A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett
Baked turkey meatballs are a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Pair these tender, juicy turkey meatballs with pasta or veggies and your favorite sauce or serve them as a tasty appetizer for your next game day party.
There isn’t anything particularly spectacular about a turkey meatball, except they are ridiculously good. I love a good meatball, like these Mediterranean lamb meatballs, because they are so versatile and I can make a big batch and freeze some for later when I’m too tired to cook.
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This hearty, vegan winter vegetable soup is loaded with root vegetables. The golden, turmeric broth turns this soup the color of sunshine. Perfect for when you’re under the weather.
A handful of root vegetables, which are in season during the winter months, combined with a bright yellow-hued broth make this earthy soup a perfect weeknight dinner.
This recipe is a big batch soup, it makes enough to feed 8 people, but you can easily halve it.
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Light and fresh Mediterranean couscous is quick, easy and delicious. Loaded with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers, it is a healthy side dish perfect for weeknight cooking. Couscous salad also makes a great weekday Mediterranean lunch!
Filled with fresh Mediterranean flavors, like fresh dill and mint, and a bright, tangy lemon dressing, this couscous salad is hearty enough to be the main dish. It is a vegetarian recipe, but can easily be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese. Want to bulk it up even more? Add in a handful of chickpeas for extra protein or a few slices of grilled chicken.
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Gambas al ajillo make an excellent party appetizer or light dinner. Garlicky shrimp with crushed red pepper and parsley is a classic Spanish appetizer. Served with a crisp white wine, it makes an excellent addition to a tapas party, as do Spanish-style marinated olives and tortilla española.
Whether you are serving this as an appetizer for a fancy New Year’s Eve party, or as a nibble for a summer BBQ with a glass of wine, this Spanish garlic shrimp recipe is great for any occasion.
You can increase the portion and have it for a light dinner with a piece of crusty bread for soaking up all the delicious juices.
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Corvina with butter and herbs is the best baked corvina recipe and it couldn’t be easier. Mild corvina fish is topped with a compound herb butter and baked in the oven. Ready in about 20 minutes, this is a healthy and fast weeknight dinner. Try this Corvina with Tomatoes and Olives for a delicious Mediterranean-style fish.
Corvina with butter and herbs is a delicious way to eat fish. This is a great recipe for people who don’t like “fishy-tasting” fish, as corvina is very mild. It is fancy enough for guests, but quick and easy enough for busy weeknights.
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Imagine the cheesiest mashed potatoes you’ve ever had. Potatoes that are so cheesy, they stretch! They are called “aligot” in French and they are amazing. You only need a handful of ingredients for this aligot recipe. These French mashed potatoes belong on your holiday table, just like classic bread stuffing.
After you make this aligot recipe, you may never want to go back to regular mashed potatoes again!
This recipe for aligot is sponsored by my friends at Idaho® Potato. I am so pleased to work with them. As always, all opinions, recipe and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pook’s Pantry.
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This easy lentil soup recipe will have dinner on the table with little effort. If you are a soup lover like me, you’ll want to save this easy recipe for those evenings when a bowl of soup makes the perfect supper.
Lentil soup is a classic for a reason. It is an easy soup to make, it requires a bit of chopping and not much else. It’s full of vegetables and it is delicious. This soup is filling and satisfying, but does not leave you feeling heavy.
Are you a fellow soup lover? You can find more soup recipes here.
Recently updated: 7/10/19
Rosemary lemon chicken thighs are ready in about 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner. Full of flavor, light on effort and super easy, this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
I don’t often think of blogging about food that I cook for clients because the truth of the matter is that I didn’t think people would be interested. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Every pic I’ve posted lately about “client food” has been met with a one-word response: recipe?
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It’s finally summer and you know what that means – picnics, barbecues and long days at the beach. This Mediterranean orzo salad is perfect for taking on the go. It is light, yet substantial and dressed in a light vinaigrette. It is one of our favorite Mediterranean lunch recipes for the work week.
I love this particular pasta salad because of all of the fresh vegetables it has. If you really wanted to load it up – broccoli, julienned zucchini, summer squash, cauliflower, red bell pepper or even summer beans would all be great in this salad.
Making salads of all kinds is my go-to during the warmer months. Check out my favorite summer salads post, you might find a new favorite!
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Mediterranean quinoa salad with pistachios, mint and lemon is a quick and easy side or light dinner. This quinoa salad comes together in about 20 minutes, making it a great weeknight option.
It is packed with protein and flavor, and it is also vegan. If you are a meal prepper, this is a perfect recipe to make for the week ahead. It will last for days in the refrigerator, so you can pack it for lunches all week.
originally published: 3/18/16
recently updated: 6/19/19
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