"Let’s say that—in, oh, about 15 minutes—you could be staring at a big pot full of mac & cheese, with all the ease of cracking open a box and shaking out the foil packet. But instead of noodles in a slurry of cheese-ish dressing, these would be hugged by a truly gooey, molten cheddar sauce that tastes like real, sharp, salty cheese. Cheese cheese...."

Find the rest of the article by visiting Food52 and get started on your 15 minute, one pot mac and cheese!

"Quesadillas have had a recent uptick in our household thanks to a high-energy toddler. It’s one of my go-to lunches when were hanging out at home primarily because I can put almost anything in a quesadilla and as long as there’s a dip like salsa or hummus, my son will eat it. This pinto bean quesadilla uses the spiced zucchini component I shared a few days ago. The pinto adds the bulk while the zucchini adds the flavor. Best of all, if you make the zucchini ahead of time, these quesadillas only take about 15 minutes to make (which when you’re chasing a toddler is a major win.)"

To find the ingredients and find more recipes, visit Naturally Ella.

"Where’s the place you escape to in your mind when life gets overwhelming? For me, it’s Greece. I imagine a view like this, below. It’s a photo we took on our trip to Santorini three years ago, when we were trying to escape something overwhelming. It’s a long story (here’s the long version), but the short of it is that we were trying to start a family and it wasn’t working. Well-meaning friends and strangers would put in their two cents, like “Just relax! It happens when you’re relaxed and not thinking about it“. So after thinking about it for too long, we decided a trip to Europe would surely make the magic happen..."

Read the rest of A Couple Cook's post and find the recipe to make your own greek nachos here!

Meet the next edition of my giant salad challenge! This “Mexican” green salad recipe is quite possibly the prettiest salad I’ve ever had the chance to photograph, too. Romaine lettuce and mixed spring greens, purple cabbage and cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and red onion combine to create one stunning and delicious salad.

The idea behind the salad challenge is that I’m challenging you (and myself) to make an enormous green salad and some homemade dressing to go with it. If you store the salad and dressing separately in the refrigerator, you’ll have salad to last you all week long. I find that I eat a lot more greens and veggies this way, and I’m more likely to grab salad as a snack than a regrettable handful of chips....

Read the rest of the article and find directions by visiting Food52!

Simple, filling, and delicious!

Try this refried bean taco recipe from A Couple Cooks!

Fresh herbs are our number 1 tip for delicious, fresh and healthy food. Why? They add extraordinary flavor without adding calories. While you might not have a yard with garden space for herbs, all you need is a sunny front step, porch, or ledge for growing herbs.

Herbs are on our mind, as this past weekend we were in Portland teaching herb planting demos (which was such fun, HI! to all of you who stopped by). It’s also a subject on our latest podcast, which features 17-year-old visionary Katie of Katie’s Krops, whose life mission is to end hunger by encouraging youth to grow gardens. (Amazing!).....Read more and learn how to grow your own by visiting A Couple Cooks!

Recipe Notes

A few items of note about this Southwestern bowl recipe:

It files under healthy dinner ideas and vegan recipes; it’s a main dish that’s filling and uses colorful seasonal produce. We used tomatoes and corn from our local farmer’s market. Sweet potatoes were part of the inspiration Southwestern bowl. Though they aren’t exactly summer produce, we like that they’re filling and add a contrasting sweetness. You can omit the sweet potato if you prefer. We added spiced rice to make the bowl more filling. If you use short grain white rice, it takes only about 15 minutes to make while the veggies are roasting. We used canned mild green chiles instead of hatch chiles in the vinaigrette, since they’re more easily accessible in Indiana.

Find the rest of the recipe by visiting A Couple Cooks!

"I like to think that during the summer season, I am more creative with my cooking. All the ripe produce is beautiful and there’s so much to choose at the markets. Truth is, I’m actually a tad bit lazier. I find myself making meals with all the odds and ends. Those meals are also usually simple at best. It’s easy to make a delicious meal, hardly any effort required.

This egg skillet has been a favorite of mine through the years. Zucchini and sweet corn is a true summer staple and I’ve found it’s hard to go wrong with this simple combination. This skillet is straight forward but it’s really made with a heavy hand of homemade salsa (seriously, this stuff is the best.) Make this egg skillet for breakfast or lunch- you won’t be disappointed."

To learn how to make your own skillet, visit Erin Alderson's recipe at Naturally Ella.

Many of the first recorded wines were rosé. These lighter libations were watered-down field blends of both white and red grapes. In ancient Greece, it was considered civilized to dilute wine, but these early examples were a far cry from the rosés of today. Instead, they were slightly off-dry and tannic from contact with the grape skins, seeds, and stems....

Read more of Victoria James' article on The History of Rosé and visit Food52 for a wide array of fun and healthy drink, food, and dessert recipes!

The context: she’s at university studying nutrition science and is passionate about stopping the spread of misinformation by debunking health myths. Health crazes can now spread like wildfire on the internet, from juice cleanses so protein powders to collagen. (She debunks the latter on the podcast.) Her philosophy: sensible, balanced diet of real, whole foods. It’s not a sexy message. It’s not click-bait worthy. But after all of her schooling, real, whole foods win out as the most sensible foods on the planet.

It’s funny how as humans, we gravitate towards a sort of “magic pill” philosophy to health. If we could just figure out the secret, our lives would be glowing, happy, and healthy. So it makes sense that when a health craze comes out, people are quick to jump on the bandwagon. We’ve been doing it for centuries. What Izy’s all about is informed decisions, doing your research, and then taking a balanced approach to everyday cooking.

To read more and make your very own vegetarian spinach meatballs, check out A Couple Cooks.

"I didn’t intend to eat green beans for dinner last night, but it happened. I’ve learned a new trick to cooking them that yields tender-but-not-waterlogged (and definitely not mushy) green beans. Then, I tossed those perfectly cooked green beans in a lemony sauce with savory toasted almonds, creamy and salty feta, and fresh basil.

I couldn’t stop myself, not that I wanted to. Who am I? This is coming from a girl who used to refuse her grandmother’s home-grown green beans as a kid."

To read more and to get ingredients, visit Cookie and Kate.

"I’m currently traveling through Ireland (eating all the breads and drinking all the malted beverages, obvi), but right before I left home, the garden was overflowing with berries. All my gooseberries, raspberries, and black, red, and white currants got ripe at exactly the same time this year, and I knew that before I hit the road I had to put them to use in something sweet and cool and summery. So, I decided to make a berry version of one of my favorite warm-weather desserts of all time, tiramisu. I have a regular version of tiramisu in the recipe archives with ladyfinger cookies, but I wasn’t able to find ladyfingers at any local markets around here this time around, so I used nilla wafer cookies instead and it came out just as tasty!..."

To read more, visit Adventures in Cooking for more information and videos to make your very own Berry Tiramisu!

"The essentials of the dish include thinly sliced beef, red onion, scallions, watercress, and a soy-based sauce. “Shaking” refers to how you move the skillet in order to cook the meat, which at The Slanted Door is cubes of filet mignon. The vegetables play a supporting role, and the flavorful sauce at the end is mounted with butter, which thickens it. It evokes the taste of the rich, red wine reductions that pool around steakhouse filets." Try it out here, at Food52!

Directions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

2. In a 2-quart casserole stir together noodles, chicken or turkey, broccoli, and green onions.

3. In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.

4. Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika. Makes 6 servings.

For more info check out Better Homes and Gardens.

Add something sweet to your holiday table this year with Alexandra's Kitchen's sweet potato fry recipe!

Still need some dessert ideas for the holidays and feeling like trying something new?? Take a look at this recipe from The Wine Spectator!

The 24th is coming up soon! Get a head start by practicing this recipe from The Food Network for your family get together.

Need some ideas for this holiday season? Show off your baking skills with this recipe from Food52!

We have a soft spot for cooks who tinker with classic recipes, retooling the periphery without over-altering the core. That's what Micki Barzilay did with her latkes. The panko coating amplifies the dry-leaf crispness you want in a latke. And Yukon Golds have plenty of moisture and sugar so once they're fried up, they toast handsomely on the edges, while at the center of the pancake, the potato strands remain silky and discreet. We discovered three tips: add the white pepper to taste -- unless you love white pepper, you might want to start with a teaspoon. Once the potatoes are mixed with the eggs and flour, they will continue to weep liquid, so squeeze them out as you shape them, and make sure you also fluff up the strands after squeezing or the pancake will be too dense. Lastly, if you don't have pastry flour, substitute 1 tablespoons all-purpose flour plus 1 tablespoons cake flour. - A&M

See how to make it yourself here: Food52

If you love wine and need gift ideas, here ya go!!

See more here!

Sick of the same old pumpkin pie? Try this spin on a pumpkin pie recipe by Food52!

Get ready for Halloween with this tasty snickerdoodle recipe from the Cooking Channel!

Try this easy to make spaghetti and meatball recipe by Food52!

Fall brings many great things: pumpkin lattes, cool weather, and even this apple cake!

Try this recipe out from Food52 and get it perfected for your thanksgiving dinner.

Need a treat to go with your coffee in the morning? Try this pumpkin bread recipe, perfect for fall by Cookie+Kate!

Snuggle up in fall with this amazing turkey chili. Follow along with Food52 and try it yourself!

Take the classic chili fries we all know and change it up! Here is a quick and easy recipe for vegan chili fries by, Food 52!

Try this watermelon poke bowl by Love and Lemons. So refreshing for these last few days of summer!

When it's a little to hot out to cook with the oven, try these no bake enchiladas by Love & Lemons!

Zucchini noodles may be the darling of the food scene right now, but don't stop there with your spiralizing. Ribbons of carrots are tossed with broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, and a spicy Thai peanut sauce for a satisfying, wholesome, and easy dinner that comes from—of all places—the Swanson chicken broth recipe archives. (less) —Posie Harwood

Learn how to make it here at Food52

Try this out when you need something quick, easy, and delicious!

Follow the recipe here!

"Fresh, tangy, healthy and filling – what more could you want from a salad? This blueberry chicken chopped salad is perfect for a nutritious lunch or hearty dinner. Heading to a cookout or potluck? Take a bowl of this blueberry chicken chopped salad for a dish that’s sure to leave your friends and family’s taste buds tingling. Courtesy of Gimme Some Oven."

http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/blueberry-recipe/blueberry-chicken-chopped-salad/

"According to my Instagram feed, you all celebrated this past holiday weekend either by eating watermelon, making pie, or grilling up corn on the cob. If you were part of the third group, this is a super easy, super delicious recipe you can toss together if you happen to have leftover grilled corn. And if you don’t…. well, it’s still easy nonetheless."

Try this summer salad by Love & Lemons

Take the grill out this summer and see how to make these fish tacos in 3 minutes!

Click here for the recipe!!!!

Check out this recipe from My New Roots! Looks great :)

http://www.mynewroots.org/site/recipe

Grilling apples??? I'll try it

http://food52.com/blog/16976-give-your-apples-grill-marks-this-summer

Check out Cookie + Kate for some summer recipes!

http://cookieandkate.com/2016/what-to-cook-june-2016/

Make this 5-step shrimp and avocado stir-fry here by The Food Network and let us know what you think!

Avocados serve the body in many ways. Take a look at this article by the Health and Fitness Shop and see for yourself all the benefits avocados provide!

Definitely going to be trying this rice bowl soon!

Take a look on how to make it yourself here:

http://www.acouplecooks.com/mediterranean-rice-bowl/A Couple Cooks

Eat green this St. Patrick's day by taking a look at this spin on a caesar salad! Give it a shot!

Read more at Oh She Glows

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!!!!!

It's still blueberry season! Go pick some up at your local farmer's market and try this recipe out!

Cookie + kate

Forget about having dishes pile up on you after you've cooked! Give this one pot vegetable penne pasta a go and see what you think!!

Make it here at Love & Lemons.

Here's a nice easy recipe that's vegetarian friendly by Food52!

"My Favorite Vegan Pizza," by Dana A food stylist, photographer, creator of the Food Photography School, and author of the 31 Meals Cookbook and Everyday Cooking.  

Prep time 20 mins

Cook time 20 mins

Total time 40 mins  

The BEST vegan pizza made with a garlic-herb crust, simple tomato sauce, TONS of sautéed veggies and vegan parmesan cheese. Thin crust, tons of flavor and ridiculously satisfying.

Author: Minimalist Baker

Recipe type: Pizza

Cuisine: Vegan, Italian

Serves: 2

Ingredients

PIZZA

• 1/2 of one Trader Joe’s garlic-herb pizza crust (or half of this homemade recipe or this gluten free recipe)
• 1/2 cup each Red, Green and Orange bell pepper
• loosely chopped 1/3 cup red onion
• chopped 1 cup button mushrooms
• chopped 1/2 tsp each dried or fresh basil
• oregano and garlic powder 1/4 tsp sea salt

SAUCE

• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce OR 6-ounce can tomato paste (organic when possible)
• 1/2 tsp each dried or fresh basil, oregano, garlic powder, granulated sugar
• Sea salt to taste (~1/4 tsp)

TOPPINGS

• 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese
• Red pepper flake + dried oregano

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and position a rack in the middle of the oven.
• Bring large skillet to medium heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp olive oil, onion and peppers. Season with salt, herbs and stir. Cook until soft and slightly charred – 10-15 minutes, adding the mushrooms in the last few minutes. Set aside.
• Prepare sauce by adding tomato sauce to a mixing bowl and adding seasonings and salt to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside. Note: If using tomato paste, add water to thin until desired consistency is reached.
• Prepare vegan parmesan if you haven’t already by blitzing raw cashes, sea salt, nutritional yeast and garlic powder in a food processor until a fine meal is reached. Transfer to jar and refrigerate to keep fresh.
• Roll out dough onto a floured surface and transfer to a parchment-lined round baking sheet. You’re going to add the pizza WITH the parchment directly to the oven to properly crisp the crust, so any round object will do as it’s not actually going into the oven (I use a wood board).
• Top with desired amount of tomato sauce (you’ll have leftovers, which you can store in a jar for later use), a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and the sautéed veggies.
• Use the baking sheet to gently slide the pizza directly onto the oven rack WITH the parchment underneath. Otherwise it will fall through. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.
• Serve with remaining parmesan cheese, dried oregano and red pepper flake. Leftovers keep well – no need to reheat! Cold pizza is yum.

Nutrition Information Serving size: 1/2 pizza Calories: 395 Fat: 13g Saturated fat: 2.7g Carbohydrates: 59g Sugar: 19g Sodium: 1570mg Fiber: 7.9g Protein: 15g

Original Source: http://minimalistbaker.com/my-favorite-vegan-pizza/

Ingredients

10-12 lbs. whole brisket 1/3 cup kosher salt 1/3 cup cracked black pepper (not finely ground)

Instructions

1. Trim excess fat from brisket, leaving 1/8-¼ inch fat cap.
2. To make rub, mix salt and pepper in small container. Sprinkle over meat surface; pat down. Let seasoned brisket sit uncovered at room temperature about 1 hour.
3. Heat smoker to 210ºF. Place brisket in smoker once smoke is thin and white. Maintain smoker at 210ºF.
4. Smoke meat for approximately 12 hours until fork tender.
5. Remove from heat; rest meat for 1 hour. Slice cooked meat against grain.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE AND MORE DETAILS!!!!

Credit: Recipe courtesy of the American Lamb Board The National Culinary Review, May 2016

Ingredients

1 (1-1¼ lb.) American lamb top round ½ cup prepared balsamic dressing 1 t. Dijon-style mustard ½ t. coarse ground pepper 24 medium portobello mushrooms, stems removed ¼ cup + 2 T. olive oil, divided ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 1 large red onion, thinly sliced 48 thin roasted red bell pepper strips, 2 inches long 24 petite rolls, sliced 24 frill picks

Instructions

1. Trim all visible fat off lamb. Place in plastic bag. In bowl, blend dressing, mustard and pepper. Pour into bag; seal, rotate meat to coat. Refrigerate at least 4 hours to marinate. Remove lamb from marinade (discard marinade). Place lamb on roasting rack in pan. Roast in 325°F oven 50-60 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Remove from oven; cover, let stand 10 minutes. Thinly slice. Cover; refrigerate.

2. Place mushrooms on baking sheet. In small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil and vinegar. Brush all sides and centers of mushrooms with mixture. Bake in 375°F oven 15 minutes. Remove; cool.

3. In large skillet, heat remaining 2 T. olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion made into rings; saute 6-8 minutes until lightly browned. Cool; set aside.

4. Place 1 mushroom on base of roll; add 2 bell pepper strips. Top with sliced lamb and a few onion rings. Secure top of bun to sandwich with frilly pick.

Yield

24 (appetizer) servings

Click here to learn more!

Ingredients

Orange Serrano Salsa: 3 tomatoes, cored, chopped ½ yellow onion, peeled 2 serrano chilies, peeled, seeded 1 garlic glove, peeled ¼ bunch fresh cilantro leafs 2 oranges, halved, juiced 1 lime, zest only Salt and pepper to taste

Slaw: ¼ head napa cabbage, cored, shredded 1 carrot, peeled, turned into ¹/8-inch strings 1 lime, juice only Pinch ground coriander Salt and pepper to taste

Duck: 1 t. whole cumin ½ t. whole coriander ¼ t. chili powder ½ t. whole black peppercorns 1 poblano, roasted, peeled, seeded, ¼ inch diced ½ red onion, peeled, halved, grilled, ¼ inch diced ½ red pepper, seeded, ¼ inch diced 1 clove garlic, peeled, minced 1 t. duck fat 4 duck thighs, confit, meat only 12 4-inch flour tortillas, for service 3 red radishes, shaved, for service

Instructions

Orange Serrano Salsa: 1. Evenly char tomatoes, onion and chilies. (Excess charring adds bitterness and black flakes to salsa.) 2. Place tomatoes, onions, chilies, garlic and cilantro into blender. Puree until combined, leaving some texture. Stir in orange juice and lime zest. Season with salt and pepper. Cover; chill.

Slaw: 1. Place cabbage shreds in mixing bowl. 2. Rough chop carrot strings. Add to cabbage. Add lime juice. Season with coriander, salt and pepper to taste. Cover; chill.

Duck: 1. Over low flame, toast cumin, coriander, chili powder and peppercorns in non-stick pan until fragrant (about 45-60 seconds). Remove from heat, cool and grind. 2. In hot saute pan, saute poblano pepper, red onion, red pepper and garlic in duck fat until onion and garlic soften. 3. Add ground spices to incorporate. Add duck confit; toss just to heat through and incorporate. Add more duck fat as needed. Set aside.

To Assemble: 1. Heat flour tortillas on griddle or warm saute pan until soft. 2. Place about 2 ounces of warm duck confit in center of tortilla. 3. Artfully garnish each tortilla with 2 or 3 slices of shaved red radish. 4. Place ½ cup of slaw to one end of rectangle plate. 5. Shingle tacos along length of plate. 6. Portion 2 ounces of orange serrano salsa into ramekin. Place on plate opposite slaw. 7. Garnish top of slaw with fresh cilantro leafs.