Wild Rice Pilaf

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Wild Rice Pilaf on OvertimeCook.jpg

Wild rice pilaf is a healthy and flavorful side dish that's really easy to make! Whew. Last day of chanukah. It's been awesome, but I, for one, have had my share of fried foods. And parties. And fattening food. I'm ready for some real food. Some healthy food. Are you? Well if you're looking for something healthier, I've got a delicious new rice dish to share with you. It's kind of Thanksgiving themed, so I meant to share it last week. Then I got super busy with other posts, and totally didn't have a chance. But truthfully, is there ever a bad time for a delicious and healthy side dish? I didn't think so either! So try this...after that last bite of doughut! Wild Rice Pilaf By … [Read more...]

Maple Pumpkin Granola

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maple pumpkin granola on OvertimeCook

There are certain foods which I seem to forget about for a while, then I remember them suddenly. And as I eat said food, I kick myself as I wonder why I don't make it more often. Like, every day, for example. My Spicy Baked Zucchini Sticks are a perfect example of this. They are among the most popular recipes on this blog, and for very good reason. And I often forget that I've got such a delicious and easy recipe in my repertoire. Then I make them, and I get all confused as to why I haven't been making them daily since the day I came up with the recipe. Well, it turns out that homemade granola is another such example. I've made homemade granola plenty of times in the past, and totally … [Read more...]

Chunky Vegetable Soup

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Chunky Vegetable Soup on OvertimeCook.Com

When you think about Thanksgiving, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it family? For me it is. I think about family. Specifically, my mother. She was born on Thanksgiving (the story is that my grandmother wasn't sure if she was in labor or had indigestion from too much turkey!) so every year, Thanksgiving means it’s my mother’s birthday celebration. When I was tasked with putting together a delicious new dish for Thanksgiving, I thought of making a dish my mom would - and could - enjoy. In the last few years, she’s been eating healthy and losing weight, and I wanted to create something that would incorporate all of the flavors of Thanksgiving into a delicious and flavorful dish … [Read more...]

Roasted Carrot and Ginger Soup

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roasted carrot ginger soup on overtimecook

If you're going to learn one thing about cooking from me, let it be this. Roasting vegetables brings out the best of their flavors. It intensifies their best notes, makes the vegetables sweeter and more flavorful. Take this soup for example. Carrot ginger soup is delicious. I've made it and enjoyed it many times in the past. But the other day, in the grocery store, I suddenly thought of roasting the combination. I knew I would make a soup ten times better than the unroasted kind. And I was totally right. This soup has the most amazing, rich and delicious flavor of carrot and ginger. It's fall and comfort in a bowl! Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup: By Miriam Pascal, … [Read more...]

Healthy Apple Berry Crumble

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Healthy Apple Berry Crumble on OvertimeCook.Com

As a general rule, I am not a huge fan of diet dessert. In my mind, diet + dessert = fresh fruit. Simple math, really. But as we've discussed before, even a dieter needs a treat on occasion. And if you are going to treat yourself, there are better and worse ways to do it.Last year, my editor for my magazine column asked me to come up with some diet desserts for the magazine's annual diet issue. Naturally, I published a healthy muffin recipe. (You all know how much I love coming up with those!) And I came up with my amazing oatmeal protein cookies. And the third dessert, I figured, would be a crumble. Lots of fruit, oatmeal topping, it seemed like the natural choice for a healthier … [Read more...]

Golden Cauliflower and Plum Tomatoes and a Review and Giveaway of Starters and Sides Made Easy

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Golden Cauliflower on OvertimeCook

As you all know, I love cookbooks. Basically all cookbooks. But it's not every day that my good friends and colleagues publish a book, so this one has me extra excited! The dynamic author-duo of Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek have done it again. You may remember my review of their last joint effort, Passover Made Easy, and how much I loved it. Well, they have absolutely outdone themselves in their latest effort, Starters & Sides Made Easy. Ready to read what I thought? (Scroll down past my review for your chance to win your own copy!) At first glance: As with their previous book, Starters & Sides Made Easy is chock full of creative and inventive ideas, beautifully photographed … [Read more...]

Top Ten Healthy Veggie Dishes

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  I don't know about all of you, but after nearly a month of holidays and delicious food, I am *so* ready for some healthy eating! My best diet tip is to fill up on lots of delicious veggies - it makes you totally not miss the fattening and unhealthy stuff! I figured some of you could probably use some great veggie ideas, right? Well, here are my top 10 favorite vegetable ideas! Click around, enjoy, and stay healthy! Spicy Baked Zucchini Sticks: These spicy baked zucchini sticks are the among the most popular recipes on my blog (second only to my Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes) and for a very good reason. Sure, these zucchini sticks are delicious. And yeah, they're easy to make. And of … [Read more...]

Crispy Baked Onion Rings

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Crispy Baked Onion Rings on Overtime Cook

Crispy Baked Onion Rings are healthier than they look. Intrigued? Read on! Remember how last week I was craving onion rings? You might have read about it on facebook, and then later on when I mentioned it in my post. Well those who know me will not be surprised to learn that once I get an idea in my head, it doesn't leave very easily. And so onion rings were right on the top of my mind for a couple of days now. And finally I made them. But let me backtrack for a minute. I recently photographed baked onion rings for a photography job I did. (You didn't know that I do freelance photography? Now you do!) And really, that's when the cravings started. Those were baked, but still, not so … [Read more...]

Broccoli and Quinoa Salad with Asian Vinaigrette

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broccoli and quinoa salad on overtime cook

So I know that we've discussed the crazy sources of my recipes a few times before, but we should probably discuss it again today. The idea for this recipe struck late one night. And by late, I don't mean my usual 1-am-still-baking-cookies late. I mean almost asleep kind of late. And for those of you who know me...that's late! So I opened up one eye, opened up the notes app on my iphone, and typed "quinoa + broccoli salad." And it's been in the back of my brain ever since. At first, I was going to go with a traditional broccoli salad type dressing, but with added quinoa. Then I decided to take the flavors in a different direction. I settled on an asian-inspired dressing, and I am thrilled … [Read more...]

15 Recipes That Helped Me Lose 15 Pounds

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15 recipes that helped me lose 15 pounds

I'm really excited about today's post, but also a little nervous. I love sharing funny little anecdotes with all of you, but I am usually uncomfortable sharing more personal information here. But today I am crossing that barrier to post about something I am very proud of. It started a while ago when I promised myself that I would buy myself the new (and insanely gorgeous) MacBook that I had my eye on for ages when I lost 15 pounds. And since then, I have been dieting hard, more motivated than ever to shed a couple of pounds. It hasn't been easy. In the last couple of months I have made a huge number of delicious desserts, including a huge number of of cheesecakes. And I forced myself to … [Read more...]