Author Archives: Briana Goodall, CPC

As we transition from the Indian summer days of September to the crisp autumnal days of October, I start to feel a strong hankering for comforting food. Nothing quite satisfies on a cool, blustery fall day like a bowl of piping hot soup. Most gastronomic historians will agree that the lineage of borscht (or borsch, […]

With its dense texture and mild flavor, swordfish is a surefire hit on many a summer table. Even people who think they don’t like fish might be persuaded by its distinctly un-fish-like characteristics. Because of these traits, swordfish is perfectly suited for bold flavors that other, more fragile kinds of fish could simply not stand […]

Few things scream summer like sweet, juicy fruit. And to me, nothing tastes better than a perfectly ripe nectarine—all the flavor of a peach without the fuzzy package. While most days I simply choose to eat my summer fruit in hand, I also love presenting the bounty in more creative and elaborate ways. After all, […]

At the start of adolescence I began my first job in a hip, made-from-scratch bakery. It was an experience that propelled me into my adoration for all things food, and made me truly appreciate the love, patience, and dedication that goes into preparing artisanal breads and pastries. I didn’t realize at the time, though, how […]

I’m always on the lookout for new foods to feed my 3-year-old. Thankfully, she has somewhat of an eclectic palate for a child her age—and loves vegetables, phew! But she still has that picky toddler thing going on. Being a chef and food-lover myself, I try to introduce her to unusual, exciting flavors so that […]

Though orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are often referred to as yams in North America, they’re two botanically distinct species. It’s a little-known fact that true yams—a unique tuber rarely, if ever, available on this side of the pond—only grow in Asia and Africa, while sweet potatoes are native to the Americas and thrive in warm climates. […]

It’s time to say hello to barbeque season, in all its splendid, fire-charred glory! This is my favorite time of year as a cook. Nothing pleases me more than firing up the grill to prepare an entire meal without the stovetop or oven (especially in my little non-air-conditioned house). But it’s not just the relief […]

I don’t know if it’s because of the change in seasons and the oncoming warm weather, but I’ve been craving especially bold flavors lately. This simple, super tasty meal begins with a pungent, Moroccan-inspired fish seared over a smoking hot grill until crispy. It’s served with a unique, Spanish-inspired salad that complements it to a […]

This crisp and refreshing salad is inspired by a traditional French dish called salade Lyonnaise, from the province of Lyon. I’m a salad girl, and I’m known to combine multitudes of items in one big bowl. However, the French have this way of keeping their salads extremely minimal and unadulterated, which I find I can […]

Duck is a little bit foreign to many people this side of the Atlantic. I believe this unfamiliarity, paired with the misconception that duck is difficult to deal with—too fatty or too extravagant—leads many people to shy away from an excellent, and delicious, protein alternative. Instead, we savor it only on special occasions when a […]

Shortcake is a choice dessert for a healthy makeover, since it’s not terribly sweet to begin with. By subbing whole grain flour for typical refined white flour, and using honey and maple syrup to sweeten, I’ve been able to create a treat that you don’t have to feel terribly guilty eating. Rich and buttery, and […]

I love homemade, freshly-pressed juices, but I always feel as if a lot of valuable fiber in the pulp is left behind after juicing. Between this and my juicer failing to extract much out of leafy greens, I set out to concoct a nutrient-rich vegetable smoothie instead. This favorite combination is as delicious as it […]

I love the versatility of eggs. They’re my favorite go-to protein when I need something simple, enjoyable, and fast. I definitely don’t reserve them for breakfast, either. In fact, I think I probably eat more eggs for dinner—atop a crisp salad or whipped into a quick frittata—than I do for breakfast. Since I’m regularly looking […]

Once considered somewhat of a delicacy, modern farming and technology have been able to provide us with asparagus for a good part of the year. However, at its heart, asparagus is still an iconic spring vegetable—one of the first specimens to mark the arrival of the season when its peculiar shoots peek from the ground […]

I grew up on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. Besides being somewhat notorious for our laid-back attitude and astonishing ratio of artists per capita, the island has always been known for its tender, mildly flavored lamb. I’m not quite sure what makes this lamb so exceptional, but it rivals anything I have ever […]

This classic Milanese braise literally translates as “bone with a hole,” in reference to the succulent exposed marrow from the cross-cut shank bone. Although the dish is traditionally made with veal shanks, I’ve found that beef is not only much more economical but seems to contain more flavor than its younger counterpart, so it’s a […]

Flan is a classic egg custard dessert, particularly familiar to many Latin American tables. Though regional variations are found all over the world, flan’s roots are most likely found in France, where the custard is more commonly known as crème caramel. The dessert is essentially a reversed crème brûlée, with an exception that flan and […]

Spring is just around the corner, or so I keep reassuring myself. Without fail, there comes a very precise moment towards the tail end of winter where my body screams “Stop! No more soup! Please, please give me a glimpse of summer, and feed me something light and refreshing!” That moment generally occurs sometime between […]