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 … [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...]
Quinoa Cakes and a review of Herbivoracious
When I was given the opportunity to review Herbivoracious, by Michael Natkin, I knew it would be perfect for the nine days. Remember how I said I can't eat meat all week? Well what better time to review a vegetarian cookbook? None, I say. I loved these quinoa cakes, and enjoyed this cookbook! At first glance: There is such a wide variety of recipes in here, you wouldn't imagine that this book is vegetarian. The pictures are beautiful and eye-catching, and best of all, inviting. Some features I liked: You would think that there wouldn't be a wide variety of sections in a vegetarian cookbook (no meat, poultry and fish sections) but the cookbook was very cleverly organized. Main course … [Read more...]
Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Panini
Grilled Vegetable and Pesto Panini is a healthy and summery lunch that only takes minutes to prepare! As a food blogger and recipe developer (does saying that make me sound pretentious? Cause I'm totally not pretentious, but I do have a baking column in a magazine and my mother likes to call me a professional food writer and food photographer which may or may not be getting to my head a bit.) Let's start over. As someone who writes recipes, I often wonder what the line is between basic cooking instructions and a recipe. Take last night's supper for example. I found a nice looking zucchini in my veggie bin, so I sliced it, tossed it with some olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper … [Read more...]
Black Bean, Corn and Mango Quinoa Salad
Have you ever known that you had to do something, but you kept putting it off because you assumed it would be unpleasant? Then you finally bite the bullet and the task you were dreading turns out to be no big deal at all, or even, at best, a positive experience? For example, last week at work, a purchase order landed on my desk. I was super busy at the time. I glanced at it briefly and recognized it as coming from a rather problematic account of mine. I decided to get other stuff done meanwhile, and deal with the problem order when I had a few minutes. It sat on my desk over the weekend, and finally I got to it. I completed the order and sent a confirmation of it to my contact there, Ryan. … [Read more...]
Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers
As the clock struck midnight, we ushered in a new year. And with it, a brand new resolve to eat healthier and watch our weight. While this may be sadly short lived for many of us, it's still the first day of January, and the proverbial ink is barely dry on the list of New Years resolutions. Posting a cookie recipe today feels a little cruel, doesn't it? (Just) for today, I will put my delicious baked goods on the back burner and share with you one of my favorite healthy recipes. Here's what happened. It was late one night when I realized I hadn't prepared my lunch for the following day. I was going to make my easiest, go-to recipe, roasted chic peas. I turned my pantry upside down … [Read more...]