February 27, 2012
For me, roasted sweet potato fries are just as good as deep fried. I like mine a little on the burnt side, and they do burn easily, so it can be a close call occasionally. I’ve made these in all different shapes – fries, planks, wedges, circles – doesn’t matter as long as you cut them in about the same thickness. If you don’t mind the skin, I recommend leaving it on to boost the fiber and nutritional value.
March 28, 2012
Swiss Chard is a powerful looking green. The leaves are huge and sturdy and the rainbow variety is particularly stunning. Whenever I pick chard up at the store, I think, I’m really giving my body something to work with here.
March 11, 2013
The inspiration for this Squash and Arugula Salad with Wheatberries and Harissa came from the fall 2012 menu of Le Pain Quotidien in NYC. Their dish used Israeli couscous, and I wanted to make a more nutritious version with wheatberries. Their chewy texture and pearl size is similar to Israeli couscous. I already know this will be a favorite of mine – the sweet squash, chewy wheatberries, peppery arugula, salty cheese, and spicy harissa – yum.
February 7, 2013
Broccoli Rabe is a beautiful green. It has cute little broccoli florets nestled between large green leaves. The cuteness factor ends with its appearance however, because the taste packs a punch. Broccoli Rabe is a member of the Brassica family (think cabbages) and it has a bite that is similar to mustard greens (of which it is a close relative). Broccoli Rabe, and all members of the brassica family, are shown to have cancer fighting properties and are particularly effective against stomach, lung, and colon cancers. With a history of colon cancer in my family, I make a particular effort and use some cooking techniques to soften the bitter flavor.
January 30, 2013
During the colder months nothing hits the spot like a bowl of chili. I like to make my chili with lots of veggies and either ground beef or dark meat turkey. I use bourbon to deglaze the pot after browning the meat, but you could use any alcohol you have on hand – wine, beer, etc. Or skip that step entirely and scrape the bottom of the pot when you add the crushed tomatoes.
March 7, 2012
This is a really easy recipe for steamed broccoli with basic vinaigrette. Broccoli cooks quickly when you steam it, so it’s a good way to go if you don’t have a lot of time. When I steam broccoli, I prefer to leave the florets with a few inches of stem, but give them a quick peel so it’s easier to bite into.
September 6, 2012
When health experts tell people to eat more dark leafy greens, kale is a popular choice. It can have a bitter flavor when eaten raw, so usually I saute it with a little olive oil and butter. However, I saw a recipe in Eating Well for a raw “massaged kale” salad gave it a try.
April 26, 2012
This delicious soup is courtesy of Harvest Eating – a great website with tons of seasonal recipes. The recipe is simple, and the result is a warm and comforting soup, plus it’s a great way to use up a lot of kale. I have made this with both pastured pork chorizo sausage, turkey and chicken chorizo sausage, and all turned out well.
February 15, 2012
Parsnips are one of my favorite winter vegetables. They are related to the carrot, but are slightly sweeter and have an earthy flavor. This recipe for Skillet Roasted Parsnips cooks them simply with butter and chicken broth – and allows them to brown at the end so they are extra delicious. Because of the sweet flavor, parsnips are also a good choice for picky kids at home.
March 6, 2013
I made up this simple recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash with Olive Oil and Sea Salt to use as part of a larger dish – squash and arugula salad with wheatberries – and it was so tasty that I barely had enough leftover for my recipe. Butternut squash has a sweet, mild earthy flavor and the texture is almost meaty. Roasting it simply with olive oil and sea salt, and pepper allows the flavor to shine.