My snap pea plants stopped producing about two weeks ago, which means I have been experimenting with snap pea recipes to use up my harvest. These pesto shrimp and snap pea couscous bowls are a favorite because they are quick and easy.
Couscous is an ingredient I don’t cook with a lot, but it deserves more attention because it is so easy and fast to make. All you have to do is bring water to a boil, then wait 5 minutes for the couscous to absorb. Continue reading
Posted in Fish and Seafood, Quick and Easy
These chocolate peanut butter date caramel bars are a healty no-bake snack or dessert recipe. Date caramel is made by blending dates and nut butter (peanut butter in my recipe!) until smooth, and it makes the center layer of these bars!
I was recently asked by a reader to post more dessert recipes. If you read here, then you know that I don’t post many. It’s not that I don’t post them, I don’t make sweets often.
One main reason is that I’m the only one in the house with a sweet tooth, so all desserts end up being consumed by me. Giant layer cakes and whole pans of brownies just make way too much for one person. Continue reading
Posted in Dessert, Gluten Free Dishes, Quick and Easy, Snacks, Vegan
Tagged Chocolate, dates, Nuts, Oatmeal, Peanut butter, Whole grain
This tomato and fire roasted corn salad is bursting with the fresh flavors of summer. It is a very simple salad of fresh ingredients tossed in a light homemade sauce that brightens its flavors.
The recipe calls for heirloom tomatoes. I keep this category broad because any fresh and super-flavorful tomato will do. Continue reading
Posted in Gluten Free Dishes, Quick and Easy, Salad, Side Dish
Tagged Basil, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Vegan
I started making this easy southwest chopped salad for lunches last summer and it is still a favorite. Although this salad requires a little chopping, I still consider it easy because I almost always have all the ingredients on hand.
Having a well stocked pantry makes it easy to whip up a good lunch without much pre-thought. I use canned black beans, frozen corn, jarred jalapenos, bagged tortilla chips, hot sauce and bottled ranch. I always have cabbage and onions in the fridge. Therefore the greens are ususally the only thing I need to put on the grocery list! Continue reading
Posted in Gluten Free Dishes, Quick and Easy, Salad, Vegetarian Main Dish
Tagged Black Beans, Cabbage, Jalapenos, Kale, Red cabbage, Romaine, Spinach, Sweet Corn
It is finally here. It’s salad season! I love this time of year because my garden is bursting with fresh lettuce, kale, and arugula. I will eat salad after salad until I grow tired, but that is far from the goal. The goal is finding ways to keep salad interesting, so I share with you this apple cheddar kale salad.
Apple and cheddar are a classic combination of sweet and salty. Pair that with an apple cider vinaigrette to keep things savory and some sunflower seeds for crunch, and you have a winner salad. Continue reading
Posted in Gluten Free Dishes, Quick and Easy, Salad, Vegetarian Main Dish
Tagged Apples, Cheese, Kale, Sunflower seeds
To me, bay scallops seam to be underrated as a seafood option. They are inexpensive but still have great seafood flavor. If you haven’t had them in a while, give them a try again in this recipe, lemon caper bay scallops with asparagus.
My only comment about bay scallops is that they release a lot of moisture when cooked, so they are difficult to get a sear on them like you can larger scallops. Continue reading
Posted in Fish and Seafood, Gluten Free Dishes, Quick and Easy
Have you ever tried pan seared potato gnocchi? The soft, pillowy gnocchi get chewy and caramalized on the outside and stay tender on the inside. I made mine with asparagus and mushrooms served with a miso sauce!
When I first tried this recipe, I tried making my own potato gnocchi. The end result was delicious, but the process was a sticky gooey mess. Needless to say, that recipe needs a touch more work before it comes to the blog. Continue reading
Posted in Pasta, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetarian Main Dish
Tagged Asparagus, miso, Mushrooms, Vegetarian
This recipe is a classic example of how good canned vegetables can be. I have tried this seared artichoke and white bean pasta recipe with frozen artichoke hearts as well and found it to be a little too dry. The artichokes that are canned in brine are better suited for searing because they don’t dry out as much while they caramelize.
The searing process adds not only a pop of color, but also bring out the sweetness of the artichokes beautifully. It takes a little time, so be patient. The end result is a delicious yet simple pasta dinner. Continue reading
Posted in Pasta, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian Main Dish
Tagged Artichokes, Cheese, Garlic, Pasta, Quick and Easy, White Beans, Wine
I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect fish taco. It can’t be because there are just so many good ways to do it, no one recipe could ever be the best. Nevertheless, I am always in the pursuit of perfecting recipes and fish tacos are easily a food group in my house, so here is another variation for you to try: smoky trout tacos with lemon garlic aioli.
Can we talk about aioli for a minute, please? Does anyone actually use eggs to make their aioli? Maybe I’m the only one that is totally hooked on the ease of using mayo, but what can I say? It’s delicious, easy to make, and I don’t have to fuss with raw eggs. Win-win in my book. Continue reading
Posted in Fish and Seafood, Quick and Easy, Tacos
Tagged Fish, Garlic, Lemon, Quick and Easy, Romaine, Tomatoes, Tortillas
This simple bright lemon and green olive pasta is for those dreary winter days when you need a fresh pick-me-up. Think of it like a trip to the beach. The lemon represents the bright sunshine, and the briny olives represent the scent of the ocean. Continue reading
Posted in Pasta, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian Main Dish
Tagged Lemon, Olives, Pasta, Quick and Easy
