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  Over thirty years ago, in September I arrived in Rhode Island as a graduate international student.

  This rustic, hearty, make-ahead combination of vegetables is a perfect fall and winter side dish or entrée.

  Growing up in India, this meal was one Mom made when we were having lots of people over. You basically make noodles, a coconutty Burmese gravy or sauce, and an array of contrasting toppings and accompaniments. Serve it family style and everyone customizes their bowl to their own liking

  Usually, at a holiday meal, the salad is the last thing to be eaten – we’re going to change that with this amazing slaw!

  This whole roasted cauliflower with an herby Peruvian inspired sauce is an easy and impressive, entrée or side dish.

  For those of you who know me, you know that summer is my favorite season. But, as soon as fall hits, I can’t wait to make this orange, cinnamon and all spice cake. Not only will you love the flavor, but you will also love how divine it makes the whole house smell.

  Portobello mushrooms make the best “vessel” for this pizza inspired filling, creating a juicy, grilled toothsome bite that is pretty healthy too.

  Not a fan of boiled or steamed cabbage? Me neither! But these caramelized, grilled cabbage steaks make THE BEST side or plant-based main course.

  When it comes to Hummus, fresh and home-made is as good as it gets – and so easy to make!

  I love meatballs, and in my quest to make them healthy, I have started making them with ground chicken or turkey. But the lack of fat in the meat means, that they need an additional punch of flavor.

  A Spanish chilled soup that is gazpacho’s lesser known, but thicker, creamier cousin! A fabulous no-cook option for a week night.

  Zucchini noodles -- zoodles, are a great way to mimic a traditional pasta dish but one that is low carb with a nutritional punch.

  Summer tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and basil tossed with toasted baguette cubes and then allowed to soak in a flavorful vinaigrette. I love it!

  Summer trifecta – zesty lemon, sweet corn, herby basil, plus al dente pasta all tossed in a luscious sauce of puréed corn. A perfect weeknight meal.

  A new look at a classic Italian bread salad, kicked up another notch with lemon pound cake!!

  Many of you have been asking about where my commonly used phrase “BE BRAVE” originated from. Here are excerpts from a letter my Mom wrote to me when I asked her for an explanation on why I was named -

  Let your taste buds take a tour of three European potato salads – a warm version from Germany, a zesty one from France, and a creamy and garlicky option from Greece.

  Grilled bread slathered with creamy, lemony ricotta and piled with sweet, garlicky, and juicy oven roasted tomatoes. A little drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar and I am in heaven!!

  Have you ever grilled pineapple? It is amazing. The high heat caramelizes the sugars and makes the pineapple just melt in your mouth.

  This recipe brings together the American concept of pizza with my love for Indian naan bread and mango chutney.  

  The buttery textured lettuce, crisp apples, crunchy cucumber, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and seared scallops pair perfectly with the bright citrusy flavor of this unique dressing  

  Take chicken salad to a new level, eliminating the typical dressing of mayonnaise and using creamy avocado instead. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself craving this all the time!

  When I first tasted this Citrus Grapefruit vinegar with its sweet and tangy notes and slight grapefruit bitter finish, all I could think of was – it will make an amazing summer cocktail!  

This easy, healthier alternative to ice cream has its roots in Sicily. Paired with an unusual and delicious sweet basil sauce converts this shaved ice treat into an elegant and sophisticated dessert for a hot summer day.  

Grilled chicken is one of my favorite healthy, and flavorful options for an easy dinner throughout the year. But there are some secrets to a perfect piece of grilled chicken.  

This easy, flavorful, make-ahead salad will keep you full for hours thanks to protein packed chickpeas, plus all my favorite fresh vegetables, in one tasty bite!  

This make-ahead strata is perfect for when you have overnight guests or are feeding a crowd for breakfast or brunch.

This dish makes a great, easy, delicious dinner – the rice adds some whole grains, the cabbage is nice and light, the edamame and peanuts provide crunch, but the shrimp and sauce, well, they are the stars!  

Crisp and lemony with a delicious sweetness from the Fig Crème vinegar and a little bit of a kick from crushed red peppers -- That’s how I love my brussels sprouts!

Parfaits are a dessert worthy, yet breakfast appropriate dish that consist of Greek Yogurt, fruit, and healthy add ins such as granola, toasted nuts, or dried fruit.

Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse and fits perfectly into the Mediterranean Diet providing specific advantages that you won’t get from all fish.

Avocado toast is the trendy new item on restaurant menus, but it is so easy to make this “fancy” toast at home.

Carrots are a versatile, wonderful vegetable -- crunchy, tasty, highly nutritious --- high in beta-carotene, fiber, Vitamin K.

Coconut rice -- it was love at first taste!

Olive oil makes exceptionally good cakes particularly when you use a light, fruity oil such as Arbequina that adds flavor without too much pepperiness. If you’ve never made an olive oil cake, BE BRAVE and give this one a try – I think you will fall in love with how tender, light and moist it is.

Soup has always been something I enjoy making (and eating!). I love the fact that you can make a batch and have it for dinner, some lunches and it is so easy to make a double batch for a crowd or to freeze for later.

This fancy French culinary term translates to “in parchment” and sounds complicated and fussy, but is really easy, super-fast, healthy and oh so very tasty!

When I lived in Rhode Island, I knew a wonderful young chef Mark Garofalo who was a good friend of my sister.

In the cooler weather, this recipe is a staple in our home. It is one of my favorite Sunday dinners to make – warm, tasty, and relatively easy to make.

Romesco is a sauce originating in the Catalonian region of Spain and has a flavor profile of peppers and nuts. It is a nice bold, zippy sauce.

I love Navel oranges as a healthy snack, packed with Vitamin C and fiber, easy to peel and eat, seedless and juicy, but not too sweet. On a recent shopping trip, I planned to pick some up.

I was walking through the Farmers Market and saw some great looking bell peppers – yes, there were the traditional green, red, orange and yellow, but also these beautiful purple peppers.