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...]
Apple and Cabbage Rice
Can we talk about how apples are starting to show up in grocery stores again? I don't think anyone here is more excited about it than I am. I know I have mentioned this before, but I really love apples. I've got some sweet apple recipes on this blog, but did you know apples make a fabulous savory ingredient too? This rice is totally going to prove that. It's my new favorite. Speaking of favorite recipes, this one is totally easy. And simple. It's perfect for Rosh Hashanah next week, or really for any time you want a great side dish. Who's up for a great serving suggestion? This rice would be perfect stuffed into (and under) a whole chicken and roasted. Or just served alongside some chicken. … [Read more...]
Italian Grilled Zucchini
Discover the most flavorful way to grill your zucchini this summer. Read on! I know. I know. Grilled zucchini. Yawn. Next. Right? Well that's what I thought. I never saw myself as the type of blogger who would post a recipe as simple as grilled zucchini. But that changed one day when I was at the takeout counter of my local grocery store buying supper. (Yes, "even" I buy supper sometimes. What did you think?!) I was looking for a vegetable to choose, and my eyes stopped at the grilled zucchini. It looked fine. Good even. I was about to order it, but then I stopped and realized that I just couldn't bring myself to pay someone else to grill my zucchini. Plus, mine is just so good. … [Read more...]
9 Meatless Meal Ideas
If you're an observant Jew, you are probably very well aware that "the 9 days" are coming. For those who aren't familiar, the 9 days of mourning are a period of time in the summer when Jews mourn the destruction of the temple in various ways - one of which is not eating meat. I personally have a really difficult time of it, as chicken is my supper pretty much every night. I don't touch fish, and diets and pasta don't go well together. So I figured I would gather together a few of the recipes I will be making for the 9 days. If I need them, I am sure some of you do as well! So whether you are a Jew looking for "9 days" ideas, or you're simply looking to cut down on your meat consumption, … [Read more...]
Broccoli and Quinoa Salad with Asian Vinaigrette
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...]
Roasted Jalapeno Dip
It's funny that I am posting one of my passover recipe hits now, when so many of you have been asking me when I am starting to post recipes for Shavuot. (For those of you who don't know, Shavuot is a Jewish holiday celebrating the Torah. And it's traditional to eat delicious dairy food...like cheesecake! I've got you covered in that area...later in the week! But today I want to share this fabulous dip recipe. I made it on Passover, when I couldn't use many spices (or even the garlic) so I roasted the jalapeno to bring out more flavor. It was an amazing hit, so I knew I would make it again to photograph and post. Well when my awesome friend BL told me she was coming as a Shabbat guest, I … [Read more...]
Sauteed Snow Peas and Mushrooms with Shallots and Red Wine
Well hello there friends. It's been a while. I missed you all, and I missed my kitchen. But after weeks of cooking non-stop for passover, I could barely face my kitchen. Take out and freezer food became my best friends, especially as I worked overtime at work, trying to catch up. And yesterday, I was finally ready to get back to my kitchen and cook. I started chopping shallots to prepare this old favorite of mine, and fell back into a rhythm of relaxed cooking that I haven't felt in a while. And as I finished off the dish, I suddenly remembered that this is one of the reasons I started my blog. I first made these snow peas about two years ago. Maybe two and a half. I don't remember. What … [Read more...]
Two Tone Stuffed Potato Cups
Raise your hand if you need another potato dish this Passover? You too? I knew it wasn't just me. I mean, there is such a ridiculous amount of potatoes floating around come Passover. And if your family is anything like mine, they're groaning at the thought of more potatoes. My trick? Change things up a little. Roasted potatoes, baked potatoes, fried potatoes...they only get you so far. So if you're in need of a new idea, I've got one for you. But first, let me explain about Passover recipe testing and the measures of success. There's a point, I promise. Some of you might disagree, but overall I think we can pretty much agree that there's a whole different bar for Passover food. What might … [Read more...]
Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Let's talk about a pet peeve of mine. I probably mentioned this here before, but it's my blog, and I'll kvetch if I want to. Why in the world to people have this idea that healthy food and good food are mutually exclusive? Listen to me folks. Let me say it loud and clear (or type it nice and bold. Work with me here): Good food can and should taste good! I think I have proven this a bunch of times here. Take my Spicy Zucchini Sticks, for example. They are healthy, but they are also boldly flavored, insanely delicious and kinda addictive. Or what about my Healthy Breaded Cauliflower? Ok, so they have some whole wheat bread crumbs, so some of you might not find them healthy enough, but for … [Read more...]
Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing
Here's something you should know about me. I don't really like carrots. Not raw ones anyway. Here's something else I should tell you. I despise ginger. Especially fresh ginger. One more thing. I love carrot-ginger dressing. Seriously love it. Always have. I first tasted this dressing, like many people did, at a local Japanese restaurant. I'm pretty sure the house salad came with the entree. Oddly enough, I remember nothing about the meal but the "free" salad. Maybe that's because my mother is an amazing cook, and has an even better palate. She has this magical way of tasting something at a restaurant, closing her eyes and tasting all of the components, then going home and recreating it. … [Read more...]