Greek Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts

This easy recipe needs only three ingredients, but is elegant and delicious. The smooth tang of the yogurt contrasts beautifully with the sticky sweetness of the honey and the earthy crunch of the walnuts.

This healthy and nutritious dish is equally great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.

RECIPE:

1/4 cup shelled walnut halves or pieces
1/4 cup honey
2 cups plain Greek-style yogurt

In a small skillet, saute the walnuts over medium heat for a few minutes until lightly toasted. Do not let the walnuts burn.

Transfer the walnuts to a small bowl and add the honey, stirring to combine.

Spoon 1/2 cup yogurt onto each of 4 dessert plates.

Sprinkle the honey-walnut mixture evenly over each serving of yogurt.

-- 4 servings

Mock Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

Since becoming a vegetarian, I've been adapting many of my favorite old chicken recipes to use mock chicken products, which these days are readily available in many supermarkets and health food stores.

Here is my version of a meatless "Chicken" Marsala.

For the photo above, I used Gardein Chick'n Scallopini, which I found at my local Whole Foods Market.

This recipe also works well with Gardein Chick'n Filets, Morningstar Farms Grillers Chik'n Veggie Patties, or Lightlife Smart Cutlets, which may be more easily found at major supermarket chains.

Vegans need only substitute vegan margarine for the butter and ensure that the mock chicken does not contain eggs or other non-vegan ingredients.

RECIPE:

2 vegetarian "chicken" breast portions (unbreaded), thawed if frozen
1/4 cup unbleached flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter (or vegan margarine for a vegan version)
1 1/2 cup fresh white mushrooms, sliced (or more, if desired)
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Mix the flour, salt, and pepper, and coat the "chicken" in the flour mixture.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and saute the "chicken" over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned on both sides. Remove the "chicken" from the skillet and set aside.

Add the butter or margarine to the skillet along with the mushrooms. Saute over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until cooked.

Return the "chicken" to the skillet. Add the Marsala.

Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Sprinkle with the parsley, and serve.

-- 2 servings

Roasted Asparagus with Pine Nuts and Gruyere

I love roasted vegetables - especially asparagus. In this recipe, roasted asparagus spears are dressed up with luscious Gruyere cheese and crunchy pine nuts for an easy gourmet side dish.

RECIPE:

2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 pound fresh asparagus (medium or thick spears; not too thin)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over low to medium-low heat for few minutes until lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.

Rinse the asparagus and break off the tough ends. (If you hold the asparagus spear at each end and bend it slightly, it will break at the right spot.) If using thicker spears, trim off the larger buds near the bottom of the stalk as desired.

Line up the asparagus spears in a single layer in a baking dish or roasting pan.

Drizzle the asparagus lightly with the olive oil, turn to coat, and then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle the Gruyere down the center of the row of asparagus, distributing the cheese on the stalks but not the tips.

Roast for about 6-14 minutes, until the asparagus are tender when pierced with a fork, but still firm, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The roasting time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus spears.

Sprinkle with the pine nuts, and serve immediately.

-- 4 servings

Fettuccine with Artichoke Hearts, Garlic, and Olive Oil

This is a quick and easy pasta recipe that is also elegant and tasty.

I think this recipe is best using frozen artichoke hearts, but the canned ones will work almost as well.

RECIPE:

1/2 lb. fettuccine
1 (9-ounce) package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and quartered, or 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (preferably Italian flat-leaf parsley), divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook the fettuccine according to the package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Add the garlic, and saute for a minute or two until fragrant. Do not let the garlic turn brown.

Add the artichokes to the skillet along with 1 tablespoon of the parsley. Saute for 3-5 minutes until the artichokes are heated through and tender.

Add the fettuccini. Season with salt and pepper, and saute for 2-3 minutes to blend all the flavors.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley, and serve.

-- 3-4 servings