This simple recipe for kale slaw is jam packed with fresh cruciferous vegetables, tossed in a spicy dressing, and lightened with citrus flavors of lemon juice and cilantro. Like most slaw and salad recipes, the amounts are completely flexible and open for interpretation. So, feel free to use this as a guide and put your…
Mexican Shepherd’s Pie with Braised Beef
For St. Patrick’s Day I wanted to revamp Shepherd’s Pie using Mexican seasonings and braised beef. I’m a little Irish but never knew much about Irish food except for Shepherd’s Pie, which my mom (non-Irish) made occasionally growing up. So now that I know how to cook, my cultural fusion version as an adult utilizes…
Chipotle Sweet Potato Chili with Cashew Lime “Crema”
If you love chili, this recipe will convince you that meat has little to do with it. The thick, spicy, and tomatoey sauce with all kinds of textures simmering to completion together in one pot is what defines any chili. Sweet potato chili is my favorite meatless version, in which mashed sweet potatoes play a…
Baked Kale Chips, Here are Some Tips
If you’re skeptical about the concept of turning fresh kale into crispy, oven-baked kale chips, I completely understand. I was doubtful as well. This trendy snack is huge among health food enthusiasts and countless recipes exist on the internet … each has its own signature. Seasonings may vary, but the cooking process is all the…
10 Chocolate Chip Cookie Tips
Through much trial and error from the age of 8, I have developed my own set of chocolate chip cookie tips. In about 1984, my oldest sister burned a batch of Nestle Tollhouse cookies and I whined so much that I was actually crying. Even after that traumatic incident, she made them countless times and…
Sofrito of the American South
The concept of sofrito is simple. Long story short … you’re basically blending of a combination of fresh vegetables, aromatics and herbs to use as a sauté base. You can use it in soups, stews, rice, or anything you sauté. You can also stir in some sofrito at the end of a simmered recipe to…
Buffalo Roasted Chickpeas
In a recent effort to eat less meat, this easy idea came about when I was seriously craving the flavor of buffalo wings and I needed a substitution for the protein. Roasted chickpeas have been oh-so trendy for a while, and dousting them in buffalo sauce will give you a spicy and vinegary…
Jamaican Curry Lentils with Coconut Milk
For curry lovers, this Jamaican version of curry lentils offers a quick and easy vegan side dish. Or, to make in a main course you can load it up with an endless combination of toppings as you would do with a bowl of chili. And because lentils are so small this recipe is done cooking…
Sweet Potato “Cold Cuts”
Sweet potato recipes are usually time-intensive procedures, but it’s not the case with what I’m about to show you. All it takes is a mandolin slicer to turn this classic American Soul Food ingredient into a sandwich fixing in only 20 to 30 minutes. They add a plant-based “meaty” texture to your vegetarian sandwiches and…
Red Enchilada Sauce
Making a really good red enchilada sauce is an extremely rewarding experience, and to be super honest … it can get rather messy. However, it’s the kind of “messy” classified as a bonding activity with your ingredients when you really LOVE cooking. You don’t just make enchilada sauce because you want to eat, you also…