May 19, 2012
by Lucia
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Dear soup,
How do I show my love for thee? By cooking you every chance I get. Let our relationship continue to grow with simple spoonfuls–and may steaming ladles never stop serving you. You make hot days cool, and cold days take on a warmer hue once you’re on the table. You are the utmost.
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May 13, 2012
by Lucia
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Pies, cobblers, compotes and syrups are great culinary devices when mass quantities of rhubarb take their annual place as the forerunners of harvest season. Those few plants in the forgotten about corner of the yard never fail to produce, a friend pops over and brings a little, small gift; the neighbor digs her plant up in a gardening fit. All of a sudden there they are, copious piles ready and raring to go on the kitchen table, teasing you with their seemingly endless supply (amazing what a couple of plants can do).
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April 23, 2012
by Lucia
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Due to their high levels of iodine and myriad nutrients (and my lack of compassion for my cold toes this past winter), sea vegetables have slowly become part of the weekly gastro-chomps around here. Good thing nori is delicious, and with all the different varieties of seaweed, there are lots of ways to prep and consume. For starters, let’s do snack time!
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April 14, 2012
by Lucia
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As I continue to learn more about the nightshade family (the most commonly consumed foods from this group are white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant) and how my body reacts to their mild levels of toxins, I’ve begun to phase these plants from my culinary life. While my love for the white potato has waned, a new interest in the lovely sweet potato (which has no relation to those delicious yet pesky nightshades) has been sparked within. In the past few months I’ve befriended the sweet potato and now we roll together, thick as thieves.
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March 26, 2012
by Lucia
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Do you cook with fresh herbs? I should make it a priority, because every time I do I’m floored. The difference between any dish and any dish with herbs is enough to make me dance–right then and there, at the first taste test (and the next, and at the meal, and then with those pesky leftovers). Rosemary and thyme have found their way into this frittata, and I’m glad they have. Almost any herb works well with eggs, but the combination of rosemary and thyme is utterly savory and delightfully simple.
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March 5, 2012
by Lucia
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The smell of bell peppers roasting transports me to a sunny, exotic land–a good pastime while it’s still rather white outside. While the snow slowly melts the peppers are blended with deeply satisfying chicken or turkey stock; I watch the clock and sip my steaming soup… drips dropping outside, tics tocking inside. Though I eagerly dream of daffodils and tulips, this soup reassures me it’s O.K. to savor this last stretch of winter hibernation while waiting.
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January 31, 2012
by Lucia
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Ready–that’s how I feel after eating chicken livers. Not tired, not weighed down… but prepared and amped for the next day (no coffee and its jitters needed). I’ve found these little livers to be a kind and gentle foray into the sumptuous world of organ meats. Careful… once liberated from muscle meats, you’re free! Who knows what else you might try? 
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January 25, 2012
by Lucia
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I do enjoy a crisp, refreshing glass of kombucha or water kefir every now and then (or perhaps a bit more frequently?). These drinks are naturally alive–they are liquid probiotics, and are cheap to easily prepare at home. While I’ve posted my recipe for kombucha before, here are a few variations on the livin’ drink theme as well as my recipe for water kefir.
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January 14, 2012
by Lucia
1 Comment
This Thanksgiving my bag of leftovers overflowed with turkey bones. They were sticking up all over the place, roasted, greasy and menacing. No stuffing, no cranberries, just bones, bones and more bones (well, and that bit of meat stuck to them). What to do with Tom when everyone else is done with him?
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January 7, 2012
by Lucia
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I understand some people hate beets. They were a dicey root for me, too… until I started roasting mine. Sweet and savory never tasted so good (or simple. Also–the way your house smells with these in the oven? Get out!)
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