Food

The vibrant yellow salsa with a sweet kick from pineapple is a fetching contrast to the fibre-packed lentil burgers. More common green lentils can be substituted for the black ones, but they tend to produce moister burgers so you may need to add some additional wheat germ to offset this. Uncooked burgers can be made up to three days in advance and cooked as needed.

This vivid soup screams the colour red. Including an apple adds just the right hit of sweetness.

Here’s a smoothie that Bugs Bunny would go crazy for. Enjoy it when in need of a quick breakfast or an after-workout recovery treat. Ricotta cheese adds richness and protein, but you can also use plain Greek yogurt.

Avocado, nori, spinach, and in-season asparagus are green nutritional heavy-hitters in these rolls, which are equally delightful for lunch or dinner. If not using wasabi, you can give the avocado sauce a little kick using cayenne powder.

serves 4

serves 12

serves 4

serves 2

Serves 6 to 8

Serves 8 to 10

Serves 4

Serves 6

This is a favourite recipe, and I have fond memories of making this for the first time with my father-in-law. It is a multi-layered recipe with several steps—you need to start preparing it two days before you intend to serve it. It is well worth it, as taking shortcuts diminishes not only its flavour but also its nourishing qualities.

Serves 8

Serves 6

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

This delicious granita, a popular treat in Sicily, is a memorable ending to a spring alfresco meal. By making your own almond milk you steer clear of thickeners and preservatives found in most commercial brands.

Although malfatto translates into “badly made,” these pillowy dumplings are tender with a rustic character. By omitting the flour, the ricotta and spinach mixture becomes a delicious filling for ravioli or tortellini using homemade pasta (see “Homemade Pasta 101”).

When it comes to topping pizzas, do as the Italians do and keep it simple. Though adorned with nothing more than tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic, and fresh herbs, the enduring quality of this pizza resides in its perfect interplay of clean and simple flavours.

This soup is a hearty meal in itself. Chickpeas add a boost of protein while clams are a very good source of iron and selenium, a mineral that may help ward off certain cancers and heart disease.

Serve this as part of an antipasti platter, on top of grilled rustic multigrain bread, or alongside baked or grilled fish or chicken. Bell peppers, especially red ones, are a rich source of vitamin C. Peppers also pack a good amount of vitamin A and dietary fibre.

Green pea flour is one of the latest options in the burgeoning gluten-free flour category. It can add an earthy element and a splash of colour to pancakes, cookies, and savoury muffins. If you can’t find the flour at a store near you, try making your own by blending dried split green peas into a very fine powder in a food processor, spice grinder, or high-powered blender. These muffins are best served warm with a wisp of butter.