Parmesan & Poppy Seed Crisps

Sometimes it seems our preschooler has an insatiable appetite, and now that she can reach the handles to the cupboards, it’s getting harder for us to keep quick but healthful snacks in those little hands. With just two ingredients, these crisps can be whipped up in 10 minutes, and little ones can help prepare them. My little one enjoyed mixing the grated parmesan and poppy seeds, then holding the paper-cup ring in place while I sprinkled the mixture onto the parchment paper. This snack certainly beats salty or sugary processed ones and is simple and fun to make!

Roasted Eggplant, Ricotta & Tomato Crostini

Since reading Eating on the Wild Side, I’ve been trying to fill my grocery basket with more nutrient-rich purple vegetables and to roast them to get the most nutrition out of them. Deep purple eggplant is rich in a number of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that fight disease and even help lower bad cholesterol. I love the almost-melted texture of roasted eggplant, and here its softness complements crunchy toasted bread, a pillowy layer of cheese, and a sprinkling of sliced tomatoes and parsley.

Weeknight Italian Sausage and Pepper Tortiglioni

This is less a recipe and more a simple meal plan to get dinner on the table on a given busy weeknight. Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and a simple tomato ragu come together to create a hearty and delicious pasta dish that’s ready in 20 minutes.

Where I Am Now; Tagliatelle with Homemade Garden Pesto

Where I am now, I have a teeny, tiny, little garden I’ve tended all summer long. For me, this is a big accomplishment. For the first summer in seven years, I am not moving across continents and oceans, and I can actually set down roots, literally.