Eggplant Lasagna

I love lasagna, I know I’m not the only one: Creamy, rich, comforting, it’s hard not to love it.
Pasta noodles baked with bolognese sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese into something delectable and truly irresistible.
I would go as far as saying that it’s an epic dish. Oh sure, it looks like an ordinary broiled mass, but it’s so much more.
However, lasagna isn’t a dish for the calorie conscious — it’s incredibly, let me say that again i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-y rich.

One Pot Pizza Rice

I was not, in fact, looking for a new rice dish. I have already so many, I certainly do not need one more.
But, as it happens, because I’m terrible at timely meal-planning, I was attempting to make this chicken for dinner a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t ready on time, or even close to it.
That’s when I remembered a one-pan Spanish rice I made in February that was both delicious and easy to make.
Realizing I had almost all the ingredients on hand, I rustled it up. But since I had Nephew and Niece over for lunch, I made a few tweaks (no spices, marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce, etc.) and what began as Spanish flavored rice ended up looking much more as a tomato rice that smelled like pizza.
So I took it a step further, sprinkled some mozzarella I had in the fridge, dotted with mini-pepperoni slices, five minutes under the broiler and BOOM a delicious One Pot Pizza Rice.
The kids loved it so much they asked for seconds, and thirds. Actually, they polished it ALL off.

(Vegan) Creamy Crock Pot Coconut Curry Lentils

Weeknight dinners don’t get simpler or healthier than this.
You can prep everything for these (Vegan) Creamy Crock Pot Coconut Curry Lentils in 5 minutes tops, then toss it all in your slow cooker and with no other effort required on your part, you’ll have a healthy meal that everyone will love.
Fact is, when I’m using the crock pot to save time (and stay out of the kitchen) I like to keep things as simple as possible, and believe me when I say that it doesn’t get simpler than this.
Just some peeling and chopping is needed, then throw everything in the slow cooker, go out to work or run errands, and when you get home you don’t have to start fussing with dinner—the work’s already done.

Crock Pot Cinnamon Applesauce (No Added Sugar)

I love applesauce. I know that makes me sound like I’m three years old, but I will freely admit it with no shame whatsoever.
However, I am also very picky about my applesauce — this also makes me sound like I’m three years old. I do not like overly sweet applesauce, and I abhor those applesauce flavors you can buy at the store, like tropical or mixed berry.
The only fruit sauce combination I accept is apple+apple+apple.
And needless to say, it I prefer homemade applesauce to store-bought.
Straight-up apples that have been cooked down into a thick pulp, with lemon juice and a bit of cinnamon. So simple, so incredibly delicious.

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.