To die for.
After a long bike ride, there's no reason my guests and I shouldn't indulge in a delicious dessert. However, since we are having dinner on the patio, I want to keep it light and informal. Grilled pineapple is a great Summertime dessert that comes together quickly and easily. This recipe kicks the classic variation up a notch by glazing the pineapple in a sugary molasses syrup that's infused with Read more
Tired of the same old flavors, then you really should try something new and spice up your life. Adding herbs and spices to food is a great low-calorie, low-sodium way to improve the taste of your meal while increasing the health benefits as well. Lately, I have been craving cardamom. I'm not sure the cravings mean anything about my diet, but I like this spice when I am physically cold. Cardamom Read more
Want something delicious to eat and lovely to smell? Cardamom comes from seeds inside the husks of a flowering plant. Native to India, it has a strong scent and taste. It is used in both cooking and medicine and can be ground up and baked in a wood-burning oven, or it can be pressed to create an oil. Cardamom also has a cooling property, similar to mint, however not quite as strong. It is one of Read more
I'm not sure when it happened, but lamb has become one of my favorite meats to eat. I used to be weird about it, thinking it was far too gamy. However, I realized I was wrong. When prepared correctly, lamb can be absolutely delicious and positively tasty. I've had this recipe for Cardamom-Scented Lamb With Mashed Sweet Potatoes in my to-make file for quite some time, and last night I finally got Read more
What is not to like about tea? Tea and especially chai tea help prevent and fight many different kinds of cancer, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The fact is - every ingredient in chai tea is good for you, and when you put them all together they pack a powerful punch for your immune system. Chai is a great alternative to your morning Read more
Thought to be a cross between a mandarin and a true lemon, Meyer lemons are rounder, smaller, and have a sweeter juice than the standard variety you'll find in the grocery store. This citrus fruit is native to China but eventually made its way to California, and its name comes from Frank N. Meyer, who first discovered this fragrant fruit in 1908. The moist, thin peel makes an incredible zest, Read more
This may come as a surprise, but if we had to eat one cuisine for the rest of our lives, my pick would be Ethiopian. There's something incredibly natural about the act of eating with one's hands, and the spiced, slow-cooked, home style preparations. But to someone who's not familiar with East African cuisine, deciphering an Ethiopian recipe or the menu at an Eritrean restaurant can be sort of Read more
So many people in my life are terrified when I bring up the idea of going out to my favorite Indian spot in the city. Indian flavors are not for the faint of heart, but most people think that Indian food is just about a super-spicy curry; that couldn't be further from the truth. Indian food is bold, flavorful, and indicative of the country's rich and vibrant history. The regional flavors are as Read more
I'm not sure whether it's the readily available resources online or the sheer number of food documentaries I've watched (Forks Over Knives was the latest viewing that gently pushed me over the edge), but I've officially decided to go vegan for 30 days. I realize this lifestyle change is not for everyone, but making the shift is something I feel ready to experiment with, if only for a limited Read more
If you found the term adobo to be a confusing catchall, then wait until you learn about sofrito. Generally speaking, the word describes a combination of aromatics that have been sautéed slowly in cooking oil to make a flavorful sauce. This is used to enhance everything from soups to meat dishes. But despite the fact that the cooking term is widely employed in Latin and Caribbean countries, its Read more
