recipes

Wondering what to do with that abundance of CSA or farmers market vegetables? This ratatouille recipe kills two birds with one stone - ensuring you don't waste any errant vegetables and meeting your daily veggie quota. I used the local vegetables I had on hand but this recipe would also work well with mushrooms, eggplant or anything else that appeals to you. Ratatouille is a traditional French dish, but I have Italian in my blood so I used plenty of seasonings you might find in an Italian dish. I was really pleased with the results. Click through for the recipe!

Just in time for the 4th of July holiday I have some tasty cocktails in store. Who doesn't love a fresh summer cocktail while firing up the grill and watching the fireworks? I tested these babies out last weekend and trust me they were tasty! My mission was to keep the ingredients fresh and organic, and use local ingredients where possible. Click through for the recipes!

One of the beautiful things about a CSA is getting a crapload of veggies which you have no idea what to do with. I may have overdosed after having goat cheese, almond & cranberry salad 7 days straight for lunch. My next dilemma? I had various vegetables and wanted something asian-influenced to go along with my 5% Asian self. Luckily I found a package of spring roll wrappers from the grocery story recently and decided to be creative with them. Note: you can swap out the veggies I suggest with your own fillings. But mine were pretty damn delicious... Here's my vegan recipe: Julie's Half-Assed Veggie Spring Rolls

Memorial Day weekend calls for shaking off stress, enjoying friends and family, and perhaps a delicious cocktail (or two.) This recipe for a refreshing, seasonal blueberry mojito will start your long weekend off on the right foot. Bonus: it's fairly low calorie, and simple to make! Click through for the recipe.

The Skinny Bitch franchise is no joke. Over the past few years Kim Barnouin, Rory Freedman (who co-authored the original Skinny Bitch) and their team have built a recognizable brand with a no-nonsense; tell it like it is approach to the vegan lifestyle. This time around Kim is back with a book of vegan swaps for almost any craving - be it sweet or salty, bottled or packaged.

I don't know about you but sometimes I go through major breakfast ruts. Cereal and english muffins with almond butter start to bore my taste buds after devouring for weeks on end. When I need to shake up my morning meal treats like these delicious muffins come in to play. You can bake a batch (or two ) to eat all week long or share with friends and co-workers. I opted to share these this past weekend at Green Philly's Spring CleanUp. I had a couple requests for the recipe, so here you are!

I'm a big fan of dishes that can be easily customized based on what's in season in your area. And, by what you happen to have in your kitchen at the given moment. This recipe serves as a perfect example ( ugh sorry unintentional pun!) Risotto, traditionally created with arborio rice is delicious. But I find all the stirring and standing over the stove unappealing at the end of a long day. This variation using quinoa is less time-consuming, and high in fiber and protein. And, it's creamy and comforting like traditional risotto. Click through for the recipe.

This is tofu for the tofu haters. Trust me, I was one. I’ve been turned off by tofu’s spongy, almost squishy texture for years. After giving up meat and poultry a few years ago I so wanted to enjoy tofu for added variety in my diet. But, alas I couldn’t get over the darn malleable texture. Then I discovered that tofu could get nice and crispy , and yes delicious. I thank this impromptu recipe for making my mouth happy and getting me over my fear. Read on for the recipe!

Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s the holiday many people love to hate or is it hate to love… hmmm… Here’s the good news: no matter what you have going on in your romantic life this holiday- this is a smoothie you’re bound to love. Inspired by the Rosie's Romance super-food smoothie from NYC’s The Juice Press, this is a delectable blend with a pretty, valentine’s appropriate hue. Read on for the simple recipe!