If you love Thai food, then this take-out style peanut sesame noodles is something you need to try. It’s one of our favorites – something we enjoy often. Not only does it deliver on deliciousness, it’s a necessary convenience when there’s only, say, 24 minutes on the clock. It makes a great make-ahead meal when re-living biology and algebra 1 (for the third time, with child number two, to be exact) and tied up until well after five. Kids or not, this will certainly satisfy your carb craving – something salty, sweet, vinegary, and a whole lot of creamy …
Scallion Ginger Noodles (gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan)
Growing up in New York on Saturday night my parents would usually get take-out. If it wasn’t pizza it was usually Chinese food. Living in a city as culturally diverse as New York didn’t matter, our house clung on to those take-out staples. My mom also clung on to loads of soy sauce packets and chopsticks (as if we would run out – love you Mom!) that would come with the food … no matter how much we ordered, the chopstick/food ratio was always off.
Pumpkin Alfredo Chicken Skillet Pasta
As much as Target and Pinterest remind me that fall season has been here for two weeks now, I need to actually see piles of those charming pumpkins before I get into the fall season. Only then do I start thinking about hearty, comforting foods and oh yes, the scent of pumpkin spice in the air. It’s been too long.
Light and Easy Spaghetti with Lemon, Fennel, Basil, and Langoustine
When I think of pasta I think big bowls smothered in sauce. And although most pasta dishes kind of make you wish you had those big, stretchy sweatpants on … not today. Light and easy is on my mind.
Can you believe this is Los Angeles? Need a pick-me-up.
In need of some of mother nature’s sunshine: lemons. Pasta, sans sauce, full of lemon and fennel with langoustine is dinner tonight. A light pasta perfectly suited for my slow and aging metabolism.
Tomato Free Barbecue Sauce Beef Bolognese (gluten free, dairy free, soy free)
My teenage son and twin boys’ have developed a strong sensitivity to tomatoes a couple of years ago. So much so that they develop a rash on their torso and have trouble sleeping. I never realized how much tomato, and tomato-based products we eat until I had to remove it from the kitchen. One of the condiments that we sorely missed was barbecue sauce (tomato being the main ingredient in most), but now we don’t have to!
Pumpkin Dumplings w Sage Butter
It’s not often that I make dumplings. I usually like to make things quick on the spot or multiple step recipes ahead of time that just look like I spent the day in the kitchen. All homemade, of course, but without all those hours by the stove. Dumplings are a bit time consuming I will admit, you can’t start it on the stove and go do something else while it’s doing it’s thing. But I will tell you for the few times I do, I wish I did more often. The dumplings take comfort food to a whole new level. Beyond spaghetti and meatballs, beyond meatloaf and mashed potatoes. These little dumplings are pillowy, creamy, earthy, nutty, fragrant, and rich all in one bite with the sage bringing it all together. And it’s PUMPKIN! Who doesn’t love pumpkin?
Mac and Cheese (gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan optional)
Ah, Mac n Cheese – who doesn’t love mac and cheese? There’s something about the combination of crunchy, and creamy with some pasta joining the party that brings back childhood memories. Albeit, it was the gluten and dairy kind from the Boston Market where I grew up, or the boxed version. It’s the ultimate comfort food, don’t you think? Of course you do. Silly question.
Pineapple Noodle Kugel
Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner, beginning tomorrow night. It is one of the High Holy days, and is the Jewish New Year on the Hebrew calendar. Traditionally, growing up Jewish meant there were certain foods on the table like kugel, brisket, chopped liver, round challah, and honey. Lots of honey!
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Everybody loves Spaghetti and Meatballs. Unfortunately us gluten/dairy/soy free folks can’t simply order it at the local pizzeria, or get some from the supermarket freezer. I totally feel for you, and have been there, before this recipe. I’m a bit fussy when it comes to good food and these, I must say, are pretty awesome. I just posted the marinara sauce recipe, which I have written below.
Marinara Sauce
Here is my dairy free marinara sauce recipe. You will not miss the dairy once you try my recipe! Watch out for my spaghetti and meatballs post, which I’ll be doing in a second. But the sauce alone is vegan.
Marinara Sauce:
Makes 3 quarts of Marinara Sauce
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Active Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Cook Time: 80 minutes