An old friend shared this dish with me a couple of years ago and I fell in love with it. I was still in college and he was staying in the states for a few months to take a photography class in the city. Being from Italy, he really taught me a few things about food. This recipe is simple, delicious and you can eat it hot or cold.  I made a few tweaks to it and now it's even better. You can serve it as a main course or even as a side dish. With only a few ingredients, this dish will send you on your way to Italian heaven. Shopping List: whole wheat rigatoni, bocconcini (small mozzarella balls…

This is one of my finest and easiest lunch recipes, and will certainly be a favorite for the kids.  I often make it for a quick afternoon meal, but you can also use it for a side dish or dinner itself. Shopping List: rotelle pasta, peas, butter or Earth Balance spread and parmesan or romano cheese (This recipe is for one person so if you need to feed more then just double the recipe for two and use 1 lb of pasta for 4-6 people.) First you need to cook the pasta.  One cup should be enough for one person.  Make sure you salt the water when it starts to boil.  That should take about 20 minutes …

Stuffed peppers are a classic dish that shouldn't be forgotten. Here I turn this delicious dish into a more healthy and tasty meal.   Its very easy to make and if you know how to whip up the classic recipe, you shouldn't have any problems with mine. Shopping List: 2 bell peppers, rice, Quorn Meatless Crumbles, parmesan cheese, Earth Balance spread, 1 can of tomatoes, garlic, parsley and basil. First, you want to cook the rice.  You can either use white or brown, both will work fine.  I chose to use white jasmine rice because I love its texture.  Follow the directions on the package to make 1 …

Sunday is the best day to make a yummy breakfast.  It's the day you're allowed to be lazy and finally relax from that busy week.  Although, it's just my boyfriend Danny and I, most Sundays I like to make pancakes. Everyone knows making pancakes are easy.  Buy the mix, add eggs and milk and you're done.  Well instead of the mix, try my homemade recipe.  I promise they will come out fabulous.  And if you add my honey maple butter, you will have a breakfast melting in your mouth in no time.  The recipe feeds two people so if have more heads to feed just double it up. For the pancakes, you want …

Now that the cool weather is here, it's time to cuddle up with a cup of soup and get cozy.  I love soups for many reasons; not only are they easy to make, but most of time they are healthy and packed with nutrients.  I cook a lot of soup in the fall and winter seasons because I can't resist an easy, tasty meal that keeps me warm on a cold day. My minestrone soup is super healthy and will totally fill you up.  Packed with hearty veggies and rich undertones of fresh herbs, this is one soup you won't be able to resist.  It's a great meal to make on a Sunday when you want to be lazy or even on a …

If there is one cookie I cannot live without, it's shortbreads.  I have to admit I make them at least three times a month.  That's almost once a week! I wanted to share this classic recipe, with an organic twist, so you can experience the yumminess as well. Shopping List: unsalted butter, white flour, sugar, sea salt & powdered sugar First you want to take 1 stick (4 oz) of unsalted butter and cut it into cubes.  This allows it to mix easier. Drop them in a mixing bowl and add 1/2 cup of sugar.  Mix them both until it's all combined and the butter softens.  It's best to use a flat beater but …

I happen to love Mexican food.  This is another recipe where I substitute a vegetarian ingredient and make a delicious, healthy meal.  Quesadillas are a great way to mix it up because you can customize them any way you want.  They are great with just cheese, but if you feel like adding a little more then try this recipe.  I am sure you will love it! Shopping List: 1/2 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1/2 bag of Quorn Chik'n Tenders (a meat-less chicken alternative), olive oil, cheddar cheese, cilantro, parsley, cumin and chili powder. First you want to pour 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pan on low medium …

I love to bake.  I think a lot of people stray away from baking because they feel it may be too time consuming or even difficult.  Well, I am here to show you that it's not; baking is fun, easy and rewarding.  When using better ingredients, you can feel at ease knowing what you made is not only delicious but healthy as well. There is nothing better than the freshness of homemade cookies or the yummy warmness of brownies right out of the oven.  I want to share my own recipe for chocolate chip cookies.  Who doesn't love those? Shopping List: white unbleached flour, whole wheat flour, Earth …

Pasta is the one food that you can get very creative with. One of my favorite dishes is my pasta primavera. As simple as it is, the flavors and creaminess of this dish will have you going for seconds. Shopping List: olive oil, Earth Balance Natural Butter,  Parmesan/Romano cheese,  fresh parsley & basil, red bell pepper and broccoli. 3-4 servings, 30 - 40 minute cook time.  First, fill up a pot of water for the pasta and set it on high to boil.  When it reaches the boiling point, add a pinch of salt.  This is the best time to flavor up your pasta. Then, take 1/2 pound of pasta and drop it in…

A lot of people think that making risotto is hard, but in actuality, it's not.  It just takes time and patience. Let's just say that risotto is a dish that needs a lot of lovin'.  You can't rush it and you can't let it cook too slow.  You have to keep it going at a medium pace for it to come out just right.  My recipe for Veggie Risotto is easy and delicious and if you follow my steps, your guests will be begging for more! Veggie Risotto:  3-4 servings, 30 minute cook time. Shopping List: olive oil, Earth Balance Natural Spread, 1 shallot, Arborio rice, vegetable stock, fresh parsley, peas …

I don't know anyone who doesn't like tacos.  Well, I have a great dish to share for all you taco lovers out there and its totally meatless.  Yep!  You can fool anyone with this recipe.  I have always liked tacos and my boyfriend, Danny, will tell you it's his favorite meal.  So, I had to come up with something that would satisfy our cravings and be vegetarian as well.  Thank God I did. When I became veg last November I immediately started thinking of new and improved recipes.  At this point I didn't have much of a choice!  Besides, I found it fun and more challenging to create dishes that …

Summer is the season for tomatoes.  My favorite meals to make with them are a simple sauce with pasta and a nice hearty soup.  I've always found it weird that it is considered a fruit since it has such a vegetable vibe to it.  However, when you view the tomato, who can resist a fresh piece with a slice of mozzarella and basil.  It's delicious even in its simplest form. Here is a recipe that can go two different ways.  The first is a light summer marinara sauce and the other is a simple fresh tomato soup.  Both are easy to make and the best part is you can feed up to four people for under $5…

Forget about the eggs and bacon and try to think outside the box when cooking an early morning meal.  You don't have to eat what's considered the norm when it comes to breakfast.   The main concern with every meal is taste, fulfillment and health.  I think you can all agree that when eating something, it has to be delicious and it should fill you up.  I'm sure some people eat healthier than others but when it comes to putting food in your body, it should be good for you and give you the nutrients you need to get through the day. In my column I will share tons of healthy vegetarian recipes …