Vegetarian Frittata Recipe I had never made a frittata until I met my friend Elizabeth seven years ago. It seemed like every time I stopped by her house, she was pulling a skillet loaded with eggs and vegetables out of the oven. We'd stand around her kitchen talking, taking piping hot bites of whatever the special was that day, while our children ran wild around the house. She was onto something good. Frittatas are Italian-style omelets, a healthy, filling crustless quiche that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. I find myself going back to this kind of cooking quite a bit lately. Just good honest food, created from a combination Read More
Mushroom, Cheese, and Toast Frittata
Mushroom, Cheese, and Toast Frittata One of my goals for last year was to tighten up spending on the grocery/household line in our budget. Thanks to some good ol' fashioned discipline (and avoiding Target like the plague), I have shaved off over $300/month. Here are some of my favorite ways to save money on food: Cook your own beans. Eat more simple rice-and-beans dinners. Roast whole chickens (or buy at Costco). Use the bones to make & freeze chicken stock. Bake your own bread. I haven't bought store bread in months. Big savings! Eat more meat-free meals. Stop wasting food. Best way: keep your fridge cleaned out. Fried rice, Read More
Graham Cracker Bread (recipe)
Graham Cracker Bread Thanks to these gray, rainy days I have been on a major baking kick. Granola bars, cookies, brownies, breads. If the sun doesn't come back soon, I am going to have to switch to elastic waistbands on all my pants. This week I was watching my kids roll out Play-Doh creations at the dining room table. It reminded me of one of my all-time favorite bread recipes, Graham Cracker Bread. The recipe involves splitting the dough into 3 equal portions, rolling each into a 12" rope, and braiding them together before tucking them into the pan to bake. The bread dough is really easy to handle and shape. Just dust off your Play-Doh skills, Read More
Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad (gluten-free, dairy-free recipe)
Roasted Vegetable Winter Salad (gluten-free, dairy-free recipe) I used to be terrible at feeding myself lunch. I'd whip out lunch plates for my family like a short order cook at rush hour, but when it came to my own plate I rarely sat down to eat a real meal. I'd peck at some nuts and seeds or nibble on cheese and crackers like some kind of bird, while throwing in a load of laundry, emptying the dishwasher, and responding to three emails. Then I couldn't figure out why I was snappy and shaky and eating a fistful of chocolate chips at three in the afternoon. For the past month or so, I have been making a focused effort to eat a filling, nutritious Read More
Meat Loaf with Barbecue Sauce (the ultimate comfort food)
Meatloaf with Homemade BBQ Sauce When fall settles in to stay, with its foggy mornings, crisp days, and drippy nights, the first thing I think about, naturally, is food. That, and the fact that maybe this is the year to finally purchase an umbrella. Anyway, back to the food. Comfort food, to be exact, which is the perfect label for it. There's something seriously comforting in a steamy pot of soup or melty bowl of mac and cheese. The comfort food at the very top of my list, though, is definitely humble meat loaf. It was always the meal I most missed when away at college, and the one I first requested when home on breaks. It is still the first thing Read More
Healthy Coconut Chicken Soup recipe (Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free)
Coconut Chicken Soup My friend Rebecca has been raving about this Coconut Chicken Soup for years. I couldn't take it any longer. Friends don't let friends describe delicious food without inviting themselves to dinner, so naturally I suggested she make it for me. Last month, she did just that. I ate one bowl and decided she was definitely onto something. Then I ate a second bowl just to be sure. My husband was equally as thorough in his taste testing. Instead of dropping by for dinner each month, I decided it was time to learn how to make it myself. This healthy soup is creamy and flavorful, thanks to the base which combines chicken broth, Read More
Greek Cherry Tomato Salad
Greek Cherry Tomato Salad Before we know it, watermelons will be swapped out for pumpkins and school supplies will be replaced by Halloween costumes. Yep, you heard it here first: summer is almost over. I keep checking the calendar, trying to convince myself it really is September already. In many ways, it feels like summer arrived just a few short weeks ago. It seems far too soon to be saying good-bye for another season. Until then, let's soak up the last summertime has to offer, starting with a beautiful long weekend. Looking for something to take to a potluck or serve for a backyard barbeque? Try this delicious summer salad. This recipe Read More