Chipotle Chicken Burritos, Avocado Crema + an Avocado Blog Hop

Posted on Mar 8, 2013 | 14 comments We don’t always get the best avocados in Israel, but lately I’ve had some great ones. So I’ve been eating them like crazy. For lunch I have slices of avocado and tomato with nothing more than a sprinkle of salt and drizzle of olive oil. And, wanting to highlight them in dinner as well, I made avocado crema to go with chipotle chicken burritos (which also, of course, have avocado slices...
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Asian Cabbage Salad

Posted on Mar 4, 2013 | 27 comments If you don’t already have a salad like this in your repertoire, you need one. The “Asian” cabbage salad has become a mainstay of the American (and apparently Australian!) barbecue, potluck, and picnic and with good reason. It’s quick, easy, delicious, and travels well since the cabbage stays nice and crunchy even hours later. The Asian Cabbage Salad recipe is my pick for this month’s...
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Black Garlic-Mushroom Dip and a Garlic Blog Hop

Posted on Mar 1, 2013 | 20 comments Black garlic is one of those ingredients that inspires you to play around. The sweet, umami-rich flavor bares practically no resemblance to raw garlic, much in the same way that kimchi tastes very different than plain old cabbage. A Korean specialty, black garlic is simply regular garlic that has been fermented through heat. But unlike other fermented foods, the fermentation process mellows...
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Chicken and Dumplings

Posted on Feb 25, 2013 | 10 comments If you’re not from the US, or even more specifically, not from the American South, then you may not be familiar with chicken and dumplings. But you should be. Basically a chicken stew with simple biscuit dough added and simmered at the last minute, it is pure comfort food. Although chicken and dumplings is most commonly attributed to the South, it can also be found in the Midwest and may...
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Chubeza (Mallow) Patties and a Vegan Blog Hop

Posted on Feb 22, 2013 | 12 comments There are lots of pros to volunteering at a community garden. You get to meet wonderful, passionate people who care about the earth and sustainable eating. You get to spend time outdoors in nature, even if you live in a city. You learn about gardening, and are introduced to new types of plants, fruits, and vegetables. And, the best part, sometimes you get to take the fruit of your labor home....
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Arancini (Rice Balls) and a Rice Blog Hop

Posted on Feb 15, 2013 | 24 comments I didn’t think I could love risotto more than I already did. But take leftover risotto, roll it into rice balls, stuff them with cheese, bread and deep fry and you’ve got an entirely new beast. Called arancini (which means little oranges in Italian), this Sicilian specialty is a vegetarian bar snack worth trying. They’re crispy on the outside with a melty, gooey surprise in the...
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A Valentine’s Day Round-Up and Blog Hop

Posted on Feb 8, 2013 | 14 comments It’s that time of year! I’m not a fan of how commercial Valentine’s Day feels, but I also can’t really hate on any holiday that celebrates love. Growing up my dad would get my sister and I each a small, heart-shaped box of truffles from our favorite local chocolate shop, Lilac (it’s still in business, thanks goodness, and even has a location in Grand Central). My mom...
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Orange Chia Pudding Parfait

Posted on Feb 4, 2013 | 14 comments I’ve been fascinated by chia seeds (salvia hispanica) for a while now. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids and, while they’re a tad pricey a little bit goes a long way. Until now, though, I’ve mostly been simply sprinkling them on top of my morning yogurt, or incorporating them into the occasional smoothie. This month’s Secret Recipe Club gave me the opportunity to...
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Fatteh (Pita with Chickpeas and Yogurt) and a Chickpea Blog Hop

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 | 12 comments I’ve only just discovered fatteh - a Levantine dish of crumbled, toasted pita covered in warm chickpeas and cool, tangy yogurt sauce – but I’m in love. It’s easy to prepare, often vegetarian, makes good use of ingredients I typically have on hand, and is a satisfying snack, starter, or breakfast. I came across it while researching an upcoming article for TreeFree Food on...
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Buffalo Black Bean Dip and a Game Day Blog Hop

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 | 18 comments While I don’t care much about football, I do love all the snacks that go with it. And this Buffalo black bean dip is my new obsession. It takes all of 15 minutes to make, is vegetarian and gluten free, and scratches my Buffalo wing itch without all the calories. In fact, if you eat the dip with veggies it’s about as healthy as game day food gets, and yet feels just as...
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