Quick-cooking yellow lentils provide beautiful color and a lightly nutty flavor in this satisfying, plant-based meal, but brown or green lentils work well too. When it comes to recipes, I try not to overuse the word “favorite.” But the truth is, I have lots of favorites. Whether it is a favorite color, number, season,…
I have been off my smoothie kick for months. Maybe it was all the excesses of the holiday season, but I actually craved a green smoothie yesterday. Seriously. And this from a girl who used to cringe at the thought of blending her greens! So, in the spirit of getting back on track, perhaps at…
Amidst the last minute preparations for Christmas Day, there are a few non-negotiable activities on my calendar every December 24th. First and foremost, I must wrap the gifts my dad buys for my mom. To clarify, this annual ritual is not a hardship. In fact, I secretly love it. You see, while I am cutting…
I love a good lasagna, but it always seems like a big production. I hit upon this clever way of making lasagna years before no-cook noodles were discovered and it really works. Simply use regular noodles, assemble the night before with a little extra “juice”, and pop in the oven the next evening for a…
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
A cold, creamy treat that’s easy to make, Nutella Pops remind me of the classic chocolate pudding pops that were so popular when I was a girl! Do you remember Pudding Pops? In the 1980s, Bill Cosby was the spokesman for this popular frozen treat. The chocolate version was similar to a creamy fudgesicle,…
Whether it is too hot to cook or you would simply rather be at the pool, summertime cooking begs to be easy. With a few fresh ingredients, a grill, and a versatile, make-ahead dressing, dinner can truly be as effortless as it is delicious. One of my friends mentioned a few months ago that she…
When we were visiting my in-laws recently, we got talking about cheese. Most every night before dinner, we enjoy cheese and crackers when we are with them. Given the flavor journey I have been working on with Sargento Cheese, it was only natural that we talked about cheese a little more than usual! One evening,…
Fresh, flavorful, and versatile, this speedy salad is a great way to use leftover corn on the cob, but frozen and thawed works well too. A few months ago, I was the emcee of a heart health expo. At one point in the program, I was asked to speak about some of the tips I…
After a yoga class one day, my friend Daina told me about her favorite salad. Daina is a master gardener and grows much of what she eats this time of year in her own backyard. She mentioned that her favorite greens are dandelion greens and that she doesn’t use dressing on her salads. Preferring my…
Looking for a light, fluffy pancake recipe that offers a nutritional boost? This delicious stack is packed with whole grains and fiber-but no one will ever suspect they’re healthy! A few weeks ago, my younger son, Christian, and I were the only ones home for dinner. I asked him if, for…