A Zest for Life

Perfect Peach Pie with Whipped Coconut Cream & Basil Syrup

corn pudding with cheddar & chipotle crust in vintage casserole

Corn Pudding with Cheddar and Chipotle Crust

14 CORN RECIPES to Make and Savor All Summer! Plus NEW Corn Pudding with Cheddar and Chipotle Crust – a must side-dish that is healthy, light & delicious. See bottom for recipe. Butter and Sugar corn is considered the best tasting corn. It is a favorite for its sweet flavor, texture and quality. I’m obsessed […]

Quattro Colore Beet Salad with Shallot-Thyme Vinaigrette

12 Beet Recipes You Will Love for Summer + NEW Quattro Colore Beet Salad

I can’t get enough of the earthy-sweetness of Beets! Especially in summer when they are just pulled from the ground in a myriad of colors. They are healthy, easy to prepare – adds a little color to your life. A Simple Beet Salad Showing Off Their Natural Glorious Colors. Four different colored beets are sliced […]

Sliced brick chicken breast on a Summer vegetable ragout in white bowl

Chicken Breasts Under a Brick with a Vegetable Ragoût

Tender chicken with an outrageous crispy crust pairs with a vegetables melange of carrots, turnips & corn and a rosemary pan-sauce. The ultimate one-pan healthy comfort food main dish. Cooking chicken breasts under a brick creates not only a crispy skin – but a perfectly cooked and tender interior. “Brick Chicken” is seared skin-side down with a […]

Watermelon & Coconut Salad with Thai Dressing

Keeping it simple – Crunch, Color and Flavor! A wonderful and refreshing summer salad. Such an easy salad to put together – a cool salad for warm Summer days and nights. Shaved Fresh Coconut is a must! (Easily found at many grocery store & health food shops – coconut meat chunked out of it’s shell – […]

Thai Dressing for the Watermelon & Coconut Salad

Karen’s Zesty Coconut Thai Dressing

A light and zesty dressing with a secret ingredient… Coconut Cream. Replaces some oil in the recipe for a creamy finish. Tangy Lime Juice with Garlic, Ginger, Fresh Basil & Mint and Coconut Cream are the key flavors. Add a few pinches of Thai Chiles for a little heat. Not your boring salad dressing with […]

Apricot – Cherry Cobbler with Cinnamon Biscuits

Fresh Fruit Gently Sweetened in Individual Ramekins are Begging You to Dig Into! Apricots and Cherries are in season right now – add a quick Cobbler- Cinnamon Biscuit topping for an incredible dessert. This casual fruit dessert Is made in individual one cup ramekins – the PERFECT Summer treat! Light with just the right amount […]

Chickpea “Baked Beans”

Tastes like the best homemade baked beans but better! More easily digested than all beans! No barbecue feast or picnic is complete without them! Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free. Any homemade baked beans are superior to canned! See below all the preservatives, chemicals and “natural flavors” most major companies add. I Love Baked Beans – just […]

Karen's Zesty Ponzu Sauce with Yuzu Juice

Karen’s Zesty Ponzu Dipping Sauce

Citrusy Ponzu Sauce can be made ahead of time – adds flavor and Zest to all! See all my Make Ahead Sauces, Salsas and Condiments for easy-breezy meals! Ponzu is a citrus based sauce used in Japanese cooking. Ponzu meaning “punch” – does just that… punches up flavor with Umami tastes and benefits. It’s incredibly fragrant ~ […]

Seared Scallops with Karen's Zesty Ponzu Sauce on embossed white plate

Seared Scallops with Karen’s Ponzu Sauce

Sweet Sea Scallops team with a Zesty & Citrusy Ponzu Sauce – Easy and Delicious! A Healthy Japanese inspired meal, gluten free. Citrusy Ponzu Sauce can be made ahead of time – adds flavor and Zest to all! See all my Make Ahead Sauces, Salsas and Condiments for easy-breezy meals! Steamed Rice is a wonderful accompaniment for […]

Grilled caponata in a vintage baking dish with oregano and pine nuts

Grilled Caponata – A New Twist with Deep Flavor!

From the Mediterranean area – Caponata is a Sicilian eggplant relish or eggplant salad typically served room temperature. I’m seriously grilling lately – so I have turned one of my favorite dishes into a grilled spectacular Italian dish. Caponata is a Sicilian eggplant relish or eggplant salad typically served room temperature. This vegetarian feast has […]

Lettuce Wrapped Chicken Burger with Zesty Ranch

Memorial Day – 20 Inspiring Recipes and 3 Menus I Love

Best Memorial Day BBQ Recipes: creative, inspiring and something for everyone! Beyond Hamburgers and Hot Dogs – there are so many healthy & tasty Memorial Day recipes to explore… plan ahead and Heat Up the Grill! Three Fabulous MENUS I am recommending are: The Perfect Healthy ALL AMERICAN BBQ Menu Global Flavors – The Ultimate […]

Shortbread Linzer Thins sandwiched with Tomato Jam

Savory Cheese Shortbread Linzer Thins with Tomato Jam

A creative play on the beloved “Linzer Cookie” – savory, cheesy melt-in-your-mouth shortbread sandwiched with Tomato Jam! Your company will be amazed! I’m turning the Linzer Cookie upside down – what is traditionally a sweet cookie is now a savory upscale treat! To make the shortbread thins: Roll this easy dough out 1/8 inch thin. […]