Busy weeks call for simple, nutritious food! Quesadillas are the perfect answer to a quick lunch or dinner. Since I have three teenagers, they have been pretty standard in our home for many years. Sometimes they are thoughtfully made with a tiny bit extra effort like this particular recipe, but usually they are full of…
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Shakshuka with Spinach and Feta
Shakshuka is hands down one of my top 5 favorite brunch items. My husband and I both happen to share a love of this savory dish. Recently, after a long beautiful hike in nearby Woodside, we topped off our perfect morning with a lovely brunch at the Village Bakery. A beautiful spot for any meal,…
Macho Salad (copycat recipe)
One of the fun things about touring colleges with our teenagers is checking out new cities and trying new restaurants. Last spring, in both Texas and California, we inadvertently had several delicious meals all from the same restaurant group – Hillstone. We are big fans of their menus and always had great service, so trying…
Zucchini Pineapple Bread
There is no doubt this bread is perfect in peak summer. However, I tend to prefer it in early fall when zucchini is still overflowing at the farmer’s market but they are now sharing space with piles of a new crop of apples. It’s that time of the year when I want something cozy with…
High Protein Pancakes
Who doesn’t love a stack of fluffy pancakes with warm maple syrup? This girl. They taste good going down, but the crash and then the immediate hunger from the simple carbs usually aren’t worth it for me. Though my family usually prefers waffles over pancakes for a morning treat, fluffy buttermilk pancakes from scratch still…
Mixed Greens with Roasted Chicken, Tomato and Basil
I’m thinking of adding a category to my blog called “Everyday Salads.” There are countless salad combinations in our house but they never seem to warrant a written recipe. But perhaps they do. My original goal for the blog is to share food with family and friends and I’ve been leaving out so much of…
Southwest Chicken and Vegetable Soup
If my family’s sneezing, congestion and general uncomfortableness isn’t a sign that spring has officially sprung, I don’t know what is! The plants and grasses are the brightest lime green (one of my favorite colors), the trees are budding and flowers are blooming. Here in the Bay Area, and specifically on the Peninsula where it…
Harvest Pumpkin Muffins
A Family Favorite Pumpkin Muffin Recipe This pumpkin muffin recipe has been a family favorite in my house since my kids were little. The cherished original recipe came from my mom, but I’ve made many tweaks over the years to improve the ingredients and flavors. This final version, which I’ve proudly shared with friends and…
Curry-Spiced Chickpea Burgers with Yogurt Sauce
A Flavorful, Pantry-Staple Recipe with Fresh Ingredients This is one of those recipes that use pantry staples as well as fresh ingredients that I almost always have on hand. It’s adapted from an old Martha Stewart recipe from 10 years ago but I find this version has more flavor, easily swaps grains, and adds healthy…
Roasted Grass-fed Beef Meatballs
Meatballs are a good idea no matter the season. They are quick to make, freezer friendly, and make great leftovers. I keep several pounds of local omega-3 rich grass-fed ground beef in my garage freezer at all times. It’s a staple for weeknight meals including these meatballs as well as quick tacos, skillet meals and…









