Our first date as a couple was to a great little sushi place in Pittsburgh. We’ll always have fond memories of that date, though when we want to revisit the flavors we make this great rice-free version instead.

Shrimp scampi is often served over rice or pasta in a buttery garlic sauce. For our version, we butterfly the shrimp, tossing them in garlic, olive oil, and garlic, and baking them. To experience the complete scampi experience, plate your shrimp over steamed spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice.

Back when I used to live in Washington, D.C., my friends and I would often go to the Maine Street Wharf and get a bushel of steamed Maryland crabs. Evenings spent enjoying blue crabs are quite memorable. This dish takes me back to those warm summer evenings spent with great friends in D.C.

The use of coconut oil in this recipe enhances the naturally sweet flavor of fresh scallops. This recipe is one that is perfect as an entree, and would also be a fantastic appetizer for guests.

This salad is all about fun texture counterpoints. The juicy, sweet pop of the orange plays off of the crisp, thinly sliced red onion and crunchy slivered almonds. Thinly sliced fennel finishes the dish nicely by contributing a unique flavor to this great little salad.

Being sushi lovers, a seared tuna recipe was a must for this book. The wasabi mayonnaise truly brings out the best in the ahi, providing a savory touch with a hint of heat.

When it comes to steak, I usually just want a good grilled rib eye with just a pinch of salt on it. Not so with this tasty steak salad. The marinade for the steak imparts incredible flavor, so to me, the salad is simply a bonus on top of an amazing steak dish.

Lemon and garlic are classic flavors often paired with chicken. For this dish, the lemon and garlic, along with the shallot, infuse the chicken under the skin, resulting in wonderful flavor, all tucked under crispy grilled skin.

If you've never tried grilling turkey drumsticks, you're missing out! These big, juicy cuts are perfect for grilling. Keep the flame low, and these babies will come out perfectly tender with a nice crisp skin.

One of our very first recipes we posted on our blog was for portobello turkey burgers. The use of a big juicy portobello mushroom cap is a tasty replacement for the typical grain-filled bun. Serve this alongside sweet potato fries for a classic summertime meal.

The use of fresh pineapple to glaze grilled chicken will bring a sweet tropical flavor to your plate. These are a perfect party dish for a summer luau!

This dish is inspired by a creation of my sister Nellie and her husband, Chris. According to Nellie, “as long as we’ve been together, whenever Chris wanted to make a nice meal for me, it was always crab-stuffed salmon. To this day, it is still a go-to recipe if we want to treat ourselves.”

Homemade Chinese food was a frequent request for dinner when I was growing up. After going primal, I began to miss some of my favorite Chinese dishes. This recipe brings some familiar Eastern flavors together for a fabulous reinterpretation of chicken and vegetable lo mein.

We love any excuse to use coconut milk in a recipe, and coconut milk plays a large role in this tasty Thai dish. With a simple red curry seasoning, these skewers are a great way to bring the flavor of Thai cuisine to your table.

This dish should perhaps read “mango chutney with grilled mahi mahi,” as the chutney really is the star of the show. This spicy, warm, sweet sauce just dances on your tongue and brings the mahi mahi to life. This condiment of Southeast Asian origin pairs well with most white fish, and chicken as well.

Lemon and thyme are often used to compliment the flavor of lamb. For this recipe we used the ever fragrant lemon thyme herb to infuse the olive oil for marinating. This seasoning combines the wonderful flavors of lemon and thyme by use of one simple herb.