Sure, pesto is a classic pasta sauce, but did you know it also makes a great salad dressing? Bursting with fresh basil, homemade pesto is a special summer treat that can be whipped up in a food processor. Combine it with grilled tofu, sweet new potatoes and juicy cherry tomatoes and you've got yourself a refreshing meal that highlights some of the best offerings of the season.
Read MoreBaked Rigatoni With Veggie Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe is one of those fun "new old" vegetables that have started becoming popular in farmer's markets and natural food stores. It has been a feature of cuisine in Italy for quite some time (where it is called rapini) and is just now making its way into trendy American dishes. Although it has little florets that resemble broccoli, it's actually related to the turnip. Broccoli rabe is also more tender than broccoli and has a spicier, earthier, dare I say, more exotic flavor. If you're looking to try out a new vegetable (that really isn't all that new) give this casserole a shot.
Read MoreSpaghetti Puttanesca
The renowned spaghetti of working girls is, as you might expect, spicy, salty and bold. It's also quick, cheap and a flavorful dish to whip up when you don't have a lot of fresh ingredients on hand. In fact, one tale of this recipe's namesake is that it was created by a cook who had to throw some scraps together for customers at closing time. They had asked him for una puttanata qualsiasi or "any old bullshit".
Read MoreBroccoli Lover's Pizza
A while ago, I was listening to a radio show in which a couple of accomplished chefs were being interviewed about what they like to cook for the holidays. The conversation turned to vegetables, and one of the chefs essentially remarked, "It's hard to eat fresh, local vegetables because they don't grow in the winter, so I just eat a lot of citrus fruit."
Read MoreDeep Dish Pizza with Spinach and Mushrooms
I have always been a huge fan of deep dish pizza, even before I went vegan and before I moved to the Midwest. I'm deep dish to the core, which is why you better believe this pie rocks.
Read MoreGrilled Tempeh Sandwiches With Sun-dried Tomato Artichoke Spread
Ok, guys. It's time to put down the Tofurkey and get serious about sandwiches. When is making a fancy sandwich worth the extra work? When it's THIS sandwich. I don't screw around with caramelized onions, people. I pair them with a heavenly sun-dried tomato artichoke spread that's ridiculously easy to make. Did I mention the peppery arugula and basil? Let's do this.
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