This hearty pasta dish is sophisticated enough to serve to guests, but easy enough to cook any night of the week.  It is packed full of vegetables and the shiitake mushrooms give it such a rich flavor you won’t believe there isn’t any meat in the sauce.

In a large food processor (or small food processor, working in batches), add:
3 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 oz. of shiitake mushrooms
6 oz. of assorted mushrooms (white, brown, or cremini) cleaned
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon fresh …

This is a delicious pancake recipe that you can feel good about eating because it calls for whole wheat flour.  The pancakes are surprising light and fluffy.  You could also add blueberries or bananas to add additional flavor.
In a medium bowl, combine:
1 3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vinegar
Let stand for about 5 minutes.  In a smaller bowl, combine:
2 cups whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Stir dry ingredients together.  To the milk and vinegar mixture, add:
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Whisk milk, vinegar, eggs, and oil together …

Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, but this recipe brings meatloaf to another level.  This recipe embodies the ease of making meatloaf, but with a much richer and more sophisticated flavor.  And golden bread crumb toppings make this a beautiful dish to serve.  You can always substitute dried herbs for fresh, but fresh herbs taste richer.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.  Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to coat the bottom of a roasting pan.
In a large skillet, over medium …

This is a healthier take on fried chicken tenders, since it is baked.  It is so easy to make, plus both my two year old and husband love them.  These chicken tenders are great for dinner, appetizers, or parties.  You can serve them alone or with your favorite dipping sauce, try my homemade BBQ Sauce recipe or Leigh’s Marinara Sauce.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Salt and pepper 2 pounds of washed chicken tenders.  In a large shallow dish, put:
1 cup flour
Coat chicken in flour.  In another separate large shallow dish, …

This is an ideal dish for a gathering because it is easy finger food.  Perfect for a football party, picnic, or informal cocktail party.  You can serve this chicken dish as an appetizer with your favorite sauce to dip into (try Leigh’s Marinara Sauce) or put it on top of a salad or pasta dish and enjoy it as a meal.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat.  Put:
1/4 cup ranch
in one dish.  And put:
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
in another dish.  Dip chicken tenders (about 1 …