Grilled Tofu with Ginger and Sesame

I had never grilled tofu before this experiment, but I'll most definitely be grilling it again in the future. This recipe has you grill it as a "steak" meaning one flat slab of tofu. It will help draw in tofu skeptics since it is recognizable as a typical shape and form for a protein, but will then quickly convert them to regular tofu eaters with its delicious flavor and texture. The ginger and sesame glaze pairs perfectly with the smoky grill flavor.

I served my tofu steaks over basmati rice and alongside some fresh, grilled asparagus simply coated with a touch of olive oil and a generous helping of black pepper. It made for a quick, delicious dinner. You could easily swap out the sides, however, to best suit your mood. Let us know in the comments if you come up with the perfect combination.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 1 hr 15 min

Mushroom and Fontina Bread Pudding with Squash and Pear Bisque

I really need to get better about posting, even if a graduate school schedule has hijacked normality. However, hopefully the amazing recipes below make up for my delinquency. As the cold weather persists, make these dishes for some delicious, home baked warmth that will fill your house with tantalizing smells and warm you inside and out.

I prepared some healthy twists on classic comfort food below. First, there is a savory bread pudding complete with rich cheese and filling bread. However, with mushrooms for some umami flavor, whole wheat bread for fiber, and a lightened load of calories with skim milk and no-sodium-added vegetable broth, you'll be going back for seconds without feeling guilty. Along with the bread pudding comes a creamy pear bisque that you can enjoy without any worries that it's filled with heavy cream and salt. Scoop it up eagerly and your arteries will thank you.

Difficulty: medium
Time: 2 hrs 15 min

Grilled Brussels Sprouts

I realize that brussels sprouts don't usually leave most people salivating, but I promise you that this recipe is delicious. They're savory, nicely flavored, with the wonderful smoky flavor that grilling provides. You'll find your guests gulping down these yummy treats as soon as they come off the grill. The best part? With my recommended pre-cooking, these come together quite quickly! You'll be having dinner in no time.

And did I mention the wonderful benefits of brussels sprouts? They're stuffed with vitamin C and potassium with a decent amount of iron as well, yet are very low in calories. You can snack on these all day, guilt-free yet happy.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 20 minutes
Cost: $5.00

Curried Lentils with Poached Eggs and Cumin Carrots

If you've never had lentils before, now is the time to dive right in. Although I'd enjoyed them at restaurants, I'd never made them before this foray. However, they came out absolutely deliciously and my husband and I were both eagerly going back for more. These legumes are also stuffed full of folate, fiber, iron, protein, potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals. They're also fat free with just 230 calories in an entire cooked cup. Who could ask for more?

To complement the curry spices in the lentils I also made some carrots with cumin. Normally carrots only rank in the "so-so" category for me, but these were amazing. Whether you normally make them or not, I encourage you to go for it. Let me know in the comments how it goes!

Time: 1 hr
Difficulty: medium (poaching eggs is slightly tricky!)
Cost: $9.51

Mango-Papaya Salad

This salad is light, refreshing, and full of flavor. It also comes together extremely quickly, making it a wonderful appetizer or side for any meal. It will be best in the summer months when fruits are fresh and tomatoes are just off the vine, but after you taste it once you'll be craving it year around.

I made this alongside one of my favorites, homemade tofu pad thai, but the flavors are versatile and light enough that you should be able to make it with nearly anything. Perhaps whip it out at your next summer pool party or barbecue!

Difficulty: easy
Time: 20 minutes
Cost: $7.50

Shrimp-Corn Cakes with Fresh Heirloom Tomato Salsa and Persian Stuffed Zucchini

Heirloom tomatoes, you may ask? Well, let's just say I'm a little behind on my blogging. And by a little, I mean I made this in June when the heirloom tomatoes were ripe and juicy at my local farmer's market - along with corn on the cob and zucchini! So perhaps this isn't quite seasonal, but it's delicious enough to make up for it. This meal takes a bit of planning and effort, but in the end you will be very glad you went for it.

The cakes are delicious, full of fresh corn and luscious shrimp, but it's the tangy yet sweet heirloom tomato salsa that truly makes the meal. As for the zucchini, they're naturally delicious but the unique blend of rice, dried fruit and nuts, and Persian spices will leave you wanting more. Head to your local Whole Foods or wait until the summer - but make sure you make these recipes at some point!

Difficulty: medium-hard
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Cost: $22.24

Tomatoes Stuffed with Corn and Quinoa

I'm getting hungry just looking at this picture. The memory of these delicious stuffed tomatoes comes roaring back and I can practically taste the sweet, fresh farmer's market corn, fluffy quinoa, and warm, gooey cheese. Amazing.

Of course, before getting to the recipe, I must apologize for the long absence. The last few months have included moving cities, leaving my job, starting grad school, getting married, and enjoying a 4 week honeymoon. It's been exciting and exhausting. Unfortunately this has means very little cooking and, therefore, very little blogging. I do hope to start getting back on track but with grad school as opposed to a 40-hour a week job, I'm afraid there will be far less gourmet and a lot more quick meals not worthy of the blog. Hang in there, though, and I'll make sure to toss a few fun ones your way.

I made the stuffed tomatoes alongside some freshly grilled mahimahi lightly seasoned with black pepper and oregano.

Difficulty: medium
Time: 1 hr 25 min
Cost: $24.79