Blog - Artful Dishes

Quick Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce

Quick Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce This quick fire roasted tomato sauce is great for weeknights because, well, it’s quick! You can have it done in the time it takes to make your pasta. But it’s also delicious. You’ll get a ton of flavor developed in a short amount of time by adding delicious herbs and aromatics to fire roasted tomatoes. The great thing about this sauce is that the ingredients are mostly pantry staples. With the exception of the fresh herbs, you might already have everything you need. I like to use canned, fire roasted tomatoes because they’re so naturally flavorful. The charred bits add a… Read More

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Red Wine Vinaigrette is easy to make at home! Vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard and honey combine for a fresh, tart dressing you will love. Making red wine vinaigrette at home is a piece of cake. You can easily change the ratios of the ingredients to suit your tastes and, unlike store bought dressings, there are no artificial ingredients! The basic components of a vinaigrette are extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. For this dressing we’ll use a red wine vinegar. In addition to the olive oil, salt and pepper, I also add Dijon mustard and honey for… Read More

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Taco night is a family favorite at our house, and probably at everyone’s house! They are so popular there is a day of the week named in their honor…. everyone calls it Taco Tuesday, right? I really love tacos, they are delicious crowd-pleasers with an unending variety to make. Different meats and seafood, shells, salsas and toppings abound. But, my childhood memory of tacos, the ones my Mom made with ground beef and crunchy taco shells have a special place in my heart. I am not above using the packets of pre-made taco seasoning, but when I have time, I… Read More

Savory Red Quinoa with Onion and Garlic

Savory red quinoa with onion and garlic is an easy, satisfying and healthy side dish that’s perfect for any meal. Bonus – it’s also gluten free, protein rich and delicious! Savory Red Quinoa with Onion and Garlic: Quinoa is pretty much a perfect food. It’s an ancient seed that dates back to the Incas in Peru. It cooks up really quickly like rice, and has a satisfying chew. What’s even better is how good it is for you. Quinoa is a rare complete plant protein, so if you’re a vegetarian, or just trying to eat healthy, it’s a perfect option… Read More

How to Cook Quinoa

How to Cook Quinoa Quinoa is definitely a popular food right now. I mean, what’s not to like? It’s gluten-free, protein rich, vegetarian, a non-GMO ancient grain and tastes great. I don’t think you can hit any other hot button terms. I’m sure the ancient Andean peoples would be amused by how “new” and trendy quinoa is, since it has been harvested and eaten there for thousands of years. Because quinoa is also a complete protein, meaning it provides the complete nine essential amino acids, it’s a great option for meatless Monday meals or for vegetarians and vegans. I bring my Mediterranean quinoa salad… Read More

Quick Chicken Rice Soup

Who doesn’t love chicken soup? Well, besides vegetarians and vegans, but really, chicken soup is universally loved. By using rice instead of noodles, it becomes gluten free too, as long as you don’t add the cute, tasty little oyster crackers. Which are a six year old’s only real reason for eating soup, just ask my son. This is a great, quick soup to make when you have leftover chicken and/or rice to use up. Or if you feel like a satisfying, nutritious, warm meal. Yes, even here in Arizona people get the hankering for a warm meal in our “winter”… Read More

How to Cook Brown Rice

Sometimes it’s nice to focus on the basics. It can make life so much easier on a busy night if you know you have some rice waiting for you in the refrigerator that can help you make a quick, healthy dinner! Use it to make fried rice, pilaf, add it to soups, or have it as a simple side dish. You can definitely buy a rice cooker, I know people that have them and love them. I personally have a small kitchen with not a lot of counter space, so I don’t usually buy single use appliances (accept for a vegetable spiralizer, I… Read More