Tomato Cucumber Kachumbar

Kachumbar is an Indian-style salad that is served on top of curry. Fresh herbs and lemon add a refreshing, tangy crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes

• 1 cup diced cucumber

• ½ cup chopped green onions

• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Mix grape tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, lemon juice, mint, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl.

Crispy Potato Wedges

These make for a great side dish. They are spicy and crispy yet fluffy in the middle. They go with everything.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons paprika

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 4 large potatoes, cut into wedges

• 1 cup bread crumbs

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

• Step 2

  Mix paprika, olive oil, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until marinade is smooth.

• Step 3

  Place potatoes in a baking dish; add marinade and rub into potatoes. Sprinkle bread crumbs over potatoes and coat each wedge well.

• Step 4

  Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 355 degrees F and continue cooking until wedges are tender enough to puncture with a fork, about 30 minutes more.

Frozen Vegetable Stir-Fry

Soy sauce and peanut butter add a nice Thai-style flavor to this stir-fry. Using frozen vegetables makes it a very quick and tasty vegetable side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons peanut butter

• 2 teaspoons olive oil

• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables

• Chicken (Optional)

Directions

1. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and peanut butter in a small bowl.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir frozen vegetables until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and fold in soy sauce mixture.

Biscotti Toscani

These twice baked cookies have a delicate flavor, great with vanilla ice-cream, tea, frozen yogurt, or cappuccino.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup butter

• ¾ cup white sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

• 2 teaspoons orange zest

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• ½ cup toasted almond pieces

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a large baking sheet.

• Step 2

  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and zest. Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in almonds. Divide dough into two pieces. Form into long flat loaves about 1/2 inch tall and 12 inches long. Place the loaves 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

• Step 3

  Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

• Step 4

  With a serrated knife, cut diagonally into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, turning over once. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

• Step 5

  Place chocolate chips into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until smooth. Use a spatula to spread chocolate onto one side of each cookie. Let stand at room temperature until set. Store biscotti at room temperature in an airtight container.

Spinach Brownies

This might sound crazy, but stick with me. These savory treats are a great option to get picky kids eating their veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package spinach, rinsed and chopped

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup milk

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

2. Place spinach in a medium saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to simmer and cook until spinach is limp, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt and baking powder. Stir in eggs, milk and butter. Mix in spinach, onion and mozzarella cheese.

4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool before serving.

Ethiopian Cabbage (Atakilt Wat)

Atakilt Wat, a traditional Ethiopian cabbage dish, is an easy, spiced side full of amazing flavor. It’s also a great vegan option free of dairy, egg, corn, soy, yeast, nuts, and gluten.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 4 carrots, thinly sliced

• 1 onion, thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 tsp cumin powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder

• 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds or powder

• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder

• 1/8 tsp cloves powder

• a generous dash of black pepper

• 1 head cabbage, shredded

• 3 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Cook the carrots and onion in the hot oil about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the spices and cabbage and cook another 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Add the potatoes; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes are soft, 20 to 30 minutes.