Monk fruit is the latest darling of the alternative sweetener world, but what is this exotic fruit, and how does it compare to sugar and other substitutes? 

Q: While I don't only eat Passover-certified foods, I adhere to tradition and in addition to staying away from traditional grains, also avoid corn, beans, lentils and soy during those 8 days. However, over the last year I've drastically decreased my meat intake. 

This week in Gatherings from The Kitchn, we're sharing the details of an Italian Polenta Supper featuring lots of toppings, like hearty braised beef, on a bed of creamy cornmeal polenta. For a lighter, vegan-friendly accompaniment to polenta, let me suggest this spring vegetable ragout. Like the braised beef, it's rustic and uncomplicated yet completely dinner-party worthy. Make it now if you're already basking in the glow of peas and asparagus, or save this recipe so you can celebrate the moment spring arrives. More

Lately I've been looking to add more healthy seafood to my diet without breaking the bank, and while canned fish will never have the allure of a fresh filet, today's good-quality canned salmon is not the fishy, bone-studded mush you may be picturing. The boneless and skinless fish — once flaked and mixed with brown rice, cilantro, shallots and lime juice — cooks up into crisp-edged cakes that make an easy and satisfying weeknight meal, especially when topped with a dollop of Sriracha-spiked mayonnaise.

I picked up a bunch of asparagus and a spaghetti squash at the farmers' market over the weekend, which is an excellent reflection of the season right now: the very end of winter transitioning into the briefest hint of spring. What fun it would be to come up with a light supper dish that uses both of these ingredients! Inspired by Emily's Spaghetti Squash with Ricotta, Sage and Pine Nuts recipe, I roasted the squash and the asparagus and combined them with ricotta and pine nuts for richness. I used lemon and thyme to add brightness and acidity, resulting in a fresh, tasty dish that hints at spring's arrival while still anchored in a favorite winter staple. More

Q: I've started planning Easter dinner for my family. We have 6 adults, two of them vegan. My plan is to do lamb chops for the carnivores and go vegan for the side dishes. My other challenge is that I'm on-call Sunday morning so I need things that can be prepared a head of time. 

Greek yogurt has become a favorite among yogurt fans for its über-creaminess, thick spoonability, and high protein content. And now, many food manufacturers are taking that popularity to heart and stirring it into products that extend far beyond the breakfast table. More

Q: How do you organize dinners with a wide variety of eaters? (As in, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, etc.) Do you have a decent method to plan the food?

Sent by Peter

Put a bowl of creamy, crumb-topped mac n' cheese on the cover of any book and I am oath-bound to pick it up. But this isn't just any mac n' cheese. This is a mac n' cheese makeover — a lighter version developed by those exacting and perfectionist cooks over at America's Test Kitchen, and it's just one of over 175 comfort food recipes they tweaked and remodeled. Half the fat and still deserving of the Test Kitchen's stamp of tasty approval? I'm in.

Although "three square meals a day" is what we always hear, some say you can keep your metabolism up and beat that 3 o'clock slump by eating more frequently. The only problem is, between emails, carpool, conference calls and more, it's not always that easy. Here are a few tricks to help you when you're trying to eat smaller meals throughout the day: More