Best-Ever Barley Salad

There’s a certain kind of dish that lets you down not because it’s bad, but because it could have been great. One of those dishes, for me, is barley salad.
Over the last 10 years I’ve probably tasted close to 50 different barley salads; at potlucks, “bring-a-dish” picnics, barbecues, salad bars, and even at one very fancy restaurant (which I’m not gonna name.) I can’t name one that was memorable let alone exceptional.
I sadly almost came to the conclusion that barley salad could never reach the heights of a farro salad or of a rice salad. Good yes, great never.

No-Cook Tomato CousCous Salad

I can say without a hint of doubt that this is going to be THE recipe for what will probably be remembered as one of the most awkward summers of our life (sigh!)
I used the adjective “awkward” instead of more bitter ones just because — being ever the optimist — I know (more like I hope) that sooner or later we’ll find a way out of this ditch.
Anyways, I found this recipe while perusing a French cooking website. I was skeptical at first but intrigued nonetheless. The non-cooking part was what sold me on it. With the heat and humidity rising the very last thing I feel like doing is turning on the stove.

Whole Wheat Almond Cranberry Biscotti

One of the many drawbacks that came with quarantine was not being able to get my fave biscotti from a bakery across town.
Nothing too upsetting, considering that I could easily make them at home. Which is what I did. I mean, if there’s one thing that’s fairly easy to make at home is biscotti.

Easy Cocoa Meringues

Last week, while in a dessert frenzy, I made David Lebovitz’s award-winning Creme Brulee.
Not the easiest recipe, but if you’re in the mood to make a dessert that is on the fancy side (reminiscent of one you'd find in a Parisian brasserie), you won’t be disappointed.
A rich and creamy vanilla-laced custard covered in a crisp sugar shell. I actually gave myself a pat on the back, because it was spectacular.

Italian Jam Tart (Crostata)

With the majority of us hunkered down at home, I know you’d probably expect me to tell you to do things like social distancing from your fridge, drink green juices, workout in your living room every day, etc.
And you should, keeping yourself healthy and active is very important, especially right now.
However, I also believe that it’s paramount to stay sane, light-hearted, and gruntled.
For me, that means eating something comforting, sweet, and delicious every day; such as a slice of this Italian Jam Tart (aka crostata).

Easy Zucchini Fritters

The word fritter usually conjures up something deep-fried, fat-laden, and overall heavy.
But these Easy Zucchini Fritters are testament that light fritters can be possible.
Grated zucchini joins forces with onion, flour, eggs, and grated Parmesan cheese to make low calorie, delicious little green pancakes that can be a light vegetarian meal or meze or a side dish to any Mediterranean-style chicken, quinoa, or salmon.

Avocado Egg Salad

We are going through difficult times and it might not always be easy to stay positive. Nonetheless we have to try our best.
As we hunker down at home, there’s no time like the present to get busy in the kitchen and try out some new delicious dishes.
I wholeheartedly believe that cooking is therapeutic, for yourself and for those around you.
Serve a delicious meal, everyone is happy. A simple source of comfort and pleasure.
It’s the kind of caring for the well-being of your family that ought to be top-of-the-mind right now.

Mediterranean Potato Salad

I don’t consider myself a mayo-phone (it is eggs and oil after all) but I’ve never been a fan of the standard potato salad drenched in mayonnaise, also known as salads that make you forget you are even eating a potato.
That’s why I love a potato salad recipe that doesn’t call for mayo.

(Simple) Turmeric Yellow Rice

Like most humans, I’m a creature of habit. Admittedly, I’m most comfortable when I have an established routine.
For example, at the gym, 9.5 times out of 10, I pick the same locker. If it is occupied already, it annoys me. Why is that? I don’t know. It just does.
Same thing happens with the treadmill. Yes, my gym has more than one treadmill but I use the same treadmill every time. Not to mention the stationary bike, that particular spot in the stretching area, etc.
In my mind, once I’ve found a good thing or found something that works, there’s no reason to change it. Some people might find it boring, I find it comforting.

(Easy) Herb Roasted Chicken Breast

This is a quick and easy recipe for an incredible flavorful meal. The garlic, the herbs, the olive oil bring a distinctive Mediterranean flair to this simple chicken.
This isn’t only good for dreaming of Mediterranean beaches. With the warm weather approaching, spring picnics, cookouts, and house warming parties will soon dot most of our calendars and this Herb Roasted Chicken will prove to be just perfect.
I mean it’s one of those recipes that keeps on giving.

Golden Milk

Golden milk (aka turmeric milk) is at the top of the list when it comes to healthy beverages.
A mix of turmeric and dairy-free milk along with cinnamon, maple syrup, and a pinch of black pepper. Naturally sweetened, incredibly healthy, and so very delicious. Ready in just 5 minutes.
In addition to soothing me to sleep, golden milk has also helped me appease my nightly sweet cravings before.
Lately, I’ve been replacing my evening sweet treat (usually a piece of dark chocolate with sea salt) with a steaming cup of Golden Milk and find myself feeling completely satisfied.

Almond Soft Gingersnaps

It’s undeniable that there’s no winter season without gingerbread cookies. Most people use a recipe that’s been in their family for generations, while others prefer to scout the internet to try out a new ones.
If you fall in the latter category, then this recipe might be for you.

Oven Roasted Greek Chicken Thighs

Before I begin, a confession. Although a navigated cook, I suffer the shame of the occasional pre-dinner party debacle.
I, naively, put my complete faith in a recipe I have never made before, praying it will work. I follow the directions to the letter, only to discover ten minutes before the guests are scheduled to arrive that the food is inedible and I have nothing to serve.
Some recipes are posted/printed without ever being tested and the rule of thumb is to
never try a recipe for the first time when preparing food to a dinner party. Subject your friends/family first to work out kinks.

(Easy) Crock-Pot Marinara Sauce

Let me introduce you to the marinara sauce recipe of my dreams. It’s everything that is good in this world: tomatoes, herbs, and garlic.
The flavors together are like Italy in a jar, the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
It can be a great base sauce for pizza or really anything that goes in the oven such as chicken parm or eggplant parm. But — needless to say it — it’s also great on pasta and you can even make it into a meat sauce with ground beef (not authentic Bolognese sauce but still pretty damn good.) I also use it to make poached eggs with marinara sauce for a simple brunch recipe.
Last but not least, it’s great as a dip for vegetables and mozzarella sticks. Actually mozza sticks with marinara is one of the best things in the whole world.

(Vegan) Easy Crock-Pot Curry Lentils

I honestly believe that the best way to cook lentils is in the slow-cooker.
I’m well aware that the most common method is to cook (or boil) lentils on the stovetop and that the fastest one involves a pressure cooker — but the slow-cooker method delivers the best results not to mention it is also the easiest way to cook ‘em.
Take these Easy Curry Lentils for instance, super easy to make and pack quite the punch in the flavor department. All the ingredients are placed in the Crock-pot for 7 hours and that’s it. You can forget about it.
What you’re left with are healthy and uber delicious lentils that are sure to satisfy even the most- die-hard meat lovers.

Whole Wheat Maple Apple Bundt Cake

I’m not sure if it’s the anticipation of holiday celebration to come, or the nostalgia of helping out in the kitchen when I was a kid, or just the weather changing, but something about autumn makes me want to bake.
This is the time when I want to start filling my kitchen with the smell of pies and warm spices after a hot summer — when turning on the oven was the very last thing I wanted to do.
And when baking is involved around here, apples must also be involved. To me there’s nothing quite like the aroma of apple baking in the oven.
I mean, fall, baking, and apples just go together. That’s a fact and there’s no point in pretending otherwise.

(Vegan) Mushroom and Eggplant Sloppy Joes

Did your mom ever make you sloppy joes growing up?
If so, welcome to the club.
If not, I’m sorry, you poor thing. Sloppy joes are awesome.
When I was in high school I would return home from sports practice starving and I’d eat two open-faced sloppy joes with a side of lettuce. Yum.
My diet has changed since then and nowadays I rarely make sloppy joes — although, wouldn't you know, I have a pretty solid healthier recipe for it.

Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Banana Bread

I don’t know if this happens to you as well, but I have this tendency of buying way more bananas than I ever would be willing to eat.
I believe it’s always great to have a bunch of bananas on the counter for a healthy grab-and-go snack or light breakfast. I often buy them in varying colors of green and yellow to assure I have plenty of time to eat them all. Still, bananas tend to ripen quickly, sometimes a lot faster than I have time to eat them. There’s other stuff to eat, you know how it goes. Life just doesn’t revolve around eating bananas.

Bacon, Spinach, Avocado and Tomato Sandwich with Goat Cheese

I believe there is something really satisfying about a good sandwich. Any time of year, any time of day or night, there are times when a sandwich is just the thing.
I have heard people say they don’t like sandwiches and I wonder if their school lunches consisted of bad sandwiches: dubious bread with three slices of baloney stacked over questionable mayo.
I tell them that they really need to try a good sandwich — such as a Rueben on whole wheat bread with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese or chicken salad with curry, a Sloppy Joe or a French dip sandwich.

Chicken Salad with Almonds Apple and Apricots

I do love me a good chicken salad and I am always working on new and different versions.
Fact is, there are probably as many recipes for chicken salad as there are cooks in the world. It’s one of those great dishes that you can basically whip up from anything. As long as there’s chicken in the equation of course.