I have this great market a few blocks from my apartment that I absolutely love for a few reasons.  The first is that they seriously promote drinking while shopping.  You actually have to walk through/past the bar with so many different beers and wines on tap to even get to the grocery section - and when there it is staring you in the face, and everyone else is enjoying a nice bev, why the heck not take a moment and 'wine down'.  Seems like the obvious choice!

Yummm its zucchini and summer squash season!  This is my absolute favorite way to cook zucchini and summer squash.  It packs so much flavor.  Cooking in parchment is also so fun to do for a small group of people, and perfect for dinners for one.  Get ready for a lot of parchment meals in the next coming months - it is one of my summertime favorites. 

In the fall and spring, I love an easy soup that is just as good at room temp as it is just made.  This soup is perfect for lunches, and even to serve at a brunch.  It is a little bit sweet, and a little bit spicy.

When you're allergic to wheat, and you want crackers, you've got to make crackers.  Although, I think this is something fun that everyone can do to make a cheese plate or appetizer more special.  Ina does it!!  So clearly I am, too! 

I am soaking up every last second with brussels sprouts this winter.  Since we are currently buried under snow - its brussels sprouts night! 

I am VERY quickly learning the importance of building an arsenal of recipes that do not require hours to marinade.  I definitely do appreciate the marinading process, and I get it, but the day I remember to make a marinade before work is going to be a miracle.  The night before?  Well, I'm making the night before's dinner. 

This dish is so satisfying, and delicious, and fresh tasting, and yes, I am talking about broccoli.  You actually feel like you are eating something bad for you it is so satisfying.  Mmmm.

Well ladies and gents - here it is, the second quarter of life.  I obviously plan on living to 100.  So with that, let's talk lunch.

It's so funny to me that one of the two things I loathed as a kid was cooked carrots, and now (in the winter months, anyways) I have them at least once a day.  Normally I just do the whole olive oil, whatever herbs I have, and roast them thing, so this was a really refreshing and special change!  Roasted carrots with citrus and thyme is a simple and delicious side dish that makes the best of the season.  Also, carrots are the prettiest of what seems like five things at my farmers market right now... so I left with way too much of one thing.  

This is one of the every day, healthy, and gourmet recipes that my mom sent us all off to college with.  It is unbelievably delicious, so simple, and is only 4 ingredients - which is kind of what I deem as truly gourmet food.  Not only is it easy, and brother-proof, I can't think of a way this recipe could be better if it were more complicated, or had more ingredients.  When I say brother proof... I mean that my littlest brother, who called in a panic last summer at the grocery store - "MOM!  WHAT does un-cooked chicken look like!? I can't find it ANYWHERE!" - can make this.  Girls: this might be your shot for a boyfriend cooking dinner successfully night!  Move over, breakfast for dinner!