I first made this on the recommendation from a close friend, quite some time ago. She shared how she prepared it and that the children actually REALLY liked it. Although it solved the age old issue of getting the little ones to eat their vegetables, it didn’t sound all that interesting, to me. However, once I made it, I was a convert. It was quite delicious and she was correct that the little ones would love it too. Over time, without the picky palates of little ones, I have added the fresh herbs and the kick of the red pepper.

This is a super fast, simple and tasty vegetable, that is also a very flexible “recipe”. It’s embarassing to even call it a recipe, because it is so basic and easy. Although it is a snap to make, the flavor does not disappoint. This can vary, depending on what you have in your frig and what you need to use up. You have some vegetables, herbs, cheese and you can’t or don’t want to go to the supermarket; pull them all out, be creative, and go with this basic formula.

INGREDIENTS
2 Tbs. butter
1 small summer squash
1 small zucchini squash
1 medium onion, sliced
pinch crushed red pepper
kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
grated parmesan, cheddar or mozzarella cheese
sprigs of fresh thyme, basil or mint, chopped

DIRECTIONS
First, place the butter in a large sauté pan or cast iron skillet, heat to medium high. Then, add the onion slices and cook until there is some translucency or light browning. Meanwhile, slice the squashes into thin rounds and add to the onions. Sprinkle with a bit of salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, to taste. Personally, I like a distinct kick, so I add a hefty pinch of the red pepper. Continue to sauté until tender but not too soft and make sure to leave them long enough to brown a bit. Finally, when nearly done cooking, sprinkle with the herbs, give a final toss to combine and top with the cheese of your choice or a combination of cheeses. Leave in the pan long enough for the cheese to melt (or place under the broiler to brown and bubble it) and then serve.

NOTES
One caveat regarding this being kid-friendly, they usually prefer the gooeyness of melted mozzarella, so try that one first.

Again, be creative, there is no right or wrong combination. Use what you have on hand. An onion and the herbs do add a tremendous amount of flavor. So, if you happen to have those, make sure to use them.

Looks can be deceiving and although this looks tasty, it doesn’t do justice to how tasty it actually is. One of the easiest and best ways to use those end of season tomatoes, it’s healthy as can be and comes together in no time. Use it as a side salad or enjoy it as a stand alone lunch…either way, you’ll be smiling and incredibly satisfied with this simple creation.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 thin baguette
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
1 shallot, thinly sliced
3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1-2 lbs. fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
1 english cucumber, quartet and sliced into chunks
2 Tbs. capers
1/4 cup basil, julienned
1/4 cup mint, chopped

Start by slicing the shallot and marinating it in the vinegar for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the shallots, with a slotted spoon and set them aside in a large bowl, reserve the vinegar for the dressing.

Next, preheat your grill to medium and slice the bread in half lengthwise. Grill the bread on both sides, until nicely browned, this should only take 3-4 minutes per side. Immediately after removing from the grill, drizzle the warm bread with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and season lightly with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. When cool enough to handle, cut them into 1″ chunks.

Add the garlic, capers and olive oil to the reserved vinegar, season with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, then whisk to combine well. Alternatively, you can use a small mason jar and just shake it until fully combined.

Meanwhile, place the tomatoes and cucumbers in a bowl. Next, add the bread chunks, shallots, basil and mint, then toss to combine. Add part of the dressing, and again, toss well to combine, taste for seasoning and serve. I usually hold back some of the dressing because I prefer a slightly “less dressed” salad. You can always add more if it’s too dry for your taste.

NOTES
You can get creative with this and still have great results. The amounts can certainly be modified, use what you have. You want more tomatoes, do it! You want to use the whole baguette, do it! Add toasted pine nuts, do it! Add more or different herbs, do it! Those are all good options, don’t worry about the taste, the basics here are good and it will be delicious.

This could seriously be one of the fastest dinners to pull together. It doesn’t hurt either that it is healthy and delicious. The variations are endless, don’t hesitate to switch it up a bit and use what you have on hand.

I happen to have a brother-in-law that does a lot of fishing and recently shared some fresh halibut (lucky me), so that is what I used here. However, you can pretty much use any fish that you prefer…swordfish, cod, sole, salmon, they all work well with this preparation. I didn’t want to go to the market so, I just used what I had on hand. The ingredient list is for one parchment package, so just repeat the process for however many servings you are cooking.

INGREDIENTS
1 sheet of parchment, per filet
6-8 oz. filet, per person
kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
1-2 scallions, sliced
4-5 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Tbs. capers
1-2 Tbs. white wine
1 Tbs. butter
3-4 sprigs of thyme, lemon thyme if you have it
2-3 lemon slices

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450º
For each filet, lay out one sheet of parchment paper (tin foil would also work) on a rimmed sheet pan. Place filet on one side of the parchment, then place the tomatoes around the filet, season with the salt and pepper. Next, add the sliced scallions, the capers, wine and top with the butter, the thyme sprigs and then top with the lemon slices.

Finally, fold over the parchment and seal the edges by rolling and crimping the edges. Do this for each portion and have no fear, there is no perfect way to do this. They may not look perfectly packaged (you will get better at it, the more you do it), however they will still taste incredible! You should be able to get two to three packages per sheet pan.

Lastly, just pop them in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of each filet. If you are doing several packages, you can increase the cooking time to 15-18 minutes. When done, remove each package to a dinner plate, cut open (careful, hot steam!), squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the contents and serve it right in the parchment. Since everything is cooked right in the parchment, cleanup is a snap.

NOTES
Some nice additions are kalamata olives, julienned vegetables, a pinch of crushed red pepper, or sliced summer squash. Also feel free to change up the herbs; rosemary, dill or parsley are good here too. As I said, the variations are numerous here, the choices are all yours.

Perfect for pairing with Baby Back Ribs or Pulled Pork Perfection. This is a wonderful, light, and refreshing departure from the usual coleslaw recipes. Have no fear, even if you don’t like mayonnaise-based slaw, you will love this. Yes, there is some, however, it is nearly undetectable, thanks to the lime juice and I promise, you will not be disappointed.

INGREDIENTS
3 Tbs. mayonnaise
1/2 small clove garlic, grated or mash (see below)
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
1 medium lime, zested and juiced
1 package of slaw mix
3-4 scallions, thinly sliced, use white and green parts
3-4 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro leaves

DIRECTIONS
First, chop the garlic, sprinkle it with a pinch of salt, and mash it into a paste with the side of a chef’s knife. Alternatively, you could just grate the garlic. Then, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise lime zest, the lime juice and the garlic mash. Whisk to combine completely and set aside for 15- 20 minutes, to blend the flavors.

Finally, in a medium bowl, combine the slaw mix, scallions, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the mixture and stir to combine completely. Season with 1/4 tsp. salt and several grinds of pepper or to taste. This is best done early in the day or the day before, because the longer this sits, the better the flavor.

Serve this slaw at your next barbecue with Baby Back Ribs, some corn bread and baked beans. It’s a winning combination!

Wonderfully soothing and cool, makes this recipe perfect for a hot summer day. Alternatively, even though the recipe calls for english cucumbers, this would also be a great way to use up your garden cucumbers, later in the season. Although I haven’t tried this with regular garden cucumbers, I can’t imagine them not being equally delicious. I will update when I have had a chance to try them myself.

INGREDIENTS
3 english cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 cup greek yogurt
3-4 scallions, sliced
3-4 Tbs. chopped fresh dill
1/2 clove garlic, minced, optional
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 cup chicken stock
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS
First, coarsely chop the cucumber halves and transfer to a large bowl and reserve a handful for garnish. Next, add the scallions, lemon zest and dill to the bowl, then stir to combine. Next, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic (if using) stir to combine and pour over the vegetables. Set the mixture aside, at room temperature, for about an hour; this will allow the flavors to develop.

Then, transfer the mixture to a food processor, blender or NutriBullet and purée until smooth. With the machine still running, slowly add the stock and continue until fully blended. You decide how smooth you would like your soup. Personally, I like it quite smooth and therefore use my NutriBullet and blend in two or three batches (if using the NutriBullet, just add the stock at the same time as the cucumber mixture). The difference when doing this is significant, the mixture has a wonderfully smooth and thick texture. Place in the refrigerator to chill, for at least one hour.

Finally, when ready to serve, pour the soup into a bowl and garnish with a few of the remaining chopped cucumbers and a small sprig of dill.

Barbecue season is upon us and I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for a good salad that covers two requirements and this one fits both beautifully. A vegetable and a starch, combined in one pretty little package! It’s great for a crowd and refreshingly delicious as well. Trust me, this will be a hit at your next barbecue.

INGREDIENTS
Dressing
1 tsp. lemon zest
1-1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1-1/2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
3 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. chopped fresh dill
Salad
1-1/2 lbs. fingerling potatoes, cut larger ones in half
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
12 oz. haricots verts (very thin green beans)
about a half pint of cherry tomatoes
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
dill sprigs and lemon slices (optional garnishes)

DIRECTIONS
Dressing
Combine the first seven dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Next, while whisking constantly, drizzle in the olive oil, until the mixture is emulsified. Then, whisk in the dill and set the dressing aside.

Salad
Place the potatoes, bay leaf and garlic in a pot, add cold water to cover slightly. Bring to a boil then, reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are just tender, 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. With a slotted spoon, remove them from the water and transfer to a large bowl. Discard the bay leaf and garlic, but keep the water to cook the green beans. While the potatoes are still hot, add about 3 tablespoons of the dressing and toss to combine.

Next, return the pot of water to a boil, add the green beans and cook for about 2 minutes or just until crisp tender. With a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to a bowl of ice water, to stop them from continuing to cook.

Sauté the shallots in the olive oil for a minute or two, then add to the potatoes. Drain the green beans, pat dry and add to the potatoes and shallots. Add the tomatoes and most of the remaining dressing. I like to hold some back, if not serving immediately. Then, when ready to serve, if it seems a bit dry, you can add more to moisten and freshen it up. Garnish with the dill and lemon slices and serve.

NOTES
Variations abound with this basic recipe. Try small red bliss potatoes, sugar snap peas or fresh corn. Try some fresh basil and parsley, the difference is always surprising and delicious. Play around with ingredients, use what you have available, you won’t be disappointed.

Lately, I’ve been trying to add more fish to my daily roundup and because of its simplicity and lightness, this recipe fits nicely. Honestly, it is a bit embarrassing to even call it a recipe, since it couldn’t be easier or faster to get on the table. However, isn’t that what we all want…quick, super simple AND tasty. This will not disappoint.

Although I use sea bass here, you can actually use most any firm, white fish, the choice is yours. Just use what you like or whatever is fresh and available. They are all equally delicious and quite suitable to this preparation.

INGREDIENTS
4 sea bass filets
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. butter
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
mango salsa (store bought is fine)

DIRECTIONS
First, preheat a pan with the olive oil and the butter. Then, pat the filets dry with a paper towel and season them with the salt and pepper.

Next, sautè the filets 2-3 minutes per side, depending on their size and thickness. Remove to a platter and immediately squeeze some lime juice over each filet. Top with the mango salsa, a sprinkling of parsley (forgot that in the picture!) and serve with a simple side salad. That’s it, you’re done!

My preference here is an arugula salad, lightly dressed with good olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and some salt and pepper. That’s it, easy, beautiful and quite tasty…and best of all no guilt!

I just love this recipe, it’s clean, tasty and easy! Additionally, it’s quite versatile. Use it as a dip with tortilla chips, a yummy condiment with fresh grilled fish or as a simple side with grilled chicken. And, truth be told, I’ve been known to have just a small bowl of this as a snack. It really is a great recipe, as I said…healthy, tasty and easy, you just can’t go wrong with this one!

INGREDIENTS
1 mango, peeled and diced
1/2 cup peeled, seeded, diced english cucumber
1 Tbs. finely chopped jalapeño
1/3 cup diced red onion
juice & zest of 1 lime
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients, add salt & pepper to taste. Serve cold with either tortilla chips or as a side/topping for your favorite fish. If you prefer your salsa with a bit more kick, keep the jalapeño seeds, if not, discard the seeds. Also, if your lime doesn’t seem juicy enough, feel free to add more if it seems too dry.

Plan on serving this for your next barbecue, it is a snap to do earlier in the day and that also gives it time to develop more flavor. Although this goes well with nearly any meat, fish or poultry, it’s also very satisfying as a stand alone lunch.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup walnuts
1 cup Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous
4 ears corn, husked
2 Tbs. olive oil
fresh ground pepper
8 oz. halloumi cheese, sliced 3/4″ chunks (see notes below)
3-4 scallions, thinly sliced (green & white parts)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped, flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup basil, julienned
1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
zest of 1 lemon
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS
Lightly toast the walnuts in a 350º, preheated oven or in a dry skillet, on the stove. Make sure to stay close and keep an eye on them when toasting. Trust me from experience, they can burn in an instant! Then, remove from the heat, let them cool a bit, roughly chop them and set aside.

Next, cook the couscous according to the package directions. Meanwhile, add the vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining 1/4 cup of oil, a pinch of salt and some fresh ground pepper, to a small bowl and whisk to combine.

When the couscous is ready, drain it into a bowl, (do not rinse it) and immediately pour most of the dressing over it and stir to combine. I like to hold some back, if not serving immediately. The warm couscous will absorb the dressing and thus will have more flavor. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium high heat (you can definitely do this inside on a grill pan, if you prefer). Rub the corn with a tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Grill the corn, turning occasionally, until slightly charred and tender. That should take about 8-10 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Next, brush the cheese with 1 tablespoon of oil and grill for about 4-5 minutes per side. You are looking for a bit of char on each side, then remove from heat to cool.

Cut the kernels off the cob and transfer them the couscous. Next, add the scallions, parsley, basil, mint and walnuts. Cut or tear, bites size pieces of the halloumi and add them to the bowl as well. Finally, add the remaining dressing and toss well to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated. Sprinkle with a bit more chopped mint or basil before serving.

NOTES
Halloumi cheese can be found in most natural food stores, Greek markets and some supermarkets. You may find a marinated version and that works well too. If you are using a marinated version, there is no need to add oil before grilling.

Additionally, I have intentionally not added much salt because the halloumi cheese is a bit salty on its own. So, I suggest preparing the whole dish and then tasting for any additional seasoning.

Also, don’t skimp on the fresh herbs, they elevate the flavors immensely. Similarly, don’t be afraid to add more lemon juice or vinegar if it seems a bit dry.

Here is a terrific, week-night meal, that definitely does not disappoint. Additionally, it is also quite suitable as a company worthy meal. So, what’s not to love about a quick, healthy, one pan meal, that honestly, comes together in minutes?! Conveniently, you can also prepare this earlier in the day and pop it in the oven when ready.

INGREDIENTS
2 15.5-ounce cans cannellini beans or any small white bean, rinsed
1 pint grape tomatoes
4 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, optional
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 Tbs. olive oil
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425º.
First, combine the beans, tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, garlic, one tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Stir to fully combine and coat the beans and tomatoes. Pour the mixture into a large cast iron skillet or any large baking dish.

Next, pat the chicken dry and then place the pieces on top of the bean mixture, skin-side up. Then, rub the chicken with the remaining tablespoon of oil and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Additionally, if you like a bit more of a kick, sprinkle the chicken with a pinch more of the crushed red pepper.

Finally, roast the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through. That should be approximately 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs. If the top of the chicken doesn’t brown as much as you would like, put them under the broiler for a minute or two, until you get the browning that you like.

NOTES
Just an aside, the herbs can be swapped out, depending on what you have on hand. The one staple that I rely on with this recipe is thyme, and rosemary would be my second choice. Even if you don’t have the fresh herbs, still make it without them and I assure you that it will still be delicious. However, with the fresh herbs, it is a bit better.