There are certain foods that one discovers later in life. For me, ginger is one of them. Growing up with a heavily Austrian/Italian cuisine, I found out about ginger’s zingy flavor, medicinal properties and anti-inflammatory capabilities when I was exposed to it through Asian foods. Back in Italy, we didn’t really use it. In fact, we didn’t even have ginger-snaps, as our equivalent holiday cookies – Lebkuchen – doesn’t feature that spice at all. The multitude of favorable healthy benefits of this spice is only matched by it’s many uses. Ginger’s tangy flavor, spiciness, freshness and mellow sweetness complements many a dish, both sweet and savory: think stir-fries and ice creams. My son loves ginger and would eat it every day: cooked, steamed, and, if he could have it his way, candied. This week, come and pickle some fresh ginger with us! Continue reading “Going Ga-Ga over Pickled Ginger”
Tag: Healthy Eats
The Queen of Bitter: Dandelions
Few people personify the concept of living with the seasons more than my mother. In touch with the world around them, my parents harvest the fruits and vegetables that their many plants and trees provide throughout the year. Whether early radishes, winter salads, watercress or dandelions, we always knew when spring had sprung from what was served at the table. Back by popular demand, please give a round of applause to dandelions, the queen of bitter. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “The Queen of Bitter: Dandelions”
Spring for Green
The change happens suddenly. One day you crave hearty food that warms your body and soul and the next day you wake up to Spring. In Northern California it has finally arrived. Well, maybe winter never really came. But that’s another story. Let’s just say that when we planned our menu for St.Patrick’s we opted for a pesto pasta. When the actual day finally rolled around, I suddenly found myself opting for a lighter, fresher and more season-appropriate meal featuring leafy greens, shoots and fresh herbs in a perfectly Green Avocado Quinoa salad – an instant classic. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Spring for Green”
Happy Anniversary!
You didn’t really think you’d get away without reading about healthy habits to adopt in 2015? Even if we already know what’s good for us, it can still be helpful to review some of “the basics” about healthy foods. If your 2015 list is already overwhelmingly long, do me a favor and add just this one new year’s resolution: Eat more produce! Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Happy Anniversary!”
Clarifying Clarified Butter
Ever heard of ghee or clarified butter? In an effort to use more whole-some and truly “natural” ingredients, ghee and clarified butter have made a come-back in many cookbooks – or maybe they really have never left – and are often used instead of highly refined plant oils. Do you regularly use it? Do you know why so many recipes do? Have you ever made it? Today we’ll look at ghee and clarified butter in more detail. My grandmother and mother regularly use it, always having a little bowl of it in the fridge or cold pantry. Let’s see what’s all the fuss about ghee. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Clarifying Clarified Butter”
Come and Cook with Us 