Old Bay Tilapia with Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables I’ve always believed that the best dishes emerge from happy accidents or a genuine desire to tweak the familiar into something uniquely yours. For me, that journey started with a lingering apprehension towards the often overly sweet, marshmallow-laden classic sweet potato casserole. I wanted something that … Read more
The Hearty Embrace of Roasted Vegetable Soup There are some dishes that feel like a warm hug on a chilly evening, a culinary embrace that soothes the soul and nourishes the body. For me, Roasted Vegetable Soup is precisely that. I remember a time, not so long ago, when my vegetable intake was… well, let’s … Read more
Oatmeal Cherry Applesauce Muffins: A Wholesome Hug in Every Bite There’s a unique comfort that emanates from the simple act of baking, a tangible warmth that fills the kitchen and, eventually, our souls. For me, this feeling is intrinsically linked to the aroma of cinnamon, oats, and fruit mingling in the oven. These Oatmeal Cherry … Read more
RFD Tofu Miso Cheesecake (Vegan) There are certain dishes that, once tasted, linger in your memory, a gentle hum of flavor that calls you back. This Tofu Miso Cheesecake, a brilliant creation inspired by the legendary Real Food Daily in Los Angeles, is one such dish for me. It’s a testament to how plant-based cooking … Read more
Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan: A Lighter Take on a Beloved Classic There are some dishes that just feel like a hug from the inside. For me, Chicken Parmesan is one of those quintessential comfort foods. I remember growing up, the smell of garlic and simmering tomatoes filling our kitchen on a Friday night was a signal … Read more
Rosemary Chicken Salad Sandwiches: A Fresh Take on a Classic There’s something truly magical about a perfectly balanced chicken salad sandwich. For me, the memory of this particular recipe is tied to a bright, sun-drenched afternoon years ago, a potluck picnic in a sprawling park, and a friend who, with a mischievous grin, presented a … Read more
Wholesome Morning Magic: Oat & Cranberry Muffins There’s a certain comfort that wafts from the oven when a batch of muffins is baking, and for me, the aroma of oat and cranberry muffins is particularly nostalgic. I remember, as a young apprentice, being tasked with preparing a morning pastry for the breakfast rush. The baker, … Read more
Orange Oven Fried Mahi-Mahi Fillets: A Zesty Escape There’s a certain magic that happens when fresh-caught fish meets simple, vibrant flavors. I remember one particular summer afternoon, the salty tang of the Atlantic still clinging to my clothes, that I was inspired to create something that captured that essence without weighing down the palate. This … Read more
Roasted Salmon & Grape Tomatoes: A Symphony of Simplicity There are some dishes that, in their sheer elegance and straightforwardness, speak volumes. Roasted Salmon & Grape Tomatoes is one such culinary gem. I remember the first time I encountered this preparation; it was during a particularly hectic holiday season, and I was desperate for something … Read more
Guilt-Free Indulgence: Sugar-Free, Flour-Free Oatmeal Cookies There’s a special kind of magic in a homemade cookie, isn’t there? The aroma that wafts through the kitchen, the warmth that seeps into your hands as you pull them from the oven, and that first blissful bite – it’s pure comfort. For years, I navigated this delicious world, … Read more
(Relatively) Healthy Cinnamon Buns: A Guilt-Free Morning Delight There are few aromas more comforting, more evocative of cozy mornings and happy kitchens, than that of freshly baked cinnamon buns. For years, my own kitchen was a place where these sweet, spiced swirls were a rare indulgence, reserved for special occasions and always accompanied by a … Read more
The Golden Heart of Breakfast: Oat Bran Waffles There’s a certain magic in the morning, a quiet promise of a new day that I always feel is best met with something warm, comforting, and nourishing. For me, that magic often takes the form of waffles. But not just any waffles. These oat bran waffles hold … Read more
Roasted Tofu With Mushrooms, Soy & Ginger on Baby Spinach There are those dishes that arrive in your life, unannounced, and simply make sense. This particular recipe, a vibrant composition of earthy mushrooms, savory tofu, and a bright ginger-soy dressing, is one of them for me. I first encountered it on a blustery autumn evening, … Read more
Oven-Roasted Eggplant and Butternut Squash Curry There’s a particular magic that happens when humble vegetables are transformed by the gentle, pervasive heat of the oven. This curry, adapted from the celebrated Vij’s restaurant in Vancouver, truly captures that essence. I remember the first time I tasted a dish from their kitchen – a symphony of … Read more
The Humble Broccoli Transformed: My Go-To Roasted Broccoli Recipe I remember the first time I truly understood broccoli. Growing up, it was often a mushy, overcooked side dish, a chore to be endured rather than enjoyed. Then, during a particularly chaotic stint in a bustling restaurant kitchen, a chef tossed a few heads of broccoli … Read more
Rosemary Chicken with Wild Rice: A Flavorful & Wholesome Weight Watchers Delight There are certain dishes that, with just one whiff, transport you back to a specific moment in time. For me, this Rosemary Chicken with Wild Rice is one of those culinary anchors. I remember the first time I made it for a potluck … Read more
Rice Cooker Chicken, Wild Rice and Veggies: A Weeknight Wonder There are those nights, aren’t there? The ones where the day has been a marathon, and the thought of intricate meal prep feels like climbing Everest in flip-flops. It was on one such evening, staring into the depths of my pantry and fridge, that a … Read more
The Humble Ragi Roti: A Wholesome Embrace of Ancient Grains There’s a particular comfort that washes over me whenever I smell the earthy, subtly sweet aroma of ragi flour hitting a hot griddle. It’s a scent that transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, a place filled with warmth, wisdom, and the simple magic of … Read more
A Symphony of Earthy Flavors: Roast Vegetable, Puy Lentil, and Goat Cheese Salad There’s a particular magic that happens when humble ingredients are coaxed by the transformative power of heat and mindful assembly. This salad, in its vibrant medley of roasted roots, earthy lentils, and creamy goat cheese, is a testament to that magic. I … Read more
Ratatouille for a Crowd: A Celebration of Summer’s Bounty There’s something undeniably magical about a dish that can transform humble vegetables into a symphony of flavors and colors, especially when it’s meant to nourish a multitude. I remember the first time I tackled a true ratatouille for a large gathering. It was for a community … Read more
Roasted Ratatouille Rice with Herb-Roasted Salmon: A Symphony of Summer Flavors There are certain dishes that, with a single aroma, can transport you back to sun-drenched afternoons and the comforting embrace of a well-loved kitchen. For me, this Roasted Ratatouille Rice with Salmon is one such creation. I remember the first time I encountered a … Read more
Raw Marinated Mushrooms: A Burst of Umami, No Heat Required There are certain dishes that, with just a few simple ingredients and a touch of patience, transform into something truly magical. Raw Marinated Mushrooms are precisely that. I first encountered a similar preparation years ago, tucked away in a raw food cookbook. The idea of … Read more
The Savory Embrace: My Journey to Oatmeal Vegetable Porridge There was a time when my culinary world felt a little too sweet, a little too predictable. My body, in its wisdom, began to communicate that sugar and dairy weren’t my best friends. Faced with this dietary reckoning, I knew I needed to get creative, to … Read more
The Humble Magic of Roasted Root Vegetables: A Thanksgiving Cornerstone For me, the aroma of roasted root vegetables is inextricably linked to the warmth and anticipation of Thanksgiving. I can still vividly recall helping my grandmother in her bustling kitchen, the air thick with the scent of sage and roasting turkey, and the sweet, earthy … Read more
Crispy Roasted Chickpeas and Refreshing Cucumber Salad: A Culinary Hug There’s a unique kind of comfort I find in transforming humble ingredients into something truly special. It often harks back to my early days in the kitchen, where simple combinations yielded the most profound flavors. I remember one sweltering summer afternoon, long before I was … Read more
The Unbelievable Charm of Raw Bread: A Culinary Revelation There’s a certain mystique that surrounds “raw” food, an almost primal allure that whispers of ancient wisdom and pure, unadulterated nourishment. For me, this intrigue truly solidified when a dear friend, a culinary explorer with an uncanny knack for discovering hidden gems, shared a recipe that … Read more
Rise and Shine Juice: A Burst of Morning Vitality There are some flavors that just feel like waking up. For me, it’s not just the taste, but the vibrant color and the immediate sense of well-being that a fresh, bright juice brings. I remember my first early morning shoot for a morning television segment, and … Read more
Oats Veg Steamed Balls: A Wholesome Bite of Goodness There are some recipes that just feel like a warm hug, a testament to simple ingredients transformed into something truly comforting and nourishing. For me, those are the dishes that whisper tales of busy weeknights and the desire to eat well without fuss. Oats Veg Steamed … Read more
The Art of the Invisible Ingredient: Mastering Orange Puree There are some ingredients that, on their own, might seem unassuming, even a little… basic. My early encounters with such a notion were often through the lens of my own children’s notoriously discerning palates. I remember a time, not so long ago, when a single stray … Read more
The Art of the Oil-Free Salad Dressing: Flavor Without the Fat For years, my digestive system has been a rather opinionated diner. Certain indulgences, especially those swimming in oil, quickly lead to a rather unpleasant internal protest. For a long time, this meant my salads were relegated to the land of the bland, a necessary … Read more