Mojito I put a bottle of champagne on ice to toast the engagement of young friends joining us for dinner a few weeks ago. When I learned that they don’t drink alcohol, I quickly switched gears to this virgin version of my favorite summer refresher, the Mojito. These two aren’t the only ones not drinking. […]
Get the Most from Probiotic-Rich Foods
July 22, 2019 by 1 Comment
Skyr-Swirled Beet Dip Fermented foods are hot – consumption increased 149% in 2018, led by more novel products like kombucha and kimchi (3). For the past 2 years, dietitian-nutritionists ranked fermented foods #1 on the list of popular foods in the 7th annual report, “What’s Trending in Nutrition” (1,2). Growth in the world of fermented […]
It’s Time to Grill Garlic Scapes
June 21, 2019 by 1 Comment
Ricotta Gnocchi with Garlic Scapes, Mushrooms and Fennel In season now, fresh garlic scapes caught my eye at Metropolitan Market and I grabbed a bunch. I followed the cooking tip posted in-store, brushed them with olive oil and tossed them on the grill to accompany chicken kebabs. Easy and quick – scapes brighten, soften and […]
Dad Wants Dessert
June 14, 2019 by 1 Comment
Triple Almond Raspberry-Rhubarb Crumble End your Dad’s Day celebration on a sweet note with an old-fashioned “crumble.” A crumble isn’t fancy, it’s good. The secret is to serve it in fancy dishes. Surely you’ve buried some heirloom dishes in a dusty cabinet that are begging for a place at the table. I used my Nana […]
The World of Pasta Grows Beyond Wheat
May 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Asparagus-Basil Pesto Move over wheat – the action in the pasta world is with “alternatives” made from vegetables, legumes, quinoa and grains like rice and corn. These alternative pastas are only about 2% of the pasta category, but their growth is remarkable, up 19% annually. Compare that to traditional wheat pasta, a “low growth” category, […]
Red Sauce – An American Icon?
April 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Thank you, Bon Appetit, for “Red Sauce America ” a celebration of the Italian American Restaurants we love. (1) . Who doesn’t have a memory, or many, made in an Italian-American “red sauce” restaurant? I do. As I child, my family frequented Banchero’s, in San Leandro, California. Your meal came in courses – a relish […]
What is Healthy?
April 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Thai-Inspired Turkey in Lettuce Cups (Larb or Laab) I get lots of questions about foods and diets- many about what is “good” or ‘bad.” Are potatoes bad? Is a low-carb diet good? Is whole milk healthy? Can I drink diet soda? Most of the time my answer turns into a series of questions. What foods […]
Eat Like You’re On A Tropical Vacation
February 28, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Nappa Spoons with Lentil-Rice Caviar, Mango, Avocado, Almonds and Mango-Chia Sauce You may not be basking in sunshine on a beach today, but it doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself a taste of an exotic vacation. With mango prices as low as a dollar each,I took a culinary adventure with this tropical fruit in […]
Fuel Up For Winter Sports
February 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Chocolate Oat Breakfast Sundae I don’t typically make much of breakfast, but there’s nothing like a series of snow storms to work up an appetite for a hearty start to the morning. An upcoming snow shoe adventure got me cooking. Warm oatmeal is a winter classic. Chocolate, berries and nuts make it even better. Steel […]
Honor Your Heart with a Bowl of Ribollita
February 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment
February is National Heart Month It’s nearly Valentine’s Day – time to celebrate friends and loved ones. It’s also time to honor your heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women and an elevated blood cholesterol level is a major risk factor (1,2). Food and lifestyle choices matter. Eating […]
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