Butternut squash is one of winter's greatest bounties. Its nutrition laden insides hide beneath a drab, tough, creamy-beige skin. But don't judge a book by its cover. Read more »
cilantro-honey roasted butternut squash
mediterranean grilled caesar salad
Regardless of what kind of restaurant I'm dining in, I love to enjoy Caesar salad for my second course. I've sampled many varieties, but the one that has struck me the most in recent years is the Black Trumpet's Grilled Caesar. The Trumpet nailed the dressing with it's creamy texture and ideal balance of cheese and lemony tang. However, they also managed to successfully execute a twist on this salad favorite without losing the classic integrity of the dish. A romaine heart is presented slightly charred with a drizzling of dressing and a side of kalamata olives, toasted pine nuts, and red pepper relish. The texture and savory notes of these additions boost the salad from a simple side to a main dish that can hold its own. Read more »
spinach pasta fagioli
2011 is here and after week upon week of holiday festivities and overindulging in chowtime cheer, I am ready to return to my prior life of lighter, nutrition-laden fare. As a matter of fact, I am sprinting back with open arms. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this month-long stint while it lasted, but my system has definitely been working overtime processing refined carbs and red meat, something it's not accustomed to the majority of the year. I sensed my body's mayday signal when I woke up on New Years suffering from a sore throat, headache and bloated belly. After spending the majority of the day grazing, hydrating and finally squeezing in a dusk workout, I knew it was resuscitation time and I began to think about my next blog post... Read more »
brussels sprouts and pancetta
I was a very deprived child, but did not know until a couple of years ago... My mother never, ever prepared brussels sprouts for us. Okay, so maybe I wasn't exactly a deprived child, but I can't help feeling a little slighted that I didn't get to try my new favorite veggie until a couple of short years ago. Read more »
