I love the sweet and hot flavor of pickled cherry peppers, ideal for preparing quick and tasty appetizers. You can find them in the deli case of most grocery stores or in a specialty Italian deli. They are great to have on hand to enliven salads, sliced into steamed broccoli and cauliflower or to tuck into a hearty sandwich.

Pears are plentiful in the fall. If you happen to have a few bruised pears at the bottom of your fruit bowl, this is a great way to rescue them! If you don’t have hazelnuts, almonds work just as well. I store all my nuts in the freezer to keep them from becoming rancid.

Blinis are little pancakes that are usually topped with caviar. My blinis are thinly like crepes and I like to serve them rolled with blueberry sauce or fresh chives and sour cream.

I’m always looking for a quick, protein-packed lunch when I’m on the run. Skip your office or school cafeteria food and stuff this healthy salad in a whole wheat pita and add sprouts.