I found the silver lining in my most recent epic cooking fail: it is possible to like cooked carrots. Normally I find cooked carrots revolting. I can manage them raw (slathered with hummus), but boiling, steaming or otherwise smushifying them into sickeningly sweetish, squishy bits trips my gag … [Read more...]
Sauteed Kale with Onions and Garlic
This sauteed kale recipe may be basic, but it's no less tasty for it. What's more, kale holds its frilly texture even as it softens during the quick saute and simmer, so it provides a tasty textural counterpoint to heavy winter entrees. Before you start, though, be sure to wash kale thoroughly and … [Read more...]
Midweek Dash: Mushrooms with Garlic and Wilted Spinach
My friend Jen suggested this combination to me, and personally I think it's inspired. Not only is it a mash-up of my favorite steakhouse sides, but it's quick and easy to boot. No need to relegate it to the role of side dish, though; according to Jen, if you toss it with some pasta and a little … [Read more...]
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cumin
Time to enjoy this prickly squash’s sweet side! The idea for this recipe came from Nick Foster, the amazing chef who cooked my father-in-law’s birthday dinner while we were on vacation in England's Lake District a few years back. What a treat! His food was fantastic and—more importantly—he … [Read more...]
Veggie Entrée: Easy Slow-Cooker Chili
I confess: I was originally going to blog the vegetarian chili recipe from the January 2011 issue of Real Simple just as it was, linking to it instead of writing my own version. Because when I made it, I was duly impressed. I couldn't think of a single thing I'd want to change.Then I read the … [Read more...]
Celeriac: Do the Mash
The grubby orbs beckoned to me from across the produce section, their bottoms bedecked with what looked vaguely like octopus-tentacle suction cups.We’re the ugliest vegetables you’ve never tried, they whispered. Come check us out.I was in a hurry that day; no time for a new-veggie meet-and-greet. … [Read more...]
Midweek Dash: Winter Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
Tasting is believing, Veggie Questers. My mom first served this salad while I was home from college on winter break, lo the many years ago. I have no idea where she got the inspiration for this particular combination, but to be honest, I was initially unenthused. The concept of avocados and … [Read more...]
Midweek Dash: Broccolini with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Contrary to appearances, Broccolini isn't just gangly teenage broccoli; rather, it's a hybrid between broccoli and gai lan (Chinese kale). The result is a sweet, mild veggie with crisp, mellow stalks reminiscent of asparagus topped with endearing fringes of florets. When buying, pick Broccolini … [Read more...]
Midweek Dash: Smashed Tomato Salad
The voters have spoken, and Midweek Dash won the title (har!) for my Wednesday posts, which from here forth will feature superfast veggie recipes (15 minutes or less).Without further ado, here's this week's blisteringly fast dish:_____Smashed Tomato Salad This recipe is adapted from the squashed … [Read more...]
Superfast Hoisin Collard Greens
Yesterday I got a request for fast recipes. (Gosh, it's like you people have lives or something!) Since I aim to please, as of tonight, I'm instituting a new tradition on Veggie Quest: each Wednesday night, I'll be posting a veggie recipe that will have you in and out of the kitchen in 15 … [Read more...]
I'm Lee, an RD thriving on a healthy plant based diet.