Cold January nights are a perfect time to enjoy winter squash. Winter squash is actually harvested in the fall, but due to it's thick skin it can keep for months without refrigeration. In addition to providing healthy, local food all winter long, squash sweetens as it ages (to a point) so it tastes even better after sitting for a month or so. … [Read more...]
Holiday Brussels Sprouts
I made these for friends recently and we all decided they would be perfect as a holiday side dish given the vibrant red and green colors. They also happen to be delicious! I will be recreating them on Christmas Eve for my family and am already looking forward to eating them again. As you may remember from my top five vegetables post, I love … [Read more...]
Curried Red Lentils
These lentils are a winter staple in my house. They are cozy and warm, easy to make, and very healthy. They definitely have an Indian twist, but seem to be appealing to a range of palates. Begin by rough-chopping a white onion and sauteing it with 1 teaspoon of curry powder and 1/2 teaspoon of tumeric (there are rough guesses on the spice … [Read more...]
Vinegary Sausage and Kale
This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! It is easy to make and a crowd pleaser every time. It does involve meat, which most of my cooking doesn't, but in this case a small amount goes a long way in enhancing the flavor profile. I begin by removing the casing on two or three sweet italian sausages and chopping/crumbling them into a … [Read more...]
Quinoa Pasta with Tangy Peanut Sauce
This is one of my favorite recipes -- I love Asian flavors and this a crowd pleaser every time! This version turns a typically unhealthy meal into a nutritional staple by substituting quinoa pasta for traditional white flour pasta, replacing chicken with tofu, and adding lots of veggies. Quinoa Pasta with Tangy Peanut Sauce Ingredients (serves … [Read more...]
Pesto – An Herb Delivery Vehicle
I'm really into pesto this summer! Not only is it delicious, it is also excellent herb delivery vehicle. As I've learned more about the health benefits of herbs I've tried to incorporate them into my diet as much as possible. Pestos are a terrific way to eat more herbs and to eat them in higher quantities -- you eat far more herb in a pesto than … [Read more...]
Vegetable Risotto
I am overwhelmed by summer vegetables - in the best possible way! Between my farm-share and delicious looking things I can't pass up at the farmers market I have lots of veggies filling my fridge. July and August are some of my favorite months for exactly this reason -- the abundance of fresh, local food gives the rest of the year something to be … [Read more...]
Fiddlehead Salad
The fiddleheads are here! It's a sure sign of spring when seasonal wild edibles begin to appear at the market. I was thrilled to find these at Whole Foods last weekend and begin planning my first fiddlehead meal. Fiddleads are actually the coiled tops of the Ostrich Fern. They are harvested in the wild before the fern has unfurled. They … [Read more...]
Curried Pear & Butternut Squash Soup
This soup tastes like chilly fall evenings curled up by the fire. My mom made it when I was growing up and it seems to be the perfect antidote to cold, dark nights. It highlights the best of seasonal cooking, while tasting rich and decadent without any dairy. It's also pretty darn simple to make, which is always a plus! Curried Pear and … [Read more...]
Lentils with Spicy Brassicas
Lentils are staple in my diet. I love them for their versatility, high protein content, and cooking speed. I typically use green french lentils (which I used in this recipe), small black lentils, or small orange lentils. Green and black lentils hold their shape when cooked, so they are better for pilaf-type dishes, while orange lentils tend to … [Read more...]