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Make Use of Your Summer Vegetables with a Skillet Stir-Fry

YumSugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:00:57 -0700

At the farmers market this week, there was so much gorgeous Summer produce — okra, fresh corn, English peas, tomatoes, zucchini — that I bought it all. Then I got home and wondered: What should I do with this Summer bounty?

My question got answered as soon as I came across this dish while browsing The Kitchen Sink. I was drawn to the vibrant colors, the seasonality of the vegetables, and the effortlessness of throwing them all together in one skillet. The original recipe didn't include peas, and called for more okra, but I modified it to my own personal tastes, as can you. To get my version of this scrumptious skillet,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Black Bean and Corn Tacos

partysugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:45:15 -0700

Take a Tex-Mex vacation with these vegetarian tacos. A simple but flavorful mixture of black beans, corn, fresh zucchini, and prepared enchilada sauce makes a delicious filling. The recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to get creative. Mushrooms are a tasty alternative to zucchini, and any type of bean can be substituted for the black beans. Learn the technique when you

'Wich of the Week: Avo Spinach Panini

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:42 -0700

Not all of you were loving my last vegetarian sandwich, so I thought I'd try again with a recipe inspired by a recent trip to San Francisco's (appropriately named) Panini. Perfectly pressed in a warm panini grill, this sandwich taught me several lessons about making smushed sammies. First, I never think to put avocado on a hot sandwich, but it held up well in the heat and added a deliciously creamy texture. I was also astounded at how much spinach was piled onto the massive sourdough slices — seriously, like a cup of spinach — but after a few minutes in the press, the spinach had wilted and the bread had flattened so that the sandwich was very compact and manageable. The contrast between the earthy greens and smooth avocado make for a delectable combo. To learn how to re-create it at home,

Quick Pickling: Spicy Pickled Vegetables

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:45:34 -0700

I am a diehard pickle fanatic, but I realize the same doesn't apply for everyone. This easy pickling recipe for spicy vegetables, however, could convert even the biggest pickle skeptic. The medley of crisp haricots verts and pearl onions goes well in conjunction with meaty carrots and a subtle jalapeño bite.
These veggies are the perfect accessory for a Bloody Mary or lunchtime sandwich. Although this recipe makes a large amount of pickles, my supply is dwindling fast! To stock up on your own,

Greek Salad Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:09 -0700

A Greek salad is a dish every home cook should master: In Summer the hearty dish is a meal of its own! While a Greek salad traditionally has certain key ingredients, such as tomato, feta cheese, olives, and onions, the term can be used liberally, and you can experiment by adding Mediterranean elements like cucumbers, spinach, shrimp, lamb, etc.

To get you started, I've found two recipes. The first is perfect for someone who has limited time or patience in the kitchen; it simply requires chopping and tossing. The second salad toys with texture, employing gelatin to whip the feta into an airy mousse. Get both recipes when you

'Wich of the Week: Tofu and Chinese Broccoli

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:00:20 -0700

With all this talk about Chinese barbecue and dim-sum Olympics parties, I've had Chinese food on the brain. So on my last trip to the farmers market, I picked up some Chinese broccoli, a yummy in-season green that tastes like a cross between asparagus, broccoli, and bok choy. After making a tofu stir-fry, I refocused the remaining ingredients into an elegant vegetarian sandwich. I used wheat bread, because that's what I had on hand, but any sliced bread will do. I also had some garlicky homemade almond butter leftover from another recipe, but if you don't want to make your own, I recommend mixing crushed garlic into regular peanut butter or almond butter for an Asian-inspired spread. To get both recipes and see how I made this tofu treat,

Reader Recipe: Hummus With Pita Chips

YumSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:00:36 -0700

I haven't made any fresh hummus recently, but when I came across Shiloh Jolie Pitt's recipe, I remembered how it's super easy to make. While you could buy a commercial variety from the grocery store aisle, there's a significant difference between the taste of store-bought hummus and the creamy homemade kind. To make the entire meze even better, take a few minutes to toast the pita chips in the oven — they'll come out warm and crispy. Like Shiloh suggests, it's easy to vary the flavor by adding sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, parsley, or anything else that suits your fancy. To get this delicious recipe,

Perfect For Summer: Sesame Soy Cucumber Salad

YumSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Lately I've been on a huge cucumber kick. They're light and refreshing — perfect for a hot summer day.

I grew up eating this salad at my mother's table, and it's still one of my favorite dishes to start off a light meal. The flavor profile is tart, the texture crunchy, the combination so simple, yet so satisfying.

The best part? The longer you let it sit, the better it tastes. After you've made it once, try altering the ingredients to see what works better for you — cider vinegar or white vinegar, more or less soy sauce, and so forth. My favorite cucumbers to use are the Japanese variety, because they're so crisp and firm. When they aren't available, I substitute Persian cucumbers. To check out my mom's easy recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pasta Alla Norma

partysugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:45:37 -0700

Fresh eggplant is the star in this delicious vegetarian pasta. The purple vegetable is pan-fried and seasoned with dried oregano. The sauteed eggplant acts as the base of the thick, tomato-y pasta sauce. A handful of aromatic basil and a liberal dusting of Italian cheese finishes off the pasta. This scrumptious dish is like eating a bowl of summer. To learn the technique,

Sunday BBQ: Savory Tofu-on-a-Stick

YumSugar — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:00:23 -0700

When I'm in the mood for a light meal, I look for flavorful vegetarian options. These grilled tofu sticks — a play on the traditional corn dog — are the perfect alternative.

To give them a spicy kick, the tofu sticks are marinated overnight in a sweet-hot mustard. They're grilled, rather than deep-fried, like most corn dogs, so they're actually good for you.

If you are not a fan of tofu, you could substitute something else. Try marinating tempeh or portobello mushrooms. To get the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Vegetable Stir-Fry

partysugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Chock full of crunchy vegetables and Asian flavors, this vegetarian stir-fry is hearty and delectable. The meal comes together in minutes, because the vegetables — bok choy, snow peas, radishes, and spinach — are flash cooked in a large sauté pan. Meaty, soy-glazed tofu and a fresh ginger vinaigrette add layers of delicious depth to the veggies. This recipe is highly adaptable, so feel free to substitute bell peppers, mushrooms, or any other vegetable.

Chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef are nice alternatives to tofu. To get the versatile recipe,

Trend Alert: Peaches As a Savory Ingredient

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:15:40 -0700

This Summer, peaches have moved from being an ingredient in desserts to being the star of savory dishes. From salads to satays, peaches are popping up in places out of the ordinary. I decided to give this trend an experiment by making this roasted vegetable pasta. After all, what better way to celebrate peach season than to center a main course on the beloved stone fruit?

Roasting the peach, as well as the vegetables, makes everything sweeter, and lends a smoky depth to the overall flavor. If you prefer less tart peaches, swap the traditional yellow peach with a white peach. Peaches at the store not looking so great? Ripen them at home. This recipe is great for vegans and vegetarians, but for added protein, toss in sliced chicken breast. To check out the savory peach trend in a scrumptious pasta dish,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mediterranean Grain Salad

partysugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:45:13 -0700

A great staple to incorporate into your weekly diet is the grain quinoa. Like couscous, quinoa takes on the flavors of its surrounding ingredients. In this recipe, the quinoa is tossed with crunchy peppers, cool cucumbers, and salty olives. Although cheese is not one of the components, crumbled feta or goat cheese would be delicious stirred in with the vegetables. To experiment with quinoa tonight,

Where Have All the Gardenburgers Gone?

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:00:48 -0700

A widespread shortage of meatless Gardenburgers has put veggie patties in short supply and high demand. The Seattle Times reports that Gardenburgers have been scarce since April and May, when parent company Kellogg's discovered a quality control issue. Stressed rivals Boca Burger, MorningStar Farms, and Amy's Kitchen are scrambling to meet the veggie burger needs of the country.

According to Kellogg's, the shortage of Gardenburgers was due to plant improvements. However, it says production is back in full swing:

We are working as hard as we can to fill orders in time for the summer grilling season.

Don't be surprised if (as our copy editor recently discovered) your request for a meatless burger gets turned down. I favor a beef patty to an all-veggie one, so I won't be too affected by the shortage. What about you? Have you wondered where all the garden burgers have gone?

Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: Saucy Beans and Eggplant

partysugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:45:21 -0700

During the Summer it's important to take advantage of the bounty of fresh vegetables. In this vegetarian dish, the pure flavor of eggplant is highlighted. The simple recipe combines canned beans with a garlicky pasta sauce and breaded, sautéed eggplant. Salty feta cheese is a lovely garnish to this delicious dinner.

This recipe is a must make, so get it now when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Polenta Pizza

partysugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:45:44 -0700

If you've never had pizza with a cornmeal crust, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. It's a simple technique that combines precooked polenta with water and flour until it makes a dough like consistency. The crust is prebaked before being topped with tomato sauce, red peppers, and green onions. To take a look at this scrumptious, vegetarian pizza,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pasta with Artichokes, Olives, and Tomatoes

partysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:45:34 -0700

This super quick and healthy pasta incorporates many of my favorite Summer flavors: fresh, fragrant basil, burst in your mouth grape tomatoes, and salty black olives. The natural simplicity of the sauce — the veggies and herbs are barely cooked — pairs perfectly with whole wheat spaghetti.

If you prefer not to cook with wine, use a low sodium chicken broth instead. To make this delicious, vegetarian meal tonight,

Monday's Leftovers: Grilled Veggie Panini

partysugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:45:00 -0700

Whenever I make a grilled vegetable salad, I make sure to grill up an extra batch of veggies. Filled with flavor, these vegetables are excellent on pizzas, in quesadillas, or mixed into pasta salads. However, the best way to highlight the essence of the grilled vegetable is to make a stacked sandwich.

In this recipe the bread is coated with a quick, homemade pesto and the veggies are topped with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella. To learn how to make a grilled veggie sandwich, please

Sunday BBQ: Grilled Vegetable Salad

partysugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:00:37 -0700

When piled high on a plate, a salad of grilled veggies is just as hearty as a slab of steak. Grilling the vegetables is a great way to bring out their full, rich flavor.

This salad is packed with thickly cut zucchini, eggplants, and peppers. A quick lemon vinaigrette adds a tart freshness and a sprinkling of goat cheese adds a lush creaminess. Serve with a cold beer and a chunk of grilled, crusty bread for a delicious dinner. To take a look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Polenta Gratin with Mushrooms and Fontina

partysugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:45:53 -0700

Sometimes there just isn't enough time to make a complete meal from scratch, so don't be ashamed to take help from the grocery store. If you enhance the taste by mixing in a couple of fresh ingredients, your family will never notice that you took help from the supermarket. This delectable dinner combines fresh mushrooms, basil, and fontina — with premade polenta and pasta sauce. The final vegetarian dish is filled with flavor and surprisingly delightful.

To check out the recipe — another great one from our friends at MyRecipes.com —

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled Vegetables and Chickpeas with Couscous

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:12 -0700

Don't be afraid of using your grill on weeknights to create quick and simple meals. Especially when the weather is pleasant, grilling is an excellent technique for rapid, maximized flavor cooking. In this recipe a plethora of vegetables are seared on the grill. The veggies are tossed with a fragrantly spiced couscous, fresh herbs, and filling garbanzo beans. A salty feta cheese is the finishing touch to this hearty, vegetarian dish from MyRecipes.com. To learn how to make it,

Trying Not to Offend Hindus, British Airways Won't Serve Beef

partysugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:13:37 -0700

Trying Not to Offend Hindus, British Airways Won't Serve Beef
I have some bad news for all you who look forward to airline mystery meat: British Airways is taking beef off its in-flight menu, because it does not want to offend riders with religious restrictions.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Spinach-Feta Calzone Casserole

partysugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:27 -0700

Spinach and feta are a classic Mediterranean combination. The salty feta perfectly complements the fresh greens. Tonight use this dynamic duo to make a delicious casserole sized calzone. The vegetarian filling — reminiscent of spanakopita — is a mixture of wilted spinach, sautéed onion, crushed red pepper, garlic, and feta.

To take a look at the recipe that I found on MyRecipes.com,

Monday's Leftovers: Enchiladas with Fresh Mango Salsa

partysugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 07:42:56 -0700

Use the elements left over from last night's bean and roasted corn salad to make a platter of oozing enchiladas. The salad acts as the filling for the enchiladas and the mango salsa tops the finished dish.

These exceptional enchiladas are perfect for a vegetarian Cinco de Mayo celebration. If you don't have a leftover corn and bean salad, the recipe details how to make it from scratch. To see how it's done,

Sunday Dinner: Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salad

partysugar — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:00:06 -0700

For dinner tonight, serve a hearty, Mexican inspired salad. There are several steps to this recipe, but taking the time to prepare each component makes for a fresh, filling dish. The corn and black beans are roasted with onions and garlic to maximize the flavor. The mixture is tossed with a classic red wine vinaigrette and topped with not one, but two salsas!

A scrumptious mango salsa seasoned with chives and honey, and a tomato tomatillo salsa with parsley. Doesn't it sound delish? To get the recipe,

Not Your Regular Nachos: Nachos Frescos

partysugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:30:44 -0700

Although incredibly delicious, nachos are deceptively filling making them a dish that's easy to overeat. Since Cinco de Mayo is next week, I wanted to make a less-heavy variation of nachos that would allow for maximum margarita consumption. To make the nachos lighter — I have no clue if they're healthier, we'll have to ask FitSugar — I baked the tortillas instead of frying them and replaced the meat with black beans. The final nachos were fresh and delectable. I devoured them in minutes! For the details on how to make them,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Teriyaki Tofu Pizza

partysugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:17 -0700

Grated tofu makes an excellent topping to vegetarian pizza. Instead of a typical tomato sauce, in this recipe, the pizza crust is covered with a thick layer of teriyaki sauce.

Peppers and mozzarella cheese complement the tofu topping. Garnished with bean sprouts and green onions, this pizza is fragrant, flavorful, and fabulous.

To check out the recipe all you have to do is,

Rising Price of Meat Forces Some to Go Vegetarian

partysugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:13:34 -0700

Rising Price of Meat Forces Some to Go Vegetarian
In Zimbabwe, it costs 50 cents a month to eat meat every night for dinner. Think 50 cents sound like a good deal? Well, in Zimbabwe dollars, that's Z$ 8 to 10 billion, which equals one person's entire month salary!

Fast & Easy Dinner: Goat Cheese and Tomato Strata

partysugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:30:22 -0700

Instead of making croutons, use leftover bread to make a simple supper in the form of a strata. Like a savory bread pudding, this layered dish is filled with fleshy tomatoes and melted cheese. The recipe involves minimal prepwork giving you plenty of time to unwind after a long day. Pair with a glass of wine and a green salad. For the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Kitchen-Sink Quesadillas

partysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:56:19 -0700

Quesadillas are the perfect simple and quick dinner because they can be filled with anything, take little time to make, and are crowd pleasers. When paired with a leafy green salad, they make a satisfying meal. Tonight make vegetarian quesadillas filled with bean and corn salsa and lots of grated cheese. To make things even easier, bake the quesadillas in the oven instead of frying them on the stove. If this sounds appetizing to you, take a look at the recipe and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Avocado Mango Salad

partysugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:28:33 -0700

Let's celebrate Earth Day by making a healthy, vegan-friendly meal with earth grown vegetables. For an eco friendly dinner, purchase the greens, avocados, and mango at your local farmers market. A quick vinaigrette — made with passion fruit juice concentrate, dijon mustard, and Sherry vinegar — dresses this scrumptious salad. Pair with a wedge of cheese, a chunk of bread, and a glass of organic sparkling wine for a delicious dinner that celebrates our planet. To look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Two-Bean Salad with Tarragon Dressing

partysugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:03:31 -0700

My brother has recently decided to change his diet. Instead of eating tons of fast food, he wants to consume more vegetables. I suggested he eat one hearty and filling salad a day. This two bean salad is perfect for him because it's chock full of flavorful vegetables. The beans provide much needed protein and a simple but well seasoned dressing is made with balsamic vinegar and dijon mustard.

To check out the recipe,

Would You Rather Eat Asparagus or Broccoli?

partysugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:28:51 -0700

Source

Would You Rather Eat Asparagus or Broccoli?

Asparagus, I love the little spears.

Broccoli, it's versatile and delicious.

Neither, I prefer ______ (fill in the blank below).

Ewww, I hate both of these vegetables.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Broccoli Pesto Spaghetti

partysugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:01:51 -0700

Fresh pesto, tossed with pasta is one of my favorite summer meals. Although I'm tempted to make basil pesto in the Spring, I don't because basil is not in season yet. Luckily, there are lots of other scrumptious vegetables that can be used instead of basil. This variation is made with broccoli, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Serve with plenty of cracked pepper, extra cheese for sprinkling, and a chilled glass of wine. Take a look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Black Beans and Rice

partysugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:01:57 -0700

Rice and beans are a delicious classic food combination. Chock full of vegetables, this recipe highlights the flavor of black beans. A pinch of cumin adds smokiness and a splash of red wine vinegar provides a tang. Serve the beans over your favorite type of rice for a hearty meal. To take a look at the recipe,

Would You Eat This Vegetarian Pâté?

partysugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:13:31 -0700

At the Artisan Cheese Festival, I was browsing the cheese display with my mom when she did something totally out of the ordinary. She's not an adventurous eater, but to my surprise she took a gigantic chunk of vegetarian pâté! I love regular pâté, but was a little wary of the bright orange, green, and white thing that rested on my mom's plate. I wish I could say it was absolutely delicious but it just wasn't. The texture was weird and the flavor odd. We were both glad we tried it, but aren't running out to purchase buckets of vegetarian pâté. How about you? Would you eat this vegetarian pâté?

Would You Eat This Vegetarian Pâté?

I eat vegetarian pâté all the time, I love it.

I would try it at least once.

No, pâté in any form grosses me out.

Other — to see what I think of vegetarian pâté, check out my comment below.

Is It OK to Use Sexuality to Promote Vegetarianism?

partysugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:31:51 -0700

While I don't have a problem with consuming any kind of meat, I do find it troublesome when women are portrayed as a type of meat. Although exploiting the female body to promote vegetarianism or veganism is nothing new, a recent article in the New York Times highlights the trend. The article discusses a vegan strip club — Casa Diablo — in Oregon that attempts to convert meat-eating males to veganism, as well as a Los Angeles dance group — the Vegan Vixens — that performs at events and trade shows. Both parties are happy to be a part of a growing group of vegans who don't mind showing a little skin. Here's a quick excerpt:

Vegans who use sexuality to promote the cause say it is a good way to convert carnivores.

It's a known fact that sex sells, but I can't help but feel this movement is a step backward. What do you think about it? Is it OK to use sexuality to promote vegetarianism?

Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: Layered Taco Salad

partysugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:01:31 -0700

Whenever I want a hearty salad for dinner, I make a taco salad. Packed with tons of veggies, beans, and cheese, taco salads are divine and filling. This vegetarian version is served layered in a glass dish, almost like a trifle. The presentation is mouth-watering and the salad is delicious. The dressing is an interesting mix of guacamole, sour cream, and chili powder. Serve this salad with your favorite tortilla chips and cold Coronas. If you want the recipe,

Monday's Leftovers: Vegetarian Reubens

partysugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:13:31 -0700

Wondering what to do with the leftover spinach and mushrooms from last night? Put them in a sandwich! This variation of the Reuben pairs mushrooms and spinach with rye bread and swiss cheese. A quick homemade Russian dressing flavors the rye bread that is lightly grilled. To see how it's made,

Sunday Dinner: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Mushrooms

partysugar — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:03:51 -0700

If you love the taste — and the runny center — of fried eggs but don't like the "fried" part of the equation, you should think about baking the eggs. Baked eggs are delicious, simple to make, and wonderful for dinner. Remember eggs aren't just good at breakfast, they're divine any time of day! They make an exceptional vegetarian meal especially when paired with a medley of vegetables. A sprinkling of Parmesan cheese finishes off these baked eggs that are nestled on a bed of mushrooms and spinach.

To take a look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Lasagna Rolls

partysugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:01:31 -0700

For an alternative presentation for lasagna, consider making lasagna rolls. Instead of layering the cheese and vegetables, the ingredients — in this case ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and ranch — is spread on the pasta sheets and rolled up. Serve crusty garlic bread for mopping up the scrumptious sauce. Sound interesting? Check out the recipe when you

Asparagus Tart Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

partysugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:01:31 -0700

One way to take advantage of Spring's glorious bounty of asparagus is to make a tart. A savory tart that highlights the pure flavor of asparagus is welcome on any Easter menu. Both scrumptious and versatile, an asparagus tart can be served as a side, a dinner, or as a part of a brunch buffet.

Since we all have different levels of culinary confidence, I've found two delicious recipes. One takes advantage of frozen puff pastry and the other makes it from scratch. Choose which one suits your cookery needs or get inspired and make your own variation. For the recipes,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Stir Fried Tofu with Vegetables

partysugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:40:18 -0700

I've said it before and I'll say it again: stir fries make an excellent last minute meal. Why? Because the food is sautéed at a higher temperature meaning it will cook quicker. This stir fry is jam packed with vegetables making it hearty and healthful. Choose a firmer tofu to ensure that it won't fall apart when stir fried. For this mouthwatering recipe,

Would You Eat This Tahini Pasta?

partysugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:28:31 -0700

Sometimes really disgusting-looking food tastes incredibly delicious. Take this tangy tahini pasta as an example. It looks like a mix between fresh vomit and a sick dog's poop — in other words, not very appetizing. However the ingredients are simple and ordinary: tahini, garbanzo beans, lemon juice, wholemeal pasta, red onions, etc. It looks blah, but probably tastes great. Although they say never judge a book by its cover, sometimes we all do. So I want to know, would you eat this pasta or is the picture too gross to stomach?Source

Would You Eat This Tahini Pasta?

What a great idea! Tahini and pasta, I would eat it.

No way, too gross looking!

I would at least take one bite.

Other — see how I feel below.

Fast & Easy Dinner: 7-Layer Tortilla Pie

partysugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:03:31 -0800

When I was younger I loved to order Mexican pizzas from Taco Bell. Now that I'm older and steer clear of fast-food joints, I like to make a similar tortilla pie in the comforts of my kitchen. This is a meatless version that features two types of beans: pinto and black. Tortillas are layered with salsa, beans, cheese, and cilantro. The entire thing is baked in the oven until crisp. Serve with guacamole and sour cream for a fabulous fiesta!

Take a look at the recipe when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Vegetable Chow Mein

partysugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:13:31 -0800

For a super quick, middle of the week fix, make this vegetable chow mein for dinner. Ready in under 20 minutes, this meal is more rapid than ordering take out. Frozen veggies are mixed with coleslaw and noodles. A simple sauce — made with broth, cornstarch, oyster and red pepper sauces — seasons the dish. Sound delish? Get the recipe now, just

Fast & Easy Dinner: Basic Quiche

partysugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:47:41 -0800

Although you could take the time to make a pastry crust, for a super quick, weeknight version of quiche, use a store bought piecrust. The simple filling — eggs, sautéed onions, grated cheese, and fresh parsley — can easily be modified to your liking. Leftover vegetables, ends of cheeses, and mixed herbs can all be stirred into the egg mixture before being baked in the crust. For a more hearty version, add cooked ham, bacon, or roasted chicken.

Once you know the basic recipe — which is absolutely delicious on its own — the creative possibilities for quiche are endless. Get it now and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Ziti with Italian Salad and Garlic Bread

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:01:31 -0800

A classic Italian style feast for four doesn't require a whole day of cooking. In fact, you can make a delicious meal — a pasta dish complete with bread and salad — in 40 minutes. This baked ziti is a tasty alternative to lasagna, and doesn't require all the hassle of cooking meat and making a tomato sauce. Garlic bread bakes with the pasta and the simple crisp salad of endive and arugula comes together while they both bake. This is a wonderful way to get your weekend off to the a scrumptious start, so get the recipe and

Soup's On: Cheddar Beer Soup

partysugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:31:51 -0800

When I made cheddar cheese soup a couple of months ago, I had a hard time choosing between two recipes. I went with the classic "best ever" cheese soup recipe from Cook's Illustrated rather than the super simple variation from Everyday With Rachael Ray. To treat myself for Valentine's Day I decided to give the other recipe a try. Good thing I did because I prefer this velvety version! Flavored with leeks instead of celery and beer instead of sherry, this soup has a wonderful cheesy taste. Mustard adds depth and its slight tang offsets the beer. For garnish I made heart-shaped croutons! To see how I made this soup,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Eggs with Spinach and Tomatoes

partysugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:47:18 -0800

If your dearest happens to be a vegetarian, make him baked eggs for a romantic dinner tonight. Baked eggs — while not overly glamorous — are delicately delicious. Their simple elegance is sexy, especially when cooked with a garlic, tomato, and spinach mixture. A dollop of cream cheese is a decadent finish. For a full meal start with a cheese plate paired with dried fruit, honey, and crackers; finish with chocolate molten cakes. To drink? It's Valentine's Day so celebrate with a bottle of bubbly!

To take a look at the recipe,