Simple Vegetable Risotto

What is risotto? Risotto is an Italian rice dish. I used to think risotto was horribly unhealthy because of its creamy consistency! But not all creamy sauces are created equally. In fact, this creamy sauce is created as the broth cooks the starchiness out of the  rice. You heard right. Most risottos are prepared by […]

Chicken and Prosciutto with Fake Fried Okra

In Jamie Oliver’s Cook with Jamie, there are four roasted chicken recipes ideal for time-strapped individuals: with cherry tomatoes and asparagus, wrapped in pancetta with leeks and thyme, with creamy butternut squash and chili, and with lemony Bombay potatoes.  Each is designed to feed one person, so you can expand to fit your family’s appetite […]

Easy Summer Dinners: Grilled, Stuffed Trout

I love to grill in the summer because it’s quick, healthy, and there’s little mess to clean up afterwards.  I often turn to my favorite cookbook – License to Grill – for inspiration. This month’s Bon Appétit also has some great suggestions for improving your BBQ technique. Taking advantage of my herb garden, I love […]

Beef with Black Bean Sauce

By this time, you have probably surmised that I am a big Jamie Oliver fan. And you would be correct. Today’s entree originated from a recipe out of Jamie’s Food Revolution, Sizzling Beef with Scallions and Black Bean Sauce. Though the original recipe isn’t bad for you, I’ve spiced it up a bit, added some veggies […]

Easy Grilled Asparagus To Please the Crowd

When others ask me what my specialty is, I generally tell them “making healthy food taste great.” Nothing could be more true than with vegetables. I was determined years ago that my child would eat his veggies, and sure enough, he does today. Some creations took more trial and error than others, but my version […]

The Great Veggie Challenge: Dinner Finale

I just finished teaching a six-week course at Anser Charter School entitled the Great Veggie Challenge. After planting potatoes, touring organic markets and preparing a whole host of vegetables at my house, we celebrated by visiting Peaceful Belly to harvest vegetables and cook for parents.  Just the other day, Luke told me that his last day […]

Great Veggie Challenge: Week 5

For six weeks, I am teaching a course at Anser Charter School in Boise called the Great Veggie Challenge for students in grades 1-3. The course description starts by saying: Are you ready to take the challenge and prove to yourself and your parents that you can eat – and actually like – vegetables? During […]

Great Veggie Challenge: Week 4

  For six weeks, I am teaching a course at Anser Charter School in Boise called the Great Veggie Challenge for students in grades 1-3. The course description opens by saying: Are you ready to take the challenge and prove to yourself and your parents that you can eat – and actually like – vegetables? […]