Vegetable Tian

Sorry I haven't updated this in a few months. I was busy with moving and working. Going to be moving again, this time to New York to live and work on a homestead. I'm sure I'll have plenty more recipes to share soon! I'm also veganish these days so no more recipes with meat and very few with other animal products. However, my host family will be cooking for me most nights, sometimes utilizing milk from the goats and cows and eggs from the chickens. I've been trying not to cook this week so I won't have to take any leftovers on my road trip but was suffering from low energy levels and decided to make this super healthy dish. It's delicious and simple!

Mediterranean Hummus Pizza

I can't remember where I saw the idea for using hummus instead of tomato or garlic sauce on a pizza but it sounded so good! I used tomatoes and peppers from my garden but feel free to mix it up. The tomato and basil flavored feta was amazing and really kicked it up a notch.

BBQ Chicken and Black Bean Burrito

This has just enough BBQ flavor without being overly sweet. It's chock full of protein! So quick and easy, too.

Chicken Mole

This week I wanted to experiment with savory chocolate recipes. I love the pairing of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Chocolate gives this classic South American dish a rich depth that complements the spices perfectly. It isn't sweet at all but still feels very indulgent.

Chana Masala

Indian is my favorite ethnic food because it's flavorful, healthy, and exciting. While the upfront cost for the spices is somewhat expensive, the vegetable ingredients are cheap and you only use a little of the spices at a time. You could also try to find a local Indian grocery store where they will likely be more affordable.

First Farmer's Market of the Season

The local farmer's market had its opening day on Saturday. There wasn't much fresh produce yet, but I was able to get some asparagus and mushrooms along with some chicken breasts and sourdough bread. I also found a booth selling wood grilling planks and decided to try an oak one since it was only $1. It didn't seem to give the chicken a smoky flavor at all, but it did help slow down the cooking time and reduce the grilled char that is sometimes unappetizing. You can also use them in your oven.

Apple Cider Chicken

This tastes a lot like another recipe I have for orange chicken but is much simpler to make. I forgot to buy the peppers and didn't have any frozen veggies on hand so I omitted them but it would be great with broccoli as well.

Black Bean Calzones

This is one of my favorite recipes because it lets you indulge in the flaky pizza crust without the guilt from all of that oil and grease. Experiment with different flavor profiles, like traditional Italian with turkey pepperoni and marinara sauce. Beans are great because they provide lots of protein and fiber.

Linguine with Lemon-Yogurt Sauce

I know, I know... a yogurt sauce? Trust me, it isn't as weird as it sounds. It's a healthy alternative to a cream- or alfredo-based sauce and doesn't retain its tartness. The whole wheat linguine provides fiber, while the yogurt and cheese are full of protein and calcium.