Chickpea Curry Dinner

As early spring warms into longer, sunnier days, I find my dinners are a mix of winter’s root vegetables and early-bird greens and onions and herbs. This curry dish couldn’t be better suited for this in-between time — pair potatoes, sweet potatoes and/or carrots with kale or spinach or chard. Maybe you have some cilantroContinue reading “Chickpea Curry Dinner”

Cranberry Orange Sauce

I made my first-ever cranberry sauce a few Thanksgivings ago. I have to admit, I was pretty smitten. These days, it’s not hard to find whole, fresh cranberries at many stores. But if fresh aren’t available, frozen whole cranberries will work too. I have tinkered endlessly with this recipe, trying to find the perfect balanceContinue reading “Cranberry Orange Sauce”

Sugar-Coated Pecans

Add these to a salad or scatter them alongside the pickles and crackers on your cheese board or set them out before you serve your meal as an irresistible snack. In any case, they’ll bring a little fancy, a little salty, a little sweet to your table. The secret is starting with top-quality nuts. AndContinue reading “Sugar-Coated Pecans”

Spinach-Rice-Feta Bake

I am always on the hunt for healthy dishes than can be prepared ahead. This easy-to-make mix of spinach, brown rice, eggs and feta fits the bill — and tastes delicious. Serve as a side with fish, chicken or pork, or increase the portion size and make this your meal’s centerpiece, served with a sliceContinue reading “Spinach-Rice-Feta Bake”

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Condiments are the key to whipping up a healthful, from-scratch meal. Having homemade mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, jam, Asian peanut sauce or salad dressing in the fridge makes grain bowls, pasta, cookies and pork more nutritious — and more delicious. Often those same sauces purchased from the grocery store are full of sugars or other unpronounceableContinue reading “Sweet and Sour Sauce”

Roasted Radishes

I know radishes aren’t for everyone. But I love their bite. And the many varieties they come in. And how quickly they grow. And how you can coax a little stand of them from a sunny part of the yard during most times of the year (provided the ground isn’t frozen solid). My favorite wayContinue reading “Roasted Radishes”

Tropical Green Smoothie

We have been on a bit of a smoothie kick ever since my husband ordered a new kitchen toy for Christmas. But with nutrient-rich ingredients like spinach, sprouts and ginger, and a delicious flavor to boot, who wouldn’t be stirring up smoothies? This blend of green and sweet will definitely have you revving up theContinue reading “Tropical Green Smoothie”

Ham Roast With Blueberry Sauce

We often roast a cut of local pork for our holiday dinners. It feels festive but not fussy, and it leaves lots of room for sides. This ham-blueberry-honey dish has graced more than its share of celebratory tables, often alongside scalloped potatoes, mashed butternut squash, corn pudding and apple pie. But it works just asContinue reading “Ham Roast With Blueberry Sauce”

Molasses and Mustard Pork Ribs

Ribs are the ultimate in finger food — messy, tasty, chewy, lip-licking. This recipe is perfect for a summer meal on the patio or a winter dinner complete with baked potatoes and broccoli — the house will smell divine while they’re cooking. Double the recipe and invite some friends if you’re feeling social. Recipe inspiredContinue reading “Molasses and Mustard Pork Ribs”

Bacon Rosemary Corn Pudding

Corn is a popular side dish at our house, with corn soufflĂ©, corn chowder, and cornbread all favorites. In choosing menus for holiday meals this year, we came across this gem, which we made, then promptly gobbled up, my mostly vegetarian youngest eating it as her main dish on more than one occasion (while pickingContinue reading “Bacon Rosemary Corn Pudding”