Do you ever smell a food or something in nature that takes you back to a time in your life or an experience you had? For me, certain smells sum up my childhood, e.g espresso and garlic cooking in oil. And then certain smells are specific to my childhood summers – freshly cut grass (because in NY, you only cut grass in the summer) and fresh tomatoes with basil (again, something we only ate in the summer.) Whenever I get a whiff of tomatoes and basil, I feel instantly relaxed because I know it’s summertime, and back then I didn’t have a care in the world.
Grilled Summer Salad with Chicken and Spicy Cashew Dressing Recipe
I keep doing this thing where I look at the calendar and something major is tomorrow or coming up really soon. Oh no, Father’s Day is tomorrow and I haven’t sent cards or gifts! I am in Seattle right now and then en route to Portland, and I just realized July 4th is on Tuesday. Not only do I not know where we’re going or how we’re celebrating, I haven’t photographed a single striped pie or red, white, and blue fruit plate!! Well friends, this salad will have to do. There’s not a smidge of red, white or blue in it, but I can guarantee this recipe from my new cookbook, “Kitchen Matters,” will be the STAR of your 4th of July BBQ.
Strawberry-Banana Frozen Yogurt Bark Recipe
It has been quite a week! I had a quick trip to New York where I was able to meet some editors, taped a bunch of videos for NBCNewsBetter, and did a cooking segment out on the Plaza for The Today Show. Yesterday, I returned to my favorite local LA show, KTLA morning news to cook from the book, did a fun Facebook Live with my friend Catherine McCord from Weelicious, and spent the evening at Pages Bookstore in Manhattan Beach for a fabulous party celebrating my new book. Pages, by the way, is the only source for signed copies of my book!  Right now I am taping a cooking segment at Hallmark’s Home & Family which will air on Monday. So exciting!
Chickpea Socca with Mediterranean Salad Recipe
I’m back in New York and I am super excited because I’m doing a cooking segment on The TODAY Show on Wednesday.  It will be in the 8:00 am hour (usually after 8:30), so set your DVR’s!  I’ll be doing a demo of two recipes from my new cookbook.
Vegetarian Eggplant Meatballs Recipe
The book process is a long one and similar to online dating. You parade yourself around vulnerably, putting your best assets forward, hoping the right companion will ask you for a date. You might have to kiss a few frogs before you find Mr. Right and then you’re an item. DaCapo Lifelong Books and I dated a bit before we got together in August of 2015 and the rest is history!
Grain-Free Sweet Potato Pancakes Recipe
I just finished teaching a fabulous breakfast menu last month and these pancakes were a favorite!  I received a lot of great feedback from moms who made these for their kids and had success with even the most finicky eaters.  These pancakes check off all the important breakfast boxes for me:  protein, good fats, fiber/complex carbs.  I talk a lot about these three macro nutrients in my breakfast class every year to help answer the question, “what constitutes a good breakfast?” I actually have no problem with any food for breakfast –  soup, leftovers, a smoothie, a sandwich – provided it has all three of the above. The goal with my breakfast food is to fuel my brain, provide long-lasting energy until lunchtime, and keep my blood sugar stable.
Deconstructed Salmon Sushi Bowls Recipe
Yippee! It’s Copper River salmon season! I love, love, love wild salmon, but the best of the bunch is Copper River, which is available for a very short time May through June. It’s the most silky, rich salmon ever. It’s also the most expensive, but worth it, in my opinion. In honor of the season, I am posting our new favorite bowl recipe.
Mixed Berry Oat Bars Recipe
It’s the weekend! Â And it’s long one! Â Let’s celebrate with some homemade treats! Â Full disclosure — I actually posted these bars many years ago. Â But the images were so atrocious and I also updated the preparation method, so I thought it would be appropriate to re-post. Â I have no doubt many of you will be hosting or attending backyard shindigs this weekend. Â These are THE perfect dessert to bring to a fancy or casual affair.