A Zest for Life

Roasted Honeynut Squash with Buckwheat Pilaf - Gluten Free

Roasted Honeynut Squash Stuffed with a Kasha & Vegetable Pilaf

Crazy Delicious Cedar Planked Salmon with Honey, Soy & Ginger Glaze

Tender Fillet Of Salmon gets a smokey essence from the cedar plank – but most of all the texture is outrageous and silky smooth! An easy whisked Asian-inspired Marinade also becomes the Glaze! Don’t be intimidated – this is a quite simple recipe and on you should be making if you are a salmon lover. […]

Favorite Summer Recipes! New: Corn Salad with Browned Butter Vinaigrette

There still are a few weeks of Summer left to use up all those fabulous fresh local veggies! Try a new recipe while the weather is still warm… Fall rolls in on September 22nd. It feels like I have been eating corn every night all summer long! I created this salad with minimal ingredients and […]

Raspberry Glazed Honey Cake for Rosh Hashanah and beyond!

Karen’s Raspberry Glazed Honey Cakes

The Most Delicious Honey Cake with a Secret Ingredient… Dates! Made in Large Texas Tins and Glazed to Perfection. Parve (non dairy) for Rosh Hashanah and Gluten Free. See some interesting modern recipes for the holiday on the bottom. The coming of Rosh Hashanah signals Jewish cooks everywhere to get ready to bake their much-loved […]

Karen’s Raspberry Glaze For Cakes – Vegan

Crush Freeze Dried Raspberries and fold in to the coconut oil based delicious Glaze! What a pop of color – raspberries add a punch of flavor, perfect for glazing any cake. This glaze makes just over 1/2 cup – I frosted 6, 5″ small cakes. Easily doubled. Enjoy… It’s yummy! Karen An easy glaze that […]

Fabulous Fresh Tomato Vinaigrette

In the height of the Tomato Season – make this vinaigrette for many salads and for drizzling over roasted or grilled proteins and vegetables. Made in a blender! The method ~ remove seeds from tomatoes with your fingers, cut tomatoes in half and grate, discard the skins. Add all ingredients to the blender saving some […]

Burst Heirloom Tomatoes Over Pasta with Shrimp in vintage bowl

Burst Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes over Pasta & Shrimp

Create a Quick Sauce with Local Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes to Toss With Pasta and Shrimp. Tomatoes “burst” – fall slightly apart with all of their natural sweet juices. Your choice – use the sauce with or without the shrimp. Vegan if you omit the cheese (and of course the shrimp.) I have used Gluten Free Pasta […]

Two Poke Bowls with rice, tuna & summer veggies

Poke Bowl with Fresh Tuna, Rice & Summer Veggies

Combine Asian umami flavors and great quality tuna with a dash of local veggies for color and taste. A light summer meal that is a snap to prepare! No two Poke Bowls are alike! I would say Marinated Ahi (Sushi Grade Tuna) and Steamed short grain rice are the start – the base of the […]

Perfect Peach Pie with Whipped Coconut Cream & Basil Syrup

A classic foolproof Summer Peach Pie with all the instructions you need for a flaky crust and perfectly spiced peach filling. Try something new! Instead of whipped cream on the side – try whipped coconut cream! I refrigerate a can of coconut milk, scoop out the thick cream and whisk until light. A little basil […]

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 – […]