Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Crispy, healthy, and kid-approved! Air fryer carrot fries are the perfect guilt-free snack packed with nutrients and flavor. Discover why they’re a must-try today!
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Tag: 30 minute meals
Chicken Teriyaki Bowl
Enjoy a healthy, balanced Chicken Teriyaki Bowl packed with protein, veggies, and whole grains. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish features homemade teriyaki sauce, brown rice, and fresh vegetables for a flavorful, nutrient-dense meal your family will love.
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Veggie-Packed Pasta Sauce for Picky Eaters
Turn mealtime struggles into a win with this clever veggie-packed pasta sauce that even my picky eaters loved—delicious, nutritious, and totally hidden!
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Lentil Salad
Discover a refreshing and nutritious Lentil Salad perfect for summer! Packed with vibrant vegetables and fresh herbs, this dish is both delicious and healthy. Learn about the health benefits of bell peppers, cucumbers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mint. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, and light meals.
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Chickpea Orzo Skillet
Discover the savory delight of Chickpea Orzo Skillet—a Mediterranean-inspired one-pot wonder bursting with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Perfect for quick dinners or casual gatherings, this dish promises ease and satisfaction in every bite.
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Miso Glazed Eggplant
Discover this amazing Miso Glazed Eggplant; my version of Nasu Dengaku. Dive into the delicious combo of tender eggplant and savory miso for a flavor-packed experience that’s sure to impress!
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Leek, Potato and Pea Soup
Indulge in the cozy comfort of a timeless favorite with this Leek, Potato, and Pea Soup. Let each spoonful transport you to a world of warmth and flavor. Embrace simplicity and nourishment in every bowl.
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Healthy Chocolate Muffins
Indulge in the aroma of Healthy Chocolate Muffins that captivate with the rich scent of wholesome ingredients. Discover a balance of nutrition and flavors as avocado, spinach, and carrots come together, creating a delightful treat that satisfies sweet cravings while nourishing your body. Dive into a world where the irresistible fragrance meets a symphony of flavors, making these muffins a wholesome delight for both kids and adults alike.
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Broccoli Sausage Farfalle Pasta
Indulge in comfort and flavor with our Broccoli Sausage Farfalle Pasta recipe. Discover the perfect blend of tender broccoli, savory sausage, and al dente pasta in this culinary masterpiece. Experience a symphony of tastes and textures in every bite.
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Easy Weeknight Meals
Discover quick and delicious weeknight meal ideas perfect for busy evenings with school and activities in full swing. Get inspired and simplify your family dinners tonight!
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Cabbage Peas Shaak (Kobi Vatana nu Shaak)
Indian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant and diverse flavors, and one dish that beautifully embodies this culinary richness is Cabbage Peas nu Shaak. This delectable Gujarati recipe combines the humble cabbage and peas with a harmonious blend of spices, creating a dish that is both comforting and flavorful.
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Pesto Spaghetti Nests
A fun twist on a classic dish, these Spaghetti Nests are a mouthwatering and a great crowd pleaser.
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Cauliflower Steak with Hummus Dressing
These Cauliflower Steaks with Hummus Dressing are simply seasoned with a balsamic marinade and making them absolutely delicious. Tender and packed with flavor, the pomegranates add a but of crunch, the hummus adds a bit of tang. It makes the perfect vegetarian meal or side dish.
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Roasted Vegetables Barley Bowl
A delicious and nutritious Roasted Vegetable Barley Bowl filled with barley, arugula, hummus, a variety of veggies including asparagus and blistered tomatoes, all topped with a sprinkle of chili flakes for just a little heat. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal.
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Aloo Shimla Mirch Sabzi (Bell Pepper Potato Sabzi)
Aloo Shimla Mirch Sabzi is an Indian stir fry made with potatoes and bell peppers. Generally a dry dish with a variety of spices, you can serve it for lunch or dinner with roti or dal.
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Spinach, Pear, and Pomegranate Salad
This Spinach, Pear, and Pomegranate Salad is light, hearty, delicious, loaded with feta and candied pecans, and exceptionally healthy.
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Top 15 Recipes of 2022
The year 2022 has been very eventful for us. We’ve had lots of travel, covid, a kitchen renovation, and so much more. Crafting and creating has been challenging but fun nonetheless in all of these environs. So here are my top 15 recipes that were the most popular this past year. I’m so happy you enjoyed them as much as me!
I wish all of you a healthy and Happy New Year as you read the top 15 from this year based on reader reviews and responses. I hope to continue growing and sharing my love of cooking with you in 2023. Here are the top 15 recipes of 2022.
Sprouted Moong Beans Sabzi Gujarati Style
Growing up, my Mom would make Moong Bean Sprouts Sabzi often. My brother and I weren’t the biggest fans (though a big part was that we wanted American food like the rest of our friends, not DBRS (Dar Bhaat Rotli Shaak) everyday.
Now as an adult, I see that Mom was making one of the healthiest plant proteins out there to make sure her kids got their nutrition. And now I’m doing the same. Maybe not as a child, but definitely as an adult I love this sabzi. Super simple to make, in less than 10 minutes, a depth of flavor from various spices, and packed with a powerhouse of nutrients, it’s a win win!
Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake
A simple bundt cake that is moist, light, fluffy, and a little crunchy. Fresh ground pistachios in the cake with some more drizzled over the top of a beautiful sugar glaze, this Pistachio Pudding Bundt Cake is beautiful to look at and divine to eat.
Roasted Rainbow Veggies
Roasting vegetables is one of my favorite ways to eat any vegetable. Having several different colors and cooking them together is the best in my book! You get plenty of vitamins and minerals and the different colors are just so pretty to look at! These Roasted Rainbow Veggies are the perfect way to serve your veggies for adults and kids, making them fun, easy, and healthy.
Mango Lassi Loaf Cake
Light, moist, and elegant loaf that tastes like Mango Lassi and is made without butter and eggs.
Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet
An effortless one skillet vegan recipe filled with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, chickpeas, spinach, grilled lemon slices, and of course orzo! Simple, healthy ingredients that come together quickly for a perfect weeknight meal, this Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet is a dish that everyone can enjoy!
Teriyaki Tofu Noodle Bowl
Crispy, sweet, and salty bites of tofu paired with sauteed bright broccoli on a bed of rice noodles. It can’t get any better than this. Filled with protein, this Teriyaki Tofu Noodle Bowl is perfect for a weeknight dinner or lunch prep.
Blackened Fish Tacos with a Garlic Sriracha Aioli
BBQ season is for grilling and though I love making the traditional burgers and hot dogs, I wanted to get away from the usual and do something different. These Blackened Fish Tacos are perfect with a Garlic Sriracha Aioli. A flavorful rub, crunchy carrot and cabbage slaw, the aioli to cool things down a bit and the jalapeños to add just a kick at the end of each bite is the perfect summer combination for me.
Couscous Arancini
Arancini is quite possibly one of the best things anyone could have created! Creamy, cheesy, fried balls dipped in warm marinara….yep, definitely calling my name. For a little twist, I used leftover pearl couscous instead of the traditional arborio rice risotto to make these.
Middle Eastern Vegan Protein Bowl
Simple to make and ready in just 30 minutes, this Middle Eastern Vegan Protein Bowl has everything to make your belly happy! Hint of tangy, spicy, herby, crunchy, and creamy, I love every bite I take! Filled with almost 20gm protein, 50% of your daily recommended fiber, and 40% of daily recommended iron, it is one of the most nutrient dense meals out there! Side benefit, you get 4 different colors of veggies in 1 meal!
Rainbow Farro Salad
I love eating in color and this gorgeous Rainbow Farro Salad has an abundance of it. Vivacious and crunchy purple cabbage, bright red bell pepper, pretty yellow cauliflower, tangy feta, earthy dill, and so much more. All of this drizzled with just enough olive oil and lemon juice to bring it all together so beautifully that each bite has you saying Mmmmmmmm.
Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies
Grain-free, gluten-free, and vegan, these chickpea chocolate chip cookies are out of this world. Pillowy soft, fluffy, sweet, melt in your mouth, chunky chocolate chip cookies.
Rose Pistachio Ice Cream
Creamy, luscious, velvety, and decadent, this delicious Rose Pistachio Ice Cream is sure to make you smile in satisfaction. Bonus, it requires no cooking and no churning! It has become my new obsession and I’m sure it will become yours too!
Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread
Rosemary Olive Artisan Bread has a beautiful crust with a chewy inside filled with olives and fresh rosemary. It is easy to make because there is no kneading required. The scent and taste of warm bread and the ease of this recipe will want you making this bread over and over again.
Creamy White Bean Soup with Spinach
What is more comforting than a hot bowl of bean soup on chilly winter days? This quick recipe will have you feeling warm in no time. It’s also great for preparing large quantities so everyone can enjoy it! Nutrient dense and full of fiber, each bowl is also filled with 15gm protein!
Almond Butter Muffins
These healthy almond butter muffins are the perfect tasty treat. They are ideal to add in the lunchbox for a snack or dessert, or even to eat for breakfast. Each muffin is so soft, fluffy, and creamy all at the same time that I have to try not to gobble them down myself!
Thank you so much for making 2022 so special for me. I have enjoyed and embraced cooking for you. Which recipes have you tried? Feel free to leave comments below, or tag me with your pictures on Facebook or Instagram.
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Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet
An effortless one skillet vegan recipe filled with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, chickpeas, spinach, grilled lemon slices, and of course orzo! Simple, healthy ingredients that come together quickly for a perfect weeknight meal, this Lemon Chickpea Orzo Skillet is a dish that everyone can enjoy!
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Rasam
A favorite South Indian staple, Rasam is a tangy, spicy tomato soup. It can be eaten on its own or with rice and is known to be very beneficial in helping reduce the effects of colds and coughs. The best part about this recipe is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make!
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Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Brown Rice Skillet
This easy, one pan meal is a hearty and healthy vegetarian meal the whole family can enjoy. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s nutrient dense, packed with protein and fiber. Made with simple ingredients, this Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Brown Rice Skillet is colorful, tasty, and satisfying.
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Creamy White Bean Soup with Spinach
This Creamy Vegan White Bean Soup is a healthy one-pot soup that will fill you up, give you energy, and is full of flavor!
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Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs
These Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs might just be the best deviled eggs you’ve ever eaten. This recipe adds a fun Bloody Mary twist to this popular appetizer, garnished with gherkins and olives. Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs are perfect for any holiday party, brunch, New Year’s Eve, or even brunch.
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Chai Spice Pumpkin Muffins
The perfect afternoon snack with your cup of coffee or chai. Soft and moist muffins filled with pumpkin flavor and loaded with chai spices, this muffin is sure to be your new fall favorite.
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Quinoa Fiesta Salad
Fresh and beautiful veggies from across the rainbow to make amazing salads are my favorite. This Quinoa Fiesta Salad is one of my family’s favorites. As a mom, it makes me happy that the girls are getting so much nutrition in one bowl. The kids look at the colors and get excited to eat a rainbow and I love that they are enjoying fresh and healthy ingredients!
This salad does triple duty which I love. A dish which becomes a meatless entree can also serve as a side dish or a salad depending on my mood. The cherry on top of this recipe is that it takes less than 30 minutes to make and is very forgiving if you need to substitute or leave out ingredients.
HOW DO I MAKE A QUINOA FIESTA SALAD?
1. Cook the quinoa. While the quinoa is cooking, you can get the dressing and your other ingredients ready!
2. Make the Cilantro Lime Dressing. I love this dressing because it is so light. If you choose to leave it out as I do for my girls, simply replace it with a drizzle of Olive Oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine all of your ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to mix.
4. Enjoy and get addicted to this salad as much as my family and I are!
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Sweet Potato Sabudana Khichdi with Cashews
Sabudana or tapioca pearls cooked with sweet potatoes and cashews is a popular vegan and gluten-free dish that is consumed in Gujarati households, especially during fasts. Continue reading “Sweet Potato Sabudana Khichdi with Cashews”
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Grilled Eggplant Sandwich with a Basil Pistachio Pesto
This eggplant sandwich has it all. Earthy spices rubbed onto grilled veggies that have just a hint of a smoky flavor, fresh mozzarella melted just enough from the heat of the veggies. Oh, you can’t forget the rustic basil pistachio pesto that brightens up the whole sandwich in each bite.
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Back to School Dinners Made Easy
My oldest is going off to 1st Grade on Tuesday. I still can’t get over the fact that she is in grade school. When did she grow up? The school season starting also means sports, after school activities, homework, loads of laundry, and the list goes on. As much as I love cooking, on many of these nights, I’ll be looking for a nutritious but quick meal. And definitely meals that the kiddos are going to eat. I’ve compiled below some of our favorite family approved recipes. The best is that most of these take about 30 minutes to prepare so you can focus on homework, preparing lunch for the next day or spending time with your family.
Click on the recipe title below each image to get the recipes!
Easy Chicken Ramen with GF Noodles
Skinny Skillet Veggie Enchiladas
Butternut Squash and Lentil Salad
Middle Eastern Vegan Protein Bowl
Sprouted Moong Beans Sabzi Gujarati Style
One Pan Baked Salmon and Rainbow Veggies
Italian Stuffed Artichoke with a Garlic Cayenne Dip
Citrus Herb Salmon with a Mango Pico and Cilantro Lime Rice
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Curry
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Citrus Herb Salmon with a Mango Pico and Cilantro Lime Rice
It doesn’t get any tastier (or easier) than this delicious Citrus Herb Salmon topped with a sweet and spicy Mango Pico on a bed of Cilantro Lime Brown Rice. Ready in 30 minutes (yep, even the brown rice), this is the perfect healthy meal to serve your family. Continue reading “Citrus Herb Salmon with a Mango Pico and Cilantro Lime Rice”
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Simple Homemade Crunchy Granola
Sweet, crunchy, nutty, and deliciously addicting! This Crunchy Granola has it all and it is so quick and easy to make! Add it to your yogurt, cereal or eat it for a snack. It also makes a great gift!
I’ve got this friend Michelle. She is one the most amazing moms I know. She and I are workout buddies, lunch wine partners, we turn to each other when our children worry or frustrate us, and she’s who I bounce my recipes off of all the time. Between our busy schedules, toddler/kid tantrums, and crazy lives whilst dealing with Covid, somehow we always find time to talk about food.
Whether we discuss what’s for dinner, ordering out, trying to find ways to get our kids to eat breakfast in a decent amount of time that is faster than a snail’s pace, food always makes its way into our daily conversations.
Several years ago, I had hosted an Easter Egg hunt and brunch potluck. Michelle was kind enough to volunteer to make some granola. Before this, I never thought to make granola at home, we always bought it. Man it was good.
At that time, my oldest was not really fond of eating granola. At another time, we were invited over to their place for brunch and sure enough there was granola. Michelle’s daughter Eleanor called it crunch-crunch and of course, in toddler language, that was good enough for Sanaya to start eating granola.
This crunchy granola recipe is in honor of Michelle and Eleanor who introduced homemade granola to my family after which we have never turned back to store bought. It is especially a nod of thank you and love to Eleanor’s love of crunch-crunch.
WHAT MAKES THIS GRANOLA SO CRUNCHY?
I’ve recently learned a secret during my experiments in the kitchen. If I melt the maple syrup and olive oil together for a couple of minutes. Once I’ve added this to the granola mix and it starts to cool down, the maple syrup starts to coagulate. As this heats and cools during the baking process, it will help the granola harden into one large chunk which you can then break into pieces.
WHAT MAKES THIS SO SPECIAL?
The simplicity of this granola I think is what I love best. It literally takes me 3 minutes to combine all the dry ingredients, another 3 minutes to heat up the syrup and oil and add it to the granola mix. After that, basically a waiting game for the granola to cook and cool down enough so we all can eat it without burning our mouths.
I always use coconut in my granola – it’s a staple I don’t think I can live without in my granola. As for the nuts, I chose to use almond slivers and pistachios. I kept the pistachios whole for an added crunch and they taste SO good roasted. You can easily give them a rough chop if you have little ones who are not able to have whole nuts just yet.
Well… what are you waiting for? Go ahead. Try this recipe and get hooked like we have!
From my kitchen to yours, I hope you enjoy this deliciously Simple Homemade Crunchy Granola.
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Roasted Rainbow Veggies
Roasting vegetables is one of my favorite ways to eat any vegetable. Having several different colors and cooking them together is the best in my book! You get plenty of vitamins and minerals and the different colors are just so pretty to look at! These Roasted Rainbow Veggies are the perfect way to serve your veggies for adults and kids, making them fun, easy, and healthy.
Rainbows have always been popular in our home, with me always telling my girls to eat their colors and the girls loving anything to do with rainbows, unicorns, and princesses. Roasting the veggies in a rainbow on a sheet pan is about the easiest recipe I have ever made. The vast array of vitamins and minerals that we get to eat with our dinner makes this one of my healthiest recipes.
For my colors, I chose beets, carrots, yellow squash, asparagus, and purple potato. You don’t have to stick to those same colors. Honestly, go for what you find in your fridge. Here are a few ideas to get you started for your own Roasted Rainbow Veggies:
RED: beets, tomatoes, red bell pepper
ORANGE: carrots, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin
YELLOW: yellow squash, yellow bell pepper, golden beets, yellow onions
GREEN: zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts
BLUE/PURPLE: purple sweet potatoes, purple carrots, eggplant, purple onions
So now that you have options, how do you make your own Roasted Rainbow Veggies? All you need is a good chopping board, a sharp knife, and a sheet pan. As to the flavors, my standard is to add a little dried oregano for taste with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes (times do vary based on the type of veggies you choose), and serve it up with any dinner.
I can’t wait to see what veggies you chose to make your rainbow. Be sure to let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram or Facebook!
From my kitchen to yours, I hope you enjoy these quick, delicious, and healthy Roasted Rainbow Veggies!
Here are the tools I used for this recipe:
