Warm Spinach and Tomato Pasta Salad

1 pound whole wheat rotini pasta2 tablespoons olive oil1/2 large onion, minced2 cloves garlic, mincedpinch dried basilpinch dried oregano1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary1/2 pint grape tomatoes4 cups fresh baby spinach, ripped into pieces1/3 cup part skim ricotta1/4 cup Shiraz (or other red wine) or balsamic vinegar, or red wine vinegar2 tablespoons grated parmesansea salt, to taste Boil pasta to al dente in salted water.  While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, tomatoes {Read More}

Not Fried Rice

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On my tenth birthday my parents took me to a Japanese steakhouse for Hibachi.  I had never had Hibachi before and I felt very cool eating something so foreign to us.  As a family we rarely ate out.  My dad’s work took him out of town most of the time, causing him to have to eat out a lot while he was gone, so the last thing he wanted when he came home was restaurant food. So to me a {Read More}

Gooey Mozzarell-O Sticks

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Dear Wholesome, I was invited to a potluck play date next week, and I need to make a kid-friendly dish to share. The host said it doesn’t matter if it’s a snack, side dish, or dessert. I thought of a few things, but then I saw your blog, and thought I’d see if you had a suggestion! B. in Virginia There are a couple of things to keep in mind when you’re feeding a crowd.  First, keep the occasion/setting in {Read More}

{who doesn’t love} Homemade Granola

Granola is one of those things that seems like it’s a lot better for you than it actually is.  I mean, it’s just oat clusters, some nuts and maybe some raisins.  Right?  Wrong.  Have you actually read the label on a box of granola lately?  Scary stuff.  It’s the proverbial wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing of cereals.  Believe me on this one.  Note: a breakfast food with a reputation for wholesome goodness shall not contain modified food starch, high fructose {Read More}

Baby’s First Birthday Cupcakes

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These cupcakes are naturally sweet (so, no sugar added) and egg-free.  Perfect for your baby’s first birthday cake smash!   Happy’s first birthday is approaching, so I thought I’d better get a jump on coming up with a cake recipe for his celebration.  When my 2 year old turned one I baked two cakes- one from scratch for him and all the other babies attending and one boxed mix cake for all the parents.  I feared that the babies’ cake wouldn’t be sweet enough {Read More}