Healthy Meals

My mom recently told me that this is the only Korean recipe that my older sister has ever asked her for. Quite understandable, as you won't find a lighter or fluffier egg dish anywhere.

Korean steamed eggs are similar to quiche, but without a crust, and did I mention that these eggs are amazingly light and fluffy?

Mool naeng myun is a favorite summertime dish in Korea, and is best known for its refreshingly cool and tangy broth. Mool is Korean for "water," while naeng myun translates to buckwheat noodles.

The secret to good mool naeng myun is in the broth. My mom tells me that mool naeng myun broth is traditionally made by combining one part chicken broth with one part beef broth and one part kim chi brine.

If you ever find yourself at a Korean restaurant and unsure about what to order, know that you can't go wrong in ordering bibimbap (pronounced bee-beem-bahp).

Bibim means "mixed," while bap means "rice." But bibimbap is far more than mixed rice. It calls for perfectly cooked rice with a number of well seasoned vegetables, mixed well with sesame oil and just a touch of red chili paste. If you enjoy mushrooms, eggs, chicken, or beef, you can add any one or all of these items to create your own version of bibimbap.

Though authentic jambalaya typically calls for sausage and/or seafood, this meat-free version is still big on flavor and is likely to be appreciated by vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.

This recipe is a family favorite, one that keeps Margaret, our two boys, and me thoroughly chewing and then wolfing down greens with at least two of our meals every day. Any greens that are prepared in this fashion are so good that our plates are usually dominated by greens, with all other foods being side portions.

To make the perfect dish of baked beans, it's best to use navy beans, one of nature's best sources of healthy protein and folate. Navy beans are also rich in a number of minerals, including iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

This healthy and highly satisfying potato salad gets better as the potatoes and crunchy vegetables marinate in the accompanying aromatic and tangy dressing, making this dish a great choice to pack for lunch or a picnic.

Be sure to give the new potatoes a good scrub and to include the potato skins for their valuable nutrients.

This simple and classic Sicilian caponata recipe features eggplant, one of the most phytonutrient-rich vegetables that we know of. Eggplants are naturally abundant in groups of phytonutrients (terpenes and phenolics) that are particularly good for promoting a healthy cardiovascular system.

Updated on April 7, 2009

If you're ever in Toronto and want to experience the best falafels ever, be sure to visit a little cafe called Tov-Li, located on Bathurst, halfway between Steeles and Finch.

The secret to mouthwatering falafel pitas is a rich, creamy tahini dressing - be sure to make some along with this recipe, and don't be shy in dolloping it on before devouring these healthy falafels.

This is an ultra simple and delicious Moroccan dish that my wife Margaret learned a few years ago. It's rich in a number of nutrients, including healthy protein, fatty acids, and fiber.

If you have access to ripe avocados, be sure to include some on the side, as avocados combine beautifully with chickpeas and fresh lemon.