May 9, 2016
I couldn't resist buying three pints of strawberries at the opening day for the St. Helena Farmers' Market last Friday. The sweet smell wafted my way and drew me in. For some reason I was reminded of the fruit roll ups I used to eat as a kid (well, only at my friends' houses...my mom would never buy foods with artificially anything! thanks mom!). Starring at a dehydrator I never use, I knew I could do better than those high fructose, artificially colored "fruit" snacks of my youth. And I was right! Plus they are super easy to make...
April 11, 2016
When did artichokes and edamame fall out of food fashion? Probably about the time kale made it's rise...well, I'd like to bring them back and together in this cooked vegetable salad inspired by Sicily. Caponata typically is a summer-time delight made with eggplant and tomatoes. I'm still planning on doing that in a few months, but in April springy green veggies reign so I used those. This isn't as saucy as the the traditional eggplant version, but it's got all the briny, salty and sweet components. Serve warm or at room temp on sliced baguette - bring out some good cheese and wine and dinner is served! Artichokes, olives and green peppers are typically nightmare veggies to pair with wine. Anytime that happens I just go for bubbles (blanc de noir pictured)!
April 4, 2016
Avocados abound in California these days, but how much guacamole can you really eat?? Well, for me, tons, but after that tons I want something different. This super quick recipe delivers on those Latin flavors in a new and interesting way, provides great nutrition, including being "High In" fiber and "Low In" carbs, and if you insist, you can still dip some tortilla chips in it.
March 7, 2016
Why not make tangy, sweet and spicy pickles out of carrots when cukes are out of season?!? I got these beauties from B and B Gardens (@BandBGardens) just a few miles down the road in Napa. Brent and Brenda (hence B and B!) are passionate about their produce! Feel free to use any color carrot you desire, just be aware purple carrots bleed. I canned them separately, but the yellows and oranges can hang out together just fine.
Curious about the name "bread and butter?" In the 1920s, an Illinois farmer couple was short on cash, but long on undersized cucumbers. They packed them in its notable brine and bartered them for...you guessed it...bread and butter.
February 23, 2016
Italians out there may cringe at this recipe mash up, and even though I'm a Jersey girl, I actually don't have Italian blood in my veins. So I shall feel free to Americanize and misinterpret Italian food culture today! This dish brings together Northern and Southern Italian traditions. Polenta is a cooked cornmeal native to Northern Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. The Margarita pizza was created in South Italy, Naples to be exact, when in 1889, rumor has it, the city's pizzaiolo was commissioned to invent new pizzas for Queen Margarita's visit. She preferred the one with the colors of the Italian flag: green (basil), red (tomato sauce), and white (mozzarella). I was just trying to create a protein and fiber-packed, heartier recipe for dinner or brunch...ti prego, perdonami!
February 15, 2016
Earlier this month, I volunteered for our @ClifFamilyWinery Social Club. The host, me in this case, picks a country or region, then shops for wine and cooks food from that place. All the employees in the winery get together for an hour or so to taste, nibble and chat. I picked Oregon and seven bottles of Pinot Noir plus made these lettuce cups with chunks of browned pork (my co-worker, Claire, helped me out and smoked a beautiful side of salmon!). Mushrooms are an easy umami substitute to make this dish vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and super duper healthy! Pair with brown rice for a heartier dinner.
February 2, 2016
In-season cauliflower, protein-packed quinoa, herbs, and ready in 40 minutes start to finish...YES! A great room temp or cold lunch or dinner side dish, this is a go-to for sure. Note the great nutrition too - win all around! Oh, yeah, and it's vegan and gluten-free...super health bonus points!
January 26, 2016
Who said pasta salad was just for summer?! Use in-season, in-fashion brussel sprouts in an exciting new way in this winter-themed pasta salad that is creamy (thank you, fat free Greek yogurt!), tangy (go, mustard and vinegar!), and packs a nutritional punch (see the stats below...high five protein!). It's also ready in about an hour, and best made a day or two in advance. You can also easily go gluten-free with a rice or corn-based pasta.
January 19, 2016
Recently I've been getting requests for gluten free (GF) pizza and pie crusts recipes. Since I didn't have one, I thought I'd take the challenge. In culinary school, I became very comfortable using @CupForCup because a very good friend and classmate, Liz (@LizelleTomorrow), is gluten intolerant. Cup4Cup's motto, "gluten free but you'd never know it," is pretty spot on. Classmates scoffed when I told them I made GF lemon bars with it, but the next time when I made brownies and only told Liz on the side they were GF, no one knew the difference and scarfed them up!
That's why I was elated when I attended the Fancy Food Show (@craftcarejoy) in San Fran yesterday and first saw their booth, then found out it was created at The French Laundry (@_TFL_) just down the road in Yountville! Unfortunately, though, when I bought GF flour for this recipe Cup4Cup wasn't availability in my local grocery store so I used @KingArthurFlour's version. The results were pretty solid - not as flaky as I had hoped, but buttery for sure.
January 12, 2016
I just arrived home after an entire month visiting family and friends on the east coast. A luxury, I admit, but I'm just getting my new career going after graduating culinary school in September. I had the time and it was actually cheaper (and soooo much less crowded) to travel so outside the normal holiday rush. Had a blast, but happy to be home in good ole Napa Valley, CA!
I spent a good amount of time cooking (and imbibing) with my step-mom, Kathy. She's been in my life since I was 14, and a very special connection for me since my dad passed away in 2008. She makes this cranberry salsa every holiday and it gets gobbled up every time! I altered it just a bit by using a sweeter apple (gala vs. red delicious) so that I could trim the sugar and boosted the flavor with cilantro and a chipotle pepper.
December 21, 2015
I am back in South Jersey - the land of my birth - to hang with the family for Christmas and New Years. My mom and sister really wanted to learn to can, which I've been doing ever since I had a garden in Davis, CA. It's kind of funny that I'm teaching them to can given I'm the youngest, but there it is.
My sister eats rye toast with jam every morning and her fav is peach, but fresh peaches are right out for winter - frozen was the only way to go. My mom suggested blackberry because it's high in fiber. Straight blackberry sounded boring so I literally spiced it up with the only spice mixture I could find in my sister's house - pumpkin pie spice. It worked REALLY well! I went for honey instead of granulated sugar for both health and flavor.
December 8, 2015
Lighten up a holiday meal or lunch sandwich with this super easy slaw that allows you to use seasonal vegetables. Kohlrabi could be switched out for turnips, broccoli or cauliflower - just be sure to use all the stems on the latter two. These winter veggies are pretty bitter so the addition of carrots and apple brightens and sweetens it up.
November 17, 2015
A perfect Thanksgiving salad to showcase fall produce. I just love any salad with nuts and fruit! This one pairs sweet, crisp Gala apples and homemade spiced almonds with a roasted garlic balsamic vinaigrette. Making salad dressing at home is a snap. Watch the video clip below to see just how easy it is. Feel free to substitute for your favorite apple, nut and/or vinegar.
November 3, 2015
I decided to make baked veggie chips from beets and turnips that I couldn't seem to incorporate into anything else I was making this week. Cheap, healthy and quick, I developed four different flavorings for them: Curry, Japanese, Spicy "Crab" and Umami. The first two were my favorite and are pictured Japanese, left, and curry, right, in the main photo. Try one of these seasonings or get into your spice cabinet and start experimenting!
October 19, 2015
In my Culinary Institute of America (@CIAGreystone) CSA box last week, I received a spaghetti squash and a recipe to make fritters - a fantastic idea! I took the recipe and made some of my own adjustments, namely adding roasted garlic which I think makes just about any savory dish better. These come together in a snap and are quite addictive. They may look a little over-done around the edges, but that makes them both crunchy and chewy to bite in to! The dip next to them is an aioli of mayo, lemon juice and fresh thyme.
October 13, 2015
For this easy fried rice, I just opened the fridge and pantry to grab whatever vegetables I had on hand. You could substitute any of the veggies below for cabbage, kale, snow peas, green peas, leeks, squash - the sky's the limit! I used leftover Chinese take-out rice, and added some eggs to boost the protein. It's important that you dry out the rice overnight in the fridge beforehand. The result will be wonderfully crispy, browned rice!
October 6, 2015
If you aren't familiar, chow chow is a type of Southern relish made to preserve the end of summer vegetables. Its history is quite blurry, however. Some say Chinese rail workers created it when they came to the US in the 1800s. Others credit it to being a copy of Indian chutneys. Whatever the story, this is a great way to use up the last of the summer veggies in your garden. Rather than include pictures of boring chopped vegetables and the brine, I thought it would be more interesting and inspirational to post pictures from my recent trip to North Carolina - enjoy!
August 19, 2015
The "Three Sisters" refers to corn, squash and beans, which the Native Americans discovered grew perfectly together. Squash snaked along the ground keeping in moisture and deterring weeds. Corn grew tall and provided a natural ladder for beans to cling to. Eaten together they are a 'complete protein,' which means they provide an adequate proportion of all nine of the essential amino acids necessary for our dietary needs (normally this is only found in animal protein). Here, I use summer vegetables, but you could also remake this in the fall which butternut squash, late summer corn, and green beans.
August 4, 2015
A "Submit Your Recipe" make-over for summer from @KerrieKelly of Sacramento, CA, this cornbread packs flavor while cutting down on sugar, fat, carbs, and cholesterol - and it's gluten-free! After replacing the white flour with a mix of rice flour and masa, then cutting down on the butter and eggs and adding milk for moisture, and I dared to omit all the cheese. The final flavor boost came from roasted corn and poblano peppers as well as chili powder. What was the nutritional transformation you ask?! Phenomenal...96% decrease in calories, 140% decrease in fat, 280% decrease in saturated fat, 45% decrease in carbs, 24% decrease in sodium, and a crazy 640% decrease in cholesterol. I'm virtually patting myself on the back right now!
July 21, 2015
The history of the gimlet stretches back to the 1850s when the first known "gin mixture" (gin, sugar, water and lime juice) was recommended every four hours to combat cholera that had spread from India to England. Today, this cocktail is making a resurgence as gin, particularly artisanal brands, come back in to fashion. Flavored with fresh basil, this version is light, summery and not without its nutritional value. One drink is "High In" vitamins A, C and K as as well as manganese.
July 14, 2015
This light summer salad was inspired by the one we are serving at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant (@dineatgreystone) with a few modifications to make it easier to prepare at home. Salty feta and crispy quinoa balance out the sweet strawberries and corn. Use your favorite salad mix - here I did a 50/50 baby arugula and spinach. One serving is a powerhouse of nutrition! It's "High In" vitamins A, C and K, calcium, folate, phosphorus and manganese.
May 12, 2015
I don't make a lot of cocktails on Vegetarianized.com (this is also a great drink without alcohol too!), but a version of this refreshing drink recently caught my attention at one of my favorite, local restaurants. I brought it in-season by replacing the usually lime juice of a mint julep with ruby red grapefruit juice, and added a spicy ginger component using both ginger beer and a candied ginger garnish. You can make your own ginger beer (it's super easy!) using my recipe for one of my other favorite drinks, Dark 'N Stormy. One drink isn't without any nutritional merit: it's "Low In" fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol and "High In" vitamin C.
May 5, 2015
This first "Submit Your Recipe" comes from Becky M. of NY who wanted to learn a new recipe using okra and Indian spices. Fresh okra is typically not in season until late summer/early fall so I used frozen for this dish. My class cooked a version of this in our Cuisines of Asia course - spicy, sweet, crunchy and satisfying! The okra-dried mango combo makes this dish "High In" vitamins A and C as well as fiber and calcium. It's also "Low In" saturated fat and cholesterol.
April 7, 2015
I scaled down this amazing recipe from one of my chef instructors at school who once ran a hotel kitchen in North Carolina. It's the real deal all right! It took me 30 minutes to make start to finish, and that included all the photos I took along the way. One serving is "Low In" carbs, sodium and cholesterol.
March 31, 2015
If you are looking for a new salad routine, this is it! A no-oil salad dressing plus fun ingredients like dates, almonds, cinnamon, oranges and mint. I found orange flower water, oddly enough, in the wine aisle, but you could also use rose water. The lettuce, oranges and dates put this salad over the top, nutritionally-speaking. It's "High In" fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C while being "Low In" saturated fat and cholesterol.
March 24, 2015
This recipe is proof that good things come in quick packages. Jicama matchsticks tossed in lime juice and any seasoning or rub mix in your pantry and then stacked jenga-style. I used togarashi - a Japanese seasoning made from red pepper, orange peel, sesame seed, seaweed and ginger - but you could use Mexican, Chinese, or BBQ rubs. The fact that the knife cuts are uneven makes it that much more fun to play!
March 10, 2015
I guess cooking Spanish food has really inspired me. This recipe is for three skewered tapas called pintxos (pronounced peen-chos), which means 'thorn' or 'spike'. Also spelled pinchos, but I think the 'x' makes it sexy! The first is cubed sweet potato and scallion tortilla with saffron aioli. Dos is pickled peppers, olives and sherry-marinated baby portabellas. Tres is figs stuffed with valdeon (Spanish blue cheese) and drizzled with rosemary-honey. If you sample each one of these little tapas, you'll have a snack or appetizer that's "Low In" carbs and "High In" Vitamin A.
February 17, 2015
I just finished a short course in Cuisines of Asia and the instructor, Chef Ken, gave me permission to use this recipe from our two days focused on Indian (yes, I know only two days...but it was enough time to allow me to burn myself on a 800-degree tandoor skewer - not fun!). It appears cauliflower and tomatoes are a healthful hit. Together they make a serving "High In" fiber, vitamins A and C, iron, thiamin and potassium. Serve this as an appetizer, side or main dish. Note that you will only get 2-3 "steaks" per cauliflower - from the center where the core is thickest. With the remaining florets, might I recommend Cauliflower Gratin?
February 9, 2015
With recipes like this, I think the lowly-thought-of celery can move on up to join the popular crowd with kale and brussel sprouts. A super easy side dish ready in 20 minutes that's "Low In" carbs, saturated fat and cholesterol, AND is gluten-free and vegan. GO CELERY!
December 10, 2014
First, a brief history: egg nog was created by the English in the 18th century using brandy, but only really drunk by the rich who had access to dairy and eggs. When it came across the pond in colonial days, we had tons of farms so just about everyone could enjoy it although brandy was heavily taxed so we used dark rum since we had access to Caribbean trade routes. Later in the Revolutionary War, rum came in short supply so we started using whiskey and then eventually bourbon.
I did my own little not-so-scientific taste test with all four liquors and the winner for me was actually brandy! It didn't taste boozy and had a great caramel, vanilla creaminess that was very warming - damn Brits! I also tried to make this recipe not too off the boards nutritional, and used 1% milk and heavy cream. You can save 130 calories, 15g fat, 9.5g saturated fat and 60mg cholesterol by replacing the heavy cream with half-and-half, but I found the latter to be too thin. Either way, don't think this is without some benefit! It's "High In" phosphorus and riboflavin - you are doing your bones and teeth a solid so drink up this holiday season.
November 10, 2014
Turnips are totally underrated! They are cheap and packed with nutrients, but somehow not as in-fashion as brussel sprouts or kale these days. I hope they make a come back because the turnips make one cup of this soup "High In" fiber, calcium (yup!) and Vitamins A and C. This recipe is a bit indulgent using half-and-half - use low fat or skim milk to cut the fat.
November 3, 2014
At work we make similar kale chips as an appetizer, but I wanted to try a true potato chip flavor. I made the BBQ seasoning based on dry rubs for meat. I think I'm beginning to believe all the hype about kale being a super food. Because of the kale, this recipe is "Low In" fat, saturated fat, carbs and cholesterol while also being "High In" Vitamins A and C as well as a "Good Source" of potassium, iron, calcium, and fiber. Rock it, kale!
October 28, 2014
Spice up Halloween with spicy pumpkin simple syrup! With this syrup, you can make treats by drizzling over ice cream or using in cookie batter, or be tricky by adding your favorite liquor for a happy Halloween indeed. Of course, I chose the latter, but to keep the mixture thick for the former just don't strain it. Pumpkin is super high in Vitamin A so no matter if you are tricking or treating, you'll be doing good for your skin, teeth and eyes.
October 21, 2014
In culinary school, I learned the traditional Potatoes Anna - thinly sliced potatoes are layered in a concentric circle in a skillet, browned on both sides and finished in the oven. They make an exceptionally beautiful presentation! With an inspiration for a savory cake with a sweet bite, I developed this dish. Celery root is also known as celeriac, but don't be put off by it's rough exterior. The peel comes off as easy as a carrot, and by exchanging it for potatoes, you'll save nearly 60 calories and 12g carbs (yup, 12!) per serving - plus add 1.5g protein and .5g fiber. This particular recipe is gluten-free, vegan, "Low In" saturated fat, and "High In" Vitamin C (just in time for cold season!).
October 13, 2014
Bitter/winter greens are popular in the culinary world today. The inspiration for this dish was to cook them in a new way that offered more depth of flavor. The balance of tangy Spanish black olives with sweet raisins and dried tomatoes is a gorgeous combination with any type of bitter/winter green. This version uses kale, but beet, turnip or collard greens could be substituted. The braised kale is served as a side dish with aged Manchego, but it could also be a tapa served with crusty bread.
September 30, 2014
I learned a new trick this week: roasted corn husks = smoky popcorn flavor. Yes, please add me to corn pesto! Corn husk liquid is married with roasted corn, garlic, parmesan cheese, pinenuts and EVOO to create a match made for pasta, pizza or crostini heaven. One serving is "Low In" carbs and cholesterol and a "Good Source" of phosphorous and thiamin - go corn!
September 24, 2014
I wanted to do something different with the bountiful eggplant in season now so I thought I'd combine two of my man's favorite things - eggplant and pistachios. Together they become a darn tasty, easy-to-make salad dressed with a pomegranate-honey-garlic vinaigrette. The nuts make this dish a Good Source of phosphorus (for bones and teeth), potassium (helps offset some of sodium's harmful effects on blood pressure), and thiamin (helps carbs become energy) while the lemon juice will boost your Vitamin C intake for the day.
September 18, 2014
For some reason corned beef hash has been popping up in my life lately. I cubed corned beef at work last week. A woman sitting next to me at brunch was eating it. And when I looked it up online to read about its ingredients and cooking methods, I discovered September 27th is National Corned Beef Day...well, I'll be! But the challenge was: could I vegetarianized it? I thought brining beans in the same vain as brisket would offer the flavor profile and lend to the 'mash' part of the dish since the beans would break up well right along side the potatoes. Thus was born Corned Bean Mash...pair with a Bloody Mary and brunch is on! And you don't need to feel guilty for eating this brunch dish - it's High In Vitamins A and C, Riboflavin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron and Fiber (go beans!). You could easily turn these into cakes by adding a few tablespoons of milk to help bind it together - then brown up individually.
August 27, 2014
The current breakfast class I'm taking has its pros and cons. Learning how to make doughnuts from scratch, flipping a fried egg in the pan, and getting creative with smoothie flavors - all big pluses. Waking up at 3AM for service at 6:30AM - not so great. Even though I didn't get to make jam in class, I was inspired by a recent trip to the local farmers' market where I saw overflowing baskets of strawberries, tomatoes and hot peppers. Why not combine them for a sweet, savory, spicy condiment to accompany a cheese plate or spread on morning toast for a special treat? Since one serving is one tablespoon, it's not surprising this jam is low in fat, saturated fat, carbs, sodium and cholesterol (even if you have two tablespoons!).
July 29, 2014
I've been working on the set of a cooking show this week - helping to prep dishes to be cooked on camera by some of my school chef instructors. While I'm learning tons about food styling, video production and photography, I'm also learning a lot about food techniques. In one episode about grilling, the chef grills a half pepper with an egg inside - genius! What else could I cook an egg in? When I saw these gorgeous tomatoes at the store, I thought about baking straight up American breakfast inside - scrambled eggs, bread, and sausage with a twist of fresh herbs and cheese. This dish is low in carbs and high in Vitamins A and C.
July 1, 2014
With permission from one of my instructors at school, Chef Paul, I bring you THE dish that will wow your 4th of July guests. You want evidence of this fact? It's ready in less than 20 minutes, the salt and lemon do the cooking so no sweating over the oven, stove or grill when it's already a million and one out, and did I mention it was created by a chef? BONUS: it's also low in calories, carbs and cholesterol, and high in Vitamin A (thanks to the shallots) and riboflavin (which is good for energy metabolism - thank you, mushrooms).
June 25, 2014
Stone fruits are in season (that's anything with a pit 'AKA stone' - apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines), and this appetizer salad is just the trick for a hot summer day when you already have the grill going. The basil oil is a light, fresh dressing that compliments the sweetness of the fruit as well as the cheese. It's an extra step to blanch, shock and dry the herbs before whizzing them up with EVOO, but it cuts the bite and keeps them beautifully green. This dish is also super flexible - substitute any stone fruit, any salad green, any nut, any herbs and just about any cheese. Not surprisingly, this salad is low in carbs and cholesterol, and high in Vitamins A and C as well as calcium.
June 4, 2014
The origins of this soup are definitely Mexican, but like many national dishes regional variations abound. Some recipes include beans, cilantro, chicken and/or even mint. I took that lead and made some of my own changes - mostly to reduce the cooking time. I used fire-roasted canned tomatoes instead of roasting my own (it's a bit early for fresh tomatoes besides), and I dropped frying my own tortilla strips in favor of crushed tostadas (I know, genius, right?!).
The tomato and avocado pump up the nutrition making it "high in" Vitamins A and C, Potassium and Monounsaturated Fat. Also, I used dried poblano peppers (labeled pasilla or ancho) because they won't set you on fire. For a vegan soup, simply omit the cream. Hurry up and try this before it's too hot for soup!
May 28, 2014
Don't let risotto make you run for the hills! I always thought it was so hard to make, but now I can't believe I missed all those years of having this creamy, satisfying dish. I finished it with fresh spring peas and sharp Parmesan cheese to boost the protein and fiber (the peas) as well as the bite (the Parm!). As a side dish, this risotto is "High In" calcium, iron (go meatless!), phosphorus (good for bones/teeth), and thiamin (helps turn carbs to energy). Hold off on any additional salt until you get to the table - the stock and Parmesan already contribute a lot.
May 13, 2014
I was trying to brainstorm a way to use, now in season, rhubarb in a savory dish. Why should you care about eating rhubarb? It's super low in calories and a particularly good source of Vitamins C and K (K is good for blood clotting and bone health) as well as Calcium (no kidding!)
Thinking about rhubarb's sour profile led me to..."nuclear-red" sweet and sour Chinese take-out! That sounded terrible, so could I remake a veggie version with a more natural sauce? Yes! Instead of sugary ketchup as a base, this one uses plum sauce, adds the bright flavors of garlic and ginger, and sweetens it naturally using the juice from the pineapple can. Add cubed tofu to boost the protein. Brilliant...and ready in less than 30 minutes!
April 6, 2014
Want a quick way to impress in the kitchen? The answer is fancy knife cuts. I've been learning a lot of them these days, and one that I found to be both super cool and super easy is called the oblique cut. This cut is best for long cylindrical veggies, such as carrots and parsnips. See the step by step instructions with photos below. Wow your Easter/Passover guests with this simple dish that takes 15 minutes and costs about a quarter per serving.
February 2, 2014
I successfully completed my first week at culinary school (with only one very minor knife incident). All week long we made stock - the flavor base for everything from soups and sauces to rice and grains. After about 30 minutes of the stock simmering, you'll be thankful you spent all that time chopping - an amazing, comfort aroma filled my kitchen! This recipe makes one gallon - can it or divide up and freeze. Cup for cup it's 150% cheaper and has almost 600% less sodium. Go forth and flavor the world!
December 1, 2013
After a heavy Thanksgivvukah weekend, this is great way to start off light and flavorful this week. It is based on my Garlic Parmesan Broccoli recipe - roasted veg, broth and a whizz up with a hand blender and 'tis the season for warm, cozy soup.
November 3, 2013
I've been seeing rillettes on a lot of menus lately - perhaps I'm noticing because I'm taking an intro French class! Rillettes is traditionally made by cooking pork over a low temperature for a long time. The fat renders out of the meat and it's packed in jars for winter storage. Here I use the same technique with beautiful portobello and shiitake mushrooms and onions. In place of the natural pork fat, I packed some in butter and some in olive oil. This would be a fantastic Thanksgiving appetizer.
September 22, 2013
I was scrolling along through my Instagram account earlier this week, and was taken aback by a gorgeous gratin my NYC friend, Sue S., was making with her CSA delivery of kale. What inspiration for the cooling days! Sharp kale is layered with soft potatoes, onions and creamy fontina for a comforting side on a fall evening. I also included a trick - sub'ing skim milk thickened with cornstarch for heavy cream...it's still gluten-free and in this recipe, saves an incredibly shocking 1400 calories and 175g fat.
September 15, 2013
Inspiration found me this week at the farmer's market. Apples coming in to season...corn on its way out...and free fresh sage - yes, free! I infused a brown sugar-butter glaze with sage and apple cider, set crisp apples slices in it, and poured on a polenta and cornmeal batter studded with sage on top. Baked, cooled, and inverted...all in less than 30 minutes active time.
July 28, 2013
It cooled off a bit today so it's not too painful to turn on the oven. You could use just about any combination of vegetables here. I chose sweet ones - tomatoes, corn, and carrots - first roasting them, and then concentrating the liquid by cooking it down with vinegar and garlic. This is a great go-to as is or as a topping for bruschetta or pizza. You can make it vegan by using dairy-free cheese and a honey alternative like agave syrup or sugar.
July 7, 2013
Summer peppers are here in every color and heat! I've been enjoying a similar version of this dish at Bistro 33 in Davis. If you can't find shishito peppers, other mild peppers you might try are anaheim, banana, gypsy, cherry or cubanelle. They all are significantly lower on the Scoville scale than a jalapeño. An easy go-to appetizer all summer long...
June 23, 2013
Kirby cucumbers, the pickling ones, are in full season so I thought I'd try my hand at homemade pickles. They are twice 'dill-ed' with both dill seed and fresh dill, and packed with a mild vinegar-garlic-pepper brine. Perfect for snacking out of the jar or sliced on your favorite sandwich. These take a week in the fridge, but if you want faster pickles, slice them before they go in the jar. I found that the fridge was far superior to processing the jars in a hot bath. The pickles were brighter and crisper.
June 16, 2013
I've been eating this salad at lot lately, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the season's first grape tomatoes. Tomatoes paired with spinach, white beans and feta makes this salad an easy weeknight winner. I used one of the last Meyer lemons I could find on a friend's tree - regular lemons are an easy substitute. For a vegan dish, simply substitute a vegan cheese or omit it altogether. If you are concerned about the fat, leave off the avocado - that will save you 7.5g fat per serving. However, I don't recommend it because the avocado compliments the creamy texture of the beans so nicely.
June 9, 2013
Cherries are majorly in season right now in California. Apparently when cherry trees were brought to North America they grew best in Michigan and the Northwest. I admit roasting and making salsa out of them sounds weird, but this salsa has a great balance of savory and spicy, and still keeps that hint of cherry flavor. The taquitos are filled with my Refried Beans. I sub'd black for pinto beans and a chipotle for fresh jalapeño pepper. Taquitos are traditionally fried, but I grilled mine to save fat and calories.
May 19, 2013
I've always loved this Greek meze, and recently had a wonderful version similar to this in San Francisco. The gigantes bean (pronounced yee-gahn-tes) has been grown in the Kastoria region of Greece since the 17th century. Like California has the American Viticultural Area (AVA) wine-growing regions, the gigantes has a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) - that's one important bean! Serve with bread and a salad for a main dish. For a vegan version, simply omit the feta.
March 24, 2013
This dish was a personal favorite at Essex Restaurant on the LES when we lived in NYC. I'm sure they were inspired by the famed matzo producer, Streit's, which was just a few blocks down Rivington Street. This savory breakfast is a mash-up of traditional Jewish matzo brei and Mexican chilaquiles - and I think, actually, still kosher for Passover. Whether you are Jewish or not, I hope you'll join the tradition this week. You can make this gluten-free with matzo made of potato flour or simply use tortilla chips.
March 17, 2013
I was inspired to turn my Pickled Hot Peppers into jelly after a 15 mile bike ride to Winters, CA ended at a bar where I drank a cocktail with tequila, lime and jalapeño jelly. All the hot pepper jelly recipes I found added cider vinegar - exactly what pickled my peppers. I strained and pureed the hot peppers with some mild peppers, added a bit of sugar and pectin - and tequila cocktail here I come! My recipe is 2 oz tequila, 1 Tbsp jelly and 1/2 lime.
March 3, 2013
Looking to make a low calorie sweet protein bar, I quickly realized that one of the best vegetarian ingredients with high protein and low calories is actually savory egg whites. One quarter cup of egg white has 30 calories, 6.4g of protein, and no fat, carbs or cholesterol. To add some flavor, I packed it with veggies, herbs and a bit of cheese. Make a couple of batches and snack on these all week for breakfast or post-workout.
February 17, 2013
What happened to crispy tacos and tostadas? The taco food craze is all about the soft tortilla, which I'm loving, don't get my wrong, but I do miss the crunch of the hard shell. Inspired by seasonal produce and the warming day, I got busy on an indoor grilling session. Grilled, brown sugar-coated oranges add sweetness, and complement spicy chipotle peppers in a marinade/sauce for grilled tofu and veggies. Mashed avocado and queso fresco brighten as well as tame this snack, app or main dish. Simply omit the cheese for a vegan delight!
February 10, 2013
The perfect romantic dessert for two this Valentine's Day. Tangy goat cheese and marscapone blend beautifully together with dried lavender and lemon zest for a velvety sweet ending note. A crunch of salty almond brittle makes sure this dessert is not too smooth and sappy. Best to make this Wednesday night to ensure a cooled and perfectly set cheesecake. Did I mention that it's really fattening? Best to skip the nutrition facts and go right to the recipe. If you want to lighten it up, skip the brittle and use low fat goat cheese.
January 19, 2013
Kale is the hot new in-season vegetable to cook, and who am I to go against the grain (pun intended). Kale has actually been grown for more than two millennia with the first written references dating back to Greek and Roman times. That inspired me to create this tasty pasta dish using a number of Mediterranean ingredients like garlic, feta, oregano and chickpeas. Serve warm or at room temperature for a healthy main meal. For a gluten-free recipe, use corn or rice pasta.
November 25, 2012
Sunday...you've eaten those yummy Thanksgiving leftovers for several days now. I always find the item that lingers is cranberry sauce. The can or recipe quantity is huge and a dollop here on your stuffing or sweet potatoes just doesn't make a big enough dent. If this describes your fridge today, here is an in-season condiment that's a great topping for veggie burgers and hot dogs.
October 28, 2012
Looking to whip up something quick and Halloween-ish, but with an interesting twist, I created this dip based on Indian Pumpkin Curry. It brings together the great spices from that dish like curry, turmeric, ginger, and cumin along with light coconut milk and a can of pumpkin puree. I served mine with fresh veggies, but you could also make my homemade pita chips.
October 7, 2012
In Hong Kong, we met some Aussies at a bar that introduced us to this Bermudian drink that is a mix of dark rum and ginger beer (not ale). I was actually surprised that we never ran into it before. Popular in New England where Bermudian sailors traveled to, it also became popular in Australia about 30 years ago apparently starting when Bermuda and Australia got together to play rugby. Not a cloud in the sky here in California, but no better time for this drink. P.S. Making your own ginger beer is super easy!
September 30, 2012
This isn't an Asian version of the Western sweet dessert. It is a savory mash-up of daikon cake, eggs, and chili sauce that you could take in many different directions. This version is called 'white carrot cake,' but the black kind has dark, thick soy sauce mixed in with the beaten eggs. The recipe below is the most true to the dish we had at the Maxwell Food Center in Singapore, but you can add bean spouts, onions, or just about any other vegetable. Apparently the word for carrot and daikon are very similar in Chinese, where the dish originated, and the cake refers to how the shredded daikon and rice flour set up together.
September 16, 2012
Figs are literally falling from the 100+ year old trees behind my office building. I dried more than five pounds and used some to recreate a favorite dip from the grocery store. This tapenade is slightly sweet, savory, briny and fresh all in one. Serve smeared over crostini with goat cheese or Parmesan, as I did here.
September 9, 2012
Make the best of the end of the summer garden with this fresh and cheesy pasta bake. It looks decadent, but only calls for one ounce of cheese per serving. The roasted garlic brings a mellow flavor that pulls it all together. For a gluten-free recipe, use corn or rice pasta.
September 2, 2012
At the top of Mount Faber in Singapore, there are several fancy restaurants together called the Jewel Box. This was our only Japanese meal in Asia - a beautiful evening at the Moonstone open-air restaurant looking down at Sentosa Island. Grilled yakitori (small, skewered nibbles) dominated the menu, but we discovered this fresh tomato salad. The tomatoes were lack-luster, but I was dreaming of my garden tomatoes complimenting this tangy sesame-wasabi dressing. Interestingly, momotaro is actually the name of the tomato, not the salad, and also the name of a legendary hero in Japan. Jazz up your weeknights meals with this quick side or appetizer dish.
August 26, 2012
Wow - just back from our trip to Singapore and Hong Kong, and I have easily more than a dozen new recipes to recreate and share on Vegetarianized over the next few months, but this is an obvious first choice. There is quite a bit of mystery that surrounds the recipe for this drink created in the early 20th century at the very fancy Raffles Hotel in Singapore. We went to test for ourselves and their version is now extremely touristy - over the top sweet and unnaturally pink. After some trial and error, my version limits extraneous fruit juices and garnish in favor of what is seen as more classic and reserved. Just as at the Raffles Hotel, serve on or near rattan and with peanuts - shell on the floor.
July 29, 2012
You may have guessed by now that I'm crazy about pickling things. I have pickled peppers here, but this is a classic recipe that you could use to pickle any vegetable that you want to make crunchy, sour, salty and sweet. Use with a cheese plate, or on burgers and hot dogs. To can them for long-term storage, use my Honey-Ginger Grapefruit Marmalade recipe and start at step #6. Otherwise, keep in the fridge and use within 2-3 weeks.
June 24, 2012
A work colleague, Fadia D., shared her recipe for this flavor-packed salad that would be a great addition at any 4th of July barbecue or picnic. Quinoa brings protein and fiber to this salad party of spinach, almonds, dried apricots, feta, and shallots topped with a tangy-tart dressing made with apricot preserves, lemon and honey. Highly versatile - you can substitute dried cranberries for the apricots, walnuts for the almonds, and add other veggies like tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus or beets.
June 17, 2012
This is a favorite condiment in my house and at Michael's softball team barbeques. It's the perfect thing to make when you have a glut of zucchini in your garden transforming pounds of veggies into a zesty, slightly sweet topping for burgers and hot dogs.
June 10, 2012
Anticipating the 100 degree days ahead, I thought I'd try a cold soup. With crisp cucumbers in season this was an easy go-to. Parsley, cilantro, mint, chives and parsley continue the fresh theme while cayenne and smoked chipotle add a bite. For a vegan soup, use a soy-based yogurt.
June 3, 2012
Sometimes it's nice to make something that doesn't involve fancy ingredients or techniques, but is just easy, simple and yummy. This quesadilla is that, and fresh and healthy too. In-season corn and zucchini are sautéed with chili powder and fresh oregano, then stuffed with local jack cheese into a wheat tortilla and cooked in a skillet until golden and melty. A great snack or easy weeknight meal.
May 27, 2012
While I'm anxiously waiting for ripening tomatoes and peppers, I jumped on the chance to use an in-season vegetable. I wasn't inspired by the usual rhubarb treatments drowned in sugar for pies, jams and crumbles. Why not embrace the sour? Doing a bit of research I developed this recipe for pickle chips to have a tart yet slightly spicy profile that I think would be an interesting companion for burgers to a cheese platter. Note that these are what is called 'refrigerator pickles' meaning you sterilize your jars and lids, but don't process the jars after they are full. The additional heat will turn the rhubarb to mush.
May 20, 2012
In this recipe I wanted to use up two pints of grape jelly I made last fall from our concord grape vines, but you could use any fruit jelly, jam or preserves in your fridge to make this easy, low fat dessert. I mixed the jelly with Meyer lemon, but lime would work just as well.
May 13, 2012
It's been so hot this week I couldn't bear to make something with heat. This salad is light, fresh, cool and quite versatile. Stuff into a pita with lettuce and tomatoes for a sandwich. Add to arugula for a peppery main salad. It's packed full of protein and fiber, and a snap to put together.
April 22, 2012
The ultimate spring-time dish using all the season has to offer - artichokes, garlic, lemons, asparagus, leeks and peas. This light dish can be served as a main or first course. Swap out sage for mint or thyme. For a gluten-free recipe, use corn or rice pasta.
April 8, 2012
Think you don't like brussel sprouts? Have you only ever had them boiled with chestnuts at the holidays? This is a vegetable you need to rethink. Roasting brussel sprouts is fast, easy and healthy (note 9.7g fiber per serving). To me they taste like candy - really.
March 4, 2012
Even though it's a bit more expensive, I make mustard at home. I can add all sorts of herbs and spices, make it smooth or seeded, or turn up the heat with ingredients like horseradish. This recipe is a basic, lovely version to use as a foundation - take it in any of those directions or enjoy as is. This will be spicy at first, but will mellow over a day or so.
February 26, 2012
It's been so warm and sunny that I feel springy. Inspired by the great lettuces, potatoes and asparagus in season now I decided to move this traditionally French summer salad up a few months by replacing the fresh tomatoes with my homemade dried, oil-packed tomatoes (or you could use radishes) and the green beans with asparagus. I also vegetarianized it by exchanging Mediterranean white beans for the tuna. FYI, ounce for ounce white beans have LESS calories, fat, sodium and cholesterol, and MORE fiber, calcium and iron than tuna - a healthy alternative indeed!
December 11, 2011
If you've been following me on Twitter (@Vegetarianized) this week, you know I've been obsessed with this salad that's quick and showcases some of the best of in-season produce. The licorice of the raw fennel is a perfect foil for the sweet persimmons and creamy goat cheese. It's a wonderful starter or side dish that's great for a weeknight meal and dressy enough for a holiday dish.
November 27, 2011
I had a beautiful idea for this 'mash up' of previously posted Vegetarianized.com recipes (Roasted Carrot Soup and Hummus) after tasting a bland version at a restaurant this weekend. Feeling pretty done with Thanksgiving fare, this is a nice, light snack that’s big on flavor - not calories.
November 20, 2011
SAY NO TO THE CAN! This Thanksgiving treat your (faux) meat right. Sweet golden raisins and brown sugar marry with tart apples and cranberries then go on honeymoon with buttery shallots and fruity red wine. Spicy cinnamon, cloves and a sneaky hot pepper make it. This cranberry chutney comes together very quickly - you'll just need to find an empty burner on the stove. Spoiler alert - I tripled this recipe for gifts for my work colleagues. To make it vegan, just use a plant-oil based butter.
November 6, 2011
These greens, that I adapted from a recipe in an old Food & Wine magazine, are my second all-time favorite way to have greens. The first is my recipe for a Two-Cheese Collard Green Gratin. In this recipe I used red chard, but you could also use broccoli rabe, collards or kale. The balance of salty olives with sweet raisins and dried tomatoes is gorgeous. Serve as an interesting Thanksgiving side or first course pasta dish over penne.
October 30, 2011
I received delicata squash from my CSA a few weeks ago and immediately envisioned serving soup in them. It would be a great first course for Thanksgiving. The maple syrup, apple and rosemary play so magnificently off one another. For a vegan soup, use soy-based butter or all olive oil.
October 23, 2011
My beau's younger brother, Patrick - the newlywed, and I ad libbed this lovely condiment for a casual family dinner at the beach after the wedding. It's great on veggie dogs, with roasted veggies and probably even fish and chicken. To tone down the heat, sub a roasted red pepper for the poblano. For vegan, use only canola oil-based mayo.
October 2, 2011
I'm back in the South - Richmond, Virginia - where I went to school, met my beau and started a career. There is hardly anything more Virginia than the peanut. This isn't healthy, but a treat. Substituting coarse salt gives it a great salty bite.
September 18, 2011
Here are some flavorful toppings for that end of the summer sweet corn. I wouldn't say they were particularly healthy, but you can splurge - bathing suit season is over! From left to right, Spanish style with smoky, salty flavor; American style aka buffalo wings; and Mexican style of traditional elote - grilled corn with mayo, cotija, cilantro and chili powder.
September 11, 2011
The figs keep coming! I discovered a fig tree behind my office building and easily snatched four pounds worth. I added them to some pears I had to make a compote that could be used for sweet or savory dishes thanks to black peppercorns, rosemary, cinnamon and Madeira wine. If you'd like to can this, go to my recipe for Honey-Ginger Grapefruit Marmalade and follow from instructions 6-9.
August 14, 2011
August 15-21 is Midtown Cocktail Week in Sacramento with boozy parties and cocktail-making classes all week long. In its honor, I requested this amazing homemade maraschino cherry Old Fashioned recipe from a new friend, the newly minted Jersey Girl, Zoe H. (check out her new blog, Lamb's Quarterly). The cherries are spicy, fresh and retain their snap - a million miles away from those nuclear red, squishy sweet ones from the bar.
August 7, 2011
This recipe is heavily based on Gourmet magazine's take, and well worth the hours it takes. Dedicate a lazy summer afternoon and you will be rewarded. You must use the best milk you can find - here a local dairy that sits right on the Pacific Coast less than 100 miles away called Straus Creamery. Paired with tomatoes and basil from the garden - just perfection.
July 31, 2011
Greek souvlaki meets Mexican tacos. Lemon-marinated veggies and haloumi (Greek 'grilling' cheese, omit for vegan) sears on the grill via rosemary skewers, gets dressed with yogurt tzatziki, and piled high on a warm flour tortilla. This is food fusion that uses the best of the summer season.
July 24, 2011
Needing something to cool and quench without forgoing drink, I jumped on the food fad bandwagon for a 'cocktail popsicle.' With a demure nod to the South, Kentucky bourbon marries fresh peach iced tea scented with mint sprigs.
July 10, 2011
When I'm thinking of recipe ideas for an upcoming blog post, I am sometimes stunned by an obvious one I've missed. This is one of those cases! I've been making this Sangria for years. It's a recipe I perfected over many summers that let's you taste the brightness of the fruit without too much sugar. It's best to let the fruit juice, sugar and brandy sit overnight, but if you are in a rush an hour or two will do. Choose a fruity Spanish, Chilean or Argentinean wine.
June 26, 2011
It's been pretty hot here in inland NorCal and you may have noticed I haven't been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately. I made a great curry egg salad sandwich this week from Gourmet magazine, and got inspired to freshen up a summer favorite - deviled eggs. Here the devil is in the curry powder, cayenne and homemade mustard. Drained plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt, granny smith apples and onions brighten the flavor and reduce the fat. I don't know about you, but about the last thing I want to do when it's hot out (beside cook!) is eat heavy mayo - ehh! Yogurt will bring the creaminess and the tang. Go ahead and scale up for a party, but be careful with the liquids to ensure a thick mixture.
June 19, 2011
Get grilling! Everywhere I turn - magazine covers, the hardware store, commercials - everything is about grilling. I saw a beautiful shot of a grilled avocado in an old Gourmet magazine and I got inspiration to grill guacamole. And not just the avocado - but the whole enchilada! If you have the grill on, why not? Just throw all your guacamole ingredients on there and try a new twist this summer.
June 12, 2011
I love reading about food history and this is a cool story. Cacciatore is Italian for 'hunter' but typically made with chicken - so what's the connection there? Well, if the hunting party was unsuccessful they would kill a chicken and make a stew with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peppers and red wine. This dish was inspired by an old Vegetarian Times recipe, but I tried to make it more authentic by researching variations on more traditional recipes. I'm not a huge fan of tofu, but it really works well here absorbing all the tomatoes, red wine and sage. Serve over any pasta you like - I used vermicelli. Use rice or corn pasta for a gluten-free recipe.
June 5, 2011
Earlier this year, I discovered the best roasted broccoli recipe I have ever had from an old Cooks Illustrated magazine. I tweaked it slightly to boost the garlicy and spicy flavors. It's very easy to prepare and takes no time at all. It'll become your go-to side dish for any weeknight meal - and will maybe also make a few broccoli converts in the process. Omit the Parmesan for a vegan side.
May 22, 2011
This is my next recipe pairing creation for Java City Coffee. This month they are featuring El Salvador Portezuelo, a lightly roasted bean with notes of citrus and spice. I thought a great accompaniment would be arroz con leche, literally ‘rice with milk.’ It is a staple treat in many Latin and Spanish cultures, but I found Salvadorians prefer a milkier texture with the light spice of orange zest, cinnamon and cloves. Sweeteners can include condensed milk or, as in the recipe below, white sugar and a couple of pats of butter.
May 15, 2011
With artichoke season in full swing in my garden, I went looking around for a few new creative recipes. The typical heavy, over cheesed spinach and artichoke dip came up a lot so I challenged myself to make a flavorful and healthier version (without using fat free everything). With all the beet greens in my freezer, I sub'ed them for the spinach and used sour cream, Parmesan and Neufchatel cheese instead of gobs of mayo and mild mozz. I boosted it with lemon zest, red pepper flakes, thyme and lots of garlic. Serve with the artichoke leaves (a bonus of using fresh over frozen or canned artichokes) and homemade pita chips (click for that recipe).
May 8, 2011
We had many different versions of Mai Tais over the past week so that peaked my curiosity about the origin of the drink. There is much mystery about how this famous tropical drink came about, but many stories start actually at a bar in Oakland, CA called Trader Vic's in 1944. Much lore surrounds how the drink actually got to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu nine years later, but today this is the most famous tropical drink on Maui by far. This is my version of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel recipe, which has more fresh juice than the Trader Vic's drink - fruity, not too sweet and with a bit of a punch.
April 17, 2011
I realized this week I've never done a salad on Vegetarianized.com, and I'm even growing lettuce this spring. I thought this would be a great salad for Easter dinner next Sunday. Citrusy lemons contrast the sweet cranberries and peas, then there is crunchy almond slivers and creamy goat cheese - to me a perfect salad. And this will be so easy to make for a crowd - no cooking involved. Just whisking, tossing and serving.
April 3, 2011
It's spring and the beets are in bloom. I harvested most of the beets from the garden this weekend and decided to pickle and can them. You can freeze the beet greens for soup or saute them as a side dish with olive oil, garlic, raisins and pine nuts. Pickled beets and onions are wonderful with goat cheese on a crostini, as a topping for hamburgers or hot dogs, or simply as a snack right out of the jar.
March 13, 2011
Chipotle chiles and dark brown sugar add a smoky-sweet note to black beans that are spread over a tortilla and topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions. Top with sharp cheddar cheese and grill for a quick main dish on any weeknight. Simply omit the cheese to make a vegan quesadilla.
February 27, 2011
I've had a few citrus donors in the past few weeks, and the latest was a student from my cooking class who brought me bunches of beautiful Meyer lemons. These lemons are a bit sweeter than regular lemons so I had a brainstorm to turn the very popular Rosemary Lemonade into a dessert. A granita is sort of like a sorbet, but instead of using an ice cream maker you place the liquid in a shallow pan and as it freezes, you scrape it. The result is light and fluffy, and resembles a snow cone with a bit more creamy texture.
February 5, 2011
A Vegetarianized.com Super Bowl Exclusive - hold the menu! For tomorrow, add these spicy, smoky, little veggie burgers to your Super Bowl party. Just throw everything in the food processor, chill, grill and put on your favorite slider bun or roll. Top with grilled onions, cheese and condiments and you'll have a hit for all your football fans - veg or not. In the photo above I embellished mine with homemade zucchini relish.
January 23, 2011
This is actually a light dessert - no kidding! Dark chocolate and spicy nutmeg give it a flavor boost that make you forget you're using fat free milks and less eggs then the typical recipe. Instead of nutmeg, use your creativity for other versions, including adding instant coffee or espresso, Bailey's Irish Cream, dried chili and cinnamon (for a Mexican flare) or even smoked salt.
January 16, 2011
Michael's mom, Patsy, makes some kick-ass vegetarian chili. Two-step here refers to the ease of putting this protein-fiber-packed main together or just it's Southwestern Country style. The best part is you can really take it in any direction you want. In this version, I opted for Texas-style veggie burgers and added two fiery chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, dried oregano and ground cumin. Patsy called for three cans of beans so I went for the trifecta - black, pinto and red kidney. Add grated cheese, more hot peppers, chopped cilantro, diced green onions, crumbled tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream - garnish possibilities are endless.
December 19, 2010
This is one of my favorite cookies from my childhood. I remember my mom making these and sneaking into the freezer all Christmas long to snag these crunchy, chocolatey treats. Mind you these are not healthy by any stretch, but they are surely comforting during a cold and, in Davis' case, ridiculously wet winter...and it doesn't involve any baking what-so-ever!
December 12, 2010
A different take on butternut squash that combines some the best flavors of fall and winter: sage, nutmeg, earthy leeks, and nutty Gruyere cheese. Baking these in individual ramekins or oven-proof bowls makes a beautiful table presentation for a holiday meal or just because. The best way to get dirt from between the folds of leeks is to put them in a colander set over a bowl of water. The dirt sinks to the bottom, and you can just pull up the colander.
December 5, 2010
I thought I'd take a break from the usual holiday fare and lighten up with this sweet and herby tofu coated with a thyme-pepper mixture and then pan-fried in EVOO and honey. The accompaniment is a protein-packed couscous studded with carrots, shelled edamame and crunchy pepitas (roasted pumpkin/squash seeds). If you can't find roasted pumpkin seeds in the grocery store, buy a pumpkin, remove the seeds and roast them (you can find lots of instructions online). Then you can roast the pumpkin as well to make puree for a pumpkin pie or chopped for a smoked mozzarella, sage and pumpkin pizza (one of my favorite flavors this time of year). For a gluten-free recipe, use brown rice or quinoa.
November 14, 2010
I'm half German and Michael is first generation so at Thanksgiving we like to pull out some old school German favorites, including this one for purple cabbage. This is a slightly modified recipe from the version Michael's mother makes. Her shortcut is to start with jarred red cabbage and then she adds the wine, apples and spices. The pickling spice I found in my grocery store was a mix of cloves, mustard seed, bay leaf, coriander seed, cinnamon pieces and red pepper flake among other spices. If you can't find pickling spice, I found this good recipe you can use to recreate it at home. The longer it simmers, the more tender and lovely it gets - so you can start this early on Thanksgiving day and just let it bubble away on a back burner until dinner time.
November 7, 2010
I am into the fall - especially during a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon. Warming flavors of sage, squash and walnuts come together in this satisfying main dish. I haven't mentioned my current obsession with polenta, but it's hard core. I always thought polenta was this boring, bland, dry thing, but it turns out it's pretty magical. Even if you just add water to it - it's creamy like it's fattened and naughty. Here, I do make it moderately naughty with some strong gorgonzola and fresh sage. The baked tofu is a take-it-or-leave-it item - I just thought it needed a protein boost.
October 17, 2010
I seem to be making caramel popcorn weekly, and it struck me when Michael commented that he didn't know why people don't make popcorn from scratch because it's so darn easy - and cheap. This recipe will give you sweet corn for a crowd, so make some before the Giants game today or later this week. Following the steps just to make the popcorn gives you a base to be as creative as you want. Make savory popcorn by adding melted butter, SnP and grated Parmesan. Make a quick sweet corn by shaking on cinnamon sugar while it's hot. The possibilities are limitless!
October 10, 2010
I was contacted by Johnny W. from San Antonio after he saw my Hot Sauce video on Chow.com. After emailing a few times, he asked me for a refried bean recipe made without lard, which I am happy to share today. You can easily make it spicier by adding more jalapenos. Top with cheese, cilantro, black olives, sour cream and/or any other favorite topping and serve with warm chips.
October 3, 2010
All this canning, jarring and freezing has filled up all my pantry space, but also my freezer. Trying to make some room I pulled out some beet greens I had frozen last winter. Combined with some creamy white beans, I also added a late summer splash with garden-fresh tomatoes and thyme. Red pepper flakes add some spice, if you like.
September 19, 2010
In November I'm teaching an Indian cooking class so I thought I'd better bone up. With lots of eggplant in the garden and a cool, rainy day outside, this stewy, roasted eggplant dish is just the trick. Serve with nan or pita as an appetizer or over rice for a main dish. Eggplant is high in fiber and the breadth of herbs and spices offer flavor without a lot of fat.
September 5, 2010
This is my go-to tomato sauce recipe, especially in the summer. Minimal processing means bright, fresh, juicy flavors. Just throw everything in the pot, puree and pretty quickly you have some top quality sauce to use on pasta, pizza, dipping bread and veggies - just about any place. Since I had nearly 30 lb of tomatoes to do something with, I tripled the recipe and canned it. Hopefully it'll last until next summer!
August 1, 2010
Not exactly overrun with tomatoes yet, but I had a bunch of Green Zebras - plum-shaped tomatoes with green and yellow stripes - and the local peaches are just heaven-sent at the moment, so I trial and error-ed this white wine spritzer concoction. Rosemary and peach-infused simple syrup mixed with fresh ginger and ginger ale sweeten up those juicy zebras.
July 25, 2010
I'm overrun with zucchini. You don't watch the garden and poof! three and four pounders abound. This week I gave four of these big guys away and set out to cook up the rest. Besides a double order of zucchini brake, I made a funky Zucchini Matuffi I saw in my latest Wine Spectator and put my own twist on this Basil Zucchini Soup that I discovered in an old Gourmet magazine. It's surprisingly vegan despite a very creamy texture.
June 27, 2010
We're in North Carolina at my family's beach house and I'm already inspired by the friendly, yet steamy south. Yesterday I bought home-grown yellow tomatoes for $1.00 per pound and a watermelon so heavy the farmer had to carry it to our car for just $5.00. Sweet corn and candy-like peaches for pennies each. Brunch was a cheese and egg biscuit for me; fried eggs, grits and white toast for Michael - all washed down with eye-popping sweet, sweet tea. That all inspired me to try a personal spin on homemade grits. Of course lots of cheese and butter (so these aren't healthy!), but I added two grilled jalapenos, chilled the whole mix in a pie pan (vacation rentals don't exactly have a plethora of pans), sliced, fried and served warm. It is probably too loose to grill, but I did have that thought.
June 20, 2010
Vegetarianized.com is hitting the big time! I taped two Video Tips for Chow.com on Friday - one homemade ketchup and the other homemade hot sauce. The videographer was shocked when I said I had the ketchup recipe on Vegetarianized.com, but not the hot sauce, so here you go. Similar to Michael's comments, he said it was just as hot as your typical hot sauce, but just had a brighter, fresher taste. With four ingredients and less than 10 minutes of doing, there is no reason not to make your own. It can compliment your other favorite hot sauces or become your new favorite. My Video Tips should be up at Chow.com within three to four weeks - I'll be sure to let the world know.
May 31, 2010
Surprise - I got settled enough from flying home yesterday to do a "Monday" Serving this week! I came back to a nicely progressing summer garden - only one dead seedling, an eggplant. Right now, though, I have more artichokes than I know what to do with so it'll be grilled artichokes on the menu for the foreseeable future - poor us! This is a really easy recipe to make, including the lemony dipping sauce.
May 16, 2010
In celebration of all the May birthdays in my family (that's me, Rodney, Kathy, Meaghan and Patrick) I have a super fun, get-you-tipsy-without-realizing-it, sparkly cocktail. If you've ever made a mojito at home, you've made simple syrup by dissolving sugar in water. For this drink, we dissolve sugar in fresh-squeezed lemon juice and infuse it with fresh rosemary - ooo, yum! After a few hours of cooling (but if you can't wait you can put it in the fridge), you mix up your simple syrup with vodka and a splash of club soda or seltzer to give it a kick and some fizz. You can make this without vodka, but I wouldn't recommend it. Happy Birthday (or un-Birthday as the case may be)!
April 25, 2010
Yesterday was a back-breaking, sunburned day of harvesting my winter garden and putting in the summer one. But the spoils included some heavenly purple cauliflower that begged to be roasted with garlic and herbs and tossed with pasta (well in my head they wanted to!). This is a very light pasta (but with bold flavors and colors!) that creates its own sauce from the water the pasta is cooked in plus the oils from the pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes. Certainly you can use any color of cauliflower and spinach in exchange for arugula. For a gluten-free recipe, use corn or rice pasta.
April 18, 2010
I had a request recently for vegetarian tacos. I make a lovely version with faux ground beef, but I thought my recipe for grilled portobello mushroom tacos would go over much better. This recipe is insanely easy to make - 20 minutes and dinner's on the table. The salsa verde is nice and spicy. If you prefer a more mild taste, exchange the poblano for a regular green pepper. This dish is high in good, heart-healthy fats and fiber, and low in sodium.
April 11, 2010
Most of my winter garden is beets. I have golden, candy striped and bull's blood. I decided to pick a few because they are getting pretty big - and their days are numbered since my summer garden will be going in soon. The beets are colorful, bright and gorgeous. I just wish I had more recipes for beet greens! I decided to do them simply by roasting them with rosemary and garlic, and then drizzling them with a balsamic-honey glaze. You can make this dish vegan simply by exchanging the honey for brown sugar.
March 14, 2010
The mysterious omelet. Apparently Julia Child devoted ten pages to the description of making omelets. I've read accounts of omelet making that drove people mad trying to attain illusive omelet perfection - soft, creamy, buttery; cooked through, but without any brown spots. I've read still others where the first step is to get your "20 year old, perfectly seasoned omelet pan." I've seen ingredients for omelets that include water. Ones that say you must have room temperature eggs, cold unsalted butter, an aluminum skillet, perfect heat, stir with a fork, shake the pan back and forth, practice with beans in the skillet - I can see why people have gone crazy. Michael expressed interest in learning to make omelets after seeing the old episode of Julia Child's The French Chef on the subject - I guess 30 minutes is equal to about 10 pages. So I did some research, bought a decent omelet pan and let him loose in the kitchen over the past month. I'm sure this recipe has not attained perfection on the French scale, but I think he's developed his own quite tasty recipe. Because omelet making does take longer to describe than make, we've add a few videos - a first on Vegetarianized.com!
February 28, 2010
I took a tour through the Davis Farmers Market on Saturday to see what was looking good and it was the potatoes, mushrooms and cheese that inspired me to create this rich, earthy, cheesy appetizer. The mushroom guy had beautiful creminis, oysters and shiitakes, but it was the exotic black trumpets that drew me. Some lovely little red and yukon baby potatoes, local goat's milk cheddar and I was dreaming of putting them together in a stuffed potato popper. If you can't find goat's milk cheddar (you should try hard though, the difference between cow's milk cheddar is amazing), find the sharpest white cheddar you can.
February 21, 2010
One of my favorite faculty members from work, Nicole, gets a bouquet of endive every year for Valentine's Day. I was lucky enough to be around when she was generously giving some away (I was lucky last year too!). She gave me a beautiful packet of three, local endives (pronounced either 'en-dive' or 'on-deev'). My mind immediately jumped to a grilled romaine salad I made once. With a light, lemony vinaigrette, the earthy, grilled flavor and crunchy texture from the lettuce was a great match. It's easily translated to endive. This recipe is a snap, it's cheap, it's good for you AND, most importantly, it tastes amazing! If the dressing is too lemony for your taste, simply add more dijon mustard or olive oil starting with a teaspoon at a time.
January 31, 2010
I guess I'm on this soup kick and have fallen hard core for this particular version. I made it in both my cooking classes this past month and I just can't seem to get enough. Roasting the carrots enhances their natural sweetness, but also concentrates their earthy flavor. The touches of the spices and honey are the perfect compliments to this warm, wintery soup. It's extremely easy to make because all the ingredients are likely to already be in your kitchen and the preparation is a cinch. And it's pretty low in calories and high in fiber to boot.
November 1, 2009
Our friend, Cathy S. from outside Richmond, VA, emailed me awhile back asking for a vegan potato corn chowder recipe. Her recipe had bacon, butter and milk, but it was easily converted to a vegan recipe with plant oil-based butter and soy milk. With hearty potatoes, sweet corn and creamy, nutty soy milk, now she can serve her vegan friends the same yummy soup, and I would say more yummy and more healthy, vegan style.
October 18, 2009
This is a fun side dish. They are kind of like little spinach-cheese pies. And very quick to bring together. They'll be in the muffin cups and ready to be baked before the oven can heat to 400 degrees. Use any good quality grating/melting cheese in this recipe. I think pecorino, cheddar or gouda would also work well.
September 20, 2009
After a much needed lazy day, I've whipped up this classic dip. I was prompted by a young woman from my cooking class last week that said she had just moved to Davis and wanted to know where she could get some great hummus. I replied that I had this fabulous recipe from a tattered old book I borrowed from Michael's mom; the 1969 Time-Life series called 'Foods of the World.' This one was on Middle Eastern Cooking and the 'Hummus bi Tahina' recipe that was on page one has been my go-to hummus recipe ever since. I have never tasted hummus this good except for in a Middle Eastern restaurant. Serve with my homemade pita chips.
September 13, 2009
Gooey cheese on falling apart grilled tomatoes - just heaven! Yesterday I taught a cooking class at the Davis Food Coop titled: Quick, Local, Vegetarian. All the dishes could be made in 30 minutes or less with ingredients produced within 100 miles of Davis - and of course they were vegetarian. This recipe was one of the five I did in the class yesterday. It's an easy, yummy side dish for those end of the season tomatoes. I used parsley here, but you could use just about any herb you have on hand or are growing, including, basil, rosemary or thyme. I took the pictures during the class. Sorry there are only a few - I didn't want to take up too much class time snapping shots of the food!
August 23, 2009
What's a lovely thing to do with summer eggplant? Roast it and make it into this Mediterranean/Middle Eastern dip that takes no time to put together. Serve with some of my homemade pita chips and some fruity white wine, and you have a great little snack on a hot day. You may also know this dip spelled Baba Ghanoush.
August 16, 2009
The garden continues to abound with vegetables so before we drown in Better Boys, Ichibans and Anaheims I thought I'd throw it all together in one yummy, homey, satisfying dish. Ratatouille can be served as a side dish or as a meal with a crusty French loaf and salad. Or for the meat-eaters in the crowd, grilled or roast chicken perched right on top of a bed of ratatouille could just hit the spot. And it's ready in less than an hour.
August 9, 2009
Another family recipe this week on Sunday Serving. This one comes from my step-brother's fiancee, Judy S. (I guess soon to be Judy R.!) and her family from North Jersey. A well-kept secret of New Jersey is the wonder of Jersey tomatoes (and corn and peaches!...it is the Garden State after all). This yummy recipe using garden fresh tomatoes only requires patience - 15 minutes to put together and 4-5 hours to wait while it marinates in the hot, summer sun. That's just the recipe I need this week because I think I have been struck down with strep throat so I can go back to bed while the sun does it magic. And when I wake up hours later I have a fabulous meal that just needs some crusty bread and, if my stomach can handle it, a knob of cheese. Did I mention that I got that cool glass jar from the thrift store for $2.00?! Wow, I'm a gourmet and a smart shopper!
July 12, 2009
Sorry for slacking over the long 4th weekend, but I'm back with another edition of Sunday Serving. This week Michael and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary and yesterday we splurged and went to Napa for the day. We popped in to the Oxbow Market and had a cheese plate, some great, cheap wine and watched the LA Angels kick the Yankees butt! After grabbing six cupcakes from Kara's (just couldn't decide on less!), we explored downtown Napa. It's really desolate down there, but the restaurants were great. We had a severely hoppy beer at Joe's, then stopped in Angele's for some wine and pomme frites, and last but not least, had pizza at the new Azzurro's. Nice thin crust style, but a little over cooked.Yes, back to this week's recipe: a Chilled Honey Carrot Soup. This soup does require some cooking, but if you get up early while it's still cool and make it, when it's a zillion degrees later on in the afternoon or early evening this will be a delicious, light and refreshing alternative to firing up the grill or turning on the stove or oven. Enjoy!
June 14, 2009
Maybe this is too much to ask, but I thought I'd share a recipe to make marmalade. Marmalade is a thinner than jam, but with chunks of fruit - jelly is smooth without bits of fruit. I don't think it's that hard to make marmalade and I'm hoping after you take a look at this recipe, you'll give it a whirl. On the other hand, I have people at work returning their empty jars asking them to be refilled with my latest creation. Perhaps that is just a compliment to my marmalade and jam-making abilities or I'm crazy to think anybody in the 21st century but me is going to spend the time to make marmalade and jam themselves. In any case, I hope you enjoy watching the process and maybe one day you'll embark on your own marmalade adventure. This recipe is made with grapefruit from my dean's trees. Thanks, Nicole! Please don't forget to bring me the bounty of your garden after you have stepped down...I'll still be around to make lovely creations out of what you send my way!
May 24, 2009
Oh, is it not Sunday today?! Sorry folks, I had a bit of slacking on the long weekend. Baseball and beer was calling me. Today it's back to work. A few folks have been asking me about my homemade vegetable stock recipe so I thought I'd give it up. It's quite easy, freezable and just makes the dish when it involves rice, quinoa or any other suck-up-the-liquid-type grain. And vegetable stock is an absolute requirement for soup - that I learned quite early on in my kitchen adventures - water just doesn't cut it. You need to add stock no matter what the recipe says. And did I mention that this homemade stock has about half the sodium of the store-bought stuff? So enjoy the recipe for this great kitchen staple.
April 19, 2009
It's the one year anniversary of Vegetarianized! In celebration I made Scallion Soup - not exactly the dish you think about when you want to party, but still a nice, light spring soup. And the scallions are from my garden. I finally harvested all my scallions after nearly six months of growing over the winter. Some were as large as leeks!
March 15, 2009
Lee S. of Richmond, VA suggested a lentil recipe. I couldn't think of anything I had made with lentils other than soup. There had to be something else to do with lentils so I put on my thinking cap and got down to some research. I read about a split pea spread and found several lentil dips. After much comparison and figuring, I adapted this lentil dip to have a French flare. It's low in calories and fat as well as high in protein and fiber - a yummy snack that's good for you! It gets better with age so if you can let it chill over a night or two, it'll be even better. Bon appetit!
March 8, 2009
Why, do you ask, am I making ketchup at home? Well, Michael goes through the stuff like water. A typical-sized ketchup bottle is considered two servings in our house. It's not that that is a problem except for the sugar content - geez! I hated to see him consume such great amounts of sugar and I thought I could probably make a cheaper, more flavorful version. So after years of researching online, testing and adjusting, I give you my personal ketchup recipe. Michael calls it "tomato chutney," but really it's just plain 'ole ketchup with some spiced-up kick.This recipe was also my first "break" into the food biz. Check me out on Chow.com.
February 22, 2009
Patatas Bravas is a very traditional and simple little tapa with crunchy fried potatoes smothered in a creamy tomato sauce. It's a bit high on the calories, fat and carbohydrates contents, but worth the splurge. Michael and I were introduced to this dish in NYC at a tapas restaurant in our neighborhood called 1492. They actually served it with three sauces and many restaurants in Spain do serve these patatas with multiple dips, but I just did the traditional tomato. Other sauces may include a garlic aioli or sweet barbecue. Salud!
February 15, 2009
A Spanish tortilla is very similar to an Italian frittata and traditionally done with just potatoes. I added spinach to make it a Tortilla de Patatas y Espinacas. Note that this is a ONE skillet meal - everything is sautéed and cooked in the one skillet and then finished in the oven. I use the same technique with the eggs that I did with the frittata I made a few weeks ago; that is, adding one tablespoon of chilled butter to the whisked eggs before I cook them. I guarantee a lighter, fluffier, richer egg with this method - it's miraculous science!
January 25, 2009
To continue my shameless promotion of my upcoming cooking class at the Davis Food Co-op on Saturday, February 7th, today's Sunday Serving is a Spanish Sweet Pea Soup. This is not one of the dishes I'm making at the cooking class, but a beautiful, creamy, sweet soup that is easy to make and shows off some of the wonderfully tangy Spanish cheeses. It's also quite high in protein and fiber. If you want to reduce the fat content, simple omit the cheese crisp.
January 18, 2009
This frittata is beautiful as an easy brunch main or light weeknight meal. Fluffy eggs are studded with vinegar-marinated creminis, fresh chives and gooey French fontina.
November 30, 2008
This will get you in the mood for the winter holiday no matter the weather outside. Today I think the high in Davis is supposed to be near 70! This is the German version of mulled wine drunk from specially decorated mugs.
November 16, 2008
My vegetarian (it's actually vegan) gravy is one of my most coveted recipes. I look forward to digging out this recipe each November, experimenting with different vegetables I have in the fridge or look particularly lovely at the market and, most importantly, drowning my potatoes, stuffing, bread and another other dish on my plate that gets in the way of this thick, earthy sauce. Here I've paired it with baked sweet potatoes I got from the CSA. I wanted a simple accompaniment for the gravy here, but for Thanksgiving, perhaps a sweet potato casserole would be in order. Either way, the slightly sweet sweet potato marries well with the root vegetable-based vegan gravy.
November 9, 2008
Well the holidays are about upon us so I thought I'd help out by providing some fabulous dishes for the upcoming festivities - for vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. The first is one I've been dying to try. Earthy mushrooms baked with hearty potatoes and topped with aged gruyere and parmesan cheeses. This gratin takes some the best of the fall harvest and turns it into a yummy delight for the holiday table.
November 2, 2008
I recently interviewed the owner of Kim's Asian Market, Jun, in Davis as my November article for Davis Life Magazine. It was fun to write, get a Korean cooking demo and, of course, sample all the lovely vegetarian offerings. I became an instant fan of the sweet potato noodles Jun made. I had never heard of or seen these glassy, semi-transparent Asian noodles made with just sweet potato flour and water. Jun prepared them with a host of vegetables, sesame oil, salt and sesame seeds - simple, with a great nutty taste. If you can't find sweet potato noodles, substitute pad thai or rice noodles. For an added protein boost, add cubed baked tofu in step #3.
September 7, 2008
Per a request for an Indian dish from Becky M. of NYC, one of my favorite academic colleagues, I'm trying my hand at a recipe I've been on a quest for for years. Sapphire Indian Restaurant on Columbus Circle in NYC is the only Indian restaurant that I have ever known to make Tandoori Vegetables. Each time I sit down at an Indian place and open the menu I hold my breath to see if they offer this true delight of broiled vegetables in a spicy yogurt sauce. But alas I have not yet found it any place else. I used a mix of vegetables that I remembered Sapphire to use, but I imagine you could simply use all your favorites.
August 17, 2008
Clockwise from top left: Chunky Hummus, Italian Beans, Mexican Beans. My friend, Laura, asked me for a new brown bag lunch sandwich partner that wasn't boring, old chips. I've been meaning to do my three bean dips before so this is the perfect opportunity. These are ridiculously easy to make and will accompany Italian, Mexican and Middle Eastern foods. The Mexican dip I made up, but the other two were ones from restaurants in NYC and Miami that I loved and recreated at home. I often eat them with homemade pita chips.
August 12, 2008
My NYC, now Portland, friend inspired me with a challenge to spruce up the boring lunch sandwich she takes to work every day. I really don't eat sandwiches, except grilled cheese with avocado and tomato at a diner - divine! - so it was a particularly good challenge. Egg Salad is terribly fast and the mix of crunchy veggies, tangy mayo, sour lemon juice, spicy dijon mustard and vinegary pickles is simply amazing...enjoy!
June 15, 2008
Sound like an oxymoron? This creamed spinach packs great flavor and a creamy texture all without any animal products. I use it on my Spanikopita Pizza.
June 8, 2008
One pot, 15 minutes active time, and you are barely heating up the kitchen - a great summer condiment. Boycott the plastic bottle BBQ sauce! This is rich, thick, and smoky. Fabulous with veggie dogs or roasted/grilled portobello caps.
June 1, 2008
A friend from college, Lauren, sent me a recipe for a lentil soup that she says she always gets compliments on. But since this is blog to improve recipes gone terribly wrong (or vegetarianize meat ones), I thought I'd test my skills at using her recipe as a base to create my own. I've had some yellow split peas in the pantry for months now; after they caught my eye in the market for their extraordinary summery sun color and bargain price of only 69 cents per pound. I think this will make a great summer soup because of the aforementioned color, ease to make (don't want to heat up the kitchen when it's 90 out!), and kitchen sink approach - just throw in those few carrots, onions, garlic, celery and fresh herbs you got hangin' around in the fridge and wa-la!
May 7, 2008
Your prayers, and email suggestions, are answered! This sauce is fast, vegan, cheap, versatile (suggestions for applications below),and fresh and it uses canned tomatoes . My boss gave me some bay leaves from her yard. I'm going to jar this up and give it to her to say thanks - especially since she also brought me saffron from Sardinia...I'm in foodie heaven.
April 16, 2008
We're off to slow, but good start. Got lots of feedback, but not many recipes in the first week. No worries, Rob G. of Manhattan sent in a quinoa recipe and a $15 Pay Pal donation to boot - and wow I haven't even cooked anything yet! Thanks, Rob! It's funny because I think I've cooked quinoa like once (much to my dismay pronounced keen-wah not quin-o-a). But as I said, I'm up for a challenge so I thought I'd give it a go.