Recently, for health reasons, one of my neighbors switched to a gluten free diet and mentioned that the thing she missed eating most was bread. A deep appreciator of bread in all forms, be it slathered in almond butter, topped with avocado, or dunked into a bowl of soup (or big plate of olive oil), I imagined how sad I would be to bid bread good-bye. I know that you can purchase gluten free bread, but it’s often pricey or—there is no delicate way to put this—tastes terrible....

This healthy recipe for apple oatmeal cookies is coming to you from the Big Apple as I eat my way through New York City. Right before we left, I baked a final batch of apple oatmeal cookies, responsibly sent it to work with Ben…then called his desk two hours later to ask him to steal back a few for the plane. I called too late. By 9:15 a.m. the entire container of fluffy, cinnamon-spiced, and chewy apple oatmeal cookies had vanished....

No more compromising texture for the sake of making baked French fries healthy. Pull out the spuds and get your dip ready! While I’m no stranger to oven fries, up until now I hadn’t found a from-scratch recipe that I considered a legitimate alternative to the real-deal, deep-fried French fries you’d find at a restaurant. Most baked fries I made at home became soggy quickly after emerging from the oven, a problem I assumed was unavoidable…and that I easily mitigated by smothering the fries in all manners of cheesy deliciousness (reference: Mexican Chicken Enchilada Fries; Chicken Bacon Ranch Fries)....

While I love a good, old-fashioned buttermilk biscuit, some mornings there just isn’t time to hassle with the extra step of rolling and cutting. Enter drop biscuits—blueberry drop biscuits, to be precise. With a cloud-like texture and endless versatility (see this classic Drop Biscuit recipe for a savory option), drop biscuits are a dream come true when you’re looking for a shortcut to melt-in-your-mouth biscuit nirvana. Simply mix, scoop, and bake....

This idea that simple is often better in cooking is a lesson I know I’m going to keep learning over and over. I might even have to eat a few extra blueberry oat bars to continually refresh my memory. It’s a hard order, but life lessons are life lessons, and it’s important that I stay sharp. I adapted these Blueberry Oatmeal Bars from one of the all-time most popular recipes on my site, these healthy Strawberry Oatmeal Bars....

This healthy broccoli cranberry salad is a play on the one my aunt used to bring every year to our Christmas dinner. Like this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, it’s a little bit naughty (ahem, bacon), a little bit nice (the recipe contains no mayo; also bacon is pretty nice), and the festive red-and-green colors make it fit for a holiday spread. My aunt’s original broccoli salad recipe called for a creamy mayo-based dressing, but I opted for a lighter vinaigrette-style dressing instead....

I considered titling this recipe “chocolatier red velvet cake” and keeping the “b” word out, for fear that you would be completely offended by it, but this seemed unfair to beets. After all, carrot cake (like the Kitchen Sink Carrot Cake in my cookbook and this Gluten Free Carrot) enjoys love and esteem. Why not a beet cake? Both root vegetables are naturally sweet, making them ideal for baking desserts....

Eating this creamy cucumber salad made me realize that I overlook cucumbers more easily than I should. For whatever reason, cucumbers aren’t usually an ingredient that I choose to make the centerpiece of a dish I bring to a barbecue or potluck. When I do, it’s as a supporting ingredient, like in this Greek Salad or Salmon Salad. This creamy cucumber salad made me rethink my ways. I see now that not only do cucumbers have star power, they are an ideal addition to a larger potluck spread....

This low carb lasagna recipe swaps the usual noodles for planks of thinly sliced, roasted eggplant. Eggplant is at its peak right now, so this is the ideal time to make this Eggplant Lasagna recipe! In between the eggplant slices is a luscious, creamy mix of ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, and mushrooms. It’s a vegetarian lasagna that is hearty, filling, and comforting, just as any good lasagna recipe should be. The comfort-factor will also be a plus for those of you who may not share my summer fervor and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the f-word (ahem, FALL)....

Trick-or-treating for my sisters and me was an Olympic sport. We knew which houses had the most elaborate decorations, which refused to answer the door, and most importantly, which handed out the king-sized candy bars. Maximizing our Halloween haul took strategy, dedication, and a father who patiently escorted us through multiple neighborhoods, all in the name of MORE CANDY. While we brought home far more chocolate bars than any human should ingest on an annual basis, the idea of Halloween as a single night when kids can dress as their favorite superhero, stay up late, and eat copious amounts of candy (preferably enjoyed with a mug of Crockpot Hot Chocolate), still appeals to me....

I remember opening the little recipe booklet that came with my Instant Pot, flipping to the dessert section, and thinking, Who would bake in an electric pressure cooker? Flash forward one year and THIS GIRL RIGHT HERE. I’m an Instant Pot Cake convert. Not only is this cake ridiculously tender and fudgy, but it’s vegan, whole wheat, and naturally sweetened, including the frosting. I had a ridiculously fun time putting this Instant Pot chocolate cake recipe together....

A healthy ground beef recipe made of lean ground beef that’s stir fried with ginger, garlic, sesame oil, a touch of honey, and plenty of green onions, this Asian-inspired dinner is perfect for serving with vegetables and rice for a fast, wholesome meal. And by “fast” I mean lightening (just like my Egg Roll in a Bowl). Start to finish, this Korean beef bowl with veggies is ready in about 20 minutes....

Roast veggies taste lightly crisp on the outside, and tender and caramelized on the inside. The oven brings out their natural sweetness, making them appealing to picky eaters. That eating vegetables is healthy and important is no longer up for dispute. But, if you or members of your household are not veggie fans (I get that not everyone loves salad recipes), it can be a real challenge. Roasted vegetables save the day!...

Potato frittata is simple comfort food at its finest: lightly crispy sautéed potatoes, your protein of choice, and gooey cheese, baked together in a tender egg dish. A frittata is like a thick, unfolded omelet. It’s different than strata (which often has layers of bread and is puffy like a soufflé), and its cousin quiche (which cooks entirely in the oven and, with the exception of Crustless Quiche, has a crust)....

Also known as a salmon cake, these light and lean salmon patties are not quite as hefty as large-scale Salmon Burgers but just as satisfying when it comes to ease and flavor. I wanted this salmon patty recipe to be reminiscent of the old-fashioned salmon patties I’ve tasted in my travels. That meant a tender, creamy interior, a lightly crisp exterior, and a touch of spice. Inspired by the fresh salmon patties I’ve eaten in Seattle and the Southern salmon patties I’ve tried in Charleston and Louisiana, these simple salmon patties adopt a little Midwest practicality in the form of canned salmon....

Back then, I didn’t give a second thought to the nutritional value of what I was eating or drinking. As an adult, I am more aware of the ingredients I put into my body. A few weeks ago on an especially hot day, I caught myself craving a mocha Frappuccino. Rather than hitting the drive-thru, I decided to see if I could come up with my own healthy Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino recipe (just like I did with this Mint Smoothie that tastes just like a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake)....

Whenever I’m tempted to take an ego trip, I need only remind myself that one of the all-time most popular recipes on my blog was written by… my husband. Despite his lack of kitchen prowess (or perhaps because of it), the man has a way of making simple recipes (like this Chicken Pesto Pasta and Ricotta Pasta) taste stunning, like today’s sun dried tomato pasta with chicken. The alternative title of this post was “Idiot Proof Date Night Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta,” a name Ben embraced with surprising gusto....

Before we dive in, I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy, safe New Year, and to say THANK YOU! I know many of us are eager to turn the page on 2020. It has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult years of our lives. As I reflect back on it today, I am doing so with gratitude. Thank you for your incredible support this year, and an extra special THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a copy of The Well Plated Cookbook....

Of all of the healthy desserts in my recipe index (not to mention my cookbook collection and the internet at large), brownies are the sweet treat I bake most. My style of craving dessert is such that, when I want a brownie, I wanted it 10 minutes ago. The fact that a pan of brownies can be in my oven 15 minutes from any given moment is certainly a heavy contributor towards their “most baked” ranking....

Healthy and packed with colorful veggies, these tasty vegetarian enchiladas are a big ol’ pan of cheesy delight. This recipe: Is quick to pull together, thanks to the help of a few pantry items.So tasty, I’m just as likely to make a pan of this Mexican vegetarian enchiladas casserole for only for Ben and myself as I am for a group of friends.Features simple ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavor.Easy enough to become a part of your weeknight meal rotation (along with my Vegetarian Burrito) and special enough to save for a dinner with friends or game day party....