Recent Posts

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).

Heavenly Fruit Date Muffins

Heavenly Fruit Date Muffins

My Heavenly Fruit Date Muffins are not only delicious, but they are free of refined sugar, adding molasses, dates, and honey for a shot of sweetness. My recipe also adds a twist of orange zest for zing, along with the traditional ingredients of carrots, pineapple, (more).

My Original Mexican Lasagna

My Original Mexican Lasagna

My Original Mexican Lasagna drew its inspiration from the traditional Mexican dish of chilaquiles. Here, a red sauce of tomato, onion, and chiles dulces (sweet peppers) is layered between corn tortillas, oregano chicken, carrots, peppers, and more tomato. Cap it off with a sprinkle of (more).

My Original Mexican Lasagna Sauce

My Original Mexican Lasagna Sauce

Thirty years ago, after my junior year abroad  in Mérida, Mexico, I began to experiment with my own take on a regional dish known as chilaquiles. From a mix of sweet peppers, tomatoes, and onions, I stumbled across a rich sauce to use for my (more).

Chipotle Hummus With A Kick

Chipotle Hummus With A Kick

Here My Chipotle Hummus With A Kick is the perfect fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. This tasty starter draws on the heat of Mexican chipotle peppers in adobo sauce but tames it with the cooling effect of absorbent sour cream, garbanzo beans, and tahini. (more).

Lusciously Creamy Italian Dressing

Lusciously Creamy Italian Dressing

Try your hand at this lusciously creamy Italian dressing and you’ll see it lives up to its name! Here a rich base of buttermilk and cream cheese is balanced by the tang of vinegar and lemon juice and the pungency of shallots and garlic.

Classic Cantucci (Italian Almond Biscotti)

Classic Cantucci (Italian Almond Biscotti)

Biscotto, the plural form of biscotti, is derived from the Latin word, biscotus, for twice baked. So, this popular twice baked cookie is perfect for dipping in your morning coffee or capping off a long evening. Full of anise and almonds, this Italian version is (more).

Healthy Asian Veggie & Chicken Stir-Fry

Healthy Asian Veggie & Chicken Stir-Fry

This healthy Asian stir-fry is packed with 32.7 g. of protein, making it a guilt-free dish to serve to your loved ones or yourself. And the subtle heat of the garlic chili paste is set off by the sweet hint of the rice seasoning, the (more).

Thai Red Curry with Chicken and Basil

Thai Red Curry with Chicken and Basil

This easy Thai curry takes only 15 minutes to prep but tastes like you labored all day in the kitchen! This winner of a recipe couples the saltiness of fish sauce with the sour tang of lime juice, all balanced by creamy coconut milk and (more).

Nummy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Nummy White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

These cookies are the perfect balance of the textural crunch of savory macadamia nuts, the sweet hint of creamy white chocolate chips, and the tropical touch of shredded coconut. Even though this recipe yields 2 dozen cookies, these mouthwatering morsels disappear fast in our household! (more).

Beef Chili Like None Other

Beef Chili Like None Other

With this surprising twist of smoky chile negros, unami like Worcestershire sauce, and freshly ground pepper, this is truly a chili like none other. Here, the rich tomato base and earthy spices complement the tender beef and protein-packed beans. It will have your guests coming (more).

Tuscan-Inspired Minestrone Soup

Tuscan-Inspired Minestrone Soup

Tuscany is where I first fell in love with this region’s take on that legendary dish, minestrone soup. Who cannot love the creamy consistency of Italian’s homegrown borlotti beans, the vitamin-packed leaves of lacinato kale, and the gritty texture of that nutty yet savory Parmesan? (more).

Better Than Boxed  Vegetable Broth

Better Than Boxed Vegetable Broth

A staple in every kitchen, vegetable broth, is easy to make and is so much better homemade than with the store-bought variety. Plus, it yields a vegetable purée, which can be added as a thickening agent to add more flavor and body to your soups. (more).

Nutty & Golden Homemade Granola

Nutty & Golden Homemade Granola

This nutty and golden homemade granola got its inspiration from a muesli bar that I was eating one spring morning. It triggered me to mix the perfect combination of oats, honey, butter, nuts, and seeds, making it a staple in our kitchen and hopefully, yours! (more).

My Addictive Oatmeal Combo Cookies

My Addictive Oatmeal Combo Cookies

These cookies are an addiction with their combo of shredded coconut for texture, applesauce for moisture, and sesame seeds for a nutty flavor. Such delights will jumpstart your morning as an accompaniment to your coffee or will cap off your night as an irresistible dessert. (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).

Party Date Cheese Ball: A Crowd-Pleaser

Party Date Cheese Ball: A Crowd-Pleaser

With my party cheese ball, the sweetness of the coconut date rolls enhances the mild flavor of the goat and cream cheese. And the textural crunch of the pecans offsets the softness of the cheese. Serve with a biscuit and you have an unforgettable crowd-pleaser! (more).

Soul-Nourishing Lentil Soup

Soul-Nourishing Lentil Soup

This hearty, soul-nourishing soup gets its flavor from tender lentils complemented by the natural saltiness of a ham hock and a garnish of Parmesan cheese. An array of mild, sautéed vegetables fills the background, rounding out a subtle burst of earthy flavors. Rich in fiber (more).

Heartwarming White Bean and Smoked Ham Soup

Heartwarming White Bean and Smoked Ham Soup

This heartwarming soup is exceptionally rich in flavor but nutritiously high in protein, as it derives its body from the stewing of cannellini beans, smoked pork hocks, earthy herbs, and hearty mirepoix. Its aroma will fill your home and whet your family’s appetite, ushering in (more).

Mexican Pozole Soup

Mexican Pozole Soup

This sensational soup fills the home with the flavorful aroma of earthy hominy and smoky chili anchos. The garnish of lemons and radishes lends a textural crunch and tangy note to this unique soup. Note: this soup is mild in heat although using chilies. It (more).