Archive for the 'Katie's Healthy Bites' Category

After all the holiday hubbub, there’s nothing more comforting than a simple, winter soup. I love soup all year, but in the winter I just crave it! Better still, soups are a wonderful way to celebrate seasonal flavors and clean out the fridge of leftover ingredients.

When it comes to creating soups, the possibilities are endless. Here is a creamy one that’s as filling as you can get and includes some hearty cool-weather veggies. My friend shared this recipe (originally from a Moosewood Cookbook) after she made it for Thanksgiving. I reworked it a bit and made it my own.

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The holidays are full of traditions. For as long as I can remember, my dad’s family has celebrated the “Feast of the Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas Day, both sides of the family have dinner and there is always pasta on the table — often that means raviolis. My mom-mom and her sisters used to make them, but this year, my mother and I are carrying on the tradition.

Making homemade ravioli might sound like a lot of work (and my mom-mom and great aunts always made a day out of it), but it really is much simpler then you think.  We made 150 in little less then two hours and they are beautiful!

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Some of the best gifts I’ve given and received have been homemade. The effort that goes into them make the items more meaningful, and the money you save is a gift to yourself in return.

As a chef, I love using my culinary creativity when giving gifts, and these are a few ideas I’ve tried that foodies will appreciate and be sure to use.

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Cookies are a big part of the holiday season. We all have our favorites along with those nostalgic family recipes. Usually when I bake a fresh batch, the family scarfs them up quickly, but I have clever, crafty way to preserve some of that holiday spirit — cookie ornaments.

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You can’t miss all the turkey talk happening right now, which is great for people who eat meat, but there are plenty of us who celebrate the holidays meat-free. Well, this stew recipe is for you.

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The holidays are right around the corner. With them come big parties and lots of guests — some unexpected. I thought I’d share a few healthy holiday appetizers that are a cinch to make and won’t add to that dreaded holiday weight gain. Believe me, your friends will have no idea these are lighter choices.

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I refuse to believe my clients when they tell me they don’t like Brussels sprouts. My response is always to ask two questions:

1. Have you ever tried them?
2. Have you ever tried them properly prepared? That is, not out of a can or overcooked!

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Fall is my favorite food time of the year. I absolutely love the warm, comforting flavors of winter squash and root vegetables. Butternut squash is often on our dinner table because its mild sweetness and creamy texture work well with many dishes. 

This cassoulet, based off a traditional sausage-and-bean stew from France, features my beloved butternut squash. The squash provides loads of nutrients: beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber to name a few. Along with the beans, the chicken sausage packs a protein (and flavor) punch without going overboard on fat.

This one’s not for a speedy weeknight meal, but you can get it on the table in an hour or so.

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It’s almost Halloween and pumpkins are everywhere you look, but they’re not just for carving. Fresh pumpkin — including the seeds — is a great addition to many recipes. Here are two of my top savory dishes: Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup and Roasted Salmon with Pumpkin Seed Chimichurri.

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We often talk about the health benefits of dark, leafy greens, but what about seaweed? Sea vegetables top the list of nutrient-dense veggies.

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