My girls, now 5 and 8, are great eaters by American kid standards. But, it wasn’t an easy road getting them there. I had to navigate power struggles and aversions to previously favorite foods as much as any parent. Stil, I stayed consistent (and persistent) throughout the hard years, and now I have the positive results to prove my methods worked.

Salad doesn’t have to be a dirty word. It also doesn’t have to be the side dish. With strips of chicken, sliced mango, and a creamy peanut sauce, this is one of those prime-time salads. It’s the kind of salad that always leaves leftovers for lunch the next day.

Bored of regular old meatballs? Give your taste buds a kick in the pants with this spicy alternative! The combination of ground beef, breadcrumbs, and spices gives the meatballs a hearty texture and a rich taste that complements the bold flavors of the harissa paste.

No need for a grill to get the char on this easy shrimp, chorizo and veggie summer dish—just one sheet pan and a broiler. The accompanying jalapeno lime dipping sauce gives it a kick, if you’re looking for one.

This 6-ingredient pasta is perfect for a weeknight dinner in spring, with a hit of fresh mint at the end of cooking that brightens up the savoriness from heavy cream and cheese.

This classic Pasta al Pomodoro recipe is a first in a series of recipe’s I’ll be testing and photographing from my dad’s cookbook that he wrote for the family. It’s got all the little tips and tricks to make a pasta sauce that’s perfect in its simplicity.

Silky, nutty and naturally sweet, this is the BEST DAMN OATMEAL you'll ever eat. It takes a couple of simple additional steps, some warm spices and a willingness to transform your breakfast routine.

Consider this the adult version of macaroni and cheese. Made with pureed butternut squash, garlic and loads of spinach, it's my healthiest version of the beloved kid classic. 

Creamy carrot soup with coconut and lime is one of those recipes that's on regular rotation at our house. It's a wonderful, nourishing dish for kids and babies, and has just enough bold flavors to keep it interesting for adults.