I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – lentils should be part of your life! They are packed with nutrients, ridiculously easy to make, and delicious every time. I keep me pantry stocked with red, black, and green lentils, and end up using them at least once per week. For this recipe red lentils work best because we’re looking for a soupy … [Read more...]
Homemade Veggie Soup Stock
I had the pleasure of teaching a class on making homemade herbal soup stocks at the Herbstalk Wintergreen Market this past weekend (here are some fun photos from the event!). I loved teaching this class because making my own stocks and broths is seriously one of my favorite kitchen activities. There is something so meditative about saving scraps … [Read more...]
Three Bean Chili
As the weather turns cooler it is so important to eat rich, nutritious, and warming foods. Warming foods can mean both foods that are physically warm, and foods that are filled with warming spices that help warm us on the inside (hot peppers, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom etc.). This chili fits the bill for both! Not to mention also being … [Read more...]
Spring Parsnip Soup with Crispy Leeks
Spring-dug parsnips are one of my favorite treats. You probably think of parsnips as a fall food - one of the root vegetables that appear at markets as the temperatures start to get colder. And you're correct, but some brilliant small farms leave a portion of their parsnips in the ground over the winter and the results are truly … [Read more...]
Kabocha Squash Coconut Curry
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...]
Perfect Every Time Dried Beans
Silky dried beans have long been an elusive beast in my kitchen. Given my commitment to whole foods and traditional cooking methods, I prefer to use dried beans, but often end up slightly crunchy beans that are not-quite-as-good as those from a can. Luckily, I've continued to persevere and am thrilled to announce that I've figured it out. This … [Read more...]
Anatolian Bulgar Stew
My cooking classes on The Big Trip just keep getting better! Last week we took a class at Cappadocia Home Cooking in the small rural town of Ayvali, Turkey. We had a terrific evening getting to know a local family, learned quite a bit about traditional cuisine, and cooked to our hearts content. The evening began with a tour of their beautiful … [Read more...]
Norwegian Cod Soup
Norway is known for its fish and we’ve been lucky enough to sample quite a bit of it while staying in a cabin, north of Bergen. There is a wonderful fish market in Bergen where every possible fish is on display. While at the fish market we had a bowl of local salt cod soup. It was wonderful and I decided to try and recreate it when we … [Read more...]
Sweet Rabbit Stew
As a last hurrah to my time in France I decided to cook rabbit (lapin in French). I'd seen them in all the markets in Paris and it is certainly not something I can easily get in the States. I was a bit daunted about making this since I don't cook meat often, but a friend in Paris shared the idea of cooking rabbit in hard cider and it sounded … [Read more...]
French Onion Soup
I'm trying to cook as many traditional French meals as possible while I'm here. My most recent conquest was french onion soup and it was a total hit. I honestly don't know why I've never tried making it before -- it's totally delicious and surprisingly good for you. I always assumed that rich, creamy flavor came from loads of cream and butter, … [Read more...]
