Fruits and Vegetables Recipes

Southwestern Chicken (or Turkey) Quesadilla Salad

Hearty quesadillas transform this flavorful salad into a satisfying meal – and the quesadillas require just three basic ingredients!    My make-at-home version of one of my all-time favorite restaurant salad dates back to my early twenties. Suffice it to say, this salad has stood the test of time! I usually make it when I…

So Easy Fresh Pumpkin Puree

Canned pumpkin isn’t the only game in town. It’s easy to make your own pumpkin puree, and the fresh flavor can’t be beat!   As I was wrestling with this pumpkin, trying to cut through it — all the while thinking of several people who have commented that they enjoy winter squash recipes, except for…

Ricotta and Spinach Stuffed Butternut Squash

This is a recipe I like to make at least once every fall or winter.  Most of the ingredients can be easily held on hand and it is a delicious, satisfying way to get a day’s worth of colorful veggies. While this recipe works well as a unique side dish, perfectly paired with poultry or…

Honey Orange Roasted Carrots (Parsnips Optional)

Usually, the mention of cooked carrots doesn’t elicit cheers of excitement in my house. Everyone tolerates roasted carrots but would really prefer them raw.  Until this recipe! While making a smoothie recently, I realized how beautifully orange juice and zest pairs with pumpkin.  I figured this winning flavor combination would translate to other orange vegetables,…

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie (grain and gluten free)

The last few days have proved to be quite exciting.  My recipe for Crunchy Top Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal was in a national contest with Smart Balance and to, my great surprise, it won!  The prize is an all expenses paid trip for two to Canyon Ranch Spa in Miami Beach.  What’s more, I get to…

Roasted 2-Way Potatoes

This is the way I got my kids to like sweet potatoes:  mixed with regular potatoes and cooked like steak fries.  I started by sneaking just one on their plate.  Having had one especially picky eater, I have a whole lot of dinnertime tricks up my sleeve! I like to think those tricks actually worked,…

Spinach, Mushroom and Fontina Frittata

If you are an egg fan and haven’t yet tried making a frittata, I highly recommend you do!  Not only are frittatas easy and quite versatile — allowing for the incorporation of a wide variety of vegetables, cheeses, herbs and protein — they are economical and so very satisfying. I think this savory egg dish…

Greek Pasta Skillet

I like to keep a package of fresh pasta and a package of sausage–turkey, chicken or pork are all good options–in my refrigerator for a quick, easy meal.  These two ingredients, paired with any number of vegetables, cheeses, and herbs can be the foundation for what is essentially a delicious pasta stir fry. Since the…

Baked Pumpkin Pancakes (Grain/Gluten Free)

Pumpkin and almonds hold a special affinity for one another. Generally speaking, combining these two ingredients has the potential for greatness. Yet the concept of combining them to create a gluten-free pancake—baked in the oven, no less–had the potential for epic failure! I remember well the first time I made this recipe. The batter tasted…

Tex-Mex Chopped Salad

With the right ingredients, a salad can be a hearty, delicious, and wholesome meal. Good proteins, healthy fats, and different textures help.  So does a homemade dressing. The simple mixture of salsa and ranch dressing lends great flavor and a little kick to this dish. While you could substitute your favorite store-bought dressing, I really…

Apple Quinoa Salad with Lemon, Curry and Mint

A simple protein will turn this wholesome, flavorful, plant-based salad into a complete meal. Easy to make ahead and perfect for meal prep! Years ago, my vegetarian sister introduced me to quinoa.  She first explained that, contrary to what it seems, this grain is pronounced “KEEN-wah.” She further mentioned that quinoa is popular with vegetarians…

Butternut Squash, Chick Pea & Pita Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

A good dinner salad hits the spot any time of year.  In the cooler months, however, the lighter dressings I enjoy during the summer months don’t always satisfy. I created this Lemon Tahini Dressing to stand up to hearty root vegetables and winter squashes.  In the process, I realized that it is a great option to…

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