Moroccan-Spiced Burgers with Harissa Mayo

It’s well known that I’m a harissa fiend.
I have a love affair with the North African fiery paste and I love putting it on…well, everything.
Spaghetti, chicken, potato salad, you name it.
So it was only a matter of time before I would put it inside a burger to create a — in my humble opinion — memorable meal.

Easy Crock Pot Carnitas

I am embarrassed by how long it took me to post a recipe for carnitas — or “little meats” that are usually braised then roasted — which are as far as I’m concerned the very best thing to pile on a corn tortilla.
To me, they’re the undisputed king of the taco food truck. The Mexican answer to American pulled pork: moist, juicy with a rich and tender texture, and riddled with plenty of well-browned crisp edges.
The only thing greater than my love for carnitas was my wonderment as to how they were made. I imagined that getting a flavor so complex, and a texture so nuanced — tender in the center and crunchy at the edges — was best left to the experts.
That’s why I continued for many happy years to pay a premium price for them, especially in a city where good food can cost the earth.
Man, was I wrong.

Maple Chipotle Roasted Carrots

This recipe is proof that vegetable side dishes don’t have to be boring. Or, to put it in other words, that there are tasty ways to prepare what could be a boring vegetable for a side dish.
Because let’s face it, sometimes carrots can be pretty mundane just plain on the side of your main dish.
Am I right?
Introducing Maple Chipotle Roasted Carrots.

Easy Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Let’s get things straight people: if you’re looking for something that is going to be a Panda Express style orange chicken, this recipe ain’t for you.
There’s no breading and deep frying, that’s not how slow cooking works. There’s not a chance in the world that you will get crispy orange chicken out of it. Actually, you won’t get crispy anything out of a Crock Pot.
However, if you’re craving orange-y, savory, sweet and sour, spicy melt-in-your-mouth chicken, then look no further because I have the perfect recipe for you.

(Vegan) Creamy Curried Butternut Squash Soup

First of all, I need to say a big capitalized WOW!
I know this sounds a tad arrogant, but WOW is the only word that comes to mind to describe this (Vegan) Creamy Curried Butternut Squash Soup.
A rich, savory, and delicious soup that is also healthy, low calorie, and super easy to make.
And you know what? It tastes like it was simmered long and low in order to develop such depth, but in reality it takes about 30 minutes to make, from start to finish.
There are layers of flavor that will first tease your palate with butternut squash delicious savory notes. Next, you discover the wonderful sweet undertone of coconut milk, making it even more interesting. Lastly, you feel the curry with its unique blend of savory and sweet spices, but not overwhelmingly so.
All in all, perfectly a balanced and wonderful soup.

Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

There are some dishes that are the epitome of comfort food: hamburger steak with onions and gravy is one of those.
I grew up eating this meal alongside mashed potatoes, sweet peas, and dinner rolls.
Still today, the smell of onions and gravy reminds me of the good old days when life was easy, wonderful, and almost nothing mattered.

(Vegan) Tofu, Zucchini, Sun-Dried Tomato and Cream of Basil Sandwich

Today I am sharing this stacked lunchtime sandwich that I made myself last week.
I had not made a big lunch sandwich in a while and this one really hit the spot.
I don’t think I’ve ever made a better sandwich than this, vegan or not. And though I’m reluctant to post sandwich recipes on the blog because I believe they are slap together meals, this...this I had to share.

Crock-Pot Broccoli Beef

Ease, comfort, and little prep — these are a few reasons why you should love your Crock Pot, especially after a long day at work.
You know those evenings when you come home super tired, you’re feeling lazy and not in the mood to cook but still want something delicious and healthy to eat?
It’s in those times that you’ll be thankful for your slow cooker and that you’ve already planned for that meal you’re about to eat.
I certainly am.

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips

I have a secret to tell you guys, one of my fave healthy treats to snack on are apple chips.
Crunchy, crispy, and totally addicting.
I started making them at home a couple of weeks ago, and I haven’t stopped ever since.
They are so easy and cheap to make.
Slice the apple, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar, bake in the oven and voilà: cinnamon sugar apple chips. No-brainer.
I can say without fear of contradictions that these apple chips are the perfect year-round healthy snack. But since the beginning of fall is apple season (when prices are lowest), this is the perfect time to give this recipe a go.
And you know what’s even better? That they fill your house with the aroma of baked apple pie, without the guilt. Cool, right?

Crock Pot Pepper Steak

Pepper steak is a Chinese American dish in which strips of beef and bell peppers are stir fried in a wok and seasoned with soy sauce and ginger to create a delicious umami-packed meal.
Even though it’s actually a stir fry recipe, it’s easily adaptable to the Crock Pot. And while the slow cooker method is definitely not “authentic”, it certainly tastes awesome, and requires almost zero prep time.