Monday, March 11, 2013

For the Love of Tahini

I recently rekindled my love of tahini paste. Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini is rich in complex B vitamins, minerals (particularly, calcium and magnesium), essential fatty acids, and even packs some protein. Yes, it is high in fat, but the good kind! And it's fat content satisfies the "creaminess" craving that I frequently look to dairy for.

Use this tahini dressing on salads, in wraps or as a sandwich spread. And when I say salads, I don't just mean the standard tossed variety. Try it on a grain-based salad or even on sautéed (and cooled) greens topped with toasted sesame seeds for a spin on Gomae.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Breakfast Tacos - For Dinner!

My 13-year old son, Jake, said something very poignant to me the other day: "I think it's great that no matter what, we always manage to sit down at a table and eat dinner together." Eating as a family has always been important to me, and it was so nice to hear that it means something to my teenage son too. We've heard about the countless benefits of sharing meal times together, including modeling good eating habits for kids, teaching manners and conversation etiquette, and just generally affording the time to talk and share the day's adventures. But from a practical standpoint, it can be challenging to get a home-cooked meal on the table every night.

One of my favorite approaches to the quick and easy weeknight meal is breakfast for dinner. My kids see it as a treat, since it's kinda breaking the rules. This Breakfast Taco recipe has become a favorite. The DIY aspect is fun, means less work for you, and is great for picky eater households.