You can make burgers from almost any bean, but I always have chickpeas and black beans on hand. This burger is a great alternative to the usual black bean burger found on the menu of almost every restaurant I visit. It is full of flavor and easy to prepare.

When I first became vegetarian I used to order a large burger from a famous fast food restaurant, but I’d ask for no meat and an order of onion rings, which I would place on the burger in place of the meat. I still make a similar sandwich, but now with healthier ingredients.

Cinnamon, coriander, and saffron are classic flavors in parts of the Mediterranean. And while a lot of stews can take hours to prepare, this one takes less than 30 minutes and doesn’t sacrifice any of that great flavor. Serve over couscous, brown rice, or whatever grain you have on hand.

This is one of those end-of-summer dishes that you can serve to awe your guests, but it’s just as great when you’re eating alone. Sometimes I make the filling by itself and eat it in tortillas.

This cornbread stuffing can easily be the centerpiece of any holiday meal. Give me some gravy and put it all over mashed potatoes, and I am good to go.

I confess, the main reason I make mashed potatoes is so they can serve as a vessel for good gravy. I’ve made some version of this potato topper for many years around the holidays, and this is my latest update. I eliminated the flour as a thickener and used puréed cauliflower to add that desired creaminess.

I love cornbread with soup or chili, or even with some apple butter for a quick breakfast. Applesauce is a good substitute for eggs and oil in baking, and you won’t even taste it.

Classic shepherd’s pie is made with some sort of meat base topped with mashed potatoes and baked golden brown. It’s as attractive as it is tasty, making it the perfect holiday meal. This version uses the best produce of the season, for an alternative that is tasty, filling, and very healthy.

I like mashed potatoes as much as the next person, but since I no longer add unhealthy fats to my foods, I have looked for other ways to make my mashed potatoes creamy. Adding vegetables like parsnips is one of my favorite ways. They look like a white carrot but have a mild tang to them that elevates an otherwise plain potato. If you don’t like parsnips, carrots or other root vegetables work just as well.