Honestly, I didn't expect to write about this pasta dish, even though it's my new 'go to' recipe for baked pasta and completely delicious . But when Kevin the Comic of Seriously Good invited food bloggers to join the only annual mac'n'cheese off , I pulled the second dish out of the freezer.

Welcome to the New Year! Has anyone else been indulging? Me too. For the next while, A Veggie Venture is slimming down. Look for low-calorie and/or low-carb vegetables for the whole month of January. With a vengeance, people seem to love the cookbook, Vegan with a Vengeance . So I just had to try it myself even if my 'status' is former vegetarian and current committed carnivore. I ignored the recipes that call for TVP and other processed ingredients (there aren't many) to focus on the same ones which would catch my eye in any cookbook or food magazines, the simple recipes with short lists of easily available 'real-food' ingredients. This (quick? no!) braise of spices, cauliflower and tomato is first up. It was good, even if spartan for a vegetarian supper; over rice, however, it might really hit the spot. I did find the timing off: the recipe said the cauliflower should cook covered for 5 minutes, then uncovered for another 5. After the specified 10 minutes, th

Happy New Year's to all! Thank you to all the wonderful readers and fellow bloggers for this great year of blogging. So often, I try to understand the loyalties and friendships that develop via comments, e-mails and blogs. I don't understand but I do so very much appreciate it. Happy New Year, everyone! May 2007 bring much kindness, much generosity and very very much "wuv"! In the last three weeks, the move-it-around and shake-it-up mood struck with a vengeance. On a whim, I entirely swapped the dining room and living room -- not something recommended two weeks before Christmas but which did, happily, result in a luxurious "new" dining room with a fireplace and a beautifully organized hutch (many thanks to my fourteen-year old nephew's lovely sense of asymmetrical symmetry, thank you Alex!) AND a cozy and useable "new" sitting room with wonderful light and a garden view. But if you look around a bit, A Veggie Venture has a new rug and

Just in time for New Year's gatherings both fun and fancy, this week's Kitchen Parade column features almonds roasted in a sugared pepper. Be careful: they're addictive ! Kitchen Parade has a collection of ideas for New Year's occasions , the bubbly celebrations on New Year's Eve, morning-after breakfast and brunch, even comfort food for New Year's Day. For good fortune in the New Year, don't miss out on the recipes for lucky black-eyed pea salad and lucky black-eyed pea soup ! Already dieting? Kitchen Parade can help with Weight Watchers recipes and low-carb recipes too. What exactly is this Kitchen Parade, you ask? It's the published newspaper column that my Mom started when I was a baby and that I've been writing since 2002. Kitchen Parade is known for great recipes for all courses , with lots of Quick Suppers , family favorites and kitchen tips plus special sections for Weight Watchers and low carb recipes . If you'd like K

If you look for ways to instill faith in children, especially at Christmas, this week's Kitchen Parade column shares one from my family, Jesus' birthday cake. There are recipes too, but not for cake. You'll understand why, when you read the column . Many blessings to you and your family, however you celebrate this season! Looking for last-minute Christmas ideas? Kitchen Parade has many holiday ideas . What exactly is this Kitchen Parade, you ask? It's the published newspaper column that my Mom started when I was a baby and that I've been writing since 2002. Kitchen Parade is known for great recipes for all courses , with lots of Quick Suppers , family favorites and kitchen tips plus special sections for Weight Watchers and low carb recipes . If you'd like Kitchen Parade columns and recipes delivered via e-mail straight to your In Box too, just click over to Kitchen Parade , then add your e-mail address to the Never Miss a Recipe box on the righ

Today's simple, healthy salad recipe: Just celery, apple and cauliflower tossed with toasted nuts, dried fruit and a lemony vinaigrette. The freshness and crunch are so appreciated during the usual rich foods served during the holidays but it's also one of my favorite salads to throw together for supper at the last minute, especially during apple season or when a fresh bunch of celery is especially pretty. Seasonal but also a Year-Round Kitchen Staple. Easy Weeknight Supper. Low Carb. Low Fat. Weight Watchers Friendly. Not just vegan, Vegan Done Real . Naturally Gluten Free. For some reason, my annual cookie swap created an unusual level of angst: I couldn't decide what to bake. I couldn't decide what to serve. So absolutely everything was decided and prepared at the very last second and when my friends started to arrive at ten o'clock on Saturday, the floor wasn't swept (oh well), the Christmas carols weren't programmed (oh dear) ... and even the simple

Quick Suppers are a specialty at Kitchen Parade. (Just check the Recipe Box .) But this week's column is extra special: it features a bachelor special , a one-dish chicken and broccoli supper guaranteed by a now happily married cousin to 'reel them in'. ♥ ♥ ♥ Looking for Christmas inspiration? Kitchen Parade has lots of lots of ideas including for holiday baking. If it's snowy and wintry, Kitchen Parade knows just what to cook to warm everyone up. If you're watching Weight Watchers points and calories between holiday parties, Kitchen Parade can help . Counting carbs? Kitchen Parade has low-carb recipes too. ♥ ♥ ♥ What's this Kitchen Parade, you ask? It's the published newspaper column that my Mom started when I was a baby and that I've been writing since 2002. Kitchen Parade is known for great recipes for all courses ; including lots of Quick Suppers and long-time family favorites my best kitchen tips plus special section