Ready to eat something healthy and nourishing after a week of holiday indulgence? Me too! I actually made this curry while we were in Slovenia this fall, but I've been craving warm, healthful soups in this cold weather and was reminded of this recipe. The robust, spicy flavor and loads of healthful ingredients make this soup a perfect choice for … [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...]
No-Fuss Roasted Eggplant Parmigiana
So, now that I've gotten you jazzed about Italian food with my Tuscan Kale Salad and Quattro Pomodoro Sauce, it's time to complete the trifecta. The food in Italy is divine. Good food is just in the air over here - you can't walk down a street without seeing beautiful pizzas calling out from shop windows, or markets with overflowing baskets of … [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...]
Quinoa Pasta with Butternut Squash and Mountain Sage
It all started on a hike through Montenegro with loads of mountain sage growing along the trail. At first I just picked a few leaves to sniff and play with while hiking, but soon my gathering instinct got the better of me and I had a huge bouquet by the time we reached the summit. I love the smell and taste of sage and have become even … [Read more...]
Early Fall Dinner Party Menu
(Photo credit StyleBlueprint.com) I was recently talking with a friend about food (surprise, surprise!) and she mentioned that she really enjoys hosting dinner parties, but never knows what to make. This … [Read more...]
Roasted Cauliflower with Caper & Dill Yogurt Sauce
Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that gets a bad rap. It ends up in dried-out chunks on veggie platters or mushy lumps in curry dishes and rarely gets to be the star of the show. This is such a missed opportunity because cauliflower is absolutely delicious and one of the healthiest options out there. This dish brings cauliflower the glory … [Read more...]