A Zest for Life

Tomato & Fennel Soup with Parmesan Crisps in a mid-century bowl

Herbed Tomato and Fennel Soup with Parmesan Crisps

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Red Coconut Curry with Sesame Tofu and Roasted Vegetables in vintage bowl with vintage aqua linens

Red Coconut Curry with Sesame Tofu & Roasted Vegetables

A delicious & healthy Thai inspired meal. Totally satisfying and hearty with out being heavy. Vegan – Vegetarian – Gluten Free! I’m in love! ~ with this Red Coconut Curry Sauce. Coconut Milk creates a creamy essence and Red Curry Paste lends deep flavor, color and heat. Tip: this little can of red curry paste is a cook’s […]

Classic french Onion Soup in white modern crocks on a wooden board with vintage linens

Classic French Onion Soup – Karen’s Way

Oh-La-La ~ Warm up with a Classic Crock of Onion Soup with a Secret Ingredient – Shiitake Mushrooms! A delicious, hearty broth starts with good vegetable and chicken broths (no beef broth here) – added to perfectly caramelized onions and shiitake mushrooms. The mushrooms add a nice earthy flavor that complements the soup.. just love […]

Chocolate Lava Cake with peanut butter truffles - perfectly cooked with an oozing center

Chocolate Lava Cakes with Peanut Butter Truffles

Let Your LOVE Flow this Valentine’s Day with this Yummy, Fudgy Treat! Dark Chocolate Cake – with an oozing filling of swirling chocolate & peanut butter. This Valentine’s Day treat your sweetie to a delicious, rich, dense and fudgy cake – perfect for sharing! A chocolate treat that has a warm, gooey, flowing chocolate-peanut butter center. Who […]

Romaine, shaved cucumbers, shaved radishes and microgreens with a Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette on a modern white plate

Simple Romaine Salad with Shaved Cucumbers and Radishes with a Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette

Lots of crunch with a Zesty Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette Shaving vegetables brings a nice look and texture to a salad. Shave with a sharp, wide vegetable peeler… so easy and fun. I like to have watermelon and purple daikon radishes in my fridge, they are great keepers and add a blast of gorgeous color and […]

Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette with cut lemons and whisk

Preserved Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette and How to Use It

Tangy, Mellow and Zesty! A Fabulous Full-Of-Flavor Vinaigrette with many uses beyond salads. Preserved Lemons are special. The lemon flavor intensifies and the salt and fermentation creates a punchy umami characteristic that lends incredible depth to dishes. In recipes – you can use the rind (which is prized), the flesh and even the preserved lemon juice. […]

Peruvian Potato Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette

These steamed potatoes are naturally bright purple and team brilliantly with Olives, Scallions and Parsley with this Zesty Vinaigrette I’m loving these Peruvian Purple Potatoes! Beyond an exceptional dose of antioxidants – they are sweet and the deep-purple color can brighten anyone’s day! I steam them whole, peel when cool and cube them. Mixing them with […]

Pumpkin Swordfish with Green Masala Sauce

A rare but delicious delicacy – Pumpkin Swordfish is in season (well, kind of) and it’s the best swordfish you ever ate! With a gorgeous “pumpkin” color ~ it’s a sweeter variety that is more buttery in flavor with a juicy texture. Of course you can use this recipe with any swordfish… I’m just showing off my catch! […]

Preserved lemons in a vintage ball Jar - a speedy recipe

Preserved Meyer Lemons – Speedy Recipe

Meyer Lemons are perfect for preserving! With their thin skins, bright lemony-color and fragrant flesh they have a sweeter, more floral taste. These beauties will pickle in their own juices. The sharpness mellows (after their salt-preserving bath), the lemon flavor intensifies and the fermentation creates a punchy umami characteristic that lends incredible depth to dishes. My “Speedy […]

A bowl of Tempeh Chili in a bowl over roasted sweet potato wedges with toppings

Very Veggie Tempeh Chili with Homemade Chili Powder

Vegan Chili with Homemade Chili Powder Packs Flavor and Mild Heat. I love eating in a crock ~ but today serving the chili over Roasted Sweet Potatoes with plenty of toppings! Tempeh is a wonderful; meat substitute with great texture and absorbs all the flavor of the chiles. Made from Soybeans and Brown Rice – […]

Spicy roasted wild mushrooms basted with chili oil. Served over pasta and a pine nut pesto cream sauce - VEGAN!

Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Chili Oil & Vegan Pesto Cream Sauce

Wonderful Meaty Roasted Mushrooms Team with a Vegan Pine Nut-Pesto Creamy Sauce Layered over Pasta A well- rounded Vegan dish ~ choose your favorite pasta! I’m using a Greek tubular pasta; you can use a whole wheat variety – or a chickpea, rice or lentil one for gluten free. Recipe Overview: Have Chili Oil ready. […]

Quick-n-Easy Chili Oil

A great little flavored oil condiment to have in the refrigerator! Takes minutes to make and adds a blast of heat and complexity to many dishes. Uses for Chili Oil: Add part chili oil to the oil in your stir-fries. Use in a marinade As a dipping sauce – adding a splash of soy sauce […]

Colorful Winter Citrus is layered with thinly sliced fennel, micro greens and fresh mint

Citrus, Fennel & Mint Salad – Citrus Vinaigrette with Vanilla Bean

I’m combining many types of Citrus and teaming them with Shaved Fennel and Mint. Drizzling on top with a delicious Citrus Vinaigrette with Vanilla Beans. Refreshing and light – a ray of sunshine in Winter! Make the season bright this year with the freshest jewel toned citrus. A great way to beat the “Winter Blahs” […]