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
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
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 … [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...]