This is one of my favorite late summer meals because it’s bright and light yet cozy and comforting. Cooking pasta in broth allows the starches to form a creamy texture without the addition of a heavy cream or a lot of cheese. It’s also a one pot wonder and makes a great easily reheatable meal prep.

As a general rule, for every one cup of orzo, add two cups of liquid. So if you need this to last longer than four meals, or you want just two servings, you can customize this recipe to meet your needs. And as always, I fully encourage adding more garlic if you want! ;)

My go-to summer dishes usually include a mix of fresh and cooked foods. I find that although fully raw dishes satisfy my desire for cool foods in the heat, they don’t really digest as well for me. I add a few cooked elements to give my gut a break, balance out the crunchy texture of raw veggies, and help keep me satisfied overall. To keep my kitchen and house cool, I tend to use my oven for as little time as possible. Enter: broiled salmon…

Olive tapenade is a recent edition to my snack rotation. Last year, I made a tapenade recipe for an assignment for one of my classes and I was instantly hooked by how simple the ingredients were and how easy and quick it was to prepare. Less than ten ingredients and less than ten minutes? — I can’t think of a better snack!

In this recipe, I use kalamata olive for a tart, salty base. If you prefer a more mild olive, you can choose buttery Castelveltrano or green olives. Capers add another salty pop while garlic and herbs round out the bite. For more spicy or sweet flavors, feel free to add…

In the fall and winter months, salads tend to take the back-burner. We shift our focus to richer, warmer, and heartier dishes and we leave the fresh greens in the rearview. But what if we could have a medley of warm roasted veggies, seasonal flavors, AND still get our raw greens in?

I present to you: The Hearty Autumn Kale Salad. It’s the perfect balance of cooked to raw, sweet to savory, and crunchy to creamy. It’s got enough going on that it satisfies our energy and comfort needs in the cooler months, while also feeling light enough not to bog us down like many richer dishes on the menu.

Few things scream cool weather to me than a roasted Brussels sprout and squash combo. By the end of fall, I estimate that I am about 95% pumpkin and squash. My skin loves the vitamin A and my tastebuds love the sweet and savory flavor and creamy texture. That’s a win-win in my book! Another nutritious highlight in cold weather crops, although severely underrated, are Brussels sprouts. They are packed with fiber and vitamin C, and when prepared the right way can be a hit with your tastebuds, too!

In this recipe, roasted shaved Brussels pair with sweet squash and juicy grapes. It’s the sweet-savory combo of the century, trust me.

Growing up, I only are raw or boiled carrots. I’ve always liked them, but I’ve never really felt a craving for them. These carrots, though, I think about constantly. Roasted carrots add the perfect rich sweetness to any savory dish. And I would be lying if I didn’t half the pan as a snack during shooting this recipe. That’s how good they are!

Paired with traditional Middle Eastern spice blend Za’atar, a toasted blend of sesame seeds, sumac, coriander, dried oregano or thyme, and salt. The ingredients vary by region but all za’atar is earthy and herbaceous with the tiniest sharp hint of citrus from sumac. It can be used in marinades for meats, to top dips like hummus or finish really any kind of dish from flatbreads to soup. One of my favorite ways to use it is…

In the hot summer months, there are few things more satisfying than having tacos for dinner. This recipe combines shrimp with subtle heat, tart mango and tomatillo, fresh herbs, and bright citrus notes. In essence, it’s all my favorite parts about summer! I often pair this salsa with black beans for a simple yet satisfying vegan alternative.

You can find me enjoying the leftover salsa with just about anything from chips to bean bowls, and honestly, by the spoonful. It’s just that good.

If you were to ask me right now what I’d want my death row last meal to be, I would tell you pasta shells with some variation of pesto. Or maybe thats just because I was going through all my pictures of pesto for this post?

The great thing about pesto is that its actually so versatile! If you follow me on Instagram, you’re familiar with how often I customize my pesto to what ingredients I have on hand. My favorite being the classic, basil and pine nut combo! I’m also a huge fan of using walnuts instead of pine nuts for a cheaper, nuttier option.

To make a pesto work, you need:…

The recipe that I’m about to share with you is famous. Some might say. In some (small) circles. Specifically those who have been invited to the same Super Bowl parties as me or have ever gotten an invite to our super cool game nights.

Anyway, although this recipe is pretty basic it serves a punch of fun, unexpected goodness. I used to exclusively make it once a year for the Super Bowl when we lived in Pittsburgh, but now it just feels too delicious not to enjoy all year round!

Guacamole often gets a bad rap because it gets lumped in with other party snack foods but it can actually make a healthy, satisfying snack any time! Avocados, a delicious fruit (yes, fruit!) originating from Mexico, contain…

This is one of my all time favorite summer meals because it is so light, colorful, and bursting with bold fresh flavors! Its simple to prep and only takes 15 minutes to cook - perfect for when you’re minimizing oven use in the warm weather! Plus, it pairs perfectly with a margarita!

Salmon is a great source of omega 3 fatty acids which have shown to have health benefits on…

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your plant-based meals, look no further. Lentil Sloppy Joes have become a fast favorite in my home and are an easy staple dinner during the warmer months!

Lentils make a great swap for ground meat in recipes because they’re a great source of protein, iron, folate, and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates, also found in whole grains, are great for supporting healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels and improving digestion.