Nothing says “I love you” quite like a sinfully decadent treat, especially one that’s handmade with affection. And you can’t get much more sinful and decadent than a rich, dark chocolate mousse. The fact that chocolate mousse takes mere minutes to prepare, and is practically fail-safe to boot, serves to really butter up your significant […]
Author Archives: Briana Goodall, CPC
05
Feb
Feb
I think I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again; I’m a soup person. I truly think I could be content eating soup once a day all year long, even in the heat of summer. But I can think of no better time to make a big pot of hot soup than at times […]
29
Jan
Jan
I’m always on the lookout for new, unusual flavors and unique combinations of ingredients that harmonize well with each other. When I came across the concept of a spicy, Sichuan-style stir-fry, combining classic Chinese staples, like soy sauce and chiles, with cumin, a spice most associated with Middle Eastern and Mexican cooking, I was thoroughly […]
22
Jan
Jan
Everything’s better with bacon, right? Well, most vegetarians may disagree, but to me it’s completely understandable why this stuff is called The Gateway Meat. I actually personally know some folks who proclaim they “don’t really eat meat, except the occasional fish…oh, and bacon.” I’m of the impression that if it’s not made better with bacon, […]
15
Jan
Jan
The month of January prompts many of us to increase our focus on self-improvement. I personally make every attempt to avoid use of the term “resolution. It somehow seems to turn this time of inner reflection into more of a cliché than it should be. However, the beginning of a new year is a fitting—some […]
08
Jan
Jan
As much as I enjoy all the happiness and cheer of the holiday season, I, like many, am often quite exhausted after the hubbub is over. I have come to accept the fact that my chosen career path is one that requires working additional long and strenuous hours during most of the exciting occasions throughout […]
01
Jan
Jan
In the past few years, I have noticed a massive resurgence of interest in nose-to-tail eating—that is, the revival of using all parts of the animal, with somewhat of an emphasis on those frequently overlooked pieces that are, more often than not, reserved for things like pet food. Due in part to increased awareness of […]
25
Dec
Dec
Cod is inarguably the most familiar, wild-caught fish gracing the dinner tables in this country. Unfortunately, that familiarity has caused somewhat of a snub to the species, as if its quality depreciates with its popularity. Mild, with a medium-firm flesh, cod produces large, snow white flakes when cooked, and adapts to almost any cooking method […]
18
Dec
Dec
Crisp, frigid days customarily inspire foods that are cooked long and slow and served piping hot to warm our bones and nourish our souls during the cold winter months. For me, the same usually applies to my vegetable side dishes (besides the cooked long and slow detail, for the most part). There is no question […]
11
Dec
Dec
For the past five years or so, I’ve been catering a holiday party for a local dentist and his staff. These folks love to have fun and are always extremely creative in each year’s theme, going all out with games, food, and drinks to suit the occasion. The most recent theme was the Winter Olympics, […]
04
Dec
Dec
I’m a soup girl. Honestly, if I didn’t have to think about pleasing the other members of my household, I would surely eat soup a few times a week. Maybe more. To me, it is the ultimate comfort food. And between the nourishing, mineral-rich broth and soup’s adaptability to the addition of any vegetable in […]
27
Nov
Nov
Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and many of us are looking forward to a long, relaxing weekend, spent with family, friends, and of course, the traditional turkey. And while I do love the actual holiday feast, I honestly prefer the leftovers even more. More specifically, I love not having to think much about what to eat for […]
20
Nov
Nov
Winter squash are in abundance right now, and with the multitude of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors, the possibilities to add them to our weekly meal rotations are endless. Two of my personal favorites are delicata and sweet dumpling, each similar in taste and texture. Besides their flesh being sweet and creamy, they are also […]
13
Nov
Nov
Cool crisp days and chilly nights evoke a yearning for rib-sticking comfort foods. Few things are more satisfying than a succulent, rich dish of layered potatoes, cream, and cheese. This week, I was fortunate enough to get a hold of some freshly dug sunchokes, so I thought I would prepare a unique twist on a […]
06
Nov
Nov
As the hours of daylight really start waning, I often find myself compelled to eat dinner much earlier than usual. I jokingly call it “senior-citizen time.” However, though home-life tends to slow right down each autumn, all other daily activities keep at a relatively steady pace. Essentially, this means that there is actually less time […]
30
Oct
Oct
I seriously debated presenting any pumpkin recipes in this blog. After all, the ubiquitous vegetable is certainly not lacking in publicity these days; it’s whirled into spiced lattes, nestled in ravioli, whipped into silken soups. I hesitated jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon, concerned that adding yet another pumpkin recipe to the vast collection may only […]
23
Oct
Oct
If I had to name one vegetable that sends most folks running, it would be Brussels sprouts. Unfortunately, what creates this stigma is incessant overcooking that releases sulfuric compounds. It’s really too bad because Brussels sprouts are quite delicious and extremely good for you. They are also coming in to their peak season right now. […]
16
Oct
Oct
I was lucky enough to get my hands on some freshly caught sardines this week—and they caught me quite off guard. I’d never dealt with the whole fish before. Come to think of it, I’d never done anything but pluck them from a can. But when a client requested fresh sardines, I finally realized what […]
09
Oct
Oct
People are always talking about the importance of eating our greens. And while greens are certainly some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around, we should also not forget to eat our “whites”—more specifically, sulfurous whites like the alliums (onions, garlic, leeks) and brassicas (cauliflower). As a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, cauliflower has a […]
02
Oct
Oct
It was cold today—damp, boots and sweater-wearing, bone-chilling cold. Okay, maybe it only felt that frigid because yesterday I was wearing shorts and flip-flops. But it made me want to eat soup, under a blanket. Instead, I opted for this tart! Why? Because I’m obviously not quite ready to let go of summer yet. And […]