Currently Browsing: Weeknight Cooking
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… Read More
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… Read More
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.… Read More
Karen’s Cheesy Swiss Fondue with Garlic & Chives
While fondue might be the ultimate party food- I’m in the mood for it’s silky, stingy texture and assertive flavor, and have decided to have a fondue night at home. Indulgent, okay just a little, but it only sounds fancy… Read More
Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
Look no further for the perfect recipe – for eating & gift giving!
These are gluten free! Or ~ use regular flour too.
Simple, not fussy and EASY
Bakery quality cookies you’ll love
See recipe: how to make a crosshatch… Read More
Roast Turkey & Veggie Mexican-Style Hard Shell Tacos
Cubes of your Thanksgiving turkey are totally transformed into a fabulous filling for tacos.
Assertive seasonings are needed to create just the right smokey and a little spicy infused flavor. I love Mulato Dried Chiles (dried poblano) typically used in… Read More
Incredible Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic
These are a weekly staple in my house.
Serve them too for Thanksgiving – everyone loves these!
Seasoned, Roasted and Tossed in Garlic, Butter and Parsley.
An easy side dish – takes just minutes to prepare!… Read More
Delicious Sheet Pan Chicken & Vegetables with Apple Cider Glaze
Sometimes I’m craving One Pan Cooking!Chicken, Delicata Squash Rings and Shallots roast in the oven and produces a delicious simple dinner.
Make the Apple Cider Glaze on the stovetop as the sheet pan cooks.In the style of French Chicken Normandy…… Read More
Karen’s Pasta Puttanesca with Fresh Tomatoes
A vibrant sauce takes makes only minutes to prepare – this is one of my favorite dishes ~ Buon appetito!
The sauce is cooked in a big skillet – pasta is folded in, then served
Puttanesca Sauce is big on… Read More
Thai Basil Pesto – and what to do with it!
The flavor has a pronounced licorice essence and a little spicy kick. So many uses – see my list. Find this wonderful variety at farmers’ markets. Makes a delicious and unique pesto!
Thai Basil Pesto adorns Pasta Squares, Roasted Zucchini… Read More
Weeknight Lightened-Up Shrimp Scampi
All the buttery, garlicky and lemony flavor with a sprinkling of fresh herbs in a lighter sauce you can make in minutes!
What’s different about this recipe?
The sauce has been “lightened-up” ~ which means ALL OF THE FLAVOR with… Read More
Chicken and Veggie Tacos with Mulato Chile Sauce
Delicious with Authentic Flavors!Warm and Zesty Grilled Chicken & Vegetables are bathed in a Flavorful Chile Sauce.
Filling ingredients: Marinated chicken tenderloins, portobello mushrooms, red onions, fresh corn and cotija cheese.
Experiment with ingredients you have on hand or love!… Read More
Karen’s Weeknight Lemon Chicken
In the style of French “Francaise” ~ this is an updated version, a recipe every cook should master!
Easy to make gluten free and for Passover using matzo cake meal.
The chicken is very tender, coated with a zesty lemon… Read More
Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Pantry Ingredients
An Aromatic Stew made with pantry ingredients: chickpeas, extra virgin olive oil, diced tomatoes in juice, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, Add fresh ingredients you have – potatoes carrots, onions, spinach and cupboard Mediterranean spices.… Read More
RECIPE: This is how you make the BEST Turkey Meatballs!
Want to make the best tasting meatballs? I’ve got you covered. Just-ground turkey with loads of veggies – and a technique that adds ton of flavor, and yields a tender meatball!
The Technique: brown meatballs in a skillet, then cover… Read More
Salmon in Parchment with Multi-Citrus Salsa
It’s Citrus Season! Slow cooked Salmon with a Tart & Zesty Multi-Citrus Salsa is an easy meal cooked in a Parchment Package. Produces tender salmon with a sauce baked in.
A seriously easy recipe ~ I’ve laid out all the… Read More
Amazing Veggie Chili Without Beans
A Healthy and Hearty Chili Chock Full of Veggies with Chick Peas, Lentils, Butternut Squash and Cremini Mushrooms in a Tomato Based sauce with Homemade Chili Seasoning – dig in and be creative with your toppings!… Read More
Ground Turkey “Meat Sauce” with Fresh Tomato Sauce
Doesn’t get more delicious than this! Laced with Onions, Shallots, Garlic and my Fresh Tomato Sauce – it’s my go to sauce for a comforting weeknight meal.… Read More
Dirty Rice Cajun Style
A healthier version of Southern Dirty Rice ~ lightened-up!
Brown rice teams with Caramelized Onions, Garlic, Pattypan Squash, Bacon (I’ve used turkey) and Karen’s Best Cajun Seasonings.… Read More
Thai Coconut Ginger Chicken in an Instant Pot
Stewed Chicken is so tender and delicious in an Instant Pot! This is a favorite recipe of mine I thought I would share.
What’s for dinner?? Make this fabulous Thai flavored recipe and eat it for days (reheats wonderfully!) The… Read More
Weeknight Filet of Sole with Mustard Sauce
A quick & tasty meal finished in minutes ~ stir together a Mustard, Herb, Garlic & Mayo Sauce, coat the fish and simply broil… genius!!
A little taste of France ~ and updated: Filets de flet à la moutarde for… Read More
Quick and Healthy Chicken Soup with Ginger and Vegetables
A bevy of vegetables enrich this soup; ginger adds a boost of flavor with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Pure soul-comfort food. Gluten Free with rice noodles.
This quick and healthy soup has definite Asian-notes with Rice Noodles (gluten free),… Read More
Incredible Instant Pot Split Pea Soup – With Too Many Vegetables
The comfort soup of the season! Your Instant Pot will cook this soup beautifully… healthy & hearty. Want to make on the stovetop? ~ See instructions below. … Read More
Greek Lemon Turkey Soup (an after Thanksgiving special recipe)
A Hearty, Healthy & Zesty Soup using 2 cups of diced freshly roasted turkey from your Thanksgiving feast. Make again using leftover chicken!
Instead of classic orzo rice, I have use a medium grain white rice… Calrose rice. It has… Read More
Karen’s Mac n Cheese with Butternut Squash and Apples
What’s better than homemade macaroni and cheese? Here’s a recipe that is creamy, rich and has a crunchy topping that is irresistible! (Awesome Gluten-Free option too.)
Adding cubes of Butternut Squash and Apples makes for an interesting, updated Fall Macaroni… Read More
Glazed Hoisin Salmon with Pine Nuts
A quick and easy meal with amazing flavor! Make my homemade Hoisin Sauce… a game changer for any cook! Shaved Carrot Slaw is colorful, crunchy and delicious.
A wonderful weeknight meal, and special enough for company.… Read More
Gluten-Free Cacio e Pepe (pasta with pepper and grated cheese)
Cacio e Pepe is a quick and tasty Roman Pasta Dish with a creamy, stirred peppery sauce ~ which is getting a little makeover. I’ve added roasted zucchini and chopped garlic to the traditional recipe ~ delicious!
This gluten-free spaghetti… Read More
Hummus and Grilled Veggie Tacos with Corn Salsa
My favorite hard shell Tacos filled with Za’atar seasoned Hummus and brimming with colorful Vegetables just off the grill. Corn Salsa adds a layer of natural sweetness, heat and crunch.
A wonderful meal for a weeknight or special enough for… Read More
Incredible Mole Chicken & Vegetables on the Stovetop
A Mexican style rich stew with chicken, lots of vegetables, spices, tomatoes, chiles, sesame seeds, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate. Slow and even stovetop heat produces succulent ingredients.
A one-pot meal… it’s all in there ~ chicken, vegetables, garbanzo beans… Read More
Incredible Instant Pot Mole Chicken & Vegetables
A Mexican style rich stew with chicken, lots of vegetables, spices, tomatoes, chiles, sesame seeds, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate. An Instant Pot (easy pressure cooker) produces succulent ingredients.
A one-pot meal… it’s all in there ~ chicken, vegetables, garbanzo… Read More
Portobello Mushroom Pizzas with Crispy Kale Ribbons
Magnificent Meatless Monday Recipe!
Roast the mushroom caps (on a rack – they don’t get soggy!) add Marinara Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Slow Baked Cherry Tomatoes and top with Basil Leaves and Crispy Baked Kale Ribbons
Mushrooms have a heavenly “meaty”… Read More
Fabulous Tandoori Chicken in an Instant Pot
New Year’s Cooking Resolution: Try Something New.
An Instant Pot transforms this Tandoori Chicken into a fall-off-the-bone delicious delight!
Recipe given for oven method too.… Read More
Turkey Chili with Homemade Chili Powder
A hearty bowl of Chili with extra vegetables, plenty of chipotles and homemade Chili Powder for the ultimate flavor. Gluten-Free.
This is a big batch of Chili! Low in fat and chock full of all the good things in life:… Read More
Mediterranean Vegetable Soup
Here is how I make a wonderful, hearty and healthy Vegetable Soup with Mediterranean ingredients.
This is a guide… use the ingredients you have or prefer to your taste. Easily made gluten-free.… Read More
Spiced Caribbean Chicken Meatballs in Coconut Milk Gravy
Zesty Caribbean Flavors in the meatballs and this creamy, addictive sauce! Gluten- Free and Dairy Free.
A wonderful main course or the ultimate appetizer.… Read More
Garlic Cheesy Toast with Garlic Confit
This Garlic Toast takes garlic bread to a new level! Sourdough Bread gains flavor from the outdoor grill – kissed twice with garlic… Garlic Confit Oil and Softened Garlic Confit Cloves
A little soft on the inside, crispy around the… Read More
Chicken-Lentil Chili with Butternut Squash
White Chicken Chili makes a delicious meal full of mildly-spicy Chili Flavor, Red Lentils, Butternut Squash and Chicken. This light & tasty chili gets and extra flavor-pop with my Raw Tomatillo Salsa… Read More
Vegan Creamy Corn Chowder
A wonderful hearty soup; creamy and chunky and full of flavor! Take advantage of late summer corn – it’s been a wonderful season.… Read More
Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple with Gingery-Miso Dressing
A Quick Healthy Summer Meal Served Hot Off the Grill. Make the Zesty Gingery-Miso Dressing ahead for a speedy recipe. Pineapple is wonderful grilled and adds natural sweetness to the dish.
… Read More
Grilled Eggplant Rollatini with Garlicky Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping
A Summer Pleasure: Grilled Eggplant Rolled with a Herbal Ricotta and Creamy Burrata Cheese Filling and Baked with a Zesty Marinara. Add some crunch and interest with a Garlicky-Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping. Lightened-Up Vegetarian Comfort Food!
A lighter touch~ Eggplant is… Read More
Lettuce Wrapped Chicken Burger with Zesty Ranch
The Ultimate Grilled Burger Wrapped in Lettuces with Onion and Heirloom Tomatoes ~ Homemade Ranch Dressing. Pulse chicken in a food processor, then add vegetables and seasonings for these amazing burgers… Read More
Cedar Planked Salmon with Pistachio-Tarragon & Lavender Gremolata
Cedar Planked King Salmon is an Easy Summer-Time Dish with a lush, smokey essence ~ the Flavorful Gremolata takes only minutes to prepare… Read More
Pistachio-Tarragon & Lavender Gremolata
Easy to prepare ~ adds a blast of flavor with citrusy notes. Perfect for fish, vegetables, chicken and grains. … Read More
Layered Cheese Nachos with Fresh Cherry Salsa
These nachos is very satisfying and craveable. Fresh Cherry Salsa adds tart-sweet and spicy notes – addicting!!… Read More
Corn and Zucchini Tortitas
A twist on the Spanish “Tortita” ~ these vegetable griddle cakes are delicious.. you can’t eat just one! With good-for you ingredients, chock full of zucchini, corn, scallions, jalapeño, feta, grated parmesan and a generous mound of fresh dill. Eat… Read More
Sunflower Satay Sauce ~ for Noodles and Grilled Chicken Skewers (Peanut-Free)
Asian-Style Satay Sauce made with Sunflower Seed Butter for a nutty-sweet flavor, yet NUT FREE. Easy blended sauce for Noodles and Grilled Chicken Skewers. Top with Sunflower Seeds and Sunflower Sprouts!… Read More
Karen’s Quinoa Tabbouleh – Vegetable Salad (Naturally Gluten-Free)
My version of they healthy Middle Eastern Salad spiked with a melange of Vegetables is tossed in a Zesty Lemony- Scallion Dressing. One of the healthiest salads you can eat. Refreshing and Addictive!… Read More
Marinated Chicken Kebabs – Indian Style
Marinate the chicken overnight for the best flavor.. don’t forget to soak your bamboo skewers!… Read More
New Guacamole with Roasted Zucchini and Lime Zest
A luscious and velvety Guacamole! Lower in fat but high in flavor – add some roasted zucchini for the perfect blend!
Yes, even the cherished recipe for guacamole can be modified, respectfully, for a deeper flavor and other favorable nuances.… Read More
Coconut-Cashew Curry Sauce with Indian Flavors ~ Spiced Chicken Kebab
A delicious and versatile sauce topped with a yogurt marinated grilled chicken kebob. Spice up your palate!
The sauce is Vegan.… Read More
Chicken En Papillote ~ Asian Style
Delicious chicken and vegetables with sliced clementines in a crimped envelope of parchment ~ all the natural juices sealed in. … Read More
Sizzling Flounder with Soy, Lemon and Sesame
To commemorate Chinese New Year, I am sharing one of my all-time favorite recipes: Sizzling Flounder. Simple Asian flavors surround this healthy, light and delicious dish – a must try for my readers.… Read More
Asian Chicken in Parchment – Homemade Hoisin Sauce
This packet-steaming method produces incredibly tender chicken with minimal effort. An attractive presentation – perfect for a weeknight meal… elegant enough for company… Read More
Baked Potato Soup with Potato Skin Croutons
THE soup to fuel you through winter! Bake potatoes, use the flesh for the soup, skins for “croutons.” Healthy and lightened up with broth, milk and loaded with vegetables.… Read More
Gluten-Free Turkey Tetrazzini
Your Go-To Recipe After Thanksgiving! Leftover Turkey and Vegetables are tossed together and baked into a hearty main course casserole. Lightened-up and delicious!… Read More
Tomato Garlic Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
A childhood favorite combination – now with a little sophistication. The perfect kind of comfort food together in one bowl of soup. Redesigned with a lingering mellow garlic essence.… Read More
Grilled Chicken and Corn Lettuce Wraps / Satay Sauce / Cucumber Salsa
Summertime is all about light, fresh meals, and these chicken and corn lettuce wraps fit the bill exactly. Loaded with lush flavors and textures – the perfect recipe to master… and enjoy!… Read More
Burrata and Summer Tomato Parfaits
Rich, buttery, creamy Burrata Cheese is sliced and layered with summer Cherry Tomatoes, Pesto Vinaigrette and Basil Leaves. Simply layer in a stylish glass – and lavish the bright flavors… Read More
Weeknight Teriyaki Chicken
I’ve created this easy recipe for those who love big flavors – and is finished in minutes. Garlicky, Gingery and loaded with Sesame Seeds… your new family favorite! … Read More
Vegan Ramen Bowl with Unami Broth, Vegetables and Tofu
Here’s how to turn the trendiest carb into a healthy, steaming bowl of deliciousness at home. Make a simple Dashi Broth and add flavor-packed elements.… Read More