Happy New Year! 2021 was a year of lots of cooking, baking, and recipe development in my home. Today I am sharing a nostalgic savory meal that has been a huge hit with my entire family (including my Italian grandparents) for years: baked ziti.As a dish that my mom has often made for family parties,…
Healing Spice Roasted Autumn Vegetables with Maple-Tahini Dressing
Although I love to eat potatoes and other starchy/root vegetables all year round in many forms, I have to say that my absolute favorite way to enjoy them is in the form of simple roasted cubes with spices and a deliciously-creamy dressing. Similar to my roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas, this has been one of…
Chewy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
For as long as I can remember, the fall has always been my absolute favorite season. The beauty of nature during this time is simply incredible, from the vibrant foliage to the crisp air, to the abundance of incredible seasonal foods that I just cannot get enough of. My greatest fall food obsession of all…
Lentil and Vegetable Soup
Today I am sharing a recipe for lentil soup, which, according to my beloved nana, will always bring good luck for the New Year. The following is my simplified and vegan version of her traditional Italian recipe. In addition to flavor, it is rich in protein, iron, and fiber from the lentils, antioxidants such as beta carotene from…
Creamy Pumpkin Risotto
As the weather gets colder, it is ideal for us to nourish ourselves with warming cooked foods. All my life, cozy bowl meals such as pasta and oatmeal have been my ultimate comfort foods. It was only recently that I attempted to make risotto for the first time, and, with the first bite, knew that…
Flourless Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
Although there are many holiday traditions that I love, my absolute favorite has to be making holiday cookies. As a child, helping my mom make Christmas cookies was as exciting to me as Christmas itself (we even made special Christmas cookie aprons to wear)! Out of all the cookies we would make, my favorite were always the classic peanut…
What are You Grateful For?
Life in modern society is complex. We are all exposed to mass media and the materialism it often promotes, along with social media and accounts that display seemingly-perfect lives. It’s common for us to get caught up in all of this, wishing we had the things we see behind screens or feeling sorry for our…
Quick and Easy Holiday Chocolate Rounds
It’s that time of year again! Chilly weather, holiday music, light displays, festivities with family and friends, lots of shopping, and of course, plenty of baking! Christmas cookie baking has always been my favorite holiday activity. I remember the excitement I felt as I helped my mom roll and cut cookie dough when I was very…
Autumn Harvest Quinoa
Autumn. Nothing beats the natural beauty of its vibrant foliage, crisp air, and, most importantly, seasonal produce. From spiced pumpkin baked goods to stuffed acorn squash, it is rare for me to go very long without cooking seasonal produce during the fall. Although it is difficult to choose, I would have to say that butternut…
