Healthy happy you.
There's no better time to enjoy artichokes than now; the Spring vegetable is at its peak from March through July. While fancy preparations are fun, I think the artichoke is best at its simplest. They're something so wonderful about peeling off the leaves and scraping the delicious flesh into your mouth. The easiest way to cook artichokes is by steaming. It takes about 45 minutes but requires Read more
One food that we're especially excited about this Spring is the now-in-season artichoke. Besides tasting great, it's also good for you: one medium artichoke contains important minerals like iron and calcium, along with over 20 percent of your daily fiber needs, which may help the body burn more fat. From salads to pastas and everything in between, here's what healthy artichoke dishes we'll be Read more
Here's a great recipe that celebrates the best of the Summer! FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted her recipe for whole wheat orzo with artichokes and peas in our Healthy Recipe community group. Orzo is a delicious and fast way to add some whole grains to your diet. This whole wheat pasta cooks in less than 10 minutes and pairs beautifully with fresh Summer veggies. Artichoke hearts and peas Read more
FitSugar reader Whipped shared this party-ready artichoke-walnut pesto crostini recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. Vegan Artichoke-Walnut Pesto Crostini Serves 4-6 The pesto can be made 2-3 days in advance and kept in the fridge. Otherwise you can freeze it for up to a month. Ingredients: 14 ounces canned artichoke hearts, drained 1 cup packed fresh basil 3/4 cups walnuts, toasted 3 cloves Read more
If you've never made a strata before, you are missing out! A strata is a casserole brunch dish that consists of bread, eggs, and cheese. Think of it like a savory breakfast bread pudding. Stratas are excellent for entertaining because they can be assembled the night before the party and feed a large crowd. My favorite strata recipe, one that I've served over and over again, is this version. It's Read more
We're smack dab in the middle of Spring, and with all the new colors popping up at the farmers market, I couldn't be happier. If you've been picking up Spring produce (like fava beans, English peas, artichokes, carrots, avocados, and asparagus) and are wondering what to do with your new bounty of veggies, here are 40 healthy recipes to inspire you the next time you're in the kitchen. Read more
We might not be able to make it to Greece or Southern Italy anytime soon, but we can bring the cuisine to us by celebrating Mediterranean Diet Month in our own kitchens. The healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet are touted by numerous studies, and for good reason: it promotes heart health, good vision, and weight control, to name a few. An easy way to get the Mediterranean diet into your own Read more
You simply can't go wrong roasting fresh Spring produce with brightly flavored butter, as Sevimel demonstrates. A surprisingly simple, yet sophisticated side dish! Find out how to make this seasonal side on her blog. Upload your own recipes and photos to our Savory Sights community group. Read more
I love artichokes in pasta, and this light and well-balanced recipe makes an impressive dinner without much effort or time. Sometimes the simplest pasta dishes done right can surpass the complicated ones, and this is one such case. Crispy chicken cutlets lightly battered and seasoned pair perfectly with the tangy caper and artichoke pasta. And when season and time permits, you can always use Read more
Artichokes, asparagus, peas, and rhubarb aren't the only products of nature that taste best between April and June — so do certain cheeses and meats, which are at their palate-pleasing pinnacle, too. Perhaps the most notable of these is lamb, not only for its symbolism during Easter, but also because the birth of lambs coincides with the first grass growth of Spring. Enjoy the tender meat's Read more
