All of the delicious guacamole flavors you love in a healthy veggie-packed salad. Want to pump up the protein? Add leftover roast chicken or sauteed shrimp. Serve with tortilla chips on the side (or crumbled over the top) to take it up a notch.

Guacamole Chopped Salad

Serves 4

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

2 tablespoons ...Read more

Conventional wisdom says that it’s good to be young. After all, youth is all about vigor and hope. But when it comes to whole grains, being age-old is something to celebrate. Thanks to newly “discovered” ancient grains like quinoa, teff and spelt, the diversity of whole grains available to us has never been greater.

Dubbed “ancient” ...Read more

These sweet little corn nuggets are a big hit on my table any time of year. Combining flour with cornmeal lightens the batter, and the sweet maple and brown sugar flavors bring out the inherent creamy sweetness of the corn. I use Albers cornmeal, but you can use any cornmeal as long as it isn’t too coarse. Some brands will tell you the texture...Read more

Did you know that Brussels sprouts are a member of the cabbage family? They’re like tiny cabbages filled with vitamins A and C and loaded with fiber. And if you’ve never seen how they grow on a stalk, make sure to get out to a farmers market this summer to check it out; it’s super cool.

Brussels sprouts have become so trendy in the past ...Read more

There are many benefits to cooking in cast iron. Some of the biggies include more even heat distribution, stovetop-to-oven cooking, and a reliably gorgeous sear. But we’re often told that cast iron cooking has health benefits — is this really true? I’ve operated under this assumption for over a decade, ever since a diagnosis of minor ...Read more

I love the classic combination of chorizo and potatoes. But when paired with cream, wine, leeks and chicken — now that’s taking things to a whole new level. Needless to say, this creamy chicken dish is my definition of a perfect meal.

Before you start cooking, I have two tips to keep in mind. I’m calling for Spanish chorizo here ...Read more

Make nachos dinner-worthy when you top them with an easy 30-minute chili. Serve with topping options such as sliced jalapeños and scallions and fresh cilantro.

Chili-Cheese Nachos

Serves 8

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

1 pound lean ground beef

3/4 cup finely chopped white onion

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

4 ...Read more

Mushrooms have been consumed and used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks believed mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle, and the Romans perceived them as “food of the Gods.” For centuries, the Chinese culture has treasured mushrooms as a health food, labeling them as an “elixir of life.” ...Read more

Pork may be the other white meat, but sometimes it can be tasteless and dry. It has been bred to be very lean, which may be good for our diet but challenging for our taste buds.

Pork chops are perfect for quick meals since they don’t take long to prepare. This lively fruit sauce elevates the simple flavor of the pork. I prefer the center cut ...Read more

Paella is a classic Spanish rice dish, made using a short grain starchy white rice and simmered together with veggies, wine, stock, spices and proteins. Most paellas are made with meat or fish or a combination of both. This paella is made from veggies, making it completely plant-based. It’s pretty easy to make, so long as you prep all your ...Read more

While I am a forever fan of classic stuffed mushrooms filled with seasoned breadcrumbs and cheese, this luxe version feels especially well-deserved after the long year we had. Since lump crab meat is a splurge, there’s nothing standing in its way here — just a...Read more

Olive oil and chickpeas are the stars of this meal — both of which you probably already have on hand. Personally, I’m never without a can of chickpeas in my pantry. There are endless ways to turn them into a meal, from tossing them ...Read more

In this classic Tuscan combination, kale and white beans are whirled into a spread for this easy bruschetta recipe. Serve on crostini, toss it with pasta for an appetizer, use it as a panini spread or stir the bruschetta topping into a bowl of chicken soup.

Tuscan Kale & White Bean Bruschetta

Serves 10

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour ...Read more

My first attempt at making flan was a few months after becoming a newlywed. My husband was stationed at Fort Hood, we had recently moved away from family and friends, and I was hosting my first dinner party. Thinking back now I giggle at myself for thinking I could pull off the menu I had planned. Two appetizers, a specialty cocktail, a main ...Read more

I used to think a classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich was the fastest way to take any morning from good to great. But as it turns out, there’s actually a better way — and that’s layering the trio between a couple sheets of buttery, flaky puff pastry. These hand pies pack in the very best parts of the classic breakfast sandwich, with a ...Read more

Growing up, we had a holiday morning tradition: We ate bacon sandwiches on soft, squishy white bread while sipping orange juice and opening presents under the tree.

Although my eating habits have changed since then, and we’re entering a new year, I didn’t want this tradition to end with holidays of years past. So, I’ve made plant-based ...Read more

Do you have a tendency to graze all day rather than eat real meals, perhaps mindlessly? Does it seem like you go from perfectly fine to hangry — hungry and angry — in the blink of an eye? Do you get wrapped up in a project, a book, or several episodes of your favorite streaming show, only to emerge on the other side ready to eat whatever isn...Read more

Split pea soup was a favorite of mine during my college days. It was inexpensive, filling and straightforward to prepare — a satisfying soup for cold days and evenings. This update incorporates crispy kielbasa to add a perfect backdrop of assertive taste to the mild split pea flavor. And it is just one of the many comforting recipes in Ina ...Read more

Garlic, wine and steak – a great combination. A crust of rosemary and garlic coat the steak and then flavors the rice and vegetables.

Helpful Hints:

– Vermouth rosso is sweet red vermouth.

– If the tenderloin steak is thick, cut it in half horizontally to form 1/2-inch steaks.

– Some of the rosemary and garlic crust will remain in ...Read more

Here’s a special, quick and easy dinner that’s perfect for this holiday time. Beef tenderloin medallions cook in under 10 minutes, and the sauce takes only a few more.

Cognac is brandy named for the region in France where the grapes are grown. Brandy is a generic name and you can use any type for this recipe. You don’t need to buy a large...Read more