I'm reviewing a new cookbook called The Smart Palate. It was created by the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center at McGill University. It's three authors aim for easy-to-make recipes that are visually appealing and healthy. Healthy in their views means fairly low in … [Read more...] about Spiced Orange, Fig and Toasted Sunflower Pilaf
Sides
Shrimp with Bananas, Almonds and Agua Diabla: Recreating ABC Cocina Restaurant at Home
ABC Cocina restaurant in NYC blew me away, from the Tequila in my lime- and basil-rimmed margarita to my patatas bravas infused with vinegar and salt and topped with an addictive sweet chili sauce to the tamarind-glazed fish. But everyone at our table agreed on the best dish: the … [Read more...] about Shrimp with Bananas, Almonds and Agua Diabla: Recreating ABC Cocina Restaurant at Home
Healthy Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers with Avocado Dip
There's a slow burn that comes from cooked jalapeno. You bite into a baked or fried whole pepper and there's a mild sweetness of the roasted flesh. Then bitterness hits from the skin and membrane as you chew. And finally, there's the heat. That's what you wait for. It's what … [Read more...] about Healthy Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers with Avocado Dip
Loaded Nachos, Salsa, Guacamole: Enough chili pepper to kill a winter
There's a feeling that comes about this time of year that I call panic. It builds with every snow fall, with every frozen eyelash. It couples with the swearing I hear from my own mouth as I walk to the metro. And it multiplies like a parasite until something happens to calm your … [Read more...] about Loaded Nachos, Salsa, Guacamole: Enough chili pepper to kill a winter
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry
When you buy and cook a squash, don't throw out the seeds. Sure, they're sticky and kind of gross, but if you wash them, strain them and toss them with salt, pepper and oil, they bake up to cheap treat perfection. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Seeds of 1 pumpkin or squash 1 tsp olive … [Read more...] about Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry
7th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza: The Pictures
My family's annual Christmas party happened yesterday. As usual, it was ridiculous: There were the beef tacos. And the chicken tacos. And the shredded chicken with Mexican rice, black beans and aioli crema. Since the party was tex-mex themed, there was a table with … [Read more...] about 7th Annual Volk/Watson Extravaganza: The Pictures
Wok-Fired Bok Choy with Peanut Sauce
I waited about a month before pulling this last pak choy (like bok choy) from my garden. It's a little like kale in that it's hardy and can handle the first frosts. Mostly I wanted to keep something green growing, in an effort to fend off winter, which would inevitably fail. I … [Read more...] about Wok-Fired Bok Choy with Peanut Sauce
Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Roasting is highly underrated. There's really nothing like sticking a big tray of vegetables in the oven and letting it brown to soft, chewy, crispy perfection. And it's so easy. Any idiot could do it. Okay, maybe not the kind of idiot who tends to leave the oven on. I had one … [Read more...] about Roasted Cauliflower with Red Onions and Grapes
Spicy Sichuan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Shrimp
I really thought this was a bitter melon. It started growing in my garden. Actually, it just appeared mysteriously on a vine one morning, after presumably spending at least a couple days hiding under some leafy vines on my trellis. I had planted bitter melon, but I'd also planted … [Read more...] about Spicy Sichuan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Shrimp
Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil
I gave a canning class today where we made pink grapefruit marmalade and carrot and cauliflower giardiniera. And if you've never heard of giardiniera, you're not alone...and you're not Italian. Italians have some great pickled vegetable recipes, one of the most popular being … [Read more...] about Italian Marinated Eggplant Antipasto in Olive Oil