November/December 2014

Jicama gives this guacamole a unique and refreshing crunch – everyone will be trying to guess your secret ingredient!

These Garlic lamb meatballs have antiviral properties and serve as an immunity booster.

These Basil Chicken Meatballs are an excellent source of iron and one of the best dietary sources of choline.

These Sesame Tamari Beef Meatballs are powerful anti-inflammatory foods, stimulates good digestion, detoxifies the body and is rich in vitamins A and K.

Yogurt and cream combine to create this extra-velvety mousse. We suggest opting for organic and/or pasture-raised dairy whenever possible.

Soufflés can be individual-sized, made in small ramekins, or big enough to serve a crowd. Ours are the former. You can prepare them up to 4 hours in advance through Step 4, then hold them in the refrigerator (uncovered) until you’re ready to bake. In the case of early prep, add 5 to 7 minutes to cooking time.

Nutty, chewy farro is a great stand-in for Arborio rice in this tomato-based risotto dish with fennel and leeks.

Eating a slice of this bread may actually improve your health. Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants and oats are known to lower your cholesterol levels. So you can enjoy it guilt free.

This dish will impress your guests and make you look like a Food Network Star while being surprisingly easy.

Sweet grilled pineapple, rich and creamy mashed avocado and fresh tomato slices impart amazing color, flavor and texture to these satisfying sandwiches.

Our version of classic spice cake saves you 327 calories and 51 grams of sugar.

This sauce features round, floral notes of vanilla to complement the tart sweetness of the cranberries. To make the recipe even more quickly, you could use two teaspoons of vanilla extract, but it won’t have the same depth of flavor – or the pretty vanilla-speckled look – of the whole bean.

A traditional French dish, chicken chasseur, or hunter-style chicken, is a one-pot meal where chicken is combined with mushrooms and white wine. Our chicken chasseur slow cooker recipe uses both cremini and wild mushrooms for an extra-intense flavor. Try pairing it with mashed potatoes or brown rice.

This fruity dressing with fresh marjoram and pungent blue cheese marries well with both sweet and savory dishes on the holiday table.

This lemony roast stuffed with Parmesan and panko takes a bit of attention before it goes into the oven, but you’ll be rewarded with a turkey that avoids the last-minute muss and fuss of carving. After cooking, all you do is slice and serve.

Savor this beef and chickpea chili on those cold winter nights when all you want is a warming bowl of comfort.

Sometimes called scalloped potatoes, a potato gratin is a beautiful addition to your holiday table. This version has fennel tucked into it, adding a lovely flavor to the dish.

Making dressing with farro instead of bread is definitely a welcome – and healthy – change of pace.

Sweet, tart, creamy and warmly spicy, this sauce works as a side dish with meats as well as on sandwiches made with any leftovers.

Wrap up this quick and easy option for lunch or dinner.

Rich and satisfying old-fashioned chicken pot pie filling is topped with quick homemade biscuits in this family favorite.

This satisfying meatless dish combines sweet and tender sweet potato with spicy beans and creamy avocado and yogurt.

Classic beef Stroganoff is a Russian dish made by simmering strips of beef in a stew and swirling in velvety sour cream. Our slow-cooker version has all the flavor of the original recipe but with less fuss. Serve over whole-grain broad noodles or brown rice.

No need to stop for Asian takeout tonight. This sweet and sour pork recipe hits all the sweet, salty and tart notes you’d expect from a decadent stir-fry – you’d never know it came out of your slow cooker! Enjoy served over brown rice.

Here, a juicy pork loin gets stuffed right down the middle, so that each slice yields a ring of meat with a donut hole of filling. If you like, play with using different kinds of cheese and herbs.

Serving roasted potatoes means you’re not a slave to the stove top; the oven does the work and you get more time with your guests. And don’t be misled by the short ingredients list – this recipe is loaded with flavor.

Wonderfully fresh and tender scallops are served on a bed of fennel and lettuce with a sweet and tart grapefruit dressing. If your budget allows, buy high-quality, dry-packed scallops, which are not packed in a phosphate preservative solution.

Nutrient powerhouses butternut squash and kale add both color and flavor to this creamy, cheesy slow-cooker lasagna.

This classic holiday turkey is made even more special by adding onions to the roasting pan and a splash of red wine to the gravy.

Gorgeous fall vegetables generously lace this traditional-style dressing. To make it your own, feel free to experiment with different combinations of your favorite veggies and herbs.

Mashed potatoes are a wonderfully blank canvas that can be enhanced by adding other vegetables to the cooking water. Here, cauliflower adds nutty notes while dill stirred in at the end adds lovely green flecks and a pop of fresh flavor.

If you’ve never made your own cranberry sauce, you’re in for a surprise. It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever went with store-bought.