If you’re someone who is immediately drawn to the artichoke appetizer on restaurant menus because it’s light and healthy and relatively low calorie compared to everything else, I think you’ll appreciate how easy it is to make artichokes at home and enjoy them for all the same reasons. The artichoke growing capital of the U.S. is […]
Veggies
Surfing and Corn-Jalapeño Fritters
The Van’s U.S. Open of Surfing blazed into downtown Huntington Beach and, love it or hate it, if you live here you have no choice but to be caught up in the fever… and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. Sure the U.S. Open is a surf contest, but to describe it as such doesn’t do it justice – it’s […]
Healthy Square Meal in a Bowl
This über healthy, vegan, gluten free Carrot Quinoa Chickpea salad is more than a salad and better for you than popular fast-casual “bowls”, in fact, you could call it a square meal. For some reason this term crossed my mind and struck me as ironic – when, why and how did the expression “square meal” come […]
Spicy Middle Eastern Roasted Potatoes {Batata Harra}
Spice up your favorite roasted potatoes with a Middle Eastern twist for an exotic addition to breakfast, brunch, or meze spread. Not for the meek of palate this dish is meant to be spicy -with both harissa and red chile flakes, no sriracha or hot sauce is needed! Batata harra (spicy potatoes) is a Lebanese and Syrian […]
Roasted Bok Choy #eatclean
Bok choy ranks right up with the rest of the dark, leafy greens at the top of any super foods list. Low in calories and nutrient dense, bok choy contains a healthy dose of calcium for bone and cardiovascular health, iron for muscle and red blood cell building, and lots of Vitamins A and C. […]
Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Muffins {Low Carb, Gluten Free}
Finally, a macaroni and cheese recipe that is not only gluten free, but lower in carbs, calories, and fat – yet, still satisfies your inner craving with all its cheesy goodness and crunchy crumblies. The low carb secret is in the cauliflower – half gluten free pasta and half roasted cauliflower, which adds nutritional value […]
Chinese Long Beans and Cashews with “Not Ketchup” Smoky Date Sauce
Have you ever cooked with Chinese Long Beans instead of regular green beans? They are actually part of the same plant family as the black-eyed pea, but look more like very long green beans and hold up better under high heat, making them perfect for stir fries. You can buy Chinese Long Beans in Asian […]
Eggplant Parmesan with Fresh Mozzarella
Eggplant: Love It or Leave It? Which eggplant camp are you in? I love eggplant, but I know many people don’t share my enthusiasm for this stunning purple nightshade. Most objections to eggplant are usually about texture or bitterness. But when eggplant is treated right, it’s creamy and earthy—a superstar in dips as well as […]
Super Bowl Party: 7-Layer Mediterranean Dip
I’m late to the party and it has a lot to do with the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) and Super Bowl falling on the same weekend. Considering we were just in Shanghai, it seemed more pertinent (and interesting) especially since hub’s team, the New England Patriots, put up a good fight but eventually […]
Chinese New Year – Snow Pea and Radish Stir Fry
Festivities for the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, or Tet if you’re Vietnamese, begin two weeks prior to the official day. As you can imagine, there are many traditions involved in a centuries old celebration. Many old school traditions are still observed, but “thanks to a nearly 50-year Communist-mandated freeze, […]