These buckwheat double dark chocolate brownie cookies are rich, decadent, and sure to satiate even the most severe chocolate craving! So often when you hear the phrase “healthy dessert” you run for the hills conjuring up visions of dry, bland baked goods made with too little butter or not enough
This protein-packed turkey black bean chili recipe is filled with sweet, smoky flavors and is sure to impress. This crowd-pleaser is ideal for your next game day party or meal prep! A high-quality protein diet is important, whether you’re looking to curb hunger, repair muscle tissue, or prevent muscle loss
Arabic Lentil Soup is made with hearty vegetables and brown lentils simmered with warm spices like cinnamon and cumin then blended until smooth. My Lebanese family has made many variations of this Arabic Lentil Soup over the years. It’s one of my favorite comfort foods because it’s warm, nutrient-dense, and
This New Mexican style green chile stew is made with roasted green chiles, tender pork, and creamy Yukon potatoes. Living in Michigan, we can get some pretty cold days. But even in sunny SoCal it can get chilly, and nothing soothes the soul better on a cold day than a
A healthy and easy side dish recipe, your whole family will love this cinnamon-spiced roasted acorn squash with tahini sauce and lemon. The holidays are right around the corner – are you ready? Don’t worry, I’m not either. To help you round out your holiday menu, I wanted to share
This easy, delicious side dish of carrots and green beans roasted in olive oil and za’atar is perfect for holiday entertaining or a simple weeknight dinner. It’s that time of year again, with the holidays just around the corner! Za’atar Roasted Carrots and Green Beans is one of my favorite
Ready in just 5 minutes, these lemon garlic Brussels sprouts are steamed until tender then tossed in a vinaigrette creating the ultimate healthy and delicious side dish recipe. Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite vegetables to serve at dinner, or even steam really quick for an afternoon snack! And
An indulgent, flavorful cocktail, this Espresso Rum Martini is made with fresh brewed espresso and decadent, 12 year rum. I recently returned from another wonderful Fresh Air Retreat in Austin, Texas. My glass is full from the fantastic interactions with fellow food bloggers during a week of eating delicious food,
This crisp and refreshing apple gin fizz cocktail recipe is made with apple cider, gin, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water to top. I recently returned from another successful gathering of the Fresh Air Retreat, the biannual retreat I co-host with Lauren of The Curious Plate. Having the opportunity to
These bison and mushroom stuffed peppers contain lean ground bison, meaty mushrooms, and chewy rice to create a hearty, satisfying twist on a comfort food classic. We didn’t grow up eating stuffed peppers, but my Middle Eastern relatives have been stuffing vegetables for years. My all time favorite is Lebanese
This quick and easy Sesame Chicken & Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry is the perfect solution for the busy week-night cook. Quick and easy stir-fry recipes are the perfect dinner for the busy week-night cook. I love the fact that you can squeeze in several servings of vegetables without offending even the
These Lebanese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls are a Middle Eastern specialty bursting with flavor. This recipe is made with beef, rice, lemon and garlic and is an ideal entree or main dish! All around the world people prepare stuffed cabbage rolls using many different ingredients and cooking methods. Today, I’m sharing
A traditional Lebanese lentil soup, lentils and vegetables are cooked with healthy greens in a lemony broth scented with warm cinnamon and cumin. While every season is soup season in our house, it definitely hits the spot when the temperature turns colder. A recipe from my childhood, my mom made
This quick and easy ground beef and cabbage stir-fry recipe is made with ground sirloin and Napa cabbage sautéed with ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce. It’s delicious served over rice or wrapped in lettuce cups. It should come as no surprise to those who have followed me a
This smoky Turkish eggplant salsa made with tomatoes and red peppers can be served hot, cold, or room temperature. My husband and I love eating out at a local Turkish restaurant here in Grand Rapids. In typical Liz fashion, I am always more interested in the appetizers than the entire rest
Loaded with fresh veggies and plenty of lean protein, this is the perfect meal-in-a-bowl chicken soup that will warm the belly and soul. Have you ever tasted a dish that feels like a hug? My easy chicken soup with greens is literally a warm bowl of comfort. Whether you’re coming
This thinly shaved Brussels sprout salad with lemon parmesan vinaigrette is fresh, bright, and great for prepping ahead! We love Brussels in our house and eat them sauteed with bacon at least once or twice a month. While most people know to roast, bake, fry, or steam Brussels sprouts, I
This nourishing bowl of chicken tortilla soup with hominy is brimming with Mexican flavors and packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s always soup season in my house, but I will admit I get especially excited about soup when the temps start to dip here in Michigan. As the weather has
A simple yet delicious side dish, this Quinoa Pilaf with Mirepoix is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free! I like to keep things interesting at our dinner table by not always serving the same old sides of rice or salad. If a side is simple enough that I can focus most of
This delicious and healthy white bean and roasted eggplant dip is a flavorful snack or app thanks to roasted eggplant, creamy white beans, garlic, tahini and lemon. My White Bean and Roasted Eggplant Dip is a delicious cross between hummus and baba ghanoush. We buy eggplant almost weekly because it
Made with no added sugar, this easy slow cooker apple butter recipe can be prepped in as little as 10 minutes and is scented with cinnamon and other warm fall spices. Apple butter is one of those secret weapons in the kitchen of a health-conscious home cook. Naturally sweet yet
These mouth-watering Thai beef satay skewers with peanut dipping sauce are tangy, tender, and perfectly balanced with a cool and creamy dipping sauce. We are big meat eaters here in our house so you will always see various cuts of Certified Angus Beef in our refrigerator including ribeye, porterhouse, sirloin
These make-ahead smoothie freezer bags are the perfect solution for a healthy breakfast you can sip and enjoy on-the-go. Simply add water or milk before blending! As a busy working mom with a demanding schedule, I am always looking for ways to be more efficient. Whether that’s meal planning, scheduling
Light, fluffy, and packed with warm spices – these gluten free pumpkin pancakes with yogurt topping are delicious and 100% gluten free. Pancakes are one of my favorite go-to breakfasts. Not only are they easy to alter and customize, but they are quick and delicious! In fact, now that I
A fast, easy, and healthy dinner recipe, this flavorful Chicken and Green Bean Stir-Fry comes together in just 20 minutes! Hands down, one of our weekly go-to recipes is always some variation of an Asian inspired stir-fry. Fast, easy, and full of protein and other nutrients, you really can’t go
This hearty, slow cooker white chicken chili combines chicken, white beans, green chilis and all of your favorite Mexican spices into a delicious, protein-packed dinner – perfect for busy weeknights. I love to have at least one slow cooker recipe on my meal plan for the week. Whether I have
This chilled Lebanese eggplant salad is made with tender, smoky baked eggplant, green onions, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s delicious on its own or served with warm pita bread. I bet you never thought there were so many ways to enjoy eggplant, did you? It’s one of my favorite foods
Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast comes together in minutes and will permeate your house with the aromas of rosemary, garlic and red wine while it cooks. Whenever I leave town, I like to stock the fridge with plenty of ready-to-eat meals that my husband or babysitter can quickly reheat. One of
Perfect for grilling season, these coffee rubbed ribeye are easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but fancy enough for company. Recently I created a simple spice rub made with pantry staples including coffee grinds, cumin, smoked paprika and a little brown sugar. It creates this mouth-watering, sweet, and smoky crust that
Cuban Black Beans and Rice is a simple, satisfying side dish packed with protein and bursting with Latin flavors like garlic, oregano, and cumin. One of the many reasons I love to travel is because it exposes me to cuisines from around the world. After recent visits to Miami and
This 15-minute lemon butter baked white fish recipe is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Ideal for any mild white fish! My family loves seafood so when my husband recently requested white fish for dinner, I was happy to oblige. Making seafood at home can be intimidating to some,
A modern twist on the classic margarita, fresh cilantro adds a fun twist and a bit of freshness to this light and refreshing Cilantro Margarita cocktail recipe. When it comes to cocktails, I always love a good margarita for its light and refreshing nature. However, it should come as no
