Makes 6 servings Spring hasn’t quite sprung, the grass is barely riz. But spring is definitely on the way and I’m ready. The orange pith (the white part between the orange zest and pulp) gives a slightly bitter edge to this delicious sauce that is as fresh as the asparagus itself. It makes a beautiful first course or a side dish for grilled or...
Read MoreFoolproof Creamy Polenta
I guess if I were to keep it current, I would call this “No-Fail Polenta.” But using verbs as nouns and vice versa (“I was tasked with making no-fail polenta,” e.g.) annoys me. And being annoyed is the opposite of what cooking is all about. So Foolproof Polenta it is. Polenta, like risotto and soufflés, has an unearned reputation for being finicky. Polenta...
Read MoreYellow Split Peas and Green Beans
Using a box grater for the carrots, garlic and ginger works beautifully. And you can throw it in the dishwasher when you’re done. This is good on its own or next to just about anything from grilled fish to roast chicken. I bet it would be good with shrimp sauteéd with garlic and cilantro spooned over the top. Makes 2 servings, can be easily doubled 1...
Read MoreSpaghetti with Lentils
I don’t like whole wheat pasta. That used to make me sad but it doesn’t anymore. Admitting a dislike for something that is one of the staples of the well-being movement seems to me a kind of personal growth. Given the amount of pasta I eat (not much) and the amount of whole grains, beans and vegetables I consume (quite a bit), I’ve made...
Read MoreRoasted Fennel
I give in. It’s fall. Time to switch from juicy tomatoes and ripe melons to fennel, caulifower and sweet potatoes. Fennel makes fall and winter days bearable and I love it best when roasted. If we have a bunch of people over—too many to sit at our 8-seater dining room table—I usually make several little dishes, put them all over the room and let...
Read MoreThe Soup That Wouldn’t Die
AKA Carrot-Ginger Soup. The “wouldn’t die” part comes from the fact that there doesn’t seem to anything you can do to harm this soup. I’ve added all sorts of things to the base with excellent results. Staples in our house include baby spinach or grown-up chard, cut up shrimp and whatever else is in the fridge. Snap peas are...
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