragon Soda (Tarkhun) Recipe
Georgian Tarragon Soda (Tarkhun) is a refreshing drink with a touch of anise flavor, perfect for a hot summer day. Recently, I hosted a birthday party for our Georgian friend, and made this Georgian tarragon soda as a special treat. I learned of tarragon soda a number of years ago, but didn’t realize how easy it…
Georgian Lobio Kidney Bean Salad Recipe
Georgian Lobio Kidney Bean Salad is a popular Georgian dish that makes a delicious and colorful side dish. Recently, I hosted a birthday dinner for our Georgian friend and served this lobia kidney bean salad, and several other traditional Georgian dishes for a surprise. Georgian cuisine is unique and nothing like I’ve tasted before. Fragrant…
Georgian Beet Green Pkhali Recipe
Georgian Beet Green Pkhali are a traditional dish made with finely chopped beet greens, walnuts, garlic and herbs. Spinach Pkhali was one of the first Georgian dishes I tried when our Georgian friend invited us out for Georgian New Year a number of years ago. That evening remains fixed in my memory as everything we…
Kale Basil Pistachio Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe
Kale Basil Pistachio Garlic Scape Pesto is a great way to enjoy in-season farmer’s market produce. I remember the first time I tasted pesto many years ago. Just a spoonful of pesto packs a flavorful aromatic punch to any dish. Traditional pesto is made with basil and pine nuts, but I love adding leafy green…
Mexican Corn Tomato Feta Salad Recipe
Mexican Corn Tomato Feta Salad combines the flavors of Mexican street corn into a delicious summer salad, perfect for entertaining and picnics. Fresh corn and tomatoes are two of my favorite summer vegetables that are plentiful at the farmer’s market and supermarkets this time of year. While I love corn on the cob and caprese salad,…
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Recipe
Cilantro Lime Brown Rice is a versatile whole grain side dish. Enjoy it with beans, with chili ladled on top, chicken carnitas, in burritos, or stirred into black bean soup. My boys love Chipotle Mexican Grill. It’s a restaurant chain that serves semi-fast Mexican food made largely with sustainable ingredients. They try to source antibiotic…
Caribbean Black Beans Recipe
Caribbean Black Beans is a quick and easy dish. Serve with grilled fish or chicken carnitas and steamed rice. I first made these black beans about twenty years ago, and still have the original recipe cut out from a magazine. Before the internet days, I used to clip out recipes and put my favorites in…
Quinoa Kale Tomato Corn Salad Recipe {Video}
Quinoa Kale Tomato Corn Salad is light, healthy, and delicious. I love salads that can be enjoyed as main course salads when I’m looking for a satisfying, but light lunch or dinner. Quinoa is a versatile grain (it’s actually a seed) that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It can be eaten in…
Kale Basil Hazelnut Pesto Recipe
Kale Basil Hazelnut Pesto is a healthy and delicious condiment that doubles as a way to get extra leafy green vegetables into everyday meals. Growing up in a Chinese American family, I did not get my first taste of pesto until I was an adult. But, once I tasted it, I was hooked. Although traditional…
Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad is easy to make, healthy and perfect for barbecues and picnics. I love casual entertaining, especially when fresh local produce is in season. Our local farmer’s market has expanded over the years, and fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are readily available. There’s also a stand that sells excellent fresh…
Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad
This Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad can be enjoyed as a dip or salad. It’s perfect for entertaining during warmer months. We’re hosting a celebration in a few weeks, and this salad is going to be on the menu. It’s great for a crowd, and fits right in during grilling season. This post is…
Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto Recipe
Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto is a delicious way to dress up fresh asparagus. The pesto is bright and vibrant from the mint, and salty and tangy from the feta and Parmesan cheese. I’m a lover of condiments. If you could only see all the little jars of sauces and bottles of hot sauces…
Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe
Red Chimichurri Sauce is smoky and slightly spicy compared to the more common green chimichurri sauce. It’s delicious served with grilled proteins (chicken, fish, beef, tofu) or grilled vegetables. I love Latin American food and recently discovered red chimichurri sauce as I was planning the menu for my husband’s birthday dinner. I’ve been making green…
Poblano Ranch Sauce Recipe
Poblano Ranch Sauce gets a little heat from roasted poblano pepper. Fresh parsley, chives and dill add fresh flavor to this sauce which can be used as a spread, dip or dressing. I’ve been obsessed with tacos lately, including all the different sauces that Torchy’s Tacos in Texas serves with its tacos. Tacos are one…