Blender-Killin Hummus for Margaret by Tracy Morris

WARNING: You're on your own for measurements with this one. Let it be known to all who venture forth that I have killed *2* blenders with this recipe. It's THAT good.

Ricotta and Greens or Spinach Pasta by John Spottiswood

This is another excellent dish that takes advantage of delicious and healthy greens. This is a Sicilian dish that I absolutely love. Our kids all went back for seconds. It's also quite beautiful...the lousy picture I took does not do it justice. A healthy and yummy treat! This is also adapted from Red White and Greens by Faith…

Spinach and Ricotta Balls - Gnudis by John Spottiswood

I've been looking for tasty ways to cook spinach and wild greens because they are so healthful. This one is fantastic. These are called Gnudis in Florence because they are "nude", e.g. missing the pasta on the outside. These are sort of like a spinach ravioli without the pasta. If that doesn't sound all that flavorful to you, wait…

corn Soup by priyadarshini

a very rich and diet soup.

Turkish Red Lentil Soup by John Spottiswood

I order this every time I go out for Turkish food. It is an amazingly flavorful and wonderful soup. It's always a little different wherever I have it, but it is always phenomenal. This recipe, culled from 2-3 that I found online, is no exception. It's a bit full bodied, almost like a stew, compared to others I have had. I loved…

Eggplant and Peas Stew by John Spottiswood

This recipe was invented by my good friend Brian Bedrosian. He recommends that you "Should drink red wine while cooking and eating for best results." I haven't tried this one yet...but every other Armenian concoction I've tasted of Brian's has been outstanding!

Italian Spinach Soup by John Spottiswood

Suprise, surprise. Another amazing recipe adapted from Marcella Hazan's Essential's of Italian Cooking. This is one of my bibles. Not only did I love this spinach soup, but all four of my kids did too! Everyone had mutiple servings. We served it with simple sourdough toast, though Crostini (Italian croutons) is what Marcella…

French Rice Salad by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a light and flavorful as a main dish or side dish. It's a perfect side for any grilled meat or fish.

Balinese Special Rice - Nasi Kuning by John Spottiswood

I served this rice with Balinese Roast Pork, and I think the rice was as big of a hit as the roast! I adapted the recipe from the The Barbecue Bible by Steven Raichlen...one of my favoirte cookbooks. I wasn't sure about a rice dish from a BBQ fanatic, but this is truly awesome! I substituted half brown rice for health, and you…

Butternut Squash Soup by Nancy Miyasaki

This is an elegant looking and hearty tasting soup. A great combination. Make sure to cook a little extra, as many are going to want an extra serving!

Japanese Spinach Salad, Ohitashi by John Spottiswood

This is a delicious way to consume large quantities of one of the healthiest foods on the planet...spinach! I came to love this when I lived in Japan from 1991-1992, and make it frequently now because it is so easy, healthful and delicious. Serve this with any Asian dish, or any meat and potatoes. It's not particularly spicy, but…

Gujarati Dal by Mihir Shah

This is comfort food my mom has made for as long as I've been around. She's been able to hook my kids on it; Dal is a healthy way to get protein into their diet. I serve it with some rice and yogurt. It also holds its flavor really well as a leftover snack.

Lentil-Quinoa Soup by Lindsay Silverstein

Cumin Rice by Joyce Leung

This rice is a delicious mix of cumin and cinnamon. It provides a nice, slightly sweet flavor, that is a perfect complement to any middle eastern dish. The only dishes I would avoid serving this with are sweet dishes with dates, figs, etc. I served it with my Braised Lamb with Beans. It was great!

Chinese Vegetable Soup by John Spottiswood

I love to throw this recipe together when I am in the mood for a healthy and spicy meal. Just about every time I go to an Asian grocery store I end up picking up the ingredients for this tasty soup. This is not from any book...just pieced together from the great bowls of soup I've had in hole-in-the-wall chinese restaurants in the…