To me, summertime means burger time! I like to switch it up and get away from the usual beef burgers and instead try something different like these BBQ Chicken Burgers. If you have visions of a meal time mess, fear not. Since you add your favorite BBQ sauce into the mixture in this recipe, the burgers take on all the tangy, sweet and spicy flavor without it dripping all over you and your kids’ fingers and clothes while you eat.

The next time you’re having a party or family gathering whip up a batch of these burgers and look around at all the happy (and clean) faces!

BBQ Chicken Burger (makes 8 mini burgers or 4 regular size burgers)

2 Tbsp Oil, divided
1 Small Onion, diced
1 lb. Ground Chicken Breast
2 Tbsp BBQ Sauce (your favorite), plus additional for serving
1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
4 Jack or Mozzarella Cheese Slices
Burger Buns
Accompaniments: additional bbq sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickles

1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a sauté pan over medium heat and sauté the onions for 4 minutes or until tender and set aside to cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onions, ground chicken, BBQ sauce, salt, and onion and garlic powder. Evenly divide the mixture and shape into patties.
3. Heat remaining tbsp of oil in a pan and cook the patties for 3 minutes on each side.
4. Place 1 slice of cheese on each patty during the last minute of cooking and allow to melt.
4. Place burgers on buns and top with desired accompaniments.
5. Serve.

Hands down, this has been my kids’ most requested recipe in the past two weeks. Since the Kenya and Chloe started spotting beautiful emerald green asparagus wrapped in bundles at our local Farmers’ Market they have been requesting it for dinner non-stop. Instead of simply steaming the asparagus, I make a mixture of lemon and olive oil to coat them with before AND after grilling.

No exaggeration, I’ve made this recipe for dinner 4 times in the last week. This past weekend my in-laws came over and the whole family had dinner together, enjoying steak, salmon, salad, roast potatoes and this asparagus recipe which flew off the platter faster then anything else on the menu!

Grilled Lemon Asparagus (serves 4)

1 Bunch Green Asparagus
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 Tsp Kosher Salt

1. Preheat grill and place all of the ingredients in a shallow dish to combine.
2. Evenly coat the asparagus with the lemon mixture.
3. Grill asparagus, reserving the lemon mixture, for 2 minutes on each side for thin asparagus and 3 minutes on each side for thicker asparagus.
4. Remove asparagus from the grill, place back into the bowl and toss to coat with reserved lemon mixture.
5. Serve.

The seasons are really starting to change and our local Farmers’ Market is being visited by fruits and veggies whose faces haven’t been seen since last summer. Even though it’s still early in the season, a few farmers are already selling gorgeous, red, ripe tomatoes perfect for making homemade salsa.

My kids adore most of the flavors in salsa, but if there’s too much jalapeno in it they always make a face — their little eyes open wide and the word, “SPICY!” fills the kitchen. So last night I made them a one-two punch of “no spicy guacamole” (as they call it) and my Kiddie Salsa.

After picking some of the fast-growing cilantro from our garden, I grabbed Chloe a stool, a cutting board and her kiddy knife so we could stand side by side together at the kitchen counter, chopping up the ingredients and squeezing in the lime juice. Some would call it an occupational hazard, but to me watching a two year old cook is just about the cutest thing in the world. Chloe was so proud of herself, but the best part of the night was when we all sat down as a family for dinner and she said, “look what I made everybody!” My heart melted, but this time nobody’s taste buds did. The familiar salsa refrain of, “spicy!” was replaced by the heavenly sound of my family’s smacking lips and forks and spoons clinking on empty plates.

Kiddie Salsa (Serves 4)

2 Cups Tomatoes, chopped (about 4 tomatoes)
1 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp Red Onion, chopped
2 Tsp Lime Juice
Salt to taste

1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree.*
2. Serve with tortilla chips.

* If you prefer your salsa a bit chunkier, simply put all of the ingredients in a bowl and then stir to combine.

Now that the weather is starting to get warm, my garden is beginning to bloom and a variety of spring vegetables are popping up at the Farmers’ Market, I’m craving dip! I’m not talking about sour cream or mayonnaise-laden concoctions, but rather light, healthy, fresh-tasting, bright-colored and flavorful summer dips that are the ultimate pairing with sliced cucumbers, fennel, asparagus and all sorts of other yummy seasonal veggies.

And on those days that my little ones are resisting eating their vegetables (the foods I want them to eat the most), providing them with a fun little dish of this eye-appealing Roasted Red Pepper Dip on the side to dunk their veggies into goes a long way.

It goes to show that when the temperature outside rises, you don’t need a swimming pool to indulge in a refreshing dip!

Roasted Red Pepper Dip (Serves 4)

1 12 oz Jar Roasted Red Pepper, drained
2 Tbsp Tahini
1 15 oz Can White Beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 Tsp Paprika
3/4 Tsp Kosher Salt
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Small Garlic Clove

1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree.
2. Serve with vegetables or chips.

* This dip is also delicious as a spread on sandwiches.

I say it all the time, but few things make me happier than cooking with my kids. It’s amazing for me to witness how when I give them the chance to play in the kitchen with me or my husband, they end up being so fully engaged and excited, experiencing new things and trying foods they might have been less than excited about had I just placed the finished product of what I made in front of them. And when the final product is something as simple and versatile as hummus, it’s worth every last bite!

Now that Chloe is 2, I’ve been cooking more and more with her. I spent so much time over the last three years focused on cooking with my first child, Kenya, that I want to make sure that Chloe has the same opportunities to follow suit in the kitchen. Never shy about wanting to push buttons, stir or get in on the fun, I asked Chloe if she wanted to help me make this Sun Dried Tomato Basil Hummus. She was totally game. Chloe spooned the tomatoes into the food processor, tossed in the beans, garlic and basil and of course, pressed the ‘on’ button to watch it all swirl around and puree until it was super smooth. The best part for me? Watching Chloe help herself to a heaping spoonful of the protein-packed hummus she took so much pride in making and then gobble it up before saying, “more Mommy!”

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Hummus (Makes 1 ∏ Cups)

1/4 Cup Oil Packed Sun Dried Tomatoes, drained
1/2 Cup Fresh Basil, packed
1 Small Garlic Clove
1 15 oz Can Garbanzo Beans
2 Tbsp Tahini
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Olive Oil

1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Serve.

Accompaniments: whole wheat pita chips, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, of celery. Can also be used as a spread on sandwiches

I love it when weelicious moms email me to ask if I can figure out how to recreate a pre-made food they love from the grocery.

Not too long ago, a mother wrote that her daughter adored Trader Joe’s White Bean Basil Hummus and could I help her figure out how to make it homemade. Hummus is very easy to make, but figuring out the exact flavor proportions of a particular recipe can be tricky. I played around with this one for a while, adding a little of this and a little of that, until I thought I came up with the perfect balance. Then, I ran around the house with a handful of spoons making my whole family do a blind taste test to decide which one was better. It was unanimous: the homemade version won hands down.

Sure, it may be a lot easier to simply buy a tub of your favorite hummus at the grocery, but after tasting this smooth and creamy version I bet you’ll agree it’s worth the time (and money!) to make it on your own. Thanks for your requests, readers!

White Bean Basil Hummus (Makes 1 1/2 Cups)

1 Can Cannelini or Northern White Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Cup Fresh Basil
1 Small Garlic Clove
Juice of 1 Lemon
2 Tbsp Tahini
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Olive Oil

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
2. Serve with vegetables, pita chips or as a sandwich spread.

I hear all the time from parents that their kids “just don’t like meat!” For all those children and parents out there that want a delicious burger without the red meat, this one’s for you! These Eggplant Burgers are easy to prepare, freeze and will fulfill your craving for a big juicy one!

I dread the winter months when many of my favorite foods are out of season. Nothing’s worse than craving a food you love to eat and knowing you have to wait eight months for it to return. Sure, these days you can get almost anything year round at your local grocery, but I’m not big on buying fruits and veggies that have to travel thousands of miles on planes, trains and automobiles to get there. So what’s the solution?

Recently, I’ve made a big point of doubling most of my recipes and freezing half so that our family has food to eat on the day and also something to look forward to down the road. That’s a real plus when I’m craving apples or pears in summer, or peaches or tomatoes in winter. And it means on cold nights when I’m dreaming of these Eggplant Burgers, they’re only 10 minutes — not 8 months — away! These burgers have a firm texture, are moist inside and have a crisp outer crust. And since they’re shaped into patties, they’re perfect to put on a bun with some melted cheese and place in your little one’s hand to munch on, for a snack, lunch or dinner. When time isn’t on your side, but you still want something healthy and easy to prepare for dinner, you’ll be happy to have these on hand — no matter what time of year!

Eggplant Burgers (Makes 8 Burgers)

1 Tbsp Olive Oil, plus more for sautéing
1 Medium Eggplant, cubed
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped
1 Large Egg
1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 Cup Breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat)

Accompaniments: Whole Wheat Bagel, Buns,Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, Ketchup, Pickles

1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat and cook the eggplant cubes for 3 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and salt and continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.
3. Add 1 tbsp of water, cover and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until eggplant is fork tender. Allow to cool.
4. Place the eggplant and remaining ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth.
5. Use about 2 tbsps of the eggplant mixture for mini burgers, 1/4 cup for bigger burgers and form into patties.
6. Heat about 1-2 tsps of oil in a large sauté pan and cook the eggplant patties for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
7. Serve.

* To freeze place the cooked patties on a baking sheet, freeze for 1 hour and place in a Ziploc bag, label and freeze up to 3-4 months. When ready to serve, place patties on a baking sheet in a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes until warm.

To me, so much of the art of getting kids to eat is incorporating as much fun as possible, so that they will be more open to eating foods that normally might be outside of their comfort zone. My kids love eating with their hands, so I try to devise lots of new spins on recipes for things they can hold easily in their little mitts. Burritos, burgers, muffins and even these Chicken in Lettuce Cups always go over well. Salad maybe a tough sell for some little ones, but these lettuce cups are kid friendly and a whole new way for them of looking at leafy greens. They’re crunchy, and in combination with the stir-fried chicken with herbs and a slightly sweet sauce it’s really something special. Plus, kids can only eat these with their hands. How much fun is that?

Stir-Fried Chicken in Lettuce Cups (Serves 4)

1/4 Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Cilantro, minced
1 Tbsp Oil
1 Small Onion, diced
1 Bell Pepper, red, orange or yellow
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1 Tsp Ginger, minced
1 Lb. Ground Chicken (you can also use ground turkey)
1/4 Tsp Salt
8 Bibb or Iceberg Lettuce “Cups”

1. Combine soy sauce, honey, and cilantro in a bowl and set aside.
2. Using a large saute pan, cook the onion in 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.
3. Add the bell pepper and cook an additional 2 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute then add the chicken or turkey to the pan and saute for an additional 7 minutes or until cooked through.
5. Stir in the soy sauce mixture, salt and cook for 2 minute or until juices evaporate.
6. Serve in lettuce cups (to eat then just roll the lettuce around the stir fried chicken and eat them like a burrito).

Kids running around in swimsuits eating popsicles. That is summer to me. And when those popsicles happen to be red, white and blue? Well, that can only mean it’s the Fourth of July! I vividly remember being a kid, playing with my friends at our local swimming pool and sucking on Bomb Pops (big, red, white and blue rocket-shaped popsicles that seemed all the rage in the 70′s) to cool down in the summer heat. I adored Bomb Pops, looking back, I can’t imagine how much food coloring and sugar I must have ingested over the years. And while those popsicle memories are great, but how can I share them with my own kids without also exposing them to all those unwanted additives and chemicals? There has to be a way to make your own version of those sinfully delicious iced treats — full of eye appealing color — but also healthy at the same time.

I use fresh fruits and yogurts to make festive popsicles that are nutritious as well. And for the Fourth, blueberries and raspberries make it easy to celebrate the holiday. Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, calcium and more, these Red, White & Blue Popsicles seem like a much better idea than the sugar and corn syrup laden ones infused with Red Dye #17 and Blue Dye #26 you’ll find in the store. I don’t want my kids eating that. Not when they can enjoy homemade colorful pops whose colors come straight from nature, not a laboratory.

So when your kids are looking for something refreshing that will impress them at the same time, make a batch of these pops. You won’t mind at all when they ask for seconds and thirds. In fact, you’ll encourage it!

Red, White & Blue Popsicles (Makes 8 Popsicles, depending on the size of your molds)

1 12 oz Bag Frozen Blueberries, defrosted
6 Tbsp Agave, divided (you can also use honey, but I prefer agave for this recipe)
1 Cup Plain Yogurt
1/4 Cup Vanilla Rice Milk (you can also use cow’s milk, almond or soy)
1 12 oz Bag Frozen Raspberries, defrosted

1. Place defrosted blueberries and 2 tbsp agave in a blender and puree until smooth.
2. Pour the blueberry puree a 1/3 way up each popsicle mold and freeze for 30-45 minutes.
3. Combine yogurt, rice milk, and 2 tbsp of agave in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour yogurt mixture 2/3 way up the popsicle molds on top of the blueberry mixture, and freeze for another 30-45 minutes.
5. Place defrosted raspberries and 2 tbsp agave in a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Finish the popsicles by pouring the raspberry puree over the yogurt, place sticks in and freeze.

*Because all popsicle molds are different sizes, you may have left overs. You can refrigerate the remaining berry purees and use as toppings for yogurt, granola, pancakes, etc.