Ready, Set, Go… A Bit of History: When I was young, my Uncle Jeff would often bring over a plethora of fresh zucchini in the summertime. In return, I baked zucchini-walnut bread and delivered loaves to his home. This past week, my uncle stepped up his game and express mailed fresh morel mushrooms. My husband…
Botticelli in a Bowl… A Bit of History: Whenever I hear the word primavera, my mind immediately visualizes a bowl of pasta and Botticelli. Of course, I always think of food first! Primavera, translated from its Italian origins, means spring. In the USA, pasta primavera consists simply of a pasta dish with fresh vegetables. Personally,…
From the Neolithic Revolution to Meal Prep… A Bit of History Approximately 12,000 years ago, humans began to shift from a mainly hunter-gather existence to early farming. Historians refer to this transitional era as the Neolithic Revolution or the first Agricultural Revolution. Even though history books will not record this recipe, my ancient grain Greek…
A Golden Chalice with a Side of Gentleman’s Relish… A Bit of History: Whenever I hear the word “chalice,” I envision Harrison Ford portraying Indiana Jones. In The Last Crusade, Indy must correctly choose the Holy Grail from an assortment of cups and chalices. After a suspenseful moment, the guardian knight announces, “you have chosen…
Pesto..It’s Still a Big Deal About the Recipe: Vegan Garlic-Scape Basil Pesto Pesto is one of those easy weeknight dinners in my house and is always a big deal! As an added bonus, it is something that the whole family will eat at the same time. I love combining fresh herbs, lemon, and nuts into…
Not Under the Sea…But Under a Tree A Bit of History: Oyster mushrooms were first cultivated in Germany just after World War I, to supplement the meager food supply. Since that time they have become one of the most widely consumed mushrooms. In the wild, they grow on fallen logs or under rotting tree branches….
From A GlassBlower’s Lips… A Bit of History: Risotto a creamy Italian dish is made from short grain arborrio rice, broth or wine, and vegetables. Risotto dishes often contain butter or olive oil and spices, especially saffron, or fresh herbs. However, I like to make risotto with a bit of crunch to it like my…
A Hot Mess… A Bit of History: In Italian, the word puttana literally means whore. The origins of puttanesca sauce are debatable. Historians cannot quite agree if the sauce had its spicy beginnings in the Spanish brothels (due to its name) or accidentally invented one night at Ischia restaurant in the 1950s. Either way, I…
A Recipe for a Spicy Fig Reduction served over Fregola, Crispy Cauliflower, Shiitake, Mizuna, and topped with roasted hazelnuts. Figs. Scientists and historians have found evidence of fig cultivation dating back over 11,000 years ago in Jericho on the West Bank. Figs are really a fascinating fruit with a long and significant history! Since figs…
A Recipe for Fregola Sarda with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto, Celery Root, Carrots, Rutabaga, and Crispy Rosemary Olives & Baguette Croutons Fregola sarda is a minuscule handmade pasta crafted from semolina and water and looks very similar to Israeli couscous. It is typically available dried and pre-toasted to enhance its nutty flavor. Fregola comes from the…