When I was a child, I had an undying love for those little packets of ramen that filled your belly so cheaply and (to me then, at least) with such satisfaction. In homage to this humble little package that fed me for so many years, I’ve created two ramen recipes. The first is very similar to the ramen of my youth, but the second is more akin to how I cook at home now – with nutritious ingredients and lots of great flavor, and everything served together in a happy little bowl.

There are few foods in life more universally comforting than a bowl of macaroni and cheese. It is one of the few meals that soothes our weary souls from childhood to adulthood. This is a quick, easy, and delicious one-pot version that you can adapt to your liking on those days where you just need something warm in your belly as quickly as possible (and fewer dishes to do after). Enjoy!

When is a cheeseboard more than a cheeseboard? When it has everything you need (and want) for a meal. It’s simple, quick to put together, and relatively cheap if you raid your fridge for those random cheese pieces, leftover fruits and veggies, and the ends of your jars of honey and jam (plus that box of crackers in the back of your pantry). Put it all on a board and dinner is done. It’s a whole that is better than the sum of its parts.

There is nothing like a good carbonara. It’s a pasta dish that you cannot describe unless you’ve tasted it – like a really great kiss, it deserves to be experienced. As a vegetarian, my carbonara will never be by-the-book authentic, but it’s pretty damn good in its own right. Buon appetito and enjoy.