I typically try to avoid using products whose main goal is to “mimick” meat. While I think these products are great every once in a while as a treat, I don’t believe they should be a staple in a person’s diet. For some reason I’ve always put tempeh in this category of processed mock meat…
Dinner
Summer Peach & Spinach Salad with Creamy Mustard Dressing
Ever since the early harvest a few weeks ago I have been eating peaches with abandon. Having plump, sweet, tangy, drip-down-your-arm peaches is truly one of the greatest feelings in life. I am probably averaging 2-3 large peaches a day (not sorry) either in my oatmeal, smoothies, with black-strap molasses, or sliced on their own. …
Oil-Free Takeout Chow Mein
I have never met anyone who does not like takeout noodles. There is something about them, the chewy noodle, the salty sauce, the semi soft veggies that just makes you feel like staying on the couch in your pajamas and watching your favorite shows. And while sometimes I crave killer takeout, I am always a…
Antipasti Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Dressing
You know those fancy self serve olive bars in the grocery stores, I’ve always wondered if people actually used them since I rarely saw people lined up. It wasn’t until recently (when I finally got around to liking olives) that I understood the allure of an entire bar dedicated to salty, sour, spicy, preserved…
Fresh Corn Polenta
In our house, fresh corn is THE ingredient of the summer. It’s sweet, packed with flavor, can be eaten raw or cooked and is extremely versatile. Any other time of the year in our house, dried polenta is a staple in our bulk pantry. It’s simple and it provides a heart base for any…
Jessica’s Crock Pot Black Beans
All right children, it’s time to gather around and get comfortable it’s time to hear a story. Being a chef, you can imagine that I have my fair share of kitchen appliances. Having lived in many different places, with different sizes and storage space I have always leaned towards the side of efficiency. That said,…
Sweet Potato & Millet Stew
Well, the forecast calls for what seems like a month of low 30’s to mid-40’s with lots of cute images of raindrops and snowflakes here in Washington. Although I am dreaming of seeing those first sprouts and pea shoots in a glimmering beam of early sunshine I am thankful for the present because it makes…
Yellow Pepper Dal
I LOVE Indian food with a passion. There is something about it that is so unbelievably comforting and nourishing to me. I suppose that, the cuisine tends to focus on fresh and dried spices, while using simple and uncomplicated foods like pulses, rice, potatoes, and vegetables. With a large focus on mostly whole plant foods,…
Creamy Tortilla Soup
Last week I could not get over a strong craving for fresh corn tortillas. I would find myself throwing them over an open flame on my stove until they were barely charred and ripping them into bite size pieces to enjoy their savory, roast-y, corn-y goodness. Smelling and tasting that roasted corn got me thinking of…
Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts with Chickpeas
A few months ago, we were about to leave for a 2 week vacation, so I forced myself to not go grocery shopping and tried to eat every last scrap that we had in our fridge. The last days before any trip always turn out some interesting combinations of fridge scraps and pantry staples. Earlier in…