Crispy Herbed Chickpeas over Bucatini with Tomato Sauce

Things are hectic right now. It seems like every minute during this season is filled with holiday activities, whether its shopping for Christmas presents, attending Christmas functions, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, or baking Christmas treats! Busy times plus the fact that my diet has recently consisted of pumpkin molasses cookies, espresso shortbread with butterscotch glaze, the bag of potato chips someone left at our house from our Christmas party (I don't even like potato chips but these are just so DELICIOUS), and citrus fruit.

This is why it is KEY to have a couple healthy, easy, quick recipes on hand! Add warm and filling to the list, and here you have the perfect winter dinner!

Romaine Dream Boats with Toasted Pepitas

I've been roasting squash and sweet potatoes almost daily trying to perfect recipes for Thanksgiving sides, and after eating squash all day I wanted something opposite of roasted root vegetables.I turned around and looked at the groceries waiting to be put away. A head of romaine, some raw pepitas, and a bag of unsweetened cocoa. Romaine! Romaine is crunchy and crispy! So are pepitas! And then, Romaine Dream Boats with Toasted Pepitas were born.

This recipe is so easy to make, its not even funny. You don't even need utensils!! With the Holiday season quickly approaching, this is a great quick and healthy option! It is also really easy to make it look fancy...

EASY Butternut Squash Pasta with Chickpeas & Roasted Hazelnuts

One of my favorite people in the world, Brooke, told me that she has a special term for May; 'CRAYMAY'. CrayMay INDEED.

Butternut Squash Pasta is one of my go-tos when we need a good substantial dinner in a short amount of time. Super delicious, easy, and quick! You probably already have several of the ingredients on hand. The only ingredient I usually have to buy is the butternut squash.

No Bake Mocha S'mores Pie

I made two pies to celebrate PI day!

One was a Peanut Butter Banana pie. The recipe comes from Collards & Carbonara - Southern Cooking, Italian Roots, written by the chefs of Hog & Hominy; Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer. IT WAS SO GOOD!! (And so bad, health wise.)

The second one I made, was a Coffee S'mores Pie. DELICIOUS CITY. It should probably be named Mocha S'mores Pie because the blend of coffee and chocolate is more mocha-ey than coffee-ey (pretty sure neither of those are actual words). DELICIOUS CITY. The recipe is very approachable, no baking required. Plus, I got to use my kitchen torch. Win win.

Snowed In and Roasted Sweet Potato, Farro, Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon-Honey Dressing

If you are making a trip to the grocery store, you should pick up some ingredients to make this rockin' Roasted Sweet Potato Farro Kale Salad with Warm Cinnamon Honey Dressing. This recipe is great for the following situations:

Showing off at a dinner party
Bringing the best salad to a potluck
Providing the only healthy item at a potluck (Are potlucks generally unhealthy or is that just a Southern thing?)
Tricking people into eating something healthy thats actually VERY delicious
Meatless Monday!!!
A warm meal for a snowy day

Colorful Kale Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Roasted Nuts + Make your own dressing!

Even though Christmas and New Years have come and gone, the Hallmark channel has ceased the showings of their complex (just kidding....) Christmas movies, and the Christmas trees have piled up at local parks waiting for pick up, I tried to keep Christmastide surfing past New Years day. This past week in Nashville, we had the most delightful winter weather! At times, I felt like I was back in Minnesota, where, for me, the heart of Christmas truly lives.

We did miss the sun though, so I had to come up with something bright, green, and crunchy for us to eat! This is the kind of salad that you will want to use your hands for the last few bits so you don't leave anything behind. DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE!!!