Baby Steps: 3 Easy Meal Ideas for the Man Who’s Never Cooked For Himself!

While many men know how to slap a steak on the barbeque, they may feel a little awkward in the kitchen. The reality is that if you can cook on a barbie you can cook in an oven, and if you can read, a recipe is actually pretty easy! Since cooking on a barbecue is so fool proof guys seem to keep there culinary skills strictly at the barbecue. These skills can be translated directly to the kitchen, and what better time of year to take that leap of faith than around Valentines Day! In fact, the modern barbeque is becoming more and more like an outdoor kitchen where you can cook almost anything! Check out these awesome barbecues at BBQ’s Galore and see just how amazing some of these new up and coming contraptions can be! Why not treat yourself with a new barbecue AND spoil your significant other with the great meals you will make on one of these beauties!

Keep reading for a few easy meal ideas for the man who’s never cooked for himself but wants to make a big impression this Valentines Day!

Avocado Toast with Lime

Today was very green. Breakfast was a kale smoothie, lunch was avocado toast, and dinner was salsa verde. It rocked and it was healthy. Avocado toast has been one of my favorite foods since birth. I came into this world eating avocado, it is in my DNA. Avocado toast with a little lime, sea salt and a few chili flakes is really truly magical – it’s up there with grilled cheese for me. Anyways I know it is simple but I love it SO much I had to shout it from the rooftops by sharing with you. Enjoy!

Salsa Verde

Salsa is a staple in my life, especially when I am trying to live a healthier manner. Salsa is good to me even when I am in the mindset of eating whatever the heck I want, so I eat it while I’m being healthy and I don’t feel deprived! The amazing thing about salsa is that it is guiltless and makes everything THAT much better. If I am eating vegetables, you better believe I douse it in salsa. Pretty much everything is an opportunity for me to eat salsa! I have always been a red salsa girl; the tomato, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, and lime combo is my go-to jam. Today I wanted to switch it up and get out of my usual comfort routine, so I bought every green chili I could find in the grocery store. The results were stellar and just absolutely beyond mouth watering, and – guess what – SO healthy! Since I am on a health train extreme, I home made cashew cheese, and let me tell you SUPER good! I used fresh corn tortillas, cashew cheese, and this green salsa, and it was to good to be true! Vegan and gluten free! If you are interested in getting the cashew cheese recipe, let me know in a comment!

Kale and Feta Salad with Creamy Avocado, Lemon, Garlic Dressing

I love eating salads but they quickly loose their appeal. I can only handle mixed greens and balsamic vinaigrette so many days in a row before I loose my mind. I recently discovered that making your own dressing is so easy and far more satisfying! When you eat a salad, it’s to be healthy, but often dressing is filled with so many mystery ingredients and calories, and you are ultimately doing your body a disservice. Another bummer about salads is that they are often so bland, lacking any kick that leaves you craving more. This dressing has that kick and creaminess that makes you totally feel like you are indulging! Whenever I eat this salad I feel like I am being bad but really I am being oh so good! Not only is the dressing amazing, but this salad is packed with nutrition! The kale adds another kick in itself because of the slight spice kale has. Added with a little crunch from cabbage and sweet peppers – and of course some feta – this is the end-all-be-all of salads! Enjoy.

Cinnamon Bread

I love baking with cinnamon, it is the gift that always gives. Not only does my house smell like heaven, but my tastebuds are giving me high fives along with my family members. This cinnamon bread is especially special because it is simple to make, and the outcome is beautiful! It is an impressive holiday gift or an amazing breakfast and lunch to keep for yourself. Enjoy!

Rainbow Toast

Toast can be so much more than just bread and butter. Not only is this toast absolutely gorgeous, it is so uniquely delicious. I love bruschetta and this summer in Italy I was surprised to learn that the term is not confined to toast topped with chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil. I loved ordering bruschetta on my trip because often times, I would get a combination that I had never imagined. Still, I was never disappointed! One night, while eating dinner in Trastevere in Rome, I ordered bruschetta. I could not have been happier with what was delivered to the table when they set down a plate of toast with melted mozzarella and asparagus. Instantaneously, I absolutely fell in love and the inspiration for this recipe. This combination is fresh, easy and amazing. Buon appetito!

Beet and Sweet Potato Chips!

I must admit that I never met a chip I didn’t like. It doesn’t even matter what kind, I never discriminate. But my love for chips is plagued by calories, fat and too much sodium, so the relationship is a love-hate one. Every time I indulge in this salty snack, I am left with feelings of regret and a bellyache. However, don’t worry! There’s a healthy alternative for all of you who love chips as much as I do! They can be made at home and out of many other ingredients besides starchy potatoes. How about beets and sweet potatoes? Even for all you beet haters out there, give these chips a chance! Made with only 3simple ingredients you can indulge guilt-free, because you know exactly what you are eating. Delicious! All of the flavor, crunch and satisfaction and none of the remorse! Give these a try and include them in your lunches this week!

In honor of Modern Families big win last night at the Emmy’s! Nathan and I went and found the house last week, so fun!

Pumpkin Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

I always love the end of September because even though the sun is still bright and warm, the wind begins to blow in cool breezes. This breeze reminds us of the much cooler weather that we can expect in the not-too-distant future and I can’t help but get excited for the spice filled treats that seem to warm up even the chilliest of evenings. I love the calm that lingers in the air as we pull out our favorite sweaters and transition to a season of holidays. Halloween happens to be one of my favorite holidays. I love going to the pumpkin patch. I love the buildup and excitement of waiting for Halloween. Most of all, I love the seasonal treats that make fall so special. When I see the cans of pumpkin puree move forward on the shelves and emerge to the front of the stores I am filled with joy! Like Ive said before, California is still warm in the early fall months, so the idea of eating hot pumpkin pies and desserts seems a little strange. To satisfy both the warm California fall and the pumpkin craving of fall, I made ice cream sandwiches! Let me tell you, these are beyond good! They really are on another level of delicious. The cookies have a cake-like consistency. They are really puffy and light and the inside tastes, very subtly, like pumpkin cake. I decided to fill them with vanilla bean ice cream which compliments the pumpkin flavor beautifully. They are refreshing, but still have that sweet autumn taste so many crave this time of year. Enjoy!

Cannellini Bruchetta

I have been SO behind on blogging ! It was my birthday so I had a week full of activities and cooking took the back burner.

Today I wanted something light and tasty, something like bruchetta except not. This is totally healthy, light and tasty. It is filled with basil, bell peppers beans, parmesan, garlic and tomatoes it has just the perfect amount of kick. This is perfect for a picnic, or a light snack, so enjoy it!

Jalapeño Feta Hummus

Hummus is SO good, healthy and ridiculously easy to make. I particularly like making hummus because you can use pretty much any extra ingredients that spark your fancy. This means its easy to toss together with whatever you have in the fridge and impress your guests or just devour it all alone.

I love spice and I love feta. Luckily I had jalapenos and feta on hand. This hummus is really stinking tasty. I mean really really tasty. It was stupid easy to make and to boot it is healthy. This is a win win situation.