Cajun Vegetable Pasta

I should give the caveat that this not any sort of authentic “cajun” pasta – it’s really a riff on popular menu items at restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and it’s basically a creamy pasta with cajun seasoning to liven things up. Generally, it’s made with chicken, but this version uses roasted vegetables instead. Because the vegetables shrink so much, you could probably double the…

Instant Pot Chicken with Green Olives and Kale

I adapted this recipe from one of my current favorite cookbooks, “Instant Family Meals” by Sarah Copeland. The recipes are simple, but slightly elevated, and have all turned out perfectly (which is truly a marvel – I’ve found that appliance-focused cookbooks like this can be really hit or miss). I like these sort of recipes because they taste like they took forever to prepare…

Meal-Prep-Worthy Chicken

I am not, by design, a meal-prepper. It takes a really delicious recipe to make me want to eat it for 4-5 days in a row. I am happy to report that this recipe has been meal-prepped (and eaten) no less than 3 weeks running. It’s really delicious and it’s healthy, too. I used this method for baking the chicken, which I HIGHLY recommend….

Semi-Virtuous Cookies

I call these “semi-virtuous” cookies because they contain mostly virtuous ingredients, although they’re not so healthy that they’re boring. Don’t skimp on the chocolate chips – you’re already skipping the butter, refined sugar, and flour – the inclusion of chocolate chips is non-negotiable. I should also mention that the cookies come together really quickly with the use of a food processor, my MVP in…

Chicken and Rice Soup with Ginger, Turmeric, and Chili Garlic Sauce

To be honest, I had no intention of posting this recipe online. But once I tasted it, I knew I wanted to write down the variations I took from the original recipe so I could make it again. This is a perfect winter dinner – it’s warming, spicy, and filling without being unhealthy or too rich. 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil 5 green…

Spontaneous Pasta with roasted asparagus

I apologize in advance for having exactly zero measurements for this recipe. I woke up tired from staying up to0 late and just kind of threw together stuff I had in the pantry and fridge. Regardless, it’s pretty easy and a great way to sneak a green vegetable into a meal! 1 bundle thin asparagus, chopped into pieces, white ends trimmed off and discarded…

Leftover Turkey Soup with Lemon, Dill, and Jalapeno

Leftover turkey can be dry and boring, especially if you continue to pair it with gravy, stuffing, etc. etc. If you’re ready to taste something different with your leftover turkey, give your microwave a break and try out this soup! 4 cups chicken broth 1 white onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 jalapeno, finely chopped (remove the seeds and membranes if you prefer…

A Very Good (and easy) White Bread

Funny story: I was an extremely picky eater as a child. I had a fixation with Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs (no other brand would do – I would demand to see the packaging before taking a single bite) and white bread. We’d have to ask my parents, but I’m pretty sure those were the only two foods I ate for at least a year,…

Tuna and White Bean Casserole

It’s a popular, and perhaps cliche, thing to say that the joy of cooking comes from sharing your creations with the ones you love. What if the joy of cooking comes from your love of eating? My husband and I fall on opposite sides of the flavor landscape: I prefer acidic, aggressively seasoned food with lots of spice and heat (perhaps because of my…

A healthier Zucchini Bread that you’ll actually like

Truth be told, I NEVER would have baked this recipe if not for a friend who cut out gluten and refined sugar. She and I had been walking through her neighborhood each week and she kept hinting that she wouldn’t mind a sample of my kitchen creations. I decided to bake up a batch of banana bread that I found through Danielle Walker’s Against…