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

For individuals and families with food allergies, going out to eat or ordering takeout is not always an option, even if the cook is busy or tired. Cybele Pascal's Allergy-Free and Easy Cooking offers a solution with recipes for homey comfort foods and restaurant favorites that can be on the table in 30 minutes or less. More

Here in Southern California, winter is on its way out and I have never felt more ready to give kale salads a rest. Right now I am craving all that is crunchy, fresh and pale green -- like this salad, which mixes a dill-flecked dressing with sweet sugar snap peas, crisp celery, chopped romaine and pretty, pink-edged radish slices that remind me of spring's first blossoms winking to life.

Even if I didn't eat a primarily vegan diet, I'm pretty sure I'd prefer tofu egg-less salad to the real thing. I love the texture of roughly crumbled tofu, the way you can flavor it any way you want, and the absence of heavy mayo (plus it keeps a lot better). Lately, my favorite tofu "egg" salad is one that incorporates bold curry powder, plump golden raisins, and roasted pumpkin seeds. Served as a sandwich or on a bed of greens, it makes an easy and healthy lunch. More

One of the challenges of entertaining these days are the many food allergies, issues, sensitivities and aversions guests can bring with them to the table. It's impossible to please everyone, but this soup goes a long way towards universal satisfaction and joy. Made with ground cashews instead of cream and kicked up with an array of savory herbs and spices, it is the perfect thing to serve when you have mixed company. But don't make it just because it's vegan-friendly and easy. Make it because it's absolutely, amazingly delicious.

More

Congee, jook, okayu. Asian-style rice porridge has many names and countless variations, but in every instance it is a simple, comforting dish for breakfast or any time of day. This extra nutritious version includes brown rice, shiitake mushrooms, handfuls of greens, and warming ginger. More

Whizzed into smoothies, swirled into yogurt or spread on toast, peanut butter adds a welcome boost of protein and fat to all kinds of breakfasts. But there is a whole world of butters beyond the usual peanut variety, from an irresistible Almond-Joy-inspired butter to a nut-free and nutritious pumpkin-sunflower seed butter. Ready to get out of your nut rut?

If granola and yogurt is your morning speed, chances are you've come across muesli at some point. While many of the ingredients are the same, muesli, the Swiss cousin of granola, is different. So if you like granola, why mess with your routine? What's the big deal with muesli? More

You probably already know that roasting winter vegetables turns them soft, caramelized and irresistible. But what you might not know is that tossing them with a three-ingredient dressing of miso paste, lime juice and walnut oil gives them a savory, bright and beguiling flavor that will make people wonder why the roasted vegetables you make are so much better than the roasted vegetables they make.

Smoothies made with protein powder are a great post-workout snack or breakfast on the go, but many commercial powders are loaded with artificial flavorings and other weird additives. Here's an economical and less processed alternative: make your own tasty, vegan protein powder!