Prior to this year, I held the unpopular opinion that chicken wings were completely overrated. I never really enjoyed the ones my friends would get for game days and I didn’t love how messy it was to eat meat dripping with spicy sauces off of a bone. That being said, I realized this year that I am, in fact, just a chicken wing snob. I actually do enjoy wings when they’re really fresh and made with quality ingredients. Who knew?!? I attribute this change of heart completely to Fire on the Mountain, a local Portland favorite that specializes in killer sauces and fresh and crispy wings.

For my Super Bowl prep this year, I decided to try my hand at making wings at home! (PS: I am still a wimp when it comes to heat, so feel free to spice these up if your heart desires.) After polling my IG friends, we decided on using an air-fryer for this recipe. It felt less fussy, although didn’t really save me time because I had to make two batches rather than have all the wings on one baking sheet. I really loved how these came out and I couldn’t wait to share. The best part for me is…

Pasta dishes are easily my favorite meals to create on weekdays. I usually sauté a bunch of veggies together in some butter and garlic and toss them with some sort of noodle, usually fusilli. But when there’s a sauce involved, it’s 100x tastier and more satisfying.

The idea to create this recipe was born out of two separate recipes — chili and mac and cheese — that I mixed together one afternoon because I didn’t have enough mac and cheese left to serve as a complete meal. Beforehand, I’d maybe had chili mac and cheese maybe once in my life. Afterwards, I felt like this was what my winter soul was missing. I loved the tart-creamy combination of cheese and tomato, as well as the heartiness of chili and pasta in one dish.

To simplify the process and cut down on time, I…

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…

Somehow I made it 26 years without trying whipped feta but now that I have, I’ll never be the same. I had it as an appetizer from a local Mediterranean restaurant in Portland called Shalom Ya’ll. While the restaurants version includes green garbanzo beans and I imagine many herbs and spices, I wanted to make my own version as simple as possible while still delivering on flavor and texture. This recipe features just 6 ingredients and holds endless possibilities for snacking. If you’re having a little New Year’s get together, it can hold it’s own as the center of the appetizer table. Or enjoy it with veggies and crackers for lunch, like I did this afternoon.

In my recipe, bright basil pairs with…

While I’m not vegan or dairy-free, I love experimenting to create plant-based alternatives that everyone will enjoy. In this 6-ish ingredient recipe, blended cashews and lemon juice creates a creamy and tart sour cream-like base for my take on the classic french onion dip — one of my all time favorite party foods.

Cashews are good sources of protein, healthy fats, and the minerals iron, magnesium, and zinc. They also have a distinct buttery and sweet flavor. It’s no secret that they are a staple in vegan and plant-based cooking because of their ability to…

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…

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.