Isn’t it amazing how something so bitter raw, can become a sweet and tangy delight when cooked low and slow? I am not a big fan of raw onions in large quantities, but if they are cooked just right, they become caramelized and oh-my-goodness good.

Caramelized onions can transform a dish with very little fat or calories. They are great on a pizza, in chili, on top of a salad, as a sandwich condiment or as a “sauce” for grilled anything. Here’s a primer on how to make really, really good caramelized onions. [more]

Mushrooms--not a huge kid favorite, but perhaps you are lucky and have kids that like mushrooms. I should be so lucky. Despite my love of sauteed mushrooms, my boys are ardent mushroom-haters, so this recipe would be classified as an parents-only recipe in our Sweet Pea family.

During our meatless/seafoodless Lenten days, mushrooms have provided a welcome earthy, meaty flavor to some of our meals. I have come up with a really quick way to create a yummy side dish that is SPH and my new favorite.

To make these mushrooms really special, two tips: [more]

Happy March All! Did yours come in like a lion?

My boys love the peanut butter granola bars from Trader Joe’s. They are a convenient snack and great for a portable on-the-go bite. This recipe is my attempt to up the ante and make a bar that is peanut-y, super delicious and also full of some good power food too.

These bars sport whole oats, sesame seeds, ground flax seed and peanuts. They offer lots of complex carbohydrates and protein to keep your energy up…not that my boys seem to have a problem with their energy levels.

Peanut Butter Energy Bars [more]

Pasta with "red sauce" (marinara) is a staple in many homes. While I love making a simple, healthful pasta dish for our family, a few quick changes can transform pasta with red sauce into a company-worthy dish.

I was reminded of this the other day when SPH was cooking dinner. Ever the experimenter, he had said he was making gnocchi with marinara, but little did I know he was making something as delectable as this:

Looks delicious, doesn't it? [more]

Do you meal plan? Yesterday I shared some things I have learned to help make meal planning a little less stressful. Yet even with my best planning in place (which does not happen every week), there are times when I realize I have come to meal time and don't really have a full meal planned.

I'll give you a "for instance:" I have a main dish and a starch, but no vegetable. [more]