Over at Los Angeles' HomeGirl Café - where gang members, drug addicts and ex-cons are given the opportunity to enrich and change their lives in drastic and delicious ways - we were lucky enough to get our hands on a serious tried-and-true recipe for the Mexican sauce, mole, from Chef Pati Zarate. We know it's a lot of ingredients, but when you get this mole down, you will have arrived at culinary greatness. 

Lacto-fermentation is one of history’s most traditional ways of preserving food. Using naturally-occuring bacteria that are present in every living thing, this method of pickling things is also one of the healthiest. Made without added sugars, vinegars, or additives, just sea salt and water are all you need to get started. In this seasonal late winter recipe, I’ve fermented watermelon radishes. See how it’s done!

Fettuccine Alfredo is a guilty pleasure for anyone indulging in the traditional butter and cheese-laden pasta dish. It’s incredibly thick and creamy, oozing with comfort and warmth. In this completely dairy-free version, a butter-less roux and pumpkin puree are called upon to make an Alfredo sauce no less pleasing or comforting. This wholesome entrée is packed with leafy greens and antioxidant-rich pumpkins, with just a hint of indulgence. Try it out on a nippy night with a side of roasted veggies and a Belgian ale or a chilled fruity white wine.

Risotto, the creamy Italian rice dish, is a simple recipe that, when done right, oozes luxury. In this health-spun version, brown rice replaces the usual Arborio rice, and we’ve added grated raw beets and luscious coconut milk. This is a gorgeous dish that tastes as good as it looks. Get your protein, fiber and antioxidant boost all in one rustic meal, perfect for a chilly winter night with a tall glass of red wine.

Say goodbye to jet-puffed, preservative-laden, stale storebought marshmallows... and hello to fluffy little clouds of vanilla dreaminess. If you've never had a homemade marshmallow before, you'll be happy to hear they're easy to make, and totally addictive. Add them to your hot chocolate bar, top homemade s'mores with them, or eat these amazing candies all on their own. You'll never go back to the marshmallow man after this.

Looking for a tasty recipe that's a great alternative to instant oatmeal? Try these nutritious and yummy whole rolled oats, which cook up in just a few minutes. The addition of organic whey adds a protein and nutritional boost. I prefer using The Organic Whey protein powder because it is certified organic and comes from one source: Organic Valley Farmers; and contains just one ingredient: organic whey. Additionally, there are no artificial sweeteners, flavorings, additives, preservatives or other yucky unwanted ingredients and comes with a nice creamy flavor. You can make this recipe in large batches on the weekend or in the morning. If you are in need of a super quick breakfast, you can skip the apples (but they add a delicious naturally sweet flavor!).

You may already know the folk tale of Stone Soup: A hungry traveler comes to town with an empty pot, fills it with water, drops a stone in it, and tells the villagers he will make delicious soup with just the stone...all the soup needs is "a few garnishes", which the villagers happily provide. In the end, there's enough soup to feed everyone, and it only took a few odds and ends from each person.

This recipe uses all of the broccoli: the florets (where most of the nutrition is) and the stems (filled with fiber). Make extra frico and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The frico makes a delicious appetizer on its own.

If you've ever tasted homemade jerky, you know it's hard to stomach that $5-a-bag storebought leather. Still, you may not have known that you can make your own pretty easily at home, in a food dehydrator or even in your oven. Here's how to make the classic low-calorie, high-protein snack that'll win over your taste buds without any of those pesky additives and preservatives.

Once you try these from-scratch crackers, you’ll never spend 10 dollars on a bag of the fancy stuff again. These whole grain noshers are loaded with nuts, figs and aromatic Herb de Provence with just a touch of honey. They are seriously sophisticated crackers that deserve your finest cheeses, jams and spreads. Bon appetit!