Who would have thought that even mainstream fast-casual and fine dining restaurants would have kale salads on the menu? Kale is everywhere, being massaged, baked, blended, juiced, souped and sautéed. But this leafy superfood is bound to have to share the spotlight soon. So what’s next? Hint: it comes from the sea. Yes, it’s time to […]
Veggies
Picadillo Stuffed Peppers for Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo (May 5) may be another excuse to party in a lot of places, but in Southern California celebrating Mexico’s defeat of French troops as they moved from Veracruz toward Mexico City in 1861* is a matter of national pride that is often confused with Mexican Independence Day (celebrated on September 19th). And, […]
Chefs Toys and a Vegetarian Asian Chopped Salad
Eating and cooking at home is essential for any fitness and weight loss plan. If you have ever looked at the nutritional information (required for restaurants with 20 or more locations) you know what I’m talking about. If the calories don’t blow your mind…or your waist line, the sodium content will. The perception that ordering […]
Low Carb Cauliflower Cheesy Grits
Grits? Only in the past decade has grits, specifically cheesy grits, entered the culinary vernacular for parts of the U.S. north of the Mason-Dixon line. This girl, born in Chicago, but raised in NW Arkansas never cared for grits – I know, such a statement borders on blasphemy in the South – but what I […]
Carrot, Ginger, Pineapple Detox Soup
A healthy, vibrantly orange Carrot Ginger PIneapple Detox Soup has all the sweetness and nutritional value of carrots, plus the anti-inflammatory benefits of ginger, and tropical allure of pineapple juice that is absolutely unbeatable. Served chilled, it’s the perfect antidote for the unusually hot, humid “monsoon” weather that we’ve been experiencing in Southern California. The […]
4th of July and a Fast, Fresh + Easy Caprese Salad with Red Walnuts
Independence Day doesn’t get any better, crazier, or more patriotic than the celebrations in downtown Huntington Beach – beginning with the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade. Not what you would expect from a beach city known for its surf culture, yet the parade is in its 111th year, is the largest 4th of July […]
Rainbow Chard with Couscous from Ally’s Kitchen Cookbook
Wander the world without leaving your kitchen! Popular blogger, chef, and TV personality Ally Phillips shares her favorite recipes from around the globe in this truly unique cookbook. Full of cultural background, delicious recipes, and Ally Phillips’s signature “food branching” ideas, this cookbook is guaranteed to turn your ordinary meals into memorable masterpieces. Join me […]
Potato, Carrot and Lentil Soup for the New Year
Hurray, it’s almost the new year! And 2021 can’t come fast enough! Because some of us may be doing some healthy goal setting, I’m sharing this Vegan Potato, Carrot and Lentil soup recipe cuz it’s basically the best vegan soup you’ve ever had! A repertoire of vegan soups that are comforting, satisfying, and deliciously healthy […]
The Amazing Ninja Duo – Not Just For Smoothies!
Blenders are not just for smoothies or frozen cocktails! Okay, they can be if that’s what you really want, but if you’re going to invest in one it may as well put dinner on the table too, right? Jump to Recipe What would you say if I told you that the Nutri Ninja® has a […]
Afternoon at Le Cordon Bleu – Healthy Food is #Sexy
I’m just getting home from four days in Las Vegas where I attended the inaugural Food Fight Write conference held in conjunction with the ultimate cooking competition – the World Food Championships, where serious cooking competitors throw it down in hopes of becoming world champs in their category. When the smoke clears and the Final […]