I have loved Jamie Oliver since his days on The Naked Chef and have definitely picked up each one of his cookbook along the way! His latest, Meals in Minutes, is a new take on the cookbook: rather than being individual dishes, the recipes are full meals that, in his words, only take about 30 minutes to prepare with some practice. Fall is arriving in San Francisco, so it was the perfect Read more

Here's a great recipe that celebrates the best of the Summer! FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted her recipe for whole wheat orzo with artichokes and peas in our Healthy Recipe community group. Orzo is a delicious and fast way to add some whole grains to your diet. This whole wheat pasta cooks in less than 10 minutes and pairs beautifully with fresh Summer veggies. Artichoke hearts and peas Read more

Late Spring and early Summer aren't just ripe for freshly shucked pea seeds — they're also a wonderful time to enjoy the sweet flavor of other pea parts, too. While dou miao, as they're known in Mandarin, have always made regular appearances at Chinese and Hmong supermarkets, they're becoming increasingly common at American farmers markets as well. Two offerings to look out for: the Read more

Before you shun certain fruits and vegetables for life, sample them at their peak and see if you feel the same way. Although I grew up swearing off tomatoes, all it took was a locally grown heirloom variety, plucked from the vine that very Summer morning, that convinced me that I did enjoy fresh tomatoes. Sworn foes of the pea, I challenge you to do the same. Don't like the overly sweet, baby Read more

St. Patty's Day is nearly upon us, and my new favorite holiday dish is this easy Irish beef and stout stew. It's the perfect marriage of late Winter and early Spring. The beef is fall-apart tender from hours of oven braising, while the green peas added in at the last minute are a bright reminder of how gardens are finally awakening. This recipe, which I discovered thanks to Everyday Food, Read more

It's been a cool Summer in Northern California, which means many of the season's heralded vegetables are arriving later than usual. Yet I don't mind the delayed gratification, especially if it means I can still enjoy such pleasures as a perfect English pea in August. Tonight, I'm going to try the vegetable in a newfound way: as part of a freshly ground pesto with walnuts, capers, and parsley. Read more

For Easter this year, I decided that rather than serving my usual glazed ham, I'd opt for another meat that's emblematic of the season: lamb. This Sunday, I'll be making navarin d'agneau printanier, a classic French stew of young lamb with springtime vegetables. With its colorful turned vegetables floating in light broth, and the use of lamb shoulder, fresh peas, and sprigs of chervil, this Read more

Since it cooks in under 10 minutes, couscous is a great ingredient to have on hand for quick and simple dinners. However, regular couscous can be a bit boring. When I'm in need of more excitement, I look to Israeli couscous. Its grains are larger than traditional couscous, and have a pearl-like shape, wonderful bouncy snap, and great ability to absorb flavor. In this recipe, the couscous is Read more