Currently Browsing: Winter
Best Winter Soups! Healthy, Comforting & Warming
21 Soups to Make right now in Winter’s Cooler Months. Creative, original soup recipes with wholesome ingredients bursting with flavor. A wonderful collection – get cooking! Oh-La-La ~ Warm up with a Classic Crock of Onion Soup with a Secret Ingredient – Shiitake Mushrooms! Using Vegetable & Chicken Broths – no beef broth. A bowl […]
Karen’s Oven Fries! Three Recipes: Seasoned Russets, Celeriac and Sweet Potatoes
My go-to weeknight staple… oven fries! Crispy and tender inside – cooks quickly and perfectly seasoned. Unlike fried potatoes -oven fries retain their vitamins and minerals Sazón Seasoned Russet Oven Fries: Crispy and Full Of Flavor – Toss with a little EVOO and my seasonings for the ultimate Oven Fries! Delicious Option: adding Parmesan & Parsley. […]
Celeriac Oven Fries with Cajun Seasonings
A fabulous low-carb alternative to potatoes with a nutty-celery flavor. Roasted to perfection with golden edges and just the right amount of heat. Crispy and easy to prepare! Cut the Peeled Celery Root into batonettes (thick chunky-cut) – add them to boiling water to soften and cook for just 3 minutes; drain and pat completely […]
Fabulous Salads to make now in Winter
Healthful Salads using the Freshest Ingredients available in Winter. Hearty and loaded with fiber and natural goodness. Say NO to boring salads! Learn how to combine crisp ingredients with special vinaigrettes to make Winter blues a little more exciting & delicious! Salads with Chicken: Packed with Zesty Flavor, Crunchy Texture – a Salad to Savor! […]
My Favorite Brunch Recipes for New Year’s Day
Ring in the New Year with some Home Cooked Delicious and Healthy Food you make yourself! Stay in and enjoy a leisurely brunch – many recipes can be made ahead of time. Try these NEW RECIPES: Breakfast Fried Egg Tacos with Karen’s Bloody Mary Hot Sauce AND learn how to make you own fabulous Hot Sauce! […]
More Holiday Party Nibbles & Hors d’oeuvres for 2023
Must-Make Crave-Worthy Appetizers for People Who Love Party Food! 32 of them! Includes my favorite Creative & Healthier options from Latkes to Crostinis. Get the party started! Latkes: Hanukkah Latkes are that ethereal treat; a potato mixture made by dropping large tablespoons into a skillet of shimmering, hot oil. Karen’s Best Latke Latkes are crispy, naturally […]
Corn Tortilla “Lasagne” with Green Veggies and Roasted Red Pepper Chile Sauce
Naturally Gluten Free – A New twist on Lasagne! Layer it up and enjoy an extra bevy of vegetables with three cheeses between the tortilla layers. Dried Guajillo Chiles enhance the zesty Roasted Pepper and Tomato Sauce with a mild kick. Elements of this Lasagne you will Love: Naturally Gluten Free using cut tortillas in […]
24 Best Ever A Zest For Life Citrus Recipes
Winter is the time for fragrant, juicy, vibrant citrus — now at their peak. I choose a variety to blend the complex flavors. Before Winter Ends – Take Advantage of a Multitude of Citrus to Brighten Every Recipe! Salmon in Parchment with Multi-Citrus Salsa Slow cooked Salmon with a Tart & Zesty Multi-Citrus Salsa is an easy meal […]
Peruvian Grilled Chicken Paillard with Citrus, Herb & Aji Amarillo Pepper Marinade
Glorious Flattened Chicken Breasts are bathed in a Zesty & Pungent Peruvian Citrus Marinade and simply grilled. Add lettuces and a raw vegetable salad for a healthy meal. After a hour in the zesty marinade – the flattened chicken is simply grilled – it’s that easy! I have used a cast iron grill pan indoors […]
Karen’s Arugula & Parsley Winter Pesto
A Vibrant Green Pesto with non-traditional ingredients but with all the bite and bursting with flavor. A brilliant pesto with a little peppery, spicy and nutty taste. Anytime can be Homemade Pesto Time! Use the best quality Arugula & Flat Leaf Parsley, I choose organic. Not just for wintertime – but brilliant in Spring and […]
12 Super Bowl Party Food Recipes – And Yes – They’re a Little Healthier
Crowd-Pleasing Updated Party Foods with a Healthier Twist that all will enjoy. I might not be your source for Chicken Wing Recipes… BUT here are some SPECTACULAR Game-Day party suggestions with Less Calories, Carbs, Sodium, Fat & Preservatives – Will help you feel good without sacrificing flavor! A nice shift from the same old appetizers and heavy, uninspired so […]
Delicata Squash Bake with Cider Reduction and Parmesan Bread Crumbs
Your New SIDE DISH for Thanksgiving! Sweet & Nutty Delicata Squash layered with a Zesty Cider Reduction and Topped with Sourdough-Parmesan-Thyme Breadcrumbs that bakes up Crispy & Golden. Yes ~ can be made a few days in advance! Pairs well with all your Thanksgiving Mains. How to Make this Recipe: Prepare Cider-Honey-Butter mixture. Cut Delicata […]
SOUPS ON! My Favorite Soups to Make Right Now
15 Soups to Make right now and into Winter’s Cooler Months. Creative, original soup recipes with wholesome ingredients bursting with flavor. A wonderful collection to try… before I send out all the Thanksgiving essential recipes! Sunchokes lend a creaminess to warm soups, perfectly paired with the velvety smooth Kabocha Squash for a wonderful Fall & […]
Thai Inspired Honeynut Squash Soup with a Toasted Rice Garnish
My Favorite New Soup of the Season – Perfectly Seasoned and Quite Easy to Prepare. The fabulous creamy texture of Honeynut squash makes a velvety soup – Thai spices from an unexpected place – in a little can… how convenient! Roasted Honeynut Squash is added to a quick base of onions, shallots, ginger and garlic […]
Fabulous Fall Vegetable Soup with Lentils & Buckwheat
All your Fall Favorite Veggies with Two Gluten Free Grains (one is actually a seed) – Health in a Bowl! SOUPS ON ~ Warm up with this chunky & hearty broth soup: chop, stir, simmer – ENJOY! Use Vegetable broth for Vegan. I love to make a healthy Vegetable Soup in the Fall using what’s growing […]
Karen’s Irish Soda Bread Waffles
All the flavor and crunch of Irish Soda Bread – but delicious waffles! Buttermilk based waffles with a boost of caraway seeds and raisins – great for breakfast, brunch, or the ultimate snack… I can’t stop eating them! Works perfectly with regular flour or gluten free! The batter is enriched with Raisins and Caraway seeds […]
18 Zesty Citrus Recipes
Before Winter Ends – Take Advantage of a Multitude of Citrus to Brighten Every Recipe! 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! Make the season bright this year with the freshest jewel toned citrus. A great […]
Skillet Chili-Shrimp and Blackened Green Beans with Blood Orange Butter Sauce
A Simple Skillet Dish with Big ZESTY Flavors – perfect for a weeknight meal, special enough for company. Who doesn’t love a quick Shrimp Sauté? This dish boasts tons of flavor with Chili Seasoning, Blackened Green Beans and a delectable French Style Butter sauce a-la “beurre blanc.” BUT lighter…lightened-up with just a few tablespoons of […]
Karen’s Roasted Winter Kumato Tomato Salsa
The Best Homemade Salsa features Kumato Tomatoes available year-round and prized for their sweet, juicy flavor and firm texture. With a dark-red brown hue and a blush of green – they will roast to a burgundy color… the perfect complement with the chipotle peppers. Kumato tomatoes luckily are available year round! My go-to tomato in Winter. What’s in the […]
Applesauce Streusel Loaf Cake – It’s Gluten Free
Delicious with Homemade Applesauce! Using my panty ingredients – this satisfying loaf cake features an oat-streusel topping and is dotted with natural dried cranberries. I’m craving comfort food right now – this loaf cakes smells marvelous as it bakes with hints of warm spices wafting through the kitchen. Comforting & Addictive! Baked with healthful ingredients […]
Holiday Cookies! Plus NEW: Strawberry Mexican Wedding Cookies and Gluten Free Double Chocolate Mexican Wedding Cookies
Get baking with my line up of Holiday Cookies to Eat, Share & Enjoy! You’ll love my new Mexican Wedding Cookies – 2 flavors: Strawberry or Gluten Free Double Chocolate! Plus 10 more creative cookie recipes. (Press on titles for recipes) For the holidays – do not miss: Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres , Pick-Up Appetizers & Nibbles These […]
Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres , Pick-Up Appetizers & Nibbles
Stress free entertaining: Christmas, New Years Eve and New Year’s Day. Get cooking with these Well-Tested Recipes. Creative, Healthy and Inspiring. The holiday season continues as we ring in the new 2022 year! 16 Must-Make Crave-Worthy Appetizers for People Who Love Party Food! Let’s start with a CHEESY selection – recipes that incorporate cheese in […]
Spinach & Chicken Meatball Appetizer with Fontina Fondue
A killer appetizer!! These pop-in-your-mouth meatball~crostini~marinara bites are topped with a flowing, easy fontina cheese fondue. Spinach & Chicken Meatballs have a light texture and roast beautifully. Recipe makes 50 miniature Spinach & Chicken Meatball Appetizers with Fontina Fondue. Can also freeze some mini meatballs for another use. This recipe can be made gluten free using gluten […]
Totally Homemade Spinach & Chicken Meatballs
Loads of Spinach mixed in to Freshly Ground Chicken – that you grind! This makes the most delicious and nutritious meatballs with an amazing texture. Recipe makes 50 medium sized meatballs or – 35 plus 30 miniature for hors d’oeuvres. I make a big batch here – eat some for the week, tuck the rest away […]
Sunchoke & Kabocha Soup with Fabulous Garnishes
Sunchokes lend a creaminess to warm soups, perfectly paired with the velvety smooth Kabocha Squash for a wonderful Fall & Winter Soup. A great festive yet simple recipe for Thanksgiving. Vegan. I love serving soup on Thanksgiving! Why not try serving a soup with appetizers in individual shot glasses? A simple soup with 6 yummy garnishes! […]
Fantastic Fennel Parmesan
Perfectly sliced Roasted Fennel is getting topped with Garlicky Bread Crumbs, Tomato Sauce, Fresh Cut Tomatoes and topped with Shaved Parmesan. A Lightened-Up Veggie Parmesan! Fennel is delicious raw – thinly sliced and tossed into salads. When cooked, fennel softens, the flavor becomes sweet and mild with a luscious creamy texture. Similar to anise, fennel […]
Roasted Honeynut Squash Stuffed with a Kasha & Vegetable Pilaf
Super Sweet Honeynut Squash is special and in season! It’s small size boasts a sweet and nutty flavor with a hint of caramel. Easily roasted and stuffed with a Kasha (Buckwheat) Pilaf with plenty of Roasted Peppers, Red Onions, Herbs and Creamy Goat Cheese. The most delicious Fall main course or side dish! Buckwheat is […]
Braised Tzimmes Chicken with Balsamic-Rosemary Sauce for Passover and Rosh Hashana
This recipe has what you are looking for! Roast succulent pieces of chicken, seasoned perfectly with the addition of allspice – with hints of cloves, cinnamon and pepper. Chock full of ingredients – as you can see! Brimming with Colorful Heirloom Carrots, Shallots, Prunes and Garlic and the most delicious Balsamic-Rosemary Sauce… or should I […]
Herbed Tomato and Fennel Soup with Parmesan Crisps
In the Mediterranean Tradition – the flavors here are a combination of mellow and bold. Aromatic Basil and Fennel both have hints of anise (licorice) and team beautifully with sweet San Marzano Tomatoes. Soup making is about using the best quality ingredients and understanding the method of how to prepare it to perfection. Use the freshest […]
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! Using Vegetable & Chicken Broths – no beef broth. 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 […]
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! You know I’m always adding loads of vegetables… but what makes them truly delicious are the seasonings! Tempeh is a wonderful; meat substitute with […]
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 flavor! Use fresh tomatoes if you can; the rest are pantry ingredients. Chock full of fresh […]
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 with sauce and bake.
Tagine Chicken with Apricots, Dates and Chickpeas
A Moroccan feast! Perfectly balanced with aromatic spices. “Tagine” recipes are slow-cooked savory stews rich with delicious Mediterranean spices such as, saffron, cumin, cloves and cinnamon. You’ll love the Mediterranean flavors in this one pot good-for-you stew! A rich broth with chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, carrots and chunks of dried dates & apricots with aromatic […]
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. Fresh Mint offers a bright, fresh flavor! A seriously easy recipe ~ I’ve laid out all the steps how to create a parchment package with seasoned […]
Multi-Citrus Salsa
A Zesty and Tart Salsa that uses in- season Winter Citrus. Colorful, light and tasty with a hint of sweetness and heat. A delicious salsa using Blood Oranges, Pink Grapefruit & Honeybell Tangelo Segments with Chopped Mint
Crispy Crouton Skewers
These skewers offer a nifty way to serve croutons!
Spinach and Parsnip Soup with a Crispy Crouton Skewer
A velvety soup without dairy products… Parsnips and Yukon Gold Potatoes give the soup its creaminess when blended. Make these nifty Crispy Crouton Skewers to garnish the soup. The trick to its glorious color is blending the soup right after the spinach is added.
Bolognese Sauce with Tempeh and Mushrooms: It’s Vegan!
This Plant-Based Sauce is a lightened up, hearty and delicious! A recipe to master. Tempeh is a staple protein source and perfect for a vegetarian and vegan diet – a great substitute for meat… really grabs flavors! Cooked with classic techniques: Sweating, Sautéing and Braising.
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!
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 chicken stays succulent in this rich sauce… but not heavy or too caloric. I always […]
Free Form Veggie and Turkey Lasagne (Gluten Free)
This Gluten Free recipe has layers of vegetables, marinara, herbed ricotta, light-on-the cheeses and no-boil-ready-to-use gluten free lasagne sheets. My inspiration came from a restaurant with a healthy menu ~ True Food Kitchen, after tasting their Lasagne Bolognese.
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), Napa Cabbage, Snow Peas and a good dose of Ginger.
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.
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! Like many of us – who wants to cook the week after Thanksgiving? Yet – with all that leftover turkey meat ( I use white meat for this recipe) this is a […]
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 and Cheese. Adds interest and depth of flavor. Italian Chiocciole shaped pasta or Italian Gluten-Free Penne […]
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 and a complex just-spicy-enough mole sauce.
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 beans and a complex just-spicy-enough mole sauce.
Quick Easy Marmalade Jam
Three ingredients stirred together and cooked for 30 minutes until jammy. Terrific on your morning toast! Try this marmalade in my Lemon Poppy Linzer Cookies – Vegan & Gluten Free. Also wonderful as a base for savory glazes.
Spanish Tapas with Mushrooms, Smoked Paprika Aioli and Mahón Cheese
Tapas ~ little bites of tasty foods with bold flavors from Spain. Crispy baguette slices covered with a quick sauté of mushrooms, spiked with sherry & brandy and topped with a delicious Spanish cheese until melted and bubbly Tapas are Spain’s greatest food invention! “Eat when you drink, drink when you eat” is the philosophy. They are […]
Celery Root Bisque Soup with Garlic Pita Croutons
A healthy soup with a creamy texture from the celery root (celeriac) and potatoes. Delicious and Silky Smooth. Dairy Free. Add a swirl of Cashew Cream for a decorative touch. Vegan. A warming soup garnished with Garlic-Herb Pita Croutons and a Cashew Crema Swirl. Cashew Crema Swirl: Soak Raw Cashews – combine with 1/4 cup coconut […]
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.
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: beans, fresh spices and loaded with vegetables.
Winter White Salad with Pink Peppercorn Vinaigrette
A beautiful, crispy and crunchy salad with Winter-White Vegetables. Chioggia Beets add a touch of crimson color, as does the rind of the Pears and Black Radish. A restaurant quality salad which is easy and fun to prepare.
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.
Karen’s Butter Chicken
Most Probably the Best Known of all Indian Dishes ~ It’s mildly spicy, creamy, savory flavor makes it more than just delicious… it’s addictive! Note: I use coconut milk instead of heavy cream in many classic recipes… I think it’s delicious. This recipe is well worth the time – the second time you prepare it, it […]
Chicken in the Pot Soup with Many Vegetables, Rice Noodles and Fresh Ginger
Comfort Soup in a Bowl. Gluten-Free.
Clementine Cake with Marcona Almonds
Simple ingredients transform into a moist and heavenly orange-almond flourless cake. Reminiscent of a Sicilian recipe, Mediterranean ingredients, using Marcona Almonds and Clementine Oranges from Spain. Inspired by movie: “The Secret Lives of Walter Mitty.”
Cuban Style Lentil Soup with Baked Plantains and Lemon Crema
A robust soup with plenty of vegetables and spiced up with traditional Cuban flavors. Garnished with a lemon-crema and irresistible baked plantains. Warming and healthy! Vegetarian and Gluten-Free.
Little Gem Salad with Cara Cara Caesar-ish Dressing with Garlic Parmesan Toasts
It’s Winter Citrus Season – these low acid, sweet Cara Cara navel oranges entice a Caesar-style dressing with zest! A Wonderful – Simple Salad with crunch and a daily dose of garlic.