Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

New Year's resolutions are usually lost on me in about a week. If it wasn't worth changing during the past year there is no way the beginning of a new one will bring about any difference. Yes, I'm talking to you stretching after every run, going to bed earlier, and giving up diet soda! But, when my Mom gave me a gratitude journal on January 1st I knew this was going to be less of a resolution and more of a life altering habit. 

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus & Giveaway Winners!

I have a bad habit. One that I like to call "watching educational television". I absolutely love the programs on HGTV, TLC, and of course just about anything on the Food Network. I watch these shows all day on the weekends whilst cleaning, cooking, and eating. The only way I can justify my weekly 4 hour International House Hunters marathon is to say I am doing future vacation research, and those 5 daily episodes of What Not to Wear? Well, I will be entering the corporate world soon and I would hate to not know how long the crotch of my pants should be or if ruffles on my shirt are okay. See...educational!

Cilantro Coconut Sauce Rice Bowl & a Giveaway!

I was pretty busy this weekend so Sunday was an ideal night for something extremely quick, easy, and flavorful for dinner. I just happened to have the perfect meal for that as I was recently asked by  Lundburg Family Farms and Stonehouse 27 sauces to review some of their products. I more than happily agreed and promptly received my goods in the mail. The first thing I did (besides take a picture of course!) was open the sauce. I immediately knew what I was going to make.

Vegetable Samosas with Mint Chutney

I was trying to fall asleep but all I could do was think of recipes, I think there may be a few of you out there who can relate? I wanted to make "curried potato and pea stuffed things" so I wrote that down and fell asleep. Around 2 am I woke up and remembered they were called samosas. The next day I immediately found this recipe in Cooking Light's Way to Cook Vegetarian cookbook so, instead of searching for days on end, I just went with it. I am so glad I didn't waste my time because it was exactly what I wanted. 

Curried Lentils (Dal)

I was hovering over 5 different cookbooks, excitedly flipping pages, trying to decide which interpretation of this Indian dish I wanted to make when I landed on Mark Bittman's version in How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. It was so simple...exactly what I needed considering this was the first time I have cooked lentils on my own and the first time I had ever spiced an Indian dish with something other than curry powder. If I didn't know it before, I definitely know it now: I am completely head over heels in love with Indian food. 

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Apparently I am on a serious Indian kick and will make anything I can with curry powder. This was the first time I have ever had acorn squash and it will certainly not be the last. The sweet caramelized squash and spicy curry was an absolutely delicious combination.

Curried Couscous

The beauty of this dish is in how perfectly all of the ingredients meld into a warm, hearty, perfect-for-the-holidays meal or side.

Thai Red Curry

I had a dish very similar to this at a Thai Fusion restaurant in Crested Butte, CO and have been craving it ever since. The combination of sweet coconut, carrots, and peas spiced with red curry is addictive to say the least. This makes 4 perfect lunch servings or 2 hearty dinner portions.

Chickpea and Sweet Potato Curry

In my search for new recipes I have come to find the most exciting and interesting meatless meals come from a wide array of ethnic backgrounds. Indian food is something I have never made before and this is a wonderfully easy and delicious recipe. The curry powder lends spiciness to this dish while the sweetness of the potatoes contrasts very well. Adding lemon juice at the end makes all of the wonderful spices in the curry powder pop.