These veggie burgers are easy to make, have infinite variations, and are delicious — far superior than any store bought option and far more nutritious too. This is based on Mark Bittman's recipe from How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. He recommends either pan frying them or baking them but having tried both methods, I found baking them was easier, less messy, and helped with holding the burgers together. I highly recommend these! Best of all you can make a double batch and freeze half of the patties before cooking so you've prepped two dinners at once. Serve them with baked sweet potato wedges and a green salad.
Read MoreMaking refried beans from scratch is simple — no cans necessary! This is loosely based on Mark Bittman's recipe found in How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. If you must use canned beans, try Eden brand. They now makes cans without BPA lining, which has been shown to cause all sorts of problems. The great thing about this recipe is that it can be adjusted to accommodate any season. Right now, peppers are overflowing at the farmers markets as well as in our own garden. But in the winter, you can simply use onions instead. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where avocados are local and in season, they make a great addition to this meal. The recipe below is the bare bones version. Feel free to pep it up with some peppers, greens, zucchini or whatever else you can think of.
Read MoreI've made this potato salad for two BBQ's so far and both times it was a big hit. This is my grandfather's recipe that I modified only slightly by making my own mayonnaise. The recipe for homemade mayonnaise follows as well. It is so easy and much more healthful than any store-bought brand. Making your own potato salad is great way to indulge in one of summer's treats without having to worry about what exactly is in that white-ish goop covering the potatoes and other vegetables. This recipe is also nutrient-dense — full of hard boiled eggs, onions, parsley, celery and healthy fats from the homemade mayonnaise. This makes enough to feed a crowd!