Cooking Method: Boiling

Hearty Italian Sausage, Cannellini Bean & Spinach Soup

Here's another one for the freezer. This Hearty Italian Sausage, Cannellini Bean & Spinach Soup is healthy and is an easy meal for a weeknight dinner. Serve it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a loaf of crusty bread.

By Leslie Blythe

Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Bacon and Crispy Sage

I was rummaging through the fridge and came up with this Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Bacon and Crispy Sage. I was inspired by Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Alfredo Sauce which is made with pumpkin and butternut squash purées. All I can say is that it's a great idea. You can cheat and just buy their sauce or make it yourself with canned pumpkin.

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Potatoes, Shallots, Sage, and Gorgonzola

This Pasta with Potatoes, Shallots, Sage, and Gorgonzola reminds me of a dish from the Northen Italian region of Liguria. The classic is a dish I made a while ago called Croxetti with Potatoes, Green Beans & Pesto. It seems counter-intuitive to add potatoes to a pasta dish - starch on starch, but it does work.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemon Brown Rice with Garlic and Thyme

This Lemon Brown Rice with Garlic and Thyme is probably some of the best rice I've ever made. I actually made it a long time ago, but the photo was so bad I didn't post it. This photo isn't great either! This tangy brown rice dish can be served warm, or chilled as a salad or side.

By Leslie Blythe

French Onion Gnocchi Casserole

I came across this French Onion Gnocchi Casserole and was intrigued. It was really delicious, though it would have helped if it were really cold outside (not a remote possibility in Los Angeles at the moment!) and you were REALLY hungry. It's not exactly a "light" meal, but if you're looking for comfort food, this is it!

By Leslie Blythe

Haricots Verts and White Beans with Shallot Vinaigrette

This recipe for Haricots Verts and White Beans with Shallot Vinaigrette is a wonderful combination of creamy white beans and slightly crunchy haricots verts, which makes an interesting textural mix, and it’s sturdy enough to stand at room temperature for several hours. I love anything that I can make ahead. Truth be told, I did not soak the beans overnight, I used canned beans! I was a bit pressed for time.

By Leslie Blythe

Chicken with Ginger-Pear-Cider Pan Sauce

I love luring my husband into the kitchen. I prepared all my ingredients and asked him to cook this chicken. As usual, he did a stellar job. After the first bite, we were astounded at how good it was. The pears and sage are a nod to fall.

This Chicken with Ginger-Pear-Cider Pan Sauce is incredibly delicious. The pan sauce is glossy, rich and smooth and yet exquisitely simple and extraordinarily tasty. Deglazing the pan with apple cider, then adding ginger and sage makes the most delicious sauce.

By Leslie Blythe

Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

This Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce is very easy to make and full of delicious flavors. By the time you cook the pasta, the shrimp and tomato basil sauce is done.

By Leslie Blythe

Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella

This Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella is an easy back to school, family-friendly meal, using minimal ingredients. It's pasta with tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemony Israeli Couscous

This is the Lemony Israeli Couscous that I served at the outdoor concert last weekend. I used Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blends which has Israeli Couscous in it with some quinoa and orzo pasta.

By Leslie Blythe