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Vegetable Soup
If you may have been overindulging a little bit more than usual lately, a tried and true way to lose a little weight and feel better is to fill up on tasty, nutritious vegetables, and my Skinny Vegetable Soup is the perfect choice. You start with a simple base of onions, leeks, celery and carrots, and then add some tomatoes, chicken or vegetable stock, butternut squash, pinto beans and lots of kale. I used fresh thyme to flavor the soup, but there are many different herbs that would work well (like maybe rosemary or even cilantro!), so feel free to try your favourite. The result is a comforting, hearty and good-for-you soup that doesn’t taste “healthy” at all. I topped it with a little grated Parmesan for a salty, cheesy kick. Delicious. Enjoy!!
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Beef Stew with Rosemary
Here is a recipe I made recently for a hearty and filling homemade beef stew. The stew is made with good quality stewing steak and plenty of red wine and rosemary for depth and flavor. Instead of starchy potatoes, I used onions, carrots, parsnips and green peas to add texture and volume. Parsnips are root vegetables, closely resembling carrots, and are a great substitute for potatoes if you are watching your carbs. Choosing a good quality red wine is key – I used a nice Vredenhof Cabernet Sauvignon, which made the stew a lovely dark burgundy color. After simmering for 2 1/2 hours+, the meat was tender and soft, and all of the flavors melded together perfectly. It’s my favorite beef stew recipe and can’t be beat for a simple yet satisfying dinner served with crusty bread (or on its own!) on a cool autumn night.
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Red Lentil, Carrot & Cumin Soup
Here is a lovely recipe for a healthy Red Lentil, Carrot & Cumin Soup. This soup is full of warm, spicy flavors and quite simple to make. I always like to cook a few healthy dinners during the week to balance out some indulgent ones frequently consumed on the weekends (see here and here), and this fit the bill perfectly. The only (fairly) time consuming part is the shredding of the carrots, however, if you have a food processor with a grating attachment, the process is very quick! (Purchasing a high quality food processor is a life-changing addition to any kitchen as many of you know!) This soup doesn’t contain any butter, milk, or cream,
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Secret Chicken Noodle Soup
There is nothing more comforting and warming than a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. I have a secret recipe that will change how you make chicken soup forever (promise!). The ingredient list may seem ordinary and pretty straightforward, but it’s the method that will create the most richly colored and full flavored soup. The key is to
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Frittata with Bacon & Fresh Ricotta
Frittatas are famous for being quick and easy to make and for that reason I find myself baking them quite often whenever I am in need of a simple, weeknight dinner. In the past I have experimented with many different combinations of ingredients, one of my favorites being asparagus and gruyere. Your creativity as a cook is really allowed to shine because there are essentially no rules in frittata-making and the possibilities are pretty much endless. Another great thing is that it’s just as good at room temperature as it is straight out of the oven, so it can be made in advance if necessary.
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Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Last night I made a hearty Roasted Cauliflower Soup with homemade garlic croutons. If you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner packed with nutrients and good-for-you vegetables, look no further than this recipe. I decided to roast the cauliflower in the oven before I added it to the soup to bring out all of the flavors and it was totally worth the extra step. I also decided to forgo the cream and half-and-half usually used in cauiliflower soups because this soup is thick and creamy enough on its own (who needs the extra calories?). I made a few homemade garlic and thyme croutons for extra crunch to serve on top. Perfection!
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Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herbs
For a light and easy salad this summer, I highly recommend trying out my tasty Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herbs. This salad is so easy to prepare and is a fresh accompaniment to a variety of dishes. It can be served on its own for a light lunch or it can be a fabulous side dish for your next picnic or barbecue. The best part about this recipe is that you can make it your own – feel free to add your favorite crisp vegetables or leave out those you don’t care for as much. If you have an herb garden this summer you are in luck because you can snip and chop any of your favorite herbs and add them to your salad as you wish. You can also double this recipe for a large group or party. Enjoy!
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Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup
There is nothing like butternut squash soup on a cool autumn day. This recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple Soup is my grandmother’s and it has been one of my favorites for years. The best part about this soup is the addition of zesty apples to add a bit of tang to the soup. You start by preparing your butternut squash and apples (peeling, coring, chopping, etc.) and then roasting the squash, apples and onions on a baking sheet in the oven until tender and just golden. You then add the roasted fruit and vegetables to a soup pot, along with chicken broth and an array of fall-appropriate spices. After pureeing everything, you get a simple, healthy and delicious Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. Serve with a bit of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top and a slice of crusty bread. Irresistible!
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Zucchini Rounds
One of my favorite summertime dishes my grandmother makes is Zucchini Rounds. Perfect for a side dish, served hot or cold, or a light lunch, these tasty vegetable patties are irresistible. The rounds are made using Bisquick mix as the base and combining Parmesan cheese, scallions, garlic, parsley, eggs and paper-thin, sliced zucchini into a mixture to form small patties.
