“Like Pesto” Pasta Salad

by vickibarbados and filed in Main Courses, Pasta, Sides, Vegetarian

This pesto-inspired pasta salad can be a side dish or the whole meal. It makes loads, so it’s great for large parties or picnics.

Cheat’s Spinach Pie

by FeedYourSoul and filed in Special Dietary Needs, Vegetarian

A really easy throw-together dinner that goes wonderfully with just about any side dish, or just eat it all on its own!

Red Cabbage, Avocado, and Pea Salad

by angiespantry and filed in Special Dietary Needs, Vegetarian

This is my favorite salad. I love the crunch of the cabbage, the sweetness of the peas, and the smoothness of the avocado. It is accented beautifully by the gentle acidity of the cider vinegar. The magnificent colors make for a lovely presentation when entertaining guests. I love to serve it with savory meat dishes—the vinegar compliments them very well.

Thai Chicken Wraps

by elanaspantry and filed in Gluten Free, Special Dietary Needs

These light and healthy Thai Chicken Wraps are an easy and refreshing entrée and a simple “one pot meal” to boot. I often make them with leftover chicken, though I sometimes use leftover fish—any type of protein will do.

Gluten Free, Egg Free, Red Velvet Cookies

by chupieandjsmama and filed in Gluten Free, Special Dietary Needs

I found a recipe here on Tasty Kitchen for a red velvet shortbread cookie and it looked fabulous. But it wasn’t safe for my son’s allergies. So I took that recipe, allergenized it, and the following is what I got. And it turned out really well and looks just as festive as the original.

Sugar Free Key Lime Pie

by kathysue and filed in Special Dietary Needs, Sugar-Free

A light pie that can be made in any flavor you want. Ready in a couple of hours or so.

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

by Aparna B. (Not A Leaf) and filed in Brothy Soups, Soups, Special Dietary Needs, Vegetarian

One of my favorite foods is soup. However, it’s hard to find soups that are vegetarian because a lot of soups that claim to be are still made with chicken stock or broth.

Fear not! This soup is ridiculously easy to make and can be altered to have meat in it should you choose to serve it that way. The original meat soup comes from Rachel Ray, but this vegetarian concoction is something I threw together one night. Enjoy!

Aloo Mattar

by Aparna B. (Not A Leaf) and filed in Special Dietary Needs, Vegetarian

This is a classic potato and pea curry best served with chapati (Indian wheat bread) or rice. I originally made this recipe with my mom and one day made it for myself. Hope you enjoy!

Vanilla Roasted Walnuts

by elanaspantry and filed in Gluten Free, Special Dietary Needs

I’m slightly addicted to these Vanilla Roasted Walnuts and so is my husband. They have a hint of sweetness and a nice burst of vanilla goodness. On top of that, walnuts are a great source of Omega 3s, have a high antioxidant count, and are also beneficial for cardiovascular health. So I’m on the walnut bandwagon.

Gluten Free Star Cookies

by elanaspantry and filed in Gluten Free, Special Dietary Needs

I recently posted a round-up of some of my favorite Christmas recipes. We’ve been going wild with the Star Cookies lately, pulling out all of our cookie cutters and making them in every possible shape, then frosting them with the Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting. The boys (and I) are having a blast.