This cheesy, whole grain pizza is topped with garlicky, rosemary roasted mushrooms packed with so much flavor your family won’t miss the meat! Pizza is my husband’s most favorite food on the planet but I have to confess – I would take a steamy bowl of pho over a slice …
This satisfying and delicious kale salad is packed with sun-dried tomatoes, green olives, roasted nuts and sharp feta. One of my favorite places to work remotely is the Downtown Market here in Grand Rapids. Just a few years old, it is packed with stalls of locally owned and operated businesses selling …
Cracked freekeh is tossed in a creamy tahini vinaigrette with chickpeas, pomegranates and almonds to create a crunchy and addictive whole grain side dish or meatless main. It’s time to kick off Week 4 of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge with one of my favorite ingredients of all time: whole grains! …
Creamy horseradish sauce can be topped with crispy potato pancakes to provide the perfect contrast of flavors in every bite. Hanukkah is always a fun time of year for my family but this year is particularly special. Not only do we have a perfectly valid excuse to eat fried foods …
A show-stopping side dish! Mashed Sweet potatoes are whipped with pure maple syrup, creamy whole milk yogurt and a hint of orange zest. Our family goes through a lot of sweet potatoes. My kids love them, my husband loves them and I love them, too. Cheap, versatile and packed with …
Tossed in a creamy tahini garlic dressing and mixed with dried cherries and toasted pine nuts, Brussels sprouts have never tasted so good. Confession: I will eat just about anything smothered in tahini. If you’re not familiar, tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. You can find it in most …
A healthier version of an Italian comfort classic, your entire family will love this flavor-packed Baked Eggplant Parmesan with Crispy Panko Topping. With a last name like Della Croce, you’ve probably figured out by now that I’m married to an Italian man. Lucky for me, I also married into a giant …
A bright and colorful salad full of chopped vegetables and fresh herbs tossed in a lemon-avocado vinaigrette. September is a magical time of year here in Michigan because apples are in season but the farmers markets are still bursting with produce like peppers, zucchini and fresh herbs. This rainbow chopped …
A simple and addictive summer side, you won’t believe how delicious fresh pesto tastes when brushed on sweet and juicy corn on the cob. Although it goes without saying, I think it bears repeating: when you are cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients there is very little effort required to produce …
Cauliflower has never tasted so good! Your family will love this fragrant and addictive Roasted Curried Cauliflower with Coconut Oil. Cauliflower season has arrived and as usual, I find myself unable to resist the nutritional powerhouse whenever I pass it at my farmers market! This time of year we often see …
This hearty, protein-packed wheat berry chicken salad is full of spring flavors including asparagus, artichokes and creamy goat cheese. Wheat berries make me happy. No really, they do. So happy that they are the reason I started this blog four years ago next month! Fast forward to today I’m still here …
Travel to the Caribbean any day of the year with this delicious, fruit-filled garden salad. If you’re not familiar with Tortola, it is the largest, most populated island of the British Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. I was only 4 years old at the time so I don’t have many memories …
Caribbean Fruit Salad with Bananas and Red Onions Read More »
Bursting with flavor, this citrus and fennel slaw is topped with sweet roasted beets and creamy goat cheese. Perfect for spring entertaining but simple enough for a quick lunch. Brightly colored fruits and veggies get all of the attention but don’t be fooled, white vegetables are packed in nutrients as …
Citrus and Fennel Slaw with Goat Cheese and Orange Read More »
Roasted beets are easier to make than you think! My simple recipe creates tender, sweet beets with a hint of fresh rosemary and orange in the background. Roasted beets have a special place in my heart. Believe it or not, my very first blog post involved roasted beets: Beets and …
With over 14 grams of protein per serving this cauliflower mac and cheese is the perfect comfort food, you can feel good about enjoying regularly! What is it about cold, snowy weather that just makes us want to curl up by the fire with a warm bowl of comfort food? …
Quinoa is tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, apples and scallions in a garlicky lemon vinaigrette to create this simple, protein-packed dish. I love quinoa because it is an affordable, plant-based source of protein that is naturally gluten free and full of fiber. That being said, until recently, I thought I hated …
Quinoa with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Apples and Scallions Read More »
Roasted butternut squash is tossed with chewy spelt, creamy goat cheese and toasted almonds to create this healthy and satisfying salad. Friends – I am so excited to tell you about this incredible salad. Back in December, my good friend Kristen and I were chit chatting about what we planned to make …
Sweet potatoes are sauteed with corn and onions with a hint of smoked paprika for this quick and easy side dish. Let’s be real: Winter vegetables need a little coaxing before they turn into something spectacular. You know what I’m talking about: beets, cauliflower, butternut squash…they all need a little …
Oven Roasted broccoli is served with a sweet and spicy hoisin dipping sauce to create this gluten free and kid-friendly side dish. During the cold winter months, I love roasting vegetables to create simple and nutritious side dishes. The oven adds a little extra warmth in the kitchen while allowing …
Sharp cheddar and pureed winter squash create a thick and creamy sauce for this easy stove top mac and cheese. Kid-friendly, adult approved! Cool weather, short days and sleepless nights have me craving comfort food (read: carbs) like never before. Of course, I’m also well aware that nothing saps or …
Creamy butternut squash is roasted and pureed with honey, chipotle and smoked paprika to create this easy, healthy and delicious side dish. Have you started menu planning for the holidays? Don’t worry, me either. Oh wait, you have? Shoot. Well, I don’t blame you..between Thanksgiving, Thanksgivukkah, Hanukkah, and Christmas, my …
A healthy twist on a salty snack, baked turnip chips will be devoured by kids and adults alike. Do you have a sweet tooth or a salty tooth? While I can turndown a glazed donut or a red velvet cupcake any day of the week, I have trouble resisting foods …
A simple salad made with ripe heirloom tomatoes, garden fresh cucumbers and creamy goat cheese is drizzled with olive oil and a plenty of fresh basil.There is nothing better than a good book. You know the type: the one stay up way too late to read and can’t put down. …
Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Goat Cheese Read More »
Avocado, Black Bean and Red Pepper Salsa is packed with flavor and loaded in vitamins, nutrients, protein and fiber. My husband recently attended a week-long conference with scheduled evening events which meant one thing and one thing only: Mexican Fest 2013 for this girl! As I’ve mentioned a million times, …
Greek Marinated Grilled Eggplant and Summer Squash is an easy and versatile recipe perfect for any veggies in season including asparagus, zucchini, red peppers, onions and more. Greek Marinated Grilled VegetablesOne of the hottest foods trends right now is locally sourced food. Chances are if you don’t have a garden …
This Easy Homemade Pesto Pasta is the perfect dish to serve with grilled vegetables, chicken, or salmon. Can be served cold, warm or at room temperature.Earlier in the week, I shared my go-to Basil Pesto Recipe as well as tips for freezing. My Lemony Pesto Pasta with Peas came together …
These healthy baked egg rolls with bacon and sweet chili dipping sauce provide a satisfying crunch and tons of flavor – you won’t miss the fried version! When my husband and I were dating in Boston we used to frequent Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, MA – your quintessential Chinese American …
Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans are the ideal side dish for summer grilling season and they could not be any easier to make from scratch. Using dried beans gives this dish a delicious bite and nutty texture but canned beans work fine too. Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans are the ideal side …
Charred corn, spiced grilled chicken and juicy tomatoes give this main dish pasta salad lots of flavor without a lot of added calories. Southwest Grilled Chicken and Corn Pasta Salad is ideal for summer entertaining and BBQ’s because it can be made in advance and served cold or at room …
Juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and nutty pine nuts are the perfect complement to whole wheat pasta in this bright and fresh pasta salad. My beautiful mother is the queen of pasta salads. Every summer she makes them for family gatherings or lazy days at the cottage on Lake Michigan. The …
Tart apples, crunchy radishes, and a sweet and spicy vinaigrette all come together to create a healthy and refreshing slaw recipe perfect for BBQ season. I don’t want to jinx myself but I think it is safe to say that grilling season has finally arrived! After a ridiculously long winter, …
Fresh tabbouleh flavors get an added boost of protein from chickpeas, feta cheese and whole wheat pasta to make this a delicious side dish or entree salad. Happy Monday Everyone! Today is the big day – I am in Los Angeles to attend the Live Finale of Biggest Loser Season …
