Pesto is one of my all time favorite sauces. Green pesto is typically my go-to, but have you ever had red pesto? Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, basil, and pumpkin seeds make up this summertime sauce that is full of flavor and antioxidants. Perfect hot or cold and topped with zucchini, make this dish your next picnic pick. Not in the mood for pasta? Serve it over fish, chicken or vegetables - the options are yours.
Read morecreamy corn and avocado salad with pickled onions and feta
We all know that summer and corn go hand in hand, but throw in pickled onions, feta, and avocado and you’ve got the perfect partnership of salty cheese, creamy avocado, and sweet slightly charred corn. This salad was inspired by Esquites, Mexican corn on the cob that is slathered with a creamy sauce, Cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder. For this recipe, the kernels are charred in a cast iron pan, tossed together with a zippy creamy sauce, and finished with feta cheese, avocado, pickled onions, and, for crunch, toasted pumpkin seeds. This corn salad is easy to throw together, can be made ahead of time, and I guarantee, will be enjoyed by all.
Read moresummer panzanella salad
Summertime means easy breezy salads as mains loaded with lots of veggies. Traditionally, panzanella is a Tuscan bread salad which utilizes stale day old bread and overly ripe tomatoes. The juicy tomatoes and dressing revitalize the bread, giving it a second life and adding bulk to the salad. This iteration is a mix-up of a Tuscan bread salad and antipasto and is loaded with summery tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, olives, artichoke hearts, roasted and raw peppers for a nice contrast of textures, and creamy mozzarella. Make this salad in advance and tote it to the park, beach, or pool for full on picnic season success.
Read moregreek grain salad
Whether you are entertaining for a crowd or your immediate crew, quick and easy grain salads should definitely be on the menu. They are great to have in the fridge for easy lunches, picnics, or pool side bites. The crunchy and salty flavor profile of a Greek salad is typically a crowd pleaser. To add some nutritional milage to this crunch fest, incorporate protein from fiber-filled chickpeas, and hearty whole grain farro. If you opt to make this in advance and enjoy at a later point in time, combine all the ingredients except the romaine. When you are ready to eat, top your grain mixture with chopped romaine and toss with your dressing. For those of you who are gluten-free, whole grain sorghum is a good alternative to farro.
Read moresweet potato and red cabbage peanut noodles
Lots of people are cold noodle fans. It’s delicious, satisfying, and a staple in take-out. What’s not to love about this dish is that it’s often made with a sauce heavy on the sugar and sodium. This version lightens things up with noodles made from nutrient-rich sweet potatoes and cabbage and tossed in a sauce of peanut butter, tamari, ginger, garlic, and lots of fresh lime juice. It is lightly sweetened with a touch of maple syrup, which can easily be omitted, if you wish. Crunchy peanuts, scallions, and a scattering of gomasio finishes this dish with a nice contrast of textures and flavors.
Read morespice up your spring - chili verde
This tomatillo-laced chili was initially conceived during a mission to create a pozole, a hominy-based Mexican stew. When my search for hominy left me empty handed, my brother-in-law suggested subbing in hearty beans for a more nutrient dense and accessible alternative. The result, a tangy and satisfying spicy green chili.
Read morecold sesame tofu with rice noodles
There is a Cold Sesame Chicken recipe from the New York Times that I have gone back to quite a few times. It is delicious, super simple, and perfect for make ahead meals. To adapt the recipe for a plant-forward crowd, I decided to swap in tofu for the main and serve it over brown rice noodles with crunchy marinated cucumbers, peanuts, and cilantro, resulting in a refreshing and easy summer meal.
Read morepassover friendly - bitter lettuce and herb salad with horseradish dressing
Passover has many symbolic foods which commemorate the story of the Jews’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. Bitter herbs or horseradish represent the bitterness of slavery and are traditionally served on a seder plate. If you are interested in making a symbolic dish that utilizes the bitter herb theme, consider this salad for your holiday table. It is filled with sliced radish, radicchio, parsley, romaine lettuce, and zippy lemon horseradish dressing. If you don’t celebrate Passover, this bitter herb and lettuce salad would make a welcome addition on any Easter or spring table. You can toss in some farro or bulgur wheat for a more hearty side or top with hard boiled eggs, slow roasted salmon, or grilled chicken for a light main.
Read moremy top ingredients to always have on hand for quick and easy dinners
We've all been there. You finish work, you are tired and hungry, and the last thing you want to do is cook an elaborate meal. Or maybe you’ve been chasing a toddler or two around all day and you need to feed your family a nourishing crowd pleasing meal. Whatever your life circumstances may be - save money, improve your health, and avoid takeout by stocking your kitchen with these staples for simple and streamlined nutritious meals. Having these staples on hand makes throwing together a tasty and healthy meal easy and accessible. These are my "go-to" staples and the meals that I create with them - week after week.
Read more10 simple ways to sneak more greens into your diet
As the winter drolls on it is important to take care of your body and up the ante on good for you greens and immunity boosters. Greens of all varieties, especially dark leafy ones, are full of vitamins A, C, and K and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. Greens are also full of phytochemicals, the natural components in plants that boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and prevent and treat oxidative damage. Here are 10 easy way to add them to your diet:
Read more