Spinach-Artichoke-Cheese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Fancy enough for a party but fast enough* for a weeknight? Count. me. in. This spaghetti squash not only came with a stunning presentation in its shell, but was rich and creamy with surprisingly little cheese - leaving you feeling indulgent and healthy all at once. I'll definitely be making it again!

*Fast enough... a relative term. These days, I aim for meals that can be on the table less than 30 minutes after starting them. With a full-time job and two little ones at home, evenings are always a rush and if healthy food can be served quickly, then everyone is happier. In this case, though, I actually cheated. I work at home and popped the squash in the oven a while earlier to let it roast. This took all of two minutes and the rest waited until dinner time. I really many may not have that luxury. However, rest assured! If you do not have time to do that, I'm including some notes with a microwave shortcut. It will work just fine, but if you are able to go my route, the roasting really will lend an extra caramelization and depth of flavor that makes it worth it.

Time: 1 h 15 (25 min active time).. or 35 min if using microwave method

Chocolate-Tahini-Banana Whole Wheat Mini-Muffins

I LOVE THESE. And apparently I'm not the only one. I now make double batches of these (single batch listed below) and put them in a two-gallon ziploc bag on our counter. I'm still not sure who consumes the most in the household, but my husband, my daughter, and I all swiftly snag them as we pass by and a few more always disappear when either of my parents is over to visit or babysit.

But it makes sense! What's not to love? They are full of delicious banana, velvety, nutty tahini, and sweet bits of chocolate. Did I also mention they have no butter (but do have some oil) and only use whole wheat flour, making these entirely whole grain? Not only are they absolutely delicious, but the loads of fiber and protein also make them extremely satisfying. A single mini-muffin is filling and hearty, leaving you happy without splurging on loads of fat and calories. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy these delicious bites right away!

Time: 15 min to mix, 18 min to bake... so depends how many muffin tins you have!

Tofu "Cheesesteaks"

 I've made these twice now and I cannot get enough of them. And no, you don't have to be a vegetarian to feel that way. My husband, who is a big fan of eating nearly everything under the sun, loves these as well. While he certainly enjoys a real cheesesteak as well (which is a requirement for living in and around Philadelphia) he finds these absolutely delicious and frequently requests them. So vegetarian and omnivore alike, dig in and click below to get these on the dinner table as quickly as possible.

I must also apologize to all Philadelphia residents out there... there is no cheese whiz here. Note the quotations on cheesesteak above and please consider eating them regardless...!

Time: 40 min

Butternut Squash-Farro "Risotto"

Risotto is best in the winter. It's thick and creamy, full of luscious starch and typically a decent amount of cream or cheese. It is absolutely delicious - even if it feels you leaving a little heavy afterward. And, sometimes, it's worth it. But what if there was a way to capture that rich, luscious comfort-food feeling while filling it with whole grains and veggies? Enter farro risotto! While it's not a perfect mimic, it also doesn't have to be. This is delicious without trying to exactly replicate your traditional risotto, bringing a slightly chewier texture that actually forces you to savor the flavor a little bit more. It's also even better the next day, so make extra for lunch for the week. Rare does a meal re-heat better than the original!

In this case, the butternut squash acts as a creamy agent in and of itself, so it's pretty key to this recipe. However, if you prefer something in addition to it you can certainly add more veggies here. You may also be able to play around with other types of whole grains, though I was quite happy with how the farro worked here.

Time: 1 hr 40 (1 hr active)

Butternut Squash Lasagna (No Noodles!)

Well, it might take a bit of time, but this is worth absolutely worth it. And I say that as a mother of two little ones. I can't whip this up any old night, but I've made it twice now and we couldn't devour it fast enough. Even my two-year-old deemed it "yummy in my tummy!" even if after saying so she was distracted by other food.

This is theoretically a lasagna in that it's built in layers, but little else will resemble the favorite pasta dish. There's no pasta here - instead, the butternut squash is cut into thin strips to duplicate the idea of noodles. There's no tomato sauce - you'll find garlic scape pesto instead that matches the flavor profile of the squash. And, instead of ricotta, it will be a lighter asiago mixed with tantalizingly-flavorful red onions and spinach. That's right - we have packed vegetables into every last nook and cranny but when you eat it, it'll simply be rich and velvety, leaving you craving more of this very healthy meal.

Time: 1 hr 30 (30 min active time, then baking)

Air-Fried Coconut Shrimp and Pineapple

I love my new toy! After hearing about them repeatedly, I decided that I needed my own air fryer for Hanukkah. As a health-conscious person, I keep my fried foods to a pretty low count. I mean, some days you just need some fries (or samosa! I love samosa...) but most fried foods are reserved for special occasions. The idea of filling that craving without the artery-busting cholesterol that comes with it was too much to pass up. Research was done, air fryer was purchased, and the experimenting began.

However, before you dive in, it's important to note that air fryers do NOT completely mimic the taste of truly fried food. I knew this going in and have been very happy with the results, but if you expect to not be able to tell the difference, you'll be disappointed. They create crispy food, delicate and moist yet crispy, which is absolutely delicious and DOES fill some of the same cravings, but it's not identical. Still, I highly recommend them and look forward to trying many more recipes.

Time: 55 min (prep is hands on ~10 min and then moving in/out of air fryer regularly throughout rest of time)

Fresh Challah

My husband got a breadmaker for Hanukkah. To be fair, I might have rolled my eyes a little. I was convinced this would be an appliance he used once and then it would take up space for the next 10 years until I purged the kitchen. Still, he was insistent. He weaved poetic tales of the smell of fresh bread cooking when he was growing up, and in the end, I did some research and bought him a breadmaker for Hanukkah. It's been only a few weeks, so it could easily still go the way of the forgotten toy, but in the meantime, this challah (or kallah, as my daughter pronounces it) makes this purchase worth it. That's right - if that's all ever uses it for, I'm still sold. This is the most delicious challah I believe I've ever tasted. It's fresh, light, perfectly-textured, and with just the right hint of sweetness. When he made two for a family Hanukkah party, half of one didn't even survive the car ride there (which was mostly due to the kallah-pronouncing toddler...) and the they were gone QUICKLY. These two were made just for our house and seem to be going the same route.

I'm presenting the recipe for a breadmaker below, but I'm sure you can also make it by hand if you so choose (with a lot more work...) Either way, start making this immediately. You won't regret it.

Time: 2 hr 50 (25 min active)