Tag Archives: healthy recipes

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The versatility of shrimp is endless. It takes well to assertive flavors, such as curries, but is equally happy bathed simply in its own juices, along with a splash of white wine. It is also a quick and convenient way to get a tasty dinner on the table. No wonder it is such a popular […]

The long days of summer are behind us, but the warmth of early September continues to produce delicious bounties from the garden. Serve up this colorful side dish alongside grilled or roasted meats, or treat it as a satisfying vegetarian entrée beside a salad and some crusty bread. The addition of soft, melted fontina and […]

Here in Colorado, late August seems to be the time when my tomato and tomatillo plants start really pumping out fruit. One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is with freshly-cut, homemade salsas. The true tomato flavor of sun-ripened, just-plucked fruit is no comparison to the pale, mealy specimens often found in the grocery […]

Blueberries add a sweet note to this savory salad, while boosting brain and nerve cell power. The fresh crunch of raw corn kernels (that’s right, I said raw) and crisp cucumber complement the plump berries in a salad that screams summer. Corn is best enjoyed at its peak, as freshly harvested as possible, for both […]

Most of the time, I prefer my meat to shine in all its glory, with not much more than a simple dose of salt and pepper. But sometimes I get bored with just a hunk of meat on my plate, and I feel the urge to jazz things up a little. When I stumbled across […]

I recently went away on vacation and returned home to a garden grown to such heights it resembles a rainforest. Amidst the wave of spaghetti squash tendrils and stalks of majestic purple amaranth, I have been blessed/cursed with a plethora of six varieties of cucumber. I can’t express my joy enough: some hungry critter, who […]

The days are finally here where garden-fresh tomatoes are beginning to grace our tables. There really is nothing like that first luscious fruit plucked from the plant, still warm from the sun and bursting with intense flavor. It’s the time of year where I practically live off versions of this salad and BLTs. By adding […]

Cabbage, the unglamorous, underappreciated cousin of uber-trendy kale, just doesn’t get enough props these days. It’s unfortunate, because not only is it quite affordable in comparison to other leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, but it is rich in dietary fiber, phytonutrients and, surprisingly, even omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Used extensively throughout history as both a […]

This classic combination of chocolate, whipped cream, and cherries originated in Germany. Historians believe it dates as far back as the 16th century, from a region known for its sour cherries and kirsch (cherry brandy). Most recipes I come across these days call for store-bought cherry pie filling and maraschino cherries, both loaded with preservatives, […]