Fermented food is getting its due these days, with more and more research showing the health benefits of eating probiotic and lacto-fermented foods. What does that mean, exactly? Well, that all your parents’ worries about keeping the food in the fridge and making sure mold never made an appearance in…
Saying ‘No’ to Sugar
For the last three weeks — since Ash Wednesday, on February 14th — I have eaten almost no sugar. (And, man, have those three weeks felt like three years!) I gave up sugar for Lent because, for me, it’s a real sacrifice. While I’m not much of a candy girl,…
Stromboli Sandwiches
Mid-winter days are when a hearty bowl of soup or tray of comforting lasagna is what my body craves. While I’m trying to hit the Vitamin C and the leafy greens hard, I also think there’s something to be said for a filling meal to stave off the dark and…
8 New Ways to Love Local Food
As any gardener will tell you, the cold and dark of January and February have their place in the rhythms of the year. These are the months of dreams and plans, the time when ideas sparked during busy growing or harvest days can be tended and fanned and stoked…
Mini Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes
I’ve made plenty of cupcakes over the years, as well as my share of sheet cakes and cookie cakes. But mini cheesecakes just might take the cake as my favorite celebratory sweet. As Valentine’s Day and my birthday are just around the corner, seems like just the right moment to…
Asian Cucumber Salad
I have made some version of this salad for many years. Its cool cucumbers and cilantro mix perfectly with the heat of the pepper flakes, the sweet of the ginger and the crunch of the peanuts. There are lots of variations of this dish out there. This recipe is my take,…
How to Make More Local Food Choices
I have shared this graphic on social media and in my newsletter over the last few months. But the more I sit in meetings about how to connect eaters with local food growers and the more I write about why local food matters to me, the more I love what…
All-Butter Pie Crust
I’ve been working at improving my pie crusts for years. I’ve asked every baker I know for tips. (Flatten the dough slightly before rolling it out. Freeze the dough before working it.) I’ve written stories about pies. I’ve amassed a large body of knowledge about how to make a beautiful,…
8 Tips for a Healthier 2018
It’s January and we are pumped to eat salads, drop some pounds, get in shape, right? Well … if you’re like me, that’s a yes and a no. I definitely want to get back into my routine, to eat lighter than I have been and to move my body more.…
Lentil Cornbread Dinner
I came across a version of this recipe when I was first married and looking for easy, one-dish meals that I could put together in the morning and cook when I got home from work. With lentils as the main ingredient, I didn’t count on this being a big hit, but my…