Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Pistachio Pesto & Dried Cranberries

Roasting has got to be one of my favorite cooking techniques. Cut open a vegetable, brush or toss it in some olive oil and let it cook and caramelize in the oven while you prep the rest of the meal. Roasting brings out deeper flavors that are hard to achieve otherwise. 

That's the magic. I've had this recipe for Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Pistachio Pesto and Dried Cranberries sitting in my recipe notebook since the beginning of December. I think you're really going to like it...

Asian Parrot Juice

My husband came up with the most delicious new carrot juice blend. It features Asian pears. Have you ever had one? Asian pears are a combo of sweet, pear taste and the texture of apples-slash-jicamas. They are such a delicious fruit and pair well with carrots. This carrot-Asian-pear juice is wonderfully sweet but not too sweet since there's a hint of Meyer lemon. He named it Asian Parrot Juice. Give it a try!

Pink Grapefruit & Pear Green Smoothie

Happy Monday! Today, I'm teaming up with Lindsey and we're both sharing smoothie recipes. You know I love a good smoothie and what better month to try new healthy smoothie recipes than in January.

Citrus and pears. The fruits of winter. Perhaps my favorite citrus is grapefruit. It's hard to not be won over by that sweet, tangy juice. And then there's the pear, a fruit whose texture I have adored since childhood. I'll eat pears in any variety, in any preparation. Blend the two together in the company of my favorite green smoothie ingredients, and you've got a great winter green smoothie that's sweet, refreshing and feels cleansing to your whole body.

Winter Squash Soup with Quinoa Salad Topping

I'm a pretty open eater. I'm not a vegetarian yet I love making meatless meals, and I do it often. I'm not a Celiac but I feel amazing eating gluten free. I never have less than two scoops of ice cream but I have been drinking almost only almond milk since last summer. That's the beauty of cooking, experimenting in the kitchen. You can do, eat, make and buy whatever your tummy and brain desire.

Last weekend, I made this gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian squash soup, but that was never my intention. I've grown so fond of the techniques used in gluten- and dairy-free cooking styles, that I went with my gut and this is what popped out. I had the techniques in my head and the ingredients in my pantry, and I just went with it. Let me tell you more...

Strawberry, Oatmeal & Peanut Butter Smoothie

A funny thing happens when you get in the habit of drinking a green smoothie for breakfast each morning. Every other breakfast falls into two categories 1) a treat or 2) unsatisfying. It's true. If I don't have a green smoothie or juice in the morning my brain (and tummy) automatically know that something isn't right. Where are those greens? Where are those micro-nutrients? I can, however, justify oatmeal, especially if I have berries on them.

10 Most Popular Recipes from 2012

Yesterday I shared my personal 12 favorite recipes of 2012. It's only fair now that I share what Project Domestication recipes you loved to see (and eat) in 2012! There was actually a bit of crossover between the two lists. Looks like we have similar tastes. Here we go...

Best of Project Domestication 2012 + My Favorite 12 Recipes

2012 has come and gone. It was a big year for me in many ways. The biggest change was venturing into the complete focus of my own recipe development on Project Domestication as I closed the Tuesdays with Dorie chapter. I've really come to see who I am as a cook, what ingredients and techniques I love and it has been so rewarding.