French Vegetable Barley Soup

I love soup. I make this French vegetable soup almost every week in autumn. It's great with a crusty baguette or a simple sandwich. Brothy bowls of vegetable soup come to the rescue when I'm in need of something healthy and comforting. Soup-making is a gentle domestic activity that satisfies my soul. This recipe is very easy to prepare. Chop and drop cooking is all that's required.

Roasted Broccoli With Lemon-Tahini Drizzle

Roasting broccoli is an easy way to bring out its flavor. This recipe has a delicious Eastern Mediterranean vibe. The lemony tahini sauce is bright and sunny. It plays against the warmth and sweetness of the golden-brown broccoli in a very good way.

You can riff on this recipe by tossing some chickpeas on the tray with the broccoli before roasting it. Serve the roasted broccoli/chickpeas and the sauce over rice or stuffed into a pita for a protein-packed vegan meal. It's also great with fried or scrambled eggs for a light vegetarian dinner.

Korean Style Quinoa Salad

I'm stitching away this rainy day. My next pattern will be a little redwork monogram that I think you'll like. The gray sky made me crave a perky lunch. I was in the mood for something spicy, fresh and filling. I settled on this Korean inspired salad. The flavors of garlic, sesame and scallion work well with quinoa. Chili wakes up the taste buds, without setting them on fire. Bright green broccoli is also plentiful here. Thai basil is more than welcome in this recipe. Some diced chicken or avocado would be great too. It's a light but satisfying meal that'll keep you going for hours. If you're on the fence about quinoa, give this salad a try. I think you'll be happy you did.

Spicy Sesame-Broccoli Soba Bowl

After finally finishing my new Madame Butterfly pattern, I treated myself to soba. I love all Asian noodles. I especially adore brothy soups and tangly noodles with lots of vegetables like my Soba Noodle Soup with Mushrooms & Snow Peas  or my Korean Style Soba.  My pantry and fridge are well stocked with things like naturally brewed soy sauce and rice vinegar so I can whip up a recipe in no time.

This flavorful soba bowl is brimming with bright green veggies, spicy chili, warm sesame and perky ginger. The sauce is kept on the lighter side, with just the right amount of oil necessary to coat the noodles.

Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Fritters

These fritters are a healthier riff on deep fried jalapeno poppers. Lightly pan fried, it's sort of like making pancakes. They cook that fast. Quinoa gives them a modern spin and good dose of fiber.  They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals too.

Thai Broccoli with Coconut & Lime

The flavor profile of this dish is reminiscent of Thai coconut curries. Broccoli is diced and quickly cooked. It’s spiked with spicy chili, ginger, warm cumin and coriander. Coconut cream finishes things off.  Sometimes I toss in some fresh or frozen corn too.