Sweet Potato Wedges with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette

These sweet potato spears are seriously addictive, and I’ve made a quick meal of them on a couple occasions this week. If you know me, you know I like to douse my food in lemon and herbs, and that’s basically what I’ve done to these. Seared on a grill pan to get a smoky char then steamed to cook through and soften, the sweet potatoes soak in the flavors of the lemon, chive & thyme vinaigrette then get an extra punch from grilled shallots and a touch of saltiness from crumbled feta. They’re fancy enough as a side dish for a dinner but totally fit for finger food. Hope everyone’s having a great weekend!

Date & Cinnamon Baked Bananas

A dessert to go bananas over — this is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar free, but you’d never know it. Medjoul dates and maple syrup give this all the natural sweetness it needs, and the cinnamon and cardamom scent imparts comfort and warmth. Inspired by an ayurvedic recipe from Eat-Taste-Heal and a need to use up ripe bananas, this dish comes together in under 20 minutes. The toasted almonds on top give it some extra protein and a satisfying crunch. I made this for a mid-afternoon treat with my daughter, and wished I had more bananas to make it again for breakfast the next day – it’s so simple but satisfying and warming on a chilly spring day.

Strawberry Phyllo Tartlets with Lemon Mascarpone Cream

Crispy phyllo shells, lemony mascarpone filling, fresh strawberries — and the best part is that these little treats couldn’t be simpler. Great for a spring get-together, and you can mix up the topping with other seasonal fruit for an even more colorful presentation. Enjoy!

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!

Tagliatelle with Sauteed Mushrooms, Pancetta & Herb Sauce

A bowl of pasta can be so simple yet so satisfying. I love the assortment of mushrooms and herbs combined here with fresh tagliatelle pasta and some crisped pancetta. If you’re a pro at chopping veggies and herbs, it will take you less than 20 minutes from cutting board to table (or 30 minutes for slow choppers like me), so it’s a good option on frenetic weeknights or for a quick lunch. Enjoy!

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.

Weeknight Oven-Baked Salmon with Ginger Mirin Sauce

We love eating fish in our house, and with as many fishermen as we have in our extended family, we’ve been blessed with ample opportunity to taste fish as fresh as it gets. I particularly enjoyed sampling several varieties of Pacific Northwest salmon

Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

Seared lamb chops get a vibrant punch of flavor with a healthy dollop of mint yogurt sauce. This is one of my husband’s favorites, so we enjoy this dish often. While you sear the lamb chops and let them rest, you can blend up the mint yogurt sauce in very little time. It’s elegant enough for date night but also a great easy family dinner with a salad or side of veggies. Enjoy!