We hosted the most magical dinner party. Friends/coworkers were up visiting from Lisbon and our Porto Airbnb had a lovely deck so we decided to make the most of it and go all out.

Shrubs (aka drinking vinegars) are a great zero-proof cocktail alternative. I generally don’t drink alcohol (I make a few exceptions) but typical mocktails are way too sweet for my taste. Enter the shrub!

Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these muffins are easy to make and are packed with protein.

Initially designed for an elimination diet, this salad is packed with nutrient-dense veggies, textures, and a bit of crunch. It’s simple to make, nourishing, satisfying.

This one-pan spin on British breakfast (does that make it Brit-ish?) is perfect for a slow Sunday morning. It’s easy to make and hits all the right notes for health and satisfying.

I think precisely 7.5 minutes is in fact the perfect hard-boiled egg.

The great thing about this dish (besides being low carb) is you can cook it on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill.

You have to get the water-pasta ratio right, but besides that, you can’t mess this up. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal or when you’re feeding a crowd.

Literally, no one who eats this can tell it’s vegan or that it’s made with avocados unless you’re lazy and let a little green lump survive the food processor.

This risotto with leeks and shiitakes mushrooms is scrumptious. You can serve it as a side, but it stands well on it’s own as the main event. Perfect for a fancy night when you’re feeding a crowd.

This is one of my favorite dishes created by Chef David Vogler of Darwin Cafe in San Francisco.

I understand this is not revolutionary, but it is really yummy, simple, and healthy (as far as dessert goes) and is the perfect dessert for a hot summer night.

My all-time favorite sauce. Put it on everything — eggs, meats, vegetables, or shoe leather.

A vegetarian (but very satisfying) take on eggs benedict with my favorite sauce: chimichurri.