Smashed Potatoes with Chives and Pecorino Asparagus

I always feel silly writing ‘smashed’ as opposed to ‘mashed’ potatoes, but it seems that there is a difference to people. In my world all potatoes in this form, be they mashed or smashed, keep their skins. Why would you want to get rid of one of the tastiest parts of the potato, not to mention one of the healthiest? They’re a terrific source of a number of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and even protein. Still, people do it all of the time and often without thought. In this recipe, as in all of my potato recipes whether I remember to spell it out or not, please do keep the skin. And encourage others to enjoy their potatoes smashed!

Along with this classic side, jazzed up by some garden-fresh chives, I made asparagus. This spring vegetable is delicious and widely available right now so grab some (or a lot) from your local farmer’s market and try cooking it in a variety of ways. As usual, this asparagus recipe is quick to prepare but the pecorino adds a sharp contrast with delicious flair.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 40 min

Salmon with Yogurt and Cilantro and Corn Muffins with Herbs

Looking for a quick, healthy, interesting meal? This one comes together in just over half an hour and will be sure to please everyone. It takes classic corn muffins, lessens the fat, and brings them to a new level with herbs. At the same time, the wild salmon is packed with natural flavor and the cilantro and yogurt topping adds a burst of freshness.

I made this along with some fresh artichokes with Thai peanut dipping sauce, but you could go with a salad or any other fresh spring vegetable just as well. Let us know what you like best in the comments!

Difficulty: low-medium
Time: 35 minutes

Tomato Soup

What could possibly be better than fresh, creamy tomato soup made in a flash? This dish comes together in a snap, making it a quick weeknight addition to dinner or even a speedy lunch at home. It's simple enough to appeal to picky palettes but also packs a wallop of flavor which makes it far more interesting than your standard tomato soup. And, of course, by making it homemade you get to leave out the massive amounts of salt you'll normally (sadly) find in soups.

I made this with tuna melts, a bit of a twist on the classic grilled cheese and tomato soup, but it would definitely stand up to fancy or simple versions of that classic American favorite. Since it's freshly made you could also easily serve it with nearly any summertime favorites!

Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: easy

Spinach, Chickpeas, and Tomato Sauce with Eggs

This vegetarian-friendly dinner is bursting with protein, iron, and fiber and comes together in just about half an hour (not counting the chickpea soaking time.) It's tasty and flavorful but also simple enough to appeal to even the pickiest of palates. Make this for adults or children and expect everyone to enjoy it.

As mentioned in some of my past posts, I strongly urge you to use dried chickpeas. They do take a little more advance planning, but it's worth it for the additional flavor and nutrition. Canned chickpeas are drenched in salt but the dried have almost none. And, as long as you plan, they're barely any more work. Simply follow the directions on the bag of dried chickpeas but they will probably direct you to either soak them in cold water overnight or boil for 2-3 minutes and then let soak for an hour or so. Go this route and your heart and health will thank you in the long run!

Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minute

Roasted Cauliflower Bisque

Yum! This soup is thick and creamy with the comforting yet enticing flavors of roasted cauliflower. The roasting process brings out a deeper flavor with hints of sweetness that perfectly lightens while making the normally quiet flavors of cauliflower more complex. It's a warming soup that will keep you happy as these spring evenings remain cool outside.

I paired the soup with cous cous and some freshly grilled salmon, but it is versatile enough to go with a wide variety of meals. In fact, you could even make it as stand alone vegetarian dinner, perhaps paired with some nice, fresh, crusty bread for dipping. It'll also make wonderful leftovers for lunch all week, easily re-heated at work, so make extra.

Time: 1 hr 25 min
Difficulty: medium-easy

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato, Spinach, and Burrata

Yum! If you haven't had burrata before, you're in for a treat. It's fresh mozzarella stuffed with cream, a.k.a. rich, indulgent luxury. That's right, it's not world's healthiest cheese but it's so luscious and creamy that a little bit goes a long way. In my opinion, I'd rather splurge on a small amount of the good stuff than have a large amount of mediocre ingredients.

I made this dish as a stand alone since it's already filled with veggies, is bulked up by whole wheat spaghetti, and the burrata makes it filling. This dish was more than enough for my husband and myself - but feel free to make a side dish and spread it out over even more people!

Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 min

Pumpkin Lasagna

Alright, I admit, this probably would have worked better if I weren't so far behind in my posts and had published back in the cold winter months when I first cooked it. However, it turns out that having homework hinders the upkeep of blogs, so hopefully I'll be forgiven once you taste this feel-good meal. I prepared a hot, hearty, and healthy pumpkin lasagna. I made the noodles from scratch for extra flavor and health, but you can always substitute dried pasta if you want to shorten the time-span of this involved dish considerably. I did, however, start with canned pumpkin rather than an actual whole pumpkin. With no added salt, it's a reasonable shortcut to take!

I served this dish with a fresh pear and goat cheese salad, but really anything light and crisp would go well. The lasagna is thick and creamy so you'll want something to contrast it on the side. And, you may want to make extra.. you'll definitely be wanting this for lunch again the next day!

Difficulty: medium-hard
Time: 1 hr 45 min