Bulgur Salad with Spring Herbs

I grow a number of herbs in my garden.  They are not only great to have for cooking, they are also pretty, easy-going members of my garden plant communities.  While tabouleh is often made with parsley, I’m highlighting three mild fresh green herbs in this version:  mint, lemon balm, and fennel fronds.  They’re like good…

Cabbage Salad with Roasted Garbanzos and Spicy Tahini dressing

Crunchy, subtly sweet, mild, savory, and a tasty nutrient powerhouse.  I’m talking about cabbage, of course!  This stalwart vegetable deserves some love, especially in the winter when quality salad greens can be scarce.  But cabbage — it’s there for you! I paired mine with a zingy, savory tahini dressing and added roasted garbanzos and pepitas…

Carrot Coconut Soup

I love the sweet, delectable carrots I get in my CSA box, and had a big bunch as they are plentiful this time of the year.  I combined the carrots with fresh turmeric and creamy coconut milk for a warming, aromatic, lightly spiced soup. I enhanced the natural sweetness and aromatic qualities of carrot and…

Double Persimmon Napa Cabbage Salad

It’s persimmon month, at least in my house.  I’ve got my first batch of dried Hachiya persimmons ready, and fresh mellow Fuyu persimmons on my counter.  I put the two of them together in a salad with savory, slightly bitter napa cabbage and it was a great combo. I lightly dressed the greens and persimmons…

Smoky Quinoa and Lentils

Earthy red quinoa and french green lentils taste amazing with sweet ripe tomatoes and a smoky lemon dressing. The magic making these simple foods extra delicious is smoked paprika.  I developed this recipe to inspire a friend looking for good lunch ideas.  This one works nicely — it’s best at room temp, protein packed, super…

Zingy Strawberry Smoothie

This delicious, zingy smoothie is one of my favorites, and for several reasons. Most important to me, it tastes fabulous — tart, sweet, creamy, a little spicy, and richly scented.  And it’s a quick charge up for those mornings when I need to eat and go.  But here’s the fun part — it has health…