• Roasted eggplant with tahini dressing
    Food

    Japanese Eggplant with Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing

    For my recent hummus recipe, you may have purchased a jar of tahini, so this week I’m sharing another way to make use of the ground sesame paste.  Combined with lemon juice and plenty of fresh herbs, tahini transforms into a dressing that pairs well with delicate and mildly sweet Japanese eggplant, which only becomes more flavorful after a brief roasting time.  With no bitterness and a smaller size than standard eggplant, they can take the slightly bitter natural notes in tahini without turning the whole dish so.  Citrus and herbs brighten up the dressing and make this an exceptional dish for lunch or dinner. When the Japanese variety is…

  • Food

    Hummus

    Lately I’ve been craving versatile dishes including this hummus that serves as an appetizer, side dish, or flavorful addition to your main meal.  Lemony and bright, which is the way I love it, the recipe can be adapted if you prefer less citrus.  Hummus also has the benefit of giving you plenty of plant-based protein from chickpeas and tahini, making it a great dish to add into your weekly rotation.  Serve it with pita chips and vegetables or round out a nice board with grape leaves, olives, roasted peppers, and the like.  The possibilities are rather endless, and I also suggest using it as a delicious sandwich spread. For the…

  • Guacamole
    Food

    Guacamole

    Topped with grilled corn, pico de gallo, and optional cheese, this guacamole is a the perfect dip, though it certainly should make its way to your tacos, enchiladas, and even be used as a toast or sandwich spread.  Ripe avocados star in the Mexican staple plus lime, onion, tomato, and seasonings. Layer on the toppings or simply make the base recipe, and either way, you’ll find it satisfying and delicious. Summer being just about here, I wanted to give you a recipe for something bright and fresh to carry you into a new season.  Local corn and tomatoes are arriving at the markets and soon will be overflowing our gardens. …

  • Strawberry arugula salad
    Food

    Arugula Salad with Strawberries, Heirloom Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

    Edible flowers make this salad as beautiful as it is delicious, though they are a finishing touch that can be skipped when not available.  Fortunately, we are so early in the growing season that you can plant seeds now and pick flowers from the garden rather soon.  In the meantime, farmers markets and shops often sell edible pansies, violas, and other varieties, and these tips will help make sure you’re enjoying them safely. With or without colorful petals, the recipe below yields a light and fresh salad tossed with a tasty vinaigrette that’s perfect for enjoying under sunny skies.  The peppery flavor of arugula pairs well with sweet strawberries and…

  • Carrot and cabbage slaw
    Food

    Carrot and Cabbage Slaw

    Light and bright with just enough sweetness, this carrot and cabbage slaw is practically designed for outdoor dining.  As an accompaniment to the main dish, it makes a plate more beautiful and lends some tang.  Include it in a picnic spread, and it livens up the rest of the offerings.  For subtle variations in raw carrot flavor and the most gorgeous assemblage of vegetables, opt for a bunch of rainbow carrots or make your own mix with varieties such as atomic red (my favorite), solar yellow, and cosmic purple. In place of the raisins which often appear in a carrot slaw, this recipe includes chopped pitted dates for a more…