Photo: the delicious life
By: Allana Mortell
One of the beautiful things about cooking in the summertime is the ability we have as cooks to transform a dish from simple to complex by simply using a few fresh seasonal ingredients. Fresh produce, seasonal berries, vegetables and fruits can turn a side-dish into the main star, which is precisely what we are out to prove with our recipe for citrus salsa verde!
Traditionally, salsa verde is a green salsa made with peppers, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs typically served with tacos or spooned on top of meat as a tangy and herbacious sauce. While the green salsa is filling and comforting, we decided to switch up a few ingredients and prepare a citrus salsa verde perfect for the warm months ahead. [click to continue…]
Most of the time when a craving hits, it’s for two things: carbs and cheese. Usually together.
And while I generally try to convince myself that even though I may think I want mac and cheese all day every day, what I really want is an apple or a salad or both….sometimes I just have to give in. On those days, I make grilled cheese.
Not only is it a pretty portion controlled way to get your carb/cheese fix, but it can also be dolled-up to give it a bit more “oomph” factor. These grilled goat cheese sandwiches are the perfect example of this. [click to continue…]
Photo: Whitneyinchicago
For centuries, London folk have been sipping on a cocktail that epitomizes summer, sunshine and spending time outdoors. That cocktail my friends, is called Pimm’s Cup, a liqueur of sorts that alongside lemonade sells over 80,000 pints each year to spectators.
The main ingredient in a Pimm’s Cup is Pimm’s No.1, created by James Pimm in the 1840s. While working at Oyster Bar in Poultry Street in London, Pimm’s extracted the ‘house cup’ flavored with fruit extracts and spices. The original recipe is still a secret (it has been said only six people know exactly how its made) [click to continue…]
Photo: Back to the Cutting Board
Mother’s Day would not be complete without a sweet treat to make your mom feel extra special. And nothing tugs at a woman’s heart (or stomach) more than chocolate. As a special tribute to mothers everywhere, I’m sharing with you my own recipe for chocolate molten cake.
Some of you may recognize it; it was my winning dessert in my recent Chopped All-Stars episode that won me the chance to compete in the All-Stars finale. In that episode, I paired my gooey chocolate cake with candied beets two ways and I’ve included the candied beets in this recipe as well.
This dessert is just the treat to end a lovely Mother’s Day meal. [click to continue…]
This tart should come with a warning: ”Proceed with caution!”
Its luscious chocolate ganache filling will reel you in while the raspberry preserve center is what will keep you coming back, bite after bite; sliver after sliver. Cutting the richness so that you never think, “Oh this is too much” and instead are constantly leering into the pan thinking, “Well, I suppose one more can’t hurt.”
It can’t. [click to continue…]
Photo: Paul Brissman (www.PaulBrissman.com)
I often want a one-bowl meal that’s healthy and filling. This barley salad combines whole grains with vegetables and flavorful spices.
[click to continue…]
Cinco de Mayo is almost here! Contrary to widespread belief, Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day (which takes place on September 16th), but a commemoration of Mexico’s surprising victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. In Mexico, the holiday is primarily observed in the state of Puebla and not nationwide. In the United States, however, Cinco de Mayo has become widely fêted as a celebration of Mexican heritage, full of music, drinks and, of course, food.
This year Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday. As we often see meat in Mexican cuisine (who can say no to tender carnitas, barbacoa or carne asada?), it was a worthy challenge to create a vegetarian option for this year’s celebration (but a delicious one). Part of the beauty of modern Mexican cuisine is its adaptability, the ease with which it fuses with other ethnic traditions, and the freedom that it lends the home chef to experiment – take advantage! [click to continue…]
Photo: jendeezee
Though beets are not the most popular vegetable, they are slowly working their way up the superfood totem pole. In fact, beets are probably one of the healthiest foods out there. With no trans-fat, saturated fat and very low in calories, the advantage of eating beets is almost too good to be true. Rich in carbohydrates, beets are a great source of energy and high in vitamin C, A and contain plenty of antioxidants and minerals. The aesthetically-pleasing fruit is proven to fight cancer, cleanse your blood and liver and even protect against artery disease. All in all, we should be eating beets this spring.
However, in reality, the golden and purple vegetable may not be everyone’s particular cup of tea. This recipe we’ve provided shakes up the traditional way of roasting, boiling or even (gasp!) using canned beets. By serving the beets raw alongside complementary flavors like creamy goat cheese and a tart citrus dressing, this salad quickly becomes not just your average dinner salad. Filling and scrumptious, this dish may just transform you into a heart-healthy, beet-lover! [click to continue…]
By: Madeleine Ignon
If you’re looking for something simple and sweet to munch on this spring, this is the perfect solution. Chia seeds, magically and with the smallest input of effort, make a wonderful, healthy pudding. Much like the way they take on a tapioca-like texture in the popular kombucha drinks, they gelatinize when soaked in water or nut milk. Add a little sweetener, and you have instant pudding.
As I have been finding out, they are very versatile in cooking, and you can also eat them raw sprinkled over cereals or grains. Plus, they’re packed with fiber, calcium, and omega-3s, making it a great alternative to other sugary snacks. Add your favorite fruit to make it an even more enjoyable easy spring dish! [click to continue…]
Recent Commented Posts
Sinfully Good for Your Waistline: Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe
What To Eat Now: Fish Tacos
Recipe: Health Benefits of Lemon Water
Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches with Fig and Honey Recipe
Join Me At The Chopped All Stars Finale Viewing Party