I massacred this fish. It was shameful. As a person who hates over-cooked seafood, snuffs her nose when bones are left in a fillet at a restaurant, and figures that if she's going to eat a generally unsustainable thing it had better be the best thing she ever ate, I currently … [Read more...] about A Delicious Mess: Roasted Salmon in Red Wine Sauce with Sweet Potatoes and Leeks
Vegetables
Butternut Squash and Bean Soup
When you have the triumvirate of soup vegetables in your fridge (carrots, leeks, and celery), you make soup. Simple as that. I also had a butternut squash. So that went in too. And some cooked black-eyed peas. If I'd had a potato or celeriac or spinach or chard, I would have … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash and Bean Soup
The Globe & Mail, Perfectly Roasted Beets, and My Renewed Faith in Print Media
It's been a long time since I trusted a recipe from a newspaper. In general I figure most newspaper recipes are very good, but you hit a bad one and it scares you off. So why give them a second chance when you have reliable, overly-tested cookbooks, as I do. But I love roasted … [Read more...] about The Globe & Mail, Perfectly Roasted Beets, and My Renewed Faith in Print Media
Simple Vegetable Soup: Leek, Celery, Carrot, Kale, and Potato
Sometimes I feel like my digestive system is over-worked, it's unionized, and is picketing... So, like any good enlightened despot I give a false reprise. I make soup in an effort to convince my stomach its won before diving wholeheartedly back into grains, breads, beans, meat, … [Read more...] about Simple Vegetable Soup: Leek, Celery, Carrot, Kale, and Potato
Raw Beet Sushi and a Bloody Mess
It took a lot of tries before I got a picture of a beet juice-free plate of this sushi... Boy was I was sick of beet salad. There's just nothing gourmet and exciting about yet again shredding a few pounds of the juicy things and tossing it with apple cider vinegar, or lemon … [Read more...] about Raw Beet Sushi and a Bloody Mess
The Jerusalem Artichoke Manifesto
I have strong opinions about vegetables. I have equally strong opinions about overly-verbose political writings. With that in mind I offer a concise list (with added optional endnotes) of my personal beliefs with regards to Jerusalem artichokes: 1. Jerusalem artichokes … [Read more...] about The Jerusalem Artichoke Manifesto
At (My New) Home Without Madhur Jaffrey: Sambhar Without Drumsticks
I've moved a lot. 9 places in 7 years, last I counted. Over 30 roommates. With the good comes the bad. In one I only had a mini fridge but in another I had a gas stove...until I got asked to leave because the landlord wanted to move back in with his psychologically troubled … [Read more...] about At (My New) Home Without Madhur Jaffrey: Sambhar Without Drumsticks
Two-Potato Vindaloo from “Plenty”
Normally I wouldn't turn to a general vegetable cookbook for an Indian potato recipe, but this one, "Plenty", from UK chef and newspaper columnist Yotam Ottolenghi has it all. More important, however, is what it doesn't have: No bought pre-ground spice blends or pastes! The … [Read more...] about Two-Potato Vindaloo from “Plenty”
How to Roast a Squash
1. Wash it. 2. Slice it in half lengthwise. 3. Scoop out the seeds and the slimey bits 4. Place it cut-side-down on a baking sheet or casserole. 5. Place in preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. The bigger the squash, the more time it requires. Up to 45 max. You can … [Read more...] about How to Roast a Squash
Beet, Carrot, and Apple Slaw
Generally, when I have a whole bunch of vegetables in my fridge and I don't feel like turning on the oven or getting out the cutting board, I ask myself, "How much of this can go in the food processor?" If the answer is "lots," I say, "Great!" and start shredding. No need to … [Read more...] about Beet, Carrot, and Apple Slaw