lunch

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

I am all for quick simple meals at the moment. It's a tricky time of year for one-pot meals though. No one wants to make a batch of chili or pot of soup when the weather is beginning to warm and we are all craving salads and fresh produce. I like this pasta salad recipe because it's filling with a relative hardiness, but also fulfills my needs for fresh veggies!

Three Bean Salad with Dried Cranberries and Celery

Three Bean Salad with Dried Cranberries and Celery

I like to make this salad the night before, allowing the garlic flavors to absorb into the beans. The dried cranberries add a nice sweet chewiness, which the celery and red pepper add a crunch. The dressing is a simple mixture of oil, balsamic, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Za'atar Roasted Carrot, Cauliflower and Chickpea Bowl with a Lemon Yogurt Dressing

Za'atar Roasted Carrot, Cauliflower and Chickpea Bowl with a Lemon Yogurt Dressing

Cauliflower, carrots, and chickpeas are such a good combination of flavors, and when they are roasted in some oil and spices, look out. I combined them with some fresh watercress, chopped avocado, and topped with a quick lemon yogurt sauce, and it was pretty much the best thing we ate all week.

Vegetarian Pad Thai with Tofu

Vegetarian Pad Thai with Tofu

This pad thai recipe is a favorite of mine. It's a little sweet, a little salty, and a little tangy. The tofu is nice and crispy, the noodles cooked to perfection. I like to add a large serving of crunchy bean sprouts and cabbage to my plate and top it all with a sprinkle of peanuts and a squeeze of lime juice.

Blood Orange and Avocado Salad with a Citrus Tahini Dressing and Salty Pistachios

Blood Orange and Avocado Salad with a Citrus Tahini Dressing and Salty Pistachios

This salad is a compilation of some of the most vibrant and colorful produce available in the dreary month of February. I figure we might as well take advantage of things that are doing and looking their best right now while we gear up and prepare ourselves for summer berries!

Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms, Onions, and Fresh Spinach

Grilled Cheese with Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms, Onions, and Fresh Spinach

Grilled cheese toppings are where my creativity really blossoms. I like to add a slice of tomato or some hot peppers, maybe some avocado slices, or red pepper, but my absolute favorite way to eat a grilled cheese is with some slow cooked glazed balsamic mushrooms and onions, and some fresh spinach.

Zucchini and Fennel Salad with a Spicy Honey Dressing

Zucchini and Fennel Salad with a Spicy Honey Dressing

This is recipe #4 in the #TABASCO10 third annual 10 Ingredient Challenge - creating 5 different recipes in 5 days with the following 10 ingredients: TABASCO® Original RedGreen Jalapeño or Chipotle Sauce, Chicken, Eggs, Mozzarella, Fennel Bulb, Zucchini, Rice (Brown, Basmati, Jasmine or Wild), Rigatoni, Ciabatta, and Honey (Salt, pepper, oil are 'free' ingredients).

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich + EXCITING NEWS!!!

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich + EXCITING NEWS!!!

I am pregnant!!!! I still feel so weird to say it out loud, even at 4 1/2 months. I've been pretty reluctant to tell people the news, after suffering a miscarriage last September. I am still in shock and disbelief that there is a tiny person living inside of me. I still get nervous at every doctor's appointment when they look for the heartbeat.

Crispy BBQ Tempeh Caesar Salad Wraps

Crispy BBQ Tempeh Caesar Salad Wraps

My favorite way to prepare tempeh is soaking in some marinade and grilling or frying in a little oil. It's a nice substantial addition to these highly crunchy vegetable based wraps. The vegan Caesar dressing that I use knocks any thick creamy eggy anchovy dressing out of the park.