The best part about panzanella is that it’s kind of a kitchen sink salad, and measurements are rough, lazy, and forgiving.

FoodThe PasticheSeptember 24, 2018salad, panzanella, bread, summer, olives, vegetarian, vegetables, healthy, light, make-ahead, dinner Comments

Radish, snap pea, and cucumber salad with mint and yogurt

Let's talk about "deconstructed" things. Like, when you order the "Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie" and you get an abstract piece of Graham cracker with slices of brûléed bananas and dots of whipped cream artfully arranged around the plate. Nothing (irrationally) annoys me more than this—a deconstructed version of something that should never be eaten any other way than in its constructed form (in my humble, correct opinion).

FoodThe PasticheJune 16, 2017salad, dinner, sides, summer, yogurt, snap peas, radish, cucumber, pistachios, healthy, light Comments

Collard greens and beans in white wine broth

I know that "greens and beans" are an actual thing, but speaking more technically, I just love greens and beans, in nearly any form.

FoodThe PasticheMay 18, 2017beans, greens and beans, dinner, healthy, light, collard greens, appetizers Comments

Avocado garlic toast with balsamic marinated tomatoes and cucumbers

Does anyone even remember the world before avocado toast?

FoodThe PasticheApril 18, 2017breakfast, lunch, avocado, avocado toast, tomatoes, healthy, light, brunch Comments

Tricolor salad with fresh herbs and gorgonzola

Something I've really come to appreciate as I've gotten older and have had more exposure to good food is a delicious, simple salad.

FoodThe PasticheMarch 22, 2017salad, dinner, gorgonzola, tricolor salad, simple, healthy, light, herbs, sides Comments

Bright citrus fennel and apple salad

Although I often associate fennel and apples with the colder months, this salad is so light and bright that it screams summer to me...

FoodThe PasticheJune 6, 2016salad, fennel, citrus, apples, arugula, healthy, light, lunch, sides, dinner, summer, fall Comments

Halibut en papillote

En papillote is a French term for "in parchment," which refers to one of my favorite cooking methods, especially for fish.

FoodThe PasticheApril 18, 2016fish, halibut, parchment, en papillote, dinner, spring, summer, pesto, healthy, light Comments

Caprese wheat berries

For a minute there, I was convinced that winter was behind us and spring was here. And the way my brain works, it may as well be summer...

FoodThe PasticheApril 4, 2016salad, lunch, make-ahead, caprese, cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, cheese, wheat berries, arugula, healthy, light, potluck, barbecue, summer, spring, sidesComment

Quick Moroccan tomatoes and chickpeas

This is a simple, easy lunch that comes together very quickly with only a few ingredients. It's nothing fancy or complex, but with the right spice blend, it becomes a great lunch standby. I almost always have everything on hand, which is probably how this dish (and a few variations on it) came into being. All it takes is canned tomatoes and chickpeas as a base, with add-ins such as garlic, spices, spinach, kale, sharp cheese, parsley or other herbs, or topped with a fried or poached egg. It's always delicious, but also healthy and filling.

FoodThe PasticheMarch 7, 2016Moroccan, chickpeas, tomatoes, curry, lunch, make-ahead, healthy, easy, light, vegetarianComment

Lemony celery and parmesan salad

Sometimes simple is just the best, and sometimes healthy and light is what your body is craving (a weekend full of burgers and eggs Benedict and Indian takeout and wine and cocktails helps get you and your skinny jeans there real quick). Ina Garten’s celery salad is truly the answer, and every time I make it I’m amazed at how flavorful and refreshing it is. I had never thought of celery as an ingredient to shine in a dish (I usually eat it smothered in blue cheese—#health—or chopped up in soup), but the citrusy dressing and salty parmesan turn it into something wholly different and I am all about it. This salad is the perfect light side dish to chicken or grilled fish for dinner, and it makes a great lunch salad as well.

FoodThe PasticheOctober 28, 2015celery, salad, sides, parmesan, light, healthy, summer, fall, spring, vegetarian, lunch2015, salad2015 Comments

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