Watch out world, I'm obsessed with mushrooms! No seriously, I can't get enough of them. We've been learning about their medicinal benefits in my classes at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and I'm hooked. They are another one of these powerhouse foods that seems to fly under the radar. Not anymore! One bite of these delicious balsamic … [Read more...]
Ginger & Turmeric Glazed Carrots & Parsnips
Ever wondered how to cook parsnips? You’re in luck! They're often a misunderstood and under appreciated vegetable, so people shy away from cooking with them. Hopefully this recipe will introduce you to this lovely vegetable and secure a spot for it on your table. Although parsnips can look withered and white, they're actually surprisingly sweet … [Read more...]
Moroccan Preserved Lemons
My latest fermentation project is Moroccan preserved lemons, and I'm obsessed. They add a touch of the exotic to regular everyday dishes, and let's be honest, who doesn't need more exotic in the dead of winter? Winter is citrus season to be sure. One of my favorite February treats is the fresh Meyer lemons that recently started appearing … [Read more...]
Sweet & Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash with Prunes
While we were in Morocco I got hooked on tagines that were both sweet and spicy. It is one of the ultimate flavor combinations in my book - comforting and warming with a bit of pizazz. I've been playing around with ways to recreate those Moroccan flavors at home, and this is one of my best recipes yet. I had prunes on the brain after writing … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Sautéed Kale
Let's all eat more kale! It is one of the most nutritive foods around - packed with phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Kale is best knows for its cruciferous vegetable anticancer properties, but it also has high levels of calcium, beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, and lutein. Luckily kale is also absolutely delicious if prepared … [Read more...]
Spicy Romanesco with Parmesan
Romanesco, or Roman Broccoli as they call it in Italy, is one of those vegetables that is just plain old fun to cook with. Its striking color and unusual shape keep things interesting, and its subtle cauliflowerish flavor is lovely. I recently took an excellent class at Cooking Classes in Rome with Chef Andrea Consoli, and we made a terrific … [Read more...]
Tuscan Kale Salad
Kale has been an illusive treat on The Big Trip. Amazingly, the kale craze that has taken over the US has not made an appearance in Europe (yet!). It is impossible to find at grocery stores and only very occasionally available at markets. Because of this, I was absolutely delighted to find hefty bunches of Tuscan Kale, also called Lucinato Kale, … [Read more...]
Maple Orange Cranberry Sauce
'Tis the season for cranberry sauce! Although we'll miss our large family Thanksgiving in the US this year, we're getting very excited about making a Thanksgiving feast while we're in Tuscany. I've been thinking about what to prepare for weeks! Some things will certainly be different (for instance a roasted chicken instead of a turkey), but … [Read more...]
Maple Glazed Delicata Squash
If I was forced to pick one recipe that truly symbolizes fall for me, this would be it. I'm a devoted fan of the delicata squash and this simple recipe brings out the best of its flavors. It is sweet, earthy, and totally addicting! We grew lots of delicata on our farm when I was growing up. A wooden crate filled with winter squash ended up … [Read more...]
Stewed Red Cabbage with Apples and Potatoes
Cold weather calls for comfort food - warm, nourishing dishes that fill us up after days spent outdoors and inspire us to hunker down by the fire. Unfortunately there is a misconception that comfort foods equal unhealthy foods, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. This stewed cabbage is absolutely packed with nutrients, yet still … [Read more...]