Even though we’re having a relatively warm (and delightful) fall, my cravings for carbs-wrapped-in-carbs, caramelized onions, and earthy skillets of vegetables don’t care. Plus, as we’re in the thick of busy times — this year it’s college applications, middle school adjustments, me, working on a new cookbook for you — any time a full meal can be made in one pan and not feel joyless or compromised, it’s going immediately in our dinner rotation. This sure did.

Read more »

Some whole wheat pancake recipes out there only use some whole wheat flour along with all-purpose flour. With this recipe, you don’t have to sacrifice texture or fluffiness at all, while using 100% healthier whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose.  These Whole Wheat Pancakes have a nutty and earthy flavor, with all the tenderness you […]

This crunchy, light fennel and orange salad features thinly shaved fennel, fragrant chunks of orange and a refreshing mix of both lemon and orange juice that complements the aromatic fennel. It makes a great side dish for light and hearty dishes alike! A Recipe for Citrus Season When summer berries, stone fruit, and watermelon recede […]

Everything you love about enchiladas, minus the fuss! This super flavorful, cheesy vegan enchilada skillet comes together in about 30 minutes with simple methods, minimal dishes, and no need to fill or roll tortillas. 

This easy, nourishing dish features tender cubed sweet potato or winter squash, fiber- & protein-rich black beans, and a rich red enchilada sauce. Everything gets simmered in 1 pan and topped with a melty cashew “cheese” that makes it SUPER satisfying and delicious!

Cheesy Vegan Enchilada Skillet (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

A simple stir-fry of scallions and peppers showcases just how delicious each ingredient is. This dish is for anyone who loves strong flavors! It’s spicy, oniony, and definitely a break from our usual. For the Spice Lovers Let me tell you, this unassuming-looking dish is not for everyone thanks to its heat! Plenty of oniony […]

We are all obsessed with this Toum, or Lebanese garlic sauce. It is spectacularly garlicky, creamy, and a little bit tangy thanks to lemon juice. It’s absolutely addictive with lamb chops, salmon, chicken, potatoes, and is one of those sauces that makes anything better!  The Non-Traditional Difference: Egg White Toum is traditionally made with four […]

If you’re one of those people who gets irritated by the specter of pumpkin spice — or, gasp, Halloween decor — on an 85-degree week in September; if you understand that there are what will feel like infinite months left to spend shivering and longing for stew, and there’s no reason to beckon them any sooner; if you find yourself gritting out “but there’s another week of summer!” at your screen when confronted with ads for wool coats and other things you simply refuse to acknowledge before you must, come sit down. You’re among friends.

Read more »

Honey almond snack cake!? You know you want to jump in on the fun! This GORGEOUS loaf is perfectly moist with a lightly floral flavor and beautiful sponge texture. Bonus? It’s made without gluten or dairy, but no one will know.

It’s the perfect cake for afternoon tea, brunch gatherings, and beyond! Just 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, and simple methods (no mixer) required. Let’s bake!

1-Bowl Honey Almond Snack Cake (Gluten-Free) from Minimalist Baker →

This Fried Eggplant is dangerously easy to eat. Crispy sticks of eggplant are cooked til tender and seasoned with a universally loved savory blend of salt, white pepper, and five spice powder!  This recipe is best as one of multiple dishes in a meal, or as a delicious appetizer / finger food with an ice […]

This Chinese Spinach Salad is a hearty and delicious way to enjoy lots of fresh spinach. Adding tofu skin and peanuts makes it extra tasty and nutrient-dense!  The Art of the Chinese “Cold Dish”    Every year, I like to come up with one or two new “cold dishes” that can be served chilled or room […]

When we add another bolognese to the blog (Yes, we already have versions 1, 2, 3, and 4), you know it’s something special! This newest version is made with EGGPLANT, meaning it’s the perfect bolognese for late summer. It’s light yet satisfying, creamy yet bright, and full of bold Italian-inspired flavor — everyone will be asking for seconds!

Even better? It’s a breeze to make — just 1 pot required!

Easy Eggplant Bolognese (1 Pot!) from Minimalist Baker →

Scrambled Eggs with Shiso is my new favorite egg stir-fry. Aromatic shiso leaves, also known as perilla leaves, are sliced up and quickly scrambled with tender fluffy eggs for a tasty egg dish you feel good about eating.  (It’s even taken the lead over our family’s go-to Chinese Chive and Egg Stir-Fry, which says a […]

This Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe is for when you have more cherry (or grape) tomatoes than you know what to do with, or simply when they’re in season and most enjoyable!  Little tomatoes, butter, garlic, and olive oil are simmered to make a deliciously effortless sauce that’s more than the sum of its parts. It […]

It is an error that needs correcting that in the near-20 years of plugging recipes into this url, only a few truly star cucumbers — and highly unrepresentative too, given that we are probably eating some format of cucumbers at half the nights of the week with dinner, and snacking on them throughout all of the other days. Crunchy, cold, hydrating, inexpensive, and taking well to any region of ingredients you wish to apply, I don’t need to sell you on their appeal, especially as we slog through our nth heat wave of the summer. I suspect that the lack of cucumber representation in the archives has more to do with the fact that little about cucumber salads brings out my inner obsessive recipe finetuner; usually I’m just throwing it together.

Read more »

Thai Basil Mock Duck is one of my favorite dishes to order out at a Thai restaurant. I’m no vegetarian, but I love the way the savory mock duck tastes alongside Thai Basil, Thai soy sauce, and vegetables!   Our go-to Thai restaurant charges $19 for a small plate of their Thai Basil Mock Duck stir-fry. […]

This spicy sun-dried tomato pasta salad recipe is our new go-to for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and easy summer lunches. It is incredibly simple to make, with just 7 basic ingredients. Somehow though, it is crazy addictive!  Inspired by a Local Deli We have this deli here in North Jersey that makes awesome sandwiches, but […]

This is my perfect Cucumber Tomato Salad, with just enough mint to bring out the essence of the cucumbers and grape tomatoes. It’s refreshing and pairs beautifully with all kinds of summer favorites, from grilled meat to seafood!  A Simple Salad to Repeat All Summer Long  When summer comes, I’m always ready to embrace all […]

Do you ever look around at the ingredients available to you, the energy you have to give to the cooking process — or, as I recently explained to a medium-sized child shortly before I got uninvited from future family events, the amount of fudge you have left to give from your, uh, bucket of fudge — and decided to boil spaghetti, toss it with garlicky olive oil, and call it dinner?

Read more »

This tofu bánh mì is a vegetarian version of the delicious Vietnamese sandwich, with so much flavor you won’t miss the meat!  Whether you’re vegetarian or just looking for a reason to eat more bánh mì, this tofu version is the one. We pan-fry the tofu until golden and toss it in a garlicky glaze. […]

This Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce ended my search for the perfect honey mustard, and it may just do the same for you! It’s got the perfect look and viscosity, a strong mustardy flavor, creaminess, and just the right amount of sweetness! It also takes 2 minutes to whip up!  Serve it with your favorite dippables: […]