Vegetable forward, feel good food
Celery is easily one of the most underrated vegetables out there, and this celery salad is here to prove otherwise. It’s ⅓ of the classic french mirepoix, which adds a vegetal note to so many classic stews and soups. The stems can be eaten raw or cooked, and the leaves can be used as an…
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Here’s my take on the classic wedge salad: creamy french feta, anchovy-almond breadcrumbs, and tangy tarragon vinaigrette top perfect slices of crisp lettuce. The Magic of French Feta French feta is often produced with 100% sheep’s milk. It’s milder and creamier than it’s Greek and Bulgarian cousins, and often has a texture that more closely…
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Want to make your BLT tomatoes taste more intense and tomato-y? Season them with hondashi, aka instant dashi granules! Hondashi: the secret to instant umami Kombu (a dried seaweed) and bonito flakes (dried and fermented tuna) are the two primary ingredients in dashi: the umami-forward and slightly smoky soup base that flavors some of Japan’s…
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Snap peas, sliced thin and extra crunchy, are one of my favorite spring and early summer treats. Here, we dress them in a tangy buttermilk-sesame-ginger number for a sophisticated spin on ranch. Top with lots of chili crisp and extra sesame oil for the perfect healthy (but not too healthy) side dish. Chili crisp: the…
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I’ve waxed poetic on the magic of ultra plump and juicy summer tomatoes before, and this dish is perfect for showcasing the bright, punchy flavor of the fruit at its finest. Salted tomatoes, swimming in a vinaigrette of their own juices, are topped with a piquant mixture of preserved lemon, roasted red peppers, pine nuts,…
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Classic tamago sando, but add kimchi. That’s it! Luxuriously creamy, funky, and a bit spicy, it’s only as difficult to make as plopping some eggs in boiling water and setting a timer. Japanese egg sandwiches are not complicated or revolutionary, but their magic lies in their ability to transport you to childhood memories of mayo-laden…
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This salad has quadruple the crunch thanks to purple cabbage, cucumbers, radishes, and sunflower seeds. The star of the dish is the vinaigrette, which is made from kimchi brine, apricot, and sesame oil. It’s subtly spicy, a bit funky, and pleasingly sweet on the palate. Add a protein of your choice for a balanced lunch or dinner, or just enjoy as is!
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await the start of summer eagerly, holding off on my cravings until I know i can get the real deal: the umami-packed and obscenely plump tomatoes of my dreams. When the tomatoes are this good, you have the celebrate them, and this stone fruit panzanella is the perfect way to pay respect. Crusty bread soaks up a tangy vinaigrette made from the tomato juices, sherry vinegar, and shallots. Best of all, crisp nectarines or peaches add an extra juicy twist to this Italian classic.
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Rounding out our picnic series, this bean salad with chorizo vinaigrette is a dream. The salad gets better as it marinades and tastes great cold or room temp, so it’s a perfect match for long drives to the beach. Spanish chorizo adds funky salinity and crunchy onions and summer tomatoes add nice contrast to the…
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For a picnic lunch or easy weekday meal prep, try this chilled slow roasted salmon drizzled with Peruvian aji verde. Slow roasting the salmon results in melt-in-your-mouth fish, which tastes even better when chilled. Serve on top of dressed greens or on a sandwich with your choice of crisp vegetables. For more picnic and barbecue friendly…
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Just because we can now be inside with people doesn’t mean we have to! This picnic or barbecue friendly dish brings the spicy, salty, and creamy notes of Mexican street corn (elote) to an easy to prep and travel-friendly pasta salad. For more picnic and barbecue friendly dishes, click here. What is Elote? A masterclass…
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Nothing screams summer more than the smell of grilled meat, and these grilled lamb chops with radish pistachio salsa are perfect for your next cookout. The lamb is rubbed with two of my favorite spice blends: North African ras el hanout and Middle Eastern za’atar. Made from paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, and a long…
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