Last week we took a walk down summer’s lane and gave you a few terrific summer sauces to stock your fridge with. This week we want to tell you a bit about a key ingredient in many of these sauces: parsley. It’s not something we think about much in this country; usually it is found as a garnish on a dish, set to the side, and never eaten. But parsley has so much more to offer than just decoration. It’s unique flavor profile, and nutritional properties make it a great addition to many dishes. And because it is easy to grow in a home garden, it is easy to come by and cheaply! So get out those parsley seeds and plant them in your window box today. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Please Pass the Parsley”
Tag: Healthy Eats
Sweet 16, it’s the Magic Number
As two former New Yorkers who are also strong advocates of cutting sugar consumption across the board, Jessica and I could not remain silent on Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed ban on serving sugary drinks bigger than 16oz. We see both sides of the argument, and applaud the Mayor for bringing to the forefront the idea that as a nation we consume too much, and in particular too many sweet foods and drinks. While it seems over-the-top to have your drinking rights regulated in – by some measures – the greatest city in the free world, it is a proven fact that the larger the portion size the more we consume. And, as the size of sugary drinks has risen from a standard of 6.5 ounces in 1960 to 20 ounces today, Mayor Bloomberg may just have a point. Because if it’s water or vegetables we are talking about, certainly more is better, but when the item in discussion is sugary soda the result is less than ideal and bordering on dangerous. So, in honor of the Mayor’s bravery and willingness to talk about this issue, we dedicate this week’s post to portion sizes, big and small. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Sweet 16, it’s the Magic Number”
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?”
Why We Do It!
A week and a half ago my mother, Anita, arrived in Tiburon for her annual visit. I look forward to these trips not only because she is my mother, but also because she is the best cook I know, she thinks riding a bike to your destination is always better than driving, and at 71 she can still out climb me (as she did this past weekend in Yosemite). What’s more, she is the quintessential native Italian woman, as she does not suffer fools when it comes to food. While sitting in a local diner in the Yosemite area she turned to me and said, “With the way food is made here in the US, no wonder you put so much emphasis on cooking your own meals.” Luckily she didn’t say it in English, but if I were to be completely honest I’d say she’s right. While we have multiple different convenient ways to feed ourselves, we can very rarely find well-prepared, wholesome, healthy store-bought or restaurant food. So, read on to hear our top reasons why you should make home cooking a priority (besides that you’ll make Anita happy). Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Why We Do It!”
Come and Cook with Us 