While there are many people who inspire me in the kitchen (Jessica being the first), Meredith McCarty is the only person I study with at least twice a year. A dedicated macrobiotic eater, and chef, Meredith has been teaching about the benefits of a healthy diet for most of her life, and she has the looks to show it (older than my mom, she looks younger than my sister). One of the best things I have learned from Meredith is to always make a pot of rice, a pot of beans and a pot of broth every week. This way, you’ll be eating plenty of whole grains, healthy proteins and nutritious vegetable broths and won’t get stuck eating pasta with bolognese sauce every other day. In previous posts we wrote about beans, and broths. Today I’m going to share with you one of my best secrets: how to make the perfect pot of rice! Continue reading “Perfect Pot of (Brown) Rice”
Author: Kathrin
What is a Microbiome and Why Should I Care?
If you are a regular reader of our blog (and we hope you are) you know that we write not only about the fruits and vegetables in season right now, but also about healthy-living-through-food-related topics such as the benefits of water, and when to choose organic. Recently, I’ve been attending classes with one of my favorite chef-authors, Meredith McCarty, and learning a lot about the role bacteria plays in keeping us healthy. So I was excited to read about the results of a study that is mapping the genetic material of bacteria in healthy people, and changing the research landscape in this field. It inspired me to dedicate today’s post to the brilliant little microbes that keep us on track: healthy bacteria. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “What is a Microbiome and Why Should I Care?”
Razzle, Dazzle … Raspberries are Back in Town!
If you are lucky enough to have a garden full of raspberries right now you likely don’t need any advice about what to do with these fragile, yet delicious dark red fruits. In fact, you’re probably popping a few in your mouth right now, and wouldn’t I like to be your friend? If you are like me, however, and have to love raspberries from afar (or a very hefty price at the store) most of the year, this is your season. Raspberries are making their seasonal debut right now, prices for these fruits are reasonable, and the product is terrific. And, almost nothing compares to raspberries when it comes to welcoming the summer that is nearly here. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Razzle, Dazzle … Raspberries are Back in Town!”
Bitter is Better
There are many beliefs and opinions on food that I share with Jessica, but there is one thing about which we disagree: bitter food. Jessica loves bitter food; I, on the other hand, struggle to stomach it. Growing up it was the one taste sensation that was very hard for me to … swallow. And even though today I understand that bitter food aids digestion by nature of its molecular structure, which is similar to the juices in our stomach, I remain skeptical. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal Review “For Healthy Eating, Bitter is Better” written by Barb Stuckey gave me enough of a nudge, however, to consider balancing my sweet nothings with a little bitterness every now and again. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Bitter is Better”
Mango Hedgehogs Anyone?
Eating my first mango is a moment I will never forget. I was fifteen and we were on a vacation in the Indian Ocean, and the waiter put a bowl of fruit in front of me. It looked like melon, but the smell was so exotic I thought, ‘there’s something different here’. My first bite was surprising and delightful, and the memory is so powerful that seeing, smelling or tasting a fresh mango always brings it back; what a glorious way to think about this fantastic fruit. My children’s first mango experience was not nearly as rich – mangoes were a staple in their baby food, as I had developed a strong attachment them by then – but my boys benefit greatly from their year round availability. Lucky boys. Nevertheless, this is the time of year when super sweet mangoes are available at reasonable prices. So join me in my walk down memory lane and grab a few mangoes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Come and cook with us. Continue reading “Mango Hedgehogs Anyone?”
Come and Cook with Us 