One of the main lessons I learned at Chez Panisse was that simple can be better. This dip mix demonstrates that concept. Three ingredients + one food processor + 5 minutes = a great, healthy dip. This is always popular at our samplings and we get lots of requests for the recipe.

I love a good cup of coffee and Peet's is my favorite (no offense Starbucks). But sometimes too much caffeine makes me jittery and then there is the post caffeine 'low' which is challenging to deal with. I find that this chai tea is not only delicious but gives me a subtle energy boost. It also curbs my appetite a little bit and there are nutritional and health benefits from the black tea and spices. It's a win/win/win!

I don't eat much red meat and tofu only satisfies me when I need a light meal, so that limits my selection of protein somewhat. Turkey is a wonderful lean source of protein and it's a very versatile meat. Surprisingly, I have rarely found a good turkey burger, most are predictably dry and lacking flavor. This confounds me because with the meat being ground, it is so easy to season and mix with things to retain its moisture. This burger has a subtle punch, ok, more like a playful wake-up slap in the face. It's spicy, but not hot. Just warm enough to grab your attention.

I love lentils. They are a true superfood, packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. And, they have a great flavor. Curry, more specifically the a natural compound curcumin in turmeric (a key ingredient in curry), was shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by stopping the growth of cancer prone stem cells. Curcumin has also shown promise in lowering the risk of heart failure and studies published in the American Journal of Epidemiology indicate its use lessens cognitive decline attributed to aging. Besides the health benefits, it just tastes great! Our Roasted Curry is made by toasting some of the ingredients,which brings out their flavor and adds another layer of complexity to the mix.

Brown rice is made by removing just the outer hull of the rice, while white rice becomes white by additionally stripping away the nutritious bran and germ layers. I like brown rice but it isn't very flavorful and one can only do so much with soy sauce. This simple recipe will transform your rice into a rich, elegant and delicious new side dish.

I love a little heat in my foods. Not the sweat-producing, hyperventilating, nose-running kind of heat. I'm not a masochist. That said, chilies are a great, flavorful way to add both nutrition and an exclamation point to a dish...