By Kristin Helwig
Sometimes I forget how good a meatloaf is. Just like a classic but with a spin. I used ground turkey to make it a little healthier. Wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with mascarpone, parmesan cheese, Â and spinach. Finished off with a sage cream sauce. It’s …
I love this pesto because the artichokes make the pesto creamy and lighter than adding a ton of cheese. The tomatoes and corn add a great pop of color and sweetness. It’s a perfect summer pasta dish! Ingredients Kosher Salt 1 lb. fusillata casareccia …
I can start to feel fall in the air and I’m so excited about it! The last couple days my allergies have been crazy so I was craving soup. This was just perfect for it! It has all the summer vegetables packed into it. Ingredients …
So my husband and I just celebrated our one year anniversary up in Grand Marais, MN and it was such an amazing experience. There were so many local little stores up there with wild rice, maple syrup and jams so I had to take some …
This one is a big family favorite! My mom used to make this as a family meal and we just loved it! With just a few simple ingredients you will have everyone asking for more! Ingredients 1 (3 lb.) Beef chuck roast 1 1/2 cup …
A granita is a semi-frozen dessert similar to a slushy. I found awesome little tart cherries at the farmers market the other day and couldn’t figure out what to make with them. Finally came up with this special little sweet treat. It takes a little …
These are great vegetarian burgers pack full of flavors. Sweet and tart from the chutney to creamy and spicy with the arugula pesto! The sauces make it! Roasted Vegetable Wild Rice Burgers  Ingredients  2 ½ cups wild rice, cooked ½ cup red bell …
I have been thinking about making these forever but never given it a go because of how touchy they are to make. But I found the right recipe and combination of flavors and they are totally worth it!! I’m so excited to finally share this …
This is such a fun twist on a pizza. It’s perfect for an appetizer or dinner. Having the mushroom as the crust makes it a great vegetarian and gluten free option! Ingredients 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 4 Portobello mushrooms ¼ cup red …
Sweet and spicy, these are the perfect little cakes. If you looking for an appetizer serve one but as an entrée serve 2! Ingredients 1 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 cup Arborio rice 1 (13 oz.) can coconut milk 1 cup water ¼ cup toasted raw …
This is a perfect appetizer for a backyard BBQ or just as a snack. If you can’t find heirloom cherry tomatoes just use all cherry tomatoes, but the assorted colors is just so beautiful you can’t beat it!  Ingredients 2 cups corn, husked and …
What a perfect little cocktail for the summer! So crisp and refreshing I could drink these all day. Ingredients  4 fresh mint leaves 6 fresh basil leaves 3-4 cucumber slices 1 tbsp. lime juice 1 tsp. granulated sugar 2 oz. white rum 8 oz. club …
I have had a real coconut obsession lately! I had a whole bunch of raw coconut that I shaved from my most recent one and wanted to incorporate it into a salad. I also found a bunch of dried fruit from the store so I …
According to my husband these are one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever made! So I think that means he really enjoyed them. They are so easy to make and are quite the show stopper. Ingredients Spinach Pesto (recipe follows) 2 (ea) chicken breast, …
These cookies are more cakey than crispy. They are like little fluffy muffin tops that are just so ladylike and perfect for your afternoon tea. Or a perfect summertime dessert!  Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ …
You’re grilling everything else this summer why not a bread salad! This is a Mediterranean twist on a classic Italian summer side. This salad is so versatile and you can put whatever you want in it. Ingredients ¾ loaf Ciabatta, grilled and diced 2 …
I love making these when people come over for appetizers or just as dinner. Grilling the crust gives such a nice smokiness to it. Piadini are similar to pizza but the crust is made without yeast so it doesn’t need to rise, making it a …
Pair this easy little salad up with the Mexican Corn and you have an amazing summer dish. Light, sweet and smokey! It’s perfect. Ingredients 3-4 heads Romaine Lettuce 2 skinless chicken breasts, boneless 2 tsp. lemon zest and juice 2 tsp. lime zest and juice 1 …
Happy summer!! These are perfect for the backyard BBQ or for 4th of July right around the corner! Ingredients 2-4 corn cobs 2 tbsp. butter 1 tbsp. garlic 2 tbsp. cilantro, minced 2 tbsp. lime juice pinch of red pepper flakes sprinkle of grated parmesan …
If you are looking for a healthy dish jam-packed with flavors, textures and colors this is it!! We are obsessed with it. It has sweet, spicy, salty, crisp, nutty the list goes on… Try it out!!  Ingredients 1 cup red pepper, cored, seeded, julienned 1 …
I made these the other day for Father’s Day! It’s kind of our thing when I’m home, to make breakfast together.  But this time I wanted to switch it up and make something special for him. He absolutely loved them! Then when adding the raspberry …
This quick and easy little dip has become a real staple at all our family gatherings. When you get perfectly ripe tomatoes and combine with the salty brine of feta and the sweet tanginess of the balsamic its perfection! Â Ingredients 2 cups Roma tomatoes, …
I have become obsessed with purple potatoes! I love the flavor and the color is amazing. So I have been playing around with this recipe to try and keep the potatoes purple and found out roasting them is the secret! The orange, purple, green and …
I found some awesome Wild Copper River Sockeye Salmon at the store so I had to get it and make this flavor packed dish with it. It’s so light and refreshing, I can’t stop eating it. I would love to hear what you all think!! …
These are an explosion of flavors and colors, and the great thing about these is you can top them with anything you want! Perfect for any fiesta or along with a margarita! Ingredients  4 corn tortillas 2 chicken breasts 1 cup corn 1 cup …
So who else is as excited about summer as I am?! I just got these awesome popsicle molds and am loving all the homemade fruit popsicle. I bet your kids will be lining out the door for them! Top left: Mango Watermelon Ingredients 2 cups …
If you like spicy then this is the dish for you! I just love all the flavors, colors and textures. It’s perfect with a little crisp white Pinot Grigio or some sake. Enjoy!! Spicy Asian Sauce: Ingredients  2 tbsp. garlic, minced 1 tbsp. Chili …
This combination together is amazing! So many flavors, crisp, salty, sweet, tangy, crunchy. It’s a perfect 3-ingredient salad!! Plus you can make a big batch for a party or one small individual one for yourself. 🙂 Ingredients 1 cup watermelon, medium diced 1 cup English …
This pasta is a party on a plate! It is so colorful and delicious!!! Ingredients For the Broccoli Pesto: 2 cups broccoli, just the florets; try and cut as much of the stem off as possible 1 ½ tbsp. lemon zest ¼ cup lemon juice …
So much beautiful lettuce at the market I couldn’t resist! These are such quick little wraps to make, and so easy. Not to mention, they are full of color and packed with flavor! For Peanut Sauce: Ingredients 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 tbsp. garlic, …
This is my new favorite juice!! It is so refreshing, and perfect to make right after a workout to stay hydrated. Ingredients 2 cups watermelon, diced 1 small beet, cooked and peeled 2/3 cup water 3-4 ice cubes Directions Place all in a blender and …
Ingredients 1 lb. ground turkey 2 tbsp. fresh herbs chopped (I use parsley and basil in here) 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, cored, seeded, sliced 4-6 fresh basil leaves white cheddar cheese, sliced 4 Ciabatta buns Directions …
These are a great alternative to the russet potato fries; so much more colorful and healthy!! I serve these with my Herbed Turkey Sliders and it’s a great combo! Ingredients 1 Yam, peeled and julienned 1 sweet potato, peeled and julienned 2 tbsp. extra virgin …
These are great for a snack or an appetizer. Make extra because they will be gone!! Ingredients 1 package of Pita bread, I use Holyland Pita Bread 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp. kosher salt 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped Directions Preheat oven …
This is so easy and quick to make for breakfast or right after a workout. It fills you right up!! Ingredients 1 banana 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 2 cups almond milk, homemade if possible 1 tsp. almond extract 1 tsp. vanilla extract Directions …
This is such a quick light salad for summer, you can’t go wrong! Ingredients 2 cups baby spinach and arugula 1/2 cup radishes, sliced 1/2 cup English cucumbers, seeded and sliced 1 tbsp. fresh basil chopped Shaved parmesan, for garnish Directions Place all ingredients in …
Happy Spring!! This recipe will have your whole kitchen smelling so fresh and amazing. For the Crust: Ingredients ½ lb. of butter, unsalted, room temperature ½ cup granulated sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/8 tsp. kosher salt ½ tbsp. dried lavender buds Directions Preheat …
This is my signature dish, basil pesto with linguine! I make a big batch of it and keep it for leftovers all week. I have a secret obsession with basil and garlic so this is perfect! For the Pesto: Ingredients 3 cups fresh basil 2 …
This is a twist on a Chinese chicken salad. It’s sweet, salty, and crunchy. I can’t get enough of it so I make it almost weekly!! For the Soy Vinaigrette: Ingredients 1/4 cup vegetable oil 4 tbsp. soy sauce 4 tbsp. rice vinegar 2 tbsp. …
This is so much fun to make! It’s an awesome twist on peanut butter and you can put it into smoothies for a little added substance, or dip fruit into it. Ingredients 4 cups raw, unsalted almonds 1 tbsp. honey Directions In a large food processor with …
This is such a refreshing light salad! It’s sweet and tangy from the grapefruit and then a beautiful creaminess from the avocado. YUMÂ <3 For the Lime Vinaigrette: Ingredients 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice 1/4 cup olive oil salt and pepper Directions In a small bowl, …
You can be so creative with this burger!! And that’s why I can’t get enough of them. You can top it with anything you want. I just like the tomato, feta, arugula combo because it complements the burger. Have fun with this one! For the Garlic …
I LOVE this salad!!! I could eat this every day, it reminds me of summer. It’s so colorful and full of flavor, with a ton of vitamins. Enjoy! For the Vinaigrette: Ingredients 1 tbsp. sugar 4 tbsp. orange zest ½ cup orange juice 1 tbsp. …
This smoothie is great right after yoga or a run! The avocado and banana give it a wonderful creaminess, so it feels like substance. If you don’t have agave nectar, you can always substitute for honey as well. Ingredients ½ banana ¼ of an avocado …
This is so much fun to make, and so easy. I love watching the puffed pastry rise and fall in the oven. The flavors just compliment each other so wonderfully. When baking the puffed pastry, make sure to poke enough holes in it so it …
These are great for a vegetarian dinner, and making these are so easy, healthy and versatile. You can put really any kind of filling inside that you would like! The lemon really adds a nice freshness, and brightens them right up!! Plus, you can’t beat that …
Look how awesome and easy these are to make, and you can literally put anything in them. Talk about refreshing: it’s like a spa day at your home!! I used sliced strawberries, lime, lemon, cucumbers, and frozen blueberries (that’s why it turned purple). Just put a couple …
I love this recipe because it reminds me of my grandmother and why I started cooking and baking in the first place. She was such an inspiration in my life. This decadent, rich pie will be the hit at any family gathering. Or a late …
I love using this for cereal, in smoothies, and in baking! Or, just after a workout straight out of the pitcher 😉 Ingredients 3 cups whole raw almonds 4 cups water 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. honey Directions Take the almonds and soak them in …
This pie is perfect to make when the air starts to get a little crisp and you can feel fall coming. The apples are at their peak of ripeness! It’s a show stopper. Also, you can buy an already prepared pie crust, but if you have …
This is perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Packed full of veggies, color and flavor, it’s definitely a go-to around here because it’s so easy to make!! Also, with the sauces, you can always switch them up but I like homemade pesto and tomato …
This is a little Italian with an Asian twist. It has all the flavors: sweet, spicy, salty, creamy, nutty! I love it! Ingredients 1 tbsp. coconut oil 1 tbsp. butter 1 ½ cups Arborio rice 12 oz. sweetened coconut milk 3 cups of unsweetened almond …
I absolutely love this juice! It is so refreshing and hydrating! Plus the color is amazing! Ingredients 2 cups diced watermelon 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup water 2 mint leaves 3-4 ice cubes Directions Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend until …