Vegetarian

Curried Couscous Salad with Carrots and Cashews

Curried Couscous Salad with Carrots and Cashews

Although pearl couscous was invented in Israel, I give this salad a tropical twist with the complement of cashews to a curry dressing. Top it with dried apricots, golden raisins, and shredded carrots, and you’ll have a meal that your family will clamor for more! (more).

French Lentil Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

French Lentil Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

This vegan French lentil salad is nutrient-rich in fiber with 31.2 grams per serving and packed with plant-based protein with 32.8 grams per serving. Plus, it is delicious with a sweet hint of maple syrup, apricots, and carrots caramelized in balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a great (more).

Mexican Soy Tostadas

Mexican Soy Tostadas

These Mexican soy tostadas are fast and easy to make, requiring only 18 minutes and using just 6 ingredients, one of which is water. The crumbled Mexican soy is a good source of protein and makes this dish vegan if paired with vegan sour cream. (more).

My Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

My Homemade Red Enchilada Sauce

This homemade red enchilada sauce is so addictive that you’ll be topping it on a plethora of recipes, like my Mexican Soy Tostadas.  It’s also a nice accompaniment to eggs, like the traditional dish of Mexican huevos rancheros. Try it for yourself and tell me (more).

Heavenly Seven-Layer Bars

Heavenly Seven-Layer Bars

Who can’t enjoy seven layers of heavenly chocolate, creamy butterscotch, nutty coconut, earthy walnuts, creamy butter, and a flaky, graham cracker crust, all held together by condensed milk? This bar is a slice of heaven, and once you taste it, you’ll know what I mean! (more).

My Grandma’s Legendary Peanut Butter Cookies

My Grandma’s Legendary Peanut Butter Cookies

As a young girl, I’d sprint one block to my grandma’s house and we’d spend the afternoon, immersed in one of our favorite pastimes: baking, Needless to say, I grew up on these legendary peanut butter cookies, which are decoratively crisscrossed and sprinkled with sugar. (more).

Three’s A Charm Apple Crisp

Three’s A Charm Apple Crisp

I call this apple crisp, three’s a charm, as it took three tries to perfect. It was one thing or another —either too many apples, not enough topping, or forgetting the brown sugar. But the third time was a charm and well worth the blunders, (more).

Asparagus, Leek, and Potato Frittata

Asparagus, Leek, and Potato Frittata

My asparagus, leek, and potato frittata was inspired from the tortilla española, a Spanish omelet made of egg, potato, and onions. The changes I made were to swap out leeks for onions and add asparagus, goat, Parmesan, and cottage cheese. Try it for yourself and (more).

A Grain-Rich Redo of Tabbouleh Salad

A Grain-Rich Redo of Tabbouleh Salad

While the typical tabbouleh recipe calls for a higher proportion of parsley and mint to bulgur, here, I flip-flop the ratio out of personal taste. What results is a grain-rich salad that is still accentuated by mint and parsley. Tell me which way you prefer! (more).

Tzatziki, Yogurt Cucumber Dip

Tzatziki, Yogurt Cucumber Dip

This tzatziki, or yogurt cucumber dip, is worthy of a prize, as it can be combined with my Baba Ganoush, Eggplant Dip and my Ever-So-Delicious Classic Hummus (see Appetizers). Serve these for a Middle Eastern/Greek dinner, and your guests will be moved by your food! (more).

Baba Ganoush, Eggplant Dip

Baba Ganoush, Eggplant Dip

Who knew that this Arabic phrase, bābā ḡannūj, translates to father of coquetry or pampered daddy? And who knew that it was rumored a member of the royal harem supposedly created this glorious dip? * **This dip is regal with its mix of roasted eggplant, (more).

Ever-So-Delicious Classic Hummus

Ever-So-Delicious Classic Hummus

After years of trial and error, you can learn from my blunders and benefit from the right balance of tahini to lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. This creamy mix is a welcome taste for vegans and the population at large. Try it once and (more).

Stellar Oriental Salad Dressing

Stellar Oriental Salad Dressing

My Stellar Oriental Salad Dressing is a must-try for anyone who loves the taste sensations of Asian cuisine but has little time on their hands. With the robust mix of sesame oil, lime juice, and teriyaki sauce, it’s unthinkable it takes 10 minutes to make. (more).

Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salad with Goat Cheese, Pecans, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

With a one-of-a-kind blend of creamy goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and a savory balsamic vinaigrette, your guests will think you labored all day in the kitchen. Don’t tell them, it took just 9 minutes to assemble and used only 4 ingredients. Everyone deserves a secret!

Quick and Best Balsamic Vinaigrette

Quick and Best Balsamic Vinaigrette

I’ve learned over time that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. This rings true for my Quick and Best Balsamic Vinaigrette. With only 7 ingredients that take just 9 minutes to make, this recipe adds dazzle to any salad, without a lot of toil (more).

Healthy Snacking Four-Bean Salad

Healthy Snacking Four-Bean Salad

With over 22 grams of fiber and 22 grams of protein per serving, this nutrient-packed salad is a must for vegan and vegetarian eaters and will easily satisfy the average carnivore. Plus, who can resist a good vinaigrette, set off by a punch of pepper? (more).

Honduran Morning Coffee

Honduran Morning Coffee

Here, the traditional cup of Joe is given a twist, with the unexpected complement of allspice and sugar to coffee. This is the customary way coffee was served when I was a Peace Corp Volunteer two decades ago in the coffee producing sector of western (more).

Creamy Basic Vinaigrette (Vegan Too)

Creamy Basic Vinaigrette (Vegan Too)

I found it remarkable that this vinaigrette was so creamy, provided it didn’t have any dairy. What’s more, the sweetness of the honey tempered the pungent garlic, shallots, and red wine vinegar, while the sour tinge of lemon juice added another level of complexity. I (more).

Simple Green Salad

Simple Green Salad

Don’t be fooled by the name, “simple” salad. This recipe is far from mediocre—exuding a burst of flavors—with the dill and black pepper elevating a robustness to your palate and the saltiness of the Parmesan cheese tempering the bitter herbs. Very few ingredients are needed, (more).

A Healthy Twist on Artichoke-Parmesan Dip

A Healthy Twist on Artichoke-Parmesan Dip

This dip has a subtle orchestra of flavors, running from the salty hint of the artichokes and Parmesan cheese to the sour notes of the vinegar marinade. It is perfect in itself and does not need the heavy fat, as added by many others. *Note: (more).

All-Time Best Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten-Free Too)

All-Time Best Banana Nut Muffins (Gluten-Free Too)

After six batches of poor banana nut muffins, I almost hung up my apron when my persistence paid off. With a burst of sweet bananas and crunchy walnuts in each bite, I now have a go to recipe to make use of the overripe bananas (more).