YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Essence of Autumn Root Veggies

Thank you to Allrecipes.com for this wonderful way to jazz up the sweetness of the fall bounty.

If you don’t happen to have all the ingredients on hand, no big deal. It’s gonna be great whether or not you feel like tracking down a rutabaga. If, on the other hand, you can’t get your hands on some chili sauce, then do substitute 1 1/2 tablespoons each of vinegar and honey, and double the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon. Enjoy!

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YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Pumpkin Soup

Here is my all-time favorite thing to do with a worthy pumpkin. This is the memorable recipe you’ve been waiting for to make for your Thanksgiving guests, fall weekend guests, beloved kids home on break, book group, or your family just because. Believe me, it makes an impression! Thanks go to Molly Katzen, noted author of Moosewood Cookbook, who first introduced me to the idea of cooking inside a pumpkin many, many years ago. Continue reading





YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Red Lentil Soup with Lemon & Cilantro

Love, love lentils! They’re beautiful (and cheap) bought in bulk and stored in glass jars in the cabinet. They cook fast, compared to all the other beans, and you never need to soak them. The red ones cook quickest of all, so don’t be afraid to make this if you’ve got just one-half hour to get soup on the table. I’ve shared some of Mark Bittman’s recipes in the past. This one’s from his Kitchen Express–quick and easy. If you already pulverized some cilantro (or basil) a few weeks ago, and stuck it in the freezer for safekeeping, pull it out now — this is the recipe to use it on! I guessed at the quantities as it is written as a narrative. Continue reading



YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Vegan Ceviche

Ceviche is a dish consisting of seafood that actually cooks in acid instead of heat. Yes, that is true. It’s slow cooking of an entirely different kind. The lime juice “cooks” the fish until it is light, flaky, and flavorful, with a satisfying flash of sour. I had never considered that there could be a vegan version until I saw this gorgeous recipe, which comes to YHIOYP from “Peas and Thank You.”

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YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Roasted Chicken

This is probably the simplest and most flavorful recipe I have ever tasted. It can be made simply, with red potatoes, fresh lemons, and garlic, or exotic, with sweet potatoes and preserved lemons. I have made it with carrots, too. Any way you make it, it’s sublime. The slow cooking brings out the flavor and seals in the moisture. It makes a special dish for a celebration, but it’s also a great treat at the end of a long day. Thank you to nourishingkitchen.com for this spectacular dish. Prep time is just 10 minutes, cooking time is just under 3 hours. Continue reading