There are lots of variations for this recipe. The first time I made it, I took a fresh carrot and just cut it up into small dice.
The last time I made it, I cooked the couscous in vegetable broth to add a little flavor, then I nestled the grain salad onto a bed of baby spinach leaves, added a few coins of cucumber, extra peas (because I love peas) and microwaved wax beans and then added them, as well as some orange pepper dice.
It’s just a lovely canvas to add veggies to.

This healthy version of an American classic is good with sandwiches. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable providing indoles which may be related to a reduced risk of breast cancer.

Lentils are a wonderful source of protein, calcium, and iron. They are a staple ingredient in Indian cooking, and combine well with many different seasonings. You may be most familiar with brown or green lentils, but there are lentils out there in black, yellow, red and pink. Look for these more exotic varieties in Indian and specialty food stores. Similarly, not all curry powders are the same, ranging from quite mild to very hot. In making this side dish, start with a small amount and taste it to be sure your dish meets the comfort and taste level of your guests!

tastes like orange beef

This recipe comes from Augusta Stein, my stepson’s grandmother. She was known for her baking, especially this honey cake. The recipe is classic in its use of coffee, citrus zest, and nuts. I have made one change, substituting apple sauce for oil, which makes the cake less sticky. This cake keeps at room temperature for several weeks, so you can always have a homemade treat on hand.
Fast Fact: Buckwheat honey comes from the same plant as the grain also called kasha. It has a unique, robust flavor that is also less sweet than other kinds of honey. Natural food stores like Wild Oats Market are likely to have it.
Quick Tip: If you like, use lemon in place of orange zest, and blanched almonds rather than walnuts.

Kugel (KUH-ghel), a savory baked pudding, is another dish traditional among Jews from Eastern Europe. There are many kinds of kugel, including potato, sweet potato, carrot or noodle. Some are so sweet I would serve them only for dessert. This one includes white and sweet potatoes, carrots, and raisins for a touch of natural sweetness.
Fast Fact: Botanically speaking, most of the tubers we call yams are actually sweet potatoes.
Quick Tip: Soaking the raisins in some extra orange juice brings out their sweetness

Similar to a Moroccan tagine, this stew is great dish to make ahead and reheat. Using breasts with the rib keeps the meat more moist. I find that wildflower honey has the most neutral flavor, while mesquite honey adds a nice smoky note. If using saffron feels intimidating, use 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric instead.
Fast Fact: Cinnamon and ginger add more than flavor. They also have proven health-enhancing benefits.
Quick Tip: To peel the tomatoes, I use a vegetable peeler with a serrated blade. This eliminates dropping them into boiling water until skin splits.