Carrots, the second most popular vegetable in the world, are having something of a moment. One might even say we're living in the golden age of carrots, as more varieties than ever are becoming available to the average shopper - including exciting heirloom varieties of antiquity.

First domesticated in Afghanistan, this refined version of Queen Anne's lace, a common weed, first began to spread far and wide during the Middle Ages - available in white, yellow, purple-black, violet, burgundy, and plum. The orange carrots we know and love today didn't become available until the Dutch got ahold of them sometime in the 16th century, as a nod to the royal House of Orange. These - of the Nantes and Imperator varieties - are now the most-common, bright orange with a delicious, earthy sweetness.

There are, however, other types that should certainly cross your palate as well. Here's . quick look at what you'll find at your local grocery, farmers market, or CSA:

Nantes are the easiest for home gardeners to grow. They're sweet and crisp, easy to store, and prefer rocky soil.

•  ’Bolero': high yielding
•  ‘Nelson’ : uniform shapes, perfect for eating
•  ‘Scarlet Nantes’ : sweet, deep orange color
•  ‘Yaya’: similar to ‘nelson’, but less sweet, good for fall sowing
• ‘Napa’: resistant to Alternanaria Blight and Powdery Mildew; deep orange; sweet; crisp
• ‘Touchon’: French heirloom; similar to ‘bolero’; sweet
• ‘Parano’: early ’nantes’; eat fresh, cooked, or juiced
•  ‘White satin’: white in color
•  ‘Merida’: storage-type bred for overwintering; plant in Sept/Oct; sweet
•  ‘Purple dragon’: longer in size; purple skin with bright orange core, but color fades when cooked; rich in phytochemicals
•  ‘Kaleidoscope mix’: a mix of 5 varieties
• ‘Cosmic purple’: violet on outside and orange in middle; retains color when cooked 

Imperator are classic, long, and what you’ll most-often find in stores. They require at least a foot of earth to grow; light, sandy loam soil is best.

• ‘Autumn King’
• ‘Atomic Red’: slim, best cooked; retains red color after cooking

Chantenay are short and stout, enjoy heavy or rocky soils, and are incredibly fast-growing.

• ‘Hercules’: great for rocky conditions or clay
• ‘Red-Cored Chantenay’: deep-orange; stays sweet when stored

Mini and Radish-style are grown in shallow root zones or in containers. They also perform well in heavy or rocky soils.

•  ‘Babette’: often served whole with the tops
•  ‘Romeo’: tiny (1-2”); resembling small beets; rich in flavor

The James Scarlet Intermediate dates from 1870, has a good girth and earthy flavor. Best to sow in May for December harvest.

De Djerba are from Tunisia in shades of violet, black, and orange.

We offer a base selection here to help you consider whether you'd like to grow your own carrots, but there are many more to explore if you are curious. Seed Savers Exchange is one of my go-to places to order seeds, including the aforementioned heirloom varieties. 

You might also be wondering if, other than color and size, there are nutritional differences among each variety....

And indeed there are. But only slight nutritional differences between carrot varieties. In general, they all contain high levels of vitamin A, are rich in fiber, and have a modest amount of vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium.  Ultimately, carrots are good for your eyes, skin, teeth, immune system, and digestive health. 

The key is the color. 

Flavonoids found in purple or black carrots have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, while some red carrots may have more beta-carotene and lycopene, which is linked to reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.

At the end of the day, however, the health differences really aren't a dealbreaker for any specific variety - just keep eating these crunchy, vitamin A rich beauties and your body will love you for it.

If you need inspiration for how to use them, check out my flavor pairing ideas, along with some of my favorite recipes below: 
​

Chervil
Cilantro
Caraway
Cumin
Honey
Greens: carrot, collards
Mustard seeds
Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, walnuts
Fruits: apples, apricots, citrus (lemon/orange), dates, pineapple
Other root vegetables: daikon, radish, parsnip
Game meats
Lentils/bean/legumes
Spring carrots pair well with mild meats like chicken and rabbit

carrot green salsa verde
Serves 1 cup 

Ingredients: 
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin 
1 teaspoon coriander
carrot greens from 5 carrots (tougher stems removed)
1 bunch cilantro, reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish
2 cloves garlic
1/2 preserved lemon, pith removed (only use peel)
⅓ cup olive oil 
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
Combine fennel, mustard seeds, cumin, and coriander in a small sauté pan and toast over medium heat for about 1 minute, until toasted and fragrant. Let cool, then finely grind. 

Combine toasted spices, carrot greens, cilantro, garlic, preserved lemon, olive oil, and salt in a food processor. Process until finely chopped but not pureed. 

Serve with assorted vegetables and flatbread OR use as a marinade OR thin with vinegar and oil to use as a salad dressing.

Looking for more carrot recipes? Check out these spring rolls from a previous post OR check out my next newsletter where I'll be featuring a few more carrot inspired recipes.  

The best part about summer, in my opinion, is the garden bed full of greens outside my kitchen window. I peer down from the second floor and take a glimpse every morning; I can't help but press my lips into a smile as I grind coffee beans for the French-press. After, I walk down the back stairway with scissors in hand to clip a variety of greens for breakfast and, later, lunch. 

Never, ever, will I get enough.

I enjoy the complexity of a bowl of mixed greens: arugula, nasturtium, mizuna, broccoli greens, bibb, and curly endive, just to name a few. Each offers something different for the palate. 

There are days when I'll eat an entire head of lettuce, or 12 cups of assorted greens (if you don't believe me, ask my partner Adi), and I won't realize it until I'm finished feasting. Whether they're mixed with fresh corn, kohlrabi, radish, chickpeas, za'atar, or raspberries - I'll eat them every which way. My favorite lately has been lightly sautéed greens on a mezze platter with cooked chickpeas and shakshuka-spiced carrots, assorted cucumbers, labneh, sautéed radish (with its greens), Jordanian olives (unpitted), Bulgarian feta, and lavash. 

I know I don't have to tell you greens are good for you, but I will anyway: They're full of phytochemicals, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, fiber, iron, and folate. Low in calories and high in protein per calorie.

Not so sure you can eat them on a regular basis? I bet I could get you to eat my greens - just ask the participants from this month's cooking class I taught at Blue Cross Blue Shield (see list of up coming FREE classes).  On the menu: charred napa cabbage with a miso lime dressing (see below). 

Regardless if greens are new to you OR you're trying to get more in your diet, try some of these simple strategies: 

• Start small and build your tolerance. Some greens are more bitter than others, so don't feel bad if you don't love them all right away
• Steam or blanche to lower the intensity of more-bitter greens
• Pair them with acidic ingredients, like vinegar, to reduce bitterness and allow them to soften
• Add salt (in moderation, of course) to break down cell walls, making them easier to chew and digest

Charred Napa cabbage with miso lime dressing
serves: 4

Ingredients: 
1 head Napa cabbage, cut lengthwise
2 tbsp grapeseed oil 
2 tbsp miso 
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 lime, freshly juiced

Directions: 
1. Heat a large cast iron pan with oil. When hot, add the cabbage, cut side down and cook until it develops char, about 4-5 minutes. Rotate every few minutes until all sides are charred. 
2. Meanwhile, mix the miso and butter until well-combined in a small bowl. 
3. Apply miso butter to cabbage and bast periodically to the cabbage as it is cooking. The total cook time will vary, depending on the heat and size of cabbage, about 10-15 minutes. 
4. When all sides are charred, remove from heat and squeeze fresh lime juice.
​5. Serve. 

Like what you see? Check out a few other posts, like baharat spiced potato kebbeh, or the nectarine, corn, and black bean salad.

Crêpe (pronounced with a hard e, as in "ep" like depths​ of flavor, not "ape" like in paper), is a French staple, resembling a thin pancake, and eaten throughout the day. When people think of crêpes, they often think of the all-purpose sort, made with eggs and dairy, feather-light and thin. However, crêpes did not start out with those ingredients. In fact, it started out using buckwheat flour, water, and salt.

That's it! They were originally gluten and egg - free ;) 

The original crêpe was made in Breton, in the Brittany region of France. When used in a savory dish, buckwheat crêpes take on a new name called a galette. 

I chose to embrace Breton's tradition and have a go at making three different versions, using buckwheat flour as my base. It's necessary to first try recipes as they were intended, so my first version included the three traditional ingredients: buckwheat, water, and salt. But I also wanted to play with the flavors to enhance and aerate the batter. The second version included 60 g egg and the third version, 60 g kombucha. 

(See recipes below and try them for yourself. Try one or all leave a comment saying which you preferred)

The next question is: What do I put inside/on these beautiful buckwheat delicacies? 

Answer: I had a home delivery of Jen's Jars (check out the pics below), after getting to know Jen herself, so I knew exactly what I was going to use. She uses (mostly) Minnesota-grown, 100% plant-based ingredients in her products (and no preservatives!). I dove into the Easter basket for the raw cacao dark chocolate spread, first. I then tried a few using the spinach and pine nut pesto. 

I kept it simple the first time, using only fresh pear to accompany the raw cacao spread. I added a combination of fresh and dried cherries to the next batch. For a more savory approach, I made a round of galettes with some with the pesto, adding a tomato-and-beet salad, and another topped with gruyère cheese.

The possibilities are endless: It's been nearly a week, and I still have one pint of batter left. Each time it's different, and it's difficult to say which flavors I like best.... But why choose one when I can have them all?

Makes ~4 cups batter

Version #1 
Ingredients
​250 g buckwheat flour
750 ml water
8 g salt

Version #2
​Ingredients
​250 g buckwheat flour
690 ml water
60 g egg (1 whole egg)
8 g salt

Version #3
​Ingredients
​250 g buckwheat flour
690 ml water
60 g kombucha 
8 g salt

Butter for the coating the pan 

Directions: 
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and beat together until well combined. 
2. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. 
3. Remove from refrigerator for at least 1 hour before making the galettes/crêpes. 
4. Use a crêpe pan or non-stick pan and heat until it's hot. Wipe out the pan and add a bit of butter. Pour 2-3 ounces into the pan and use a wooden spreader to swirl the batter. Option to add more butter on top, cooking for roughly one minute. Top with filling of your choice and cook for another minute. Option to apply filling later as I did with some salads. Total cook time is about 3 minutes. 

​Garlic is incredibly versatile, and a great complement to just about any food. There are hundreds of varieties available, but the type of garlic you use, its age, and how you store it can have a big impact on the final dish. 

The good news? It's actually quite difficult to mess up your dish by adding garlic - simply because it will still be delicious. 

Roasted garlic is an easy win on flavor, but did you know that the health benefits of garlic are far greater when you slice into it? 

​When garlic is crushed, grated, chopped, or minced, the enzyme allinase converts alliin into allicin. Through a series of chemical reactions,  it releases its' defense mechanism, which is responsible for unleashing those cholesterol and blood pressuring lowering capabilities, along with reducing risk for developing some cancers. 

Keep in mind that you'll want to wait about 10-15 minutes before using to maximize on those health properties. You'll also want to bear in mind that too much heat can kill the allicin, which is what you want to retain. If you eat the garlic raw OR wait at least 10-15 minutes before heating -cooking- the garlic, you're good to go. 

Interestingly, the health benefits may also hold true with other sulfur containing foods like cruciferous vegetables. You know these guys. Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli are just a few of my favorites from this category of vegetables. The link is allicin, which is a general name for a class of sulfoxides. 

Now, for some garlic inspiration: Homemade mock duck

Mock duck, also known as seitan, is wheat gluten made from gluten, which is the primary protein that makes up wheat. When wheat flour dough is washed in water, all the starch is removed and the gluten remains. When prepared correctly, it looks incredibly similar to meat, which is why it has taken the stage for many meat substitutes. As an added bonus, it's incredibly high in protein and low in fat.

One ounce of vital wheat gluten roughly contains 104 kcal and 21 g protein. 

Who said vegans can't eat enough protein? If they're eating this, they are likely meeting their nutritional protein needs. 

But how do you make it? 

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

Dough: 
2 cups vital wheat
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ginger, grated
1 1/4 cup vegetable stock 
3 tbsp tamari
2 tsp sesame oil 

Broth: 
4 cups vegetable stock
1/4 cup tamari 
kombu or other seaweed (optional)
1" knob ginger

Directions

In a bowl, combine vital wheat, garlic, and ginger. 

In pot, heat vegetable stock with tamari and sesame oil. Just before it comes to a boil, pull from heat and add to bowl of dry ingredients. Knead for 3-5 minutes, rest 10 minutes, then knead another 3-5 minutes. Allow to rest once again and begin heating broth in a large stock pot. 

Simply add 4 cups vegetable stock with tamari, seaweed, and ginger. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cut small bite-sized pieces of dough using kitchen shears or a knife. Carefully add the small dough balls into the broth and keep submerged as best as possible. Cook at a simmer for 50-60 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool. 

Add to a stir fry, salad, stew, curry, you name it! You can also substitute meat dishes with the mock duck and modify the above recipe with different seasonings. You can also add other aromatics to the broth like lemongrass, curry leaves, or cinnamon sticks. 

Try modifying these recipes by replacing the meat/seafood: revivify me salad, Vietnamese shrimp and noodle salad, or lamb kofte. 

Baharat means "spice" in Arabic, and is widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It's a wonderful blend of spices (see recipe below to try it for yourself) that can often be difficult to find in grocery stores throughout the Americas. The blend varies from region to region, but typically contains black peppercorns, allspice, cloves, coriander, paprika, nutmeg, and cumin. A little goes a long way - if you are one to experiment, less is more in this case.

You'll find this spice blend in a variety of traditional eats like kebbeh (see below for recipe as well), sambusak, chicken skewers, or really any type of meat or rice pilaf. It's also used in marinades,  pastes, soups, and sauces to add an extra smoky, sweet depth to flavor. 

Baharat 

-modified from the featured cookbook club of the month, Together: Our Community Cookbook 

Makes roughly 1/4 cup

Ingredients:
1 tbsp cinnamon, ground
1 1/2 tsp cumin, ground
1 tsp coriander, ground
1 1/2 tsp allspice, ground
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black peppercorns
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves, ground
1/4 tsp cardamom, ground

Combine all spices and mix until well combined. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
​

Lebanese in origin, kebbeh is more commonly a meat dish with ground lamb or beef mixed with  bulgur and spices. It can be shaped, stuffed, fried, poached, baked, or eaten raw. Typically, it's accompanied by many other foods as part of a maza, an array of Middle Eastern appetizers. 

Inspired by these flavors and looking to warm up a particularly cold Minnesota evening, I originally made the kebbeh as a side for dinner. Delicious. The following morning, I decided to try something a little different: Top it with an egg and serve with a side salad for breakfast. And, due to only having one egg in the house for two people (my boyfriend Adrian was hungry as well - aren't they always?  ?), I substituted Greek yogurt for another version.

Both were exceptional choices, but if you're pro egg, then go with the sunny side egg. The rich yolky center seeps into the kebbeh and melds beautifully. 

And now, the recipe:

​Serves 8 slices 

Ingredients: 

1 lb potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup bulgur wheat
1 shallot, minced
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp baharat (see above recipe)
2 tbsp flour
3 tbsp olive oil (plus more for the pan)

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 425F

1. Put the potatoes in a large pot with cold water, bring to a boil, and cook for 20 minutes with plenty of salt. 
2. Soak the bulgur in cold water for 10 minutes, drain well (squeeze out moisture), and set aside. 
3. Oil a 9" pie pan and set aside. 
4. When potatoes are finished cooking, pass through a ricer in a mixing bowl. Combine bulgur, shallot, paprika, baharat, and flour.
5. Press mixture into prepared pan. Score into 8 servings and make a 1/2 inch hole in the center. Fill with olive oil and drizzle remaining on top. 
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and crisp. 

Serve with an egg (or Greek yogurt) and a side salad. I kept the salad simple: shaved radicchio, orange segments, blackberries, and purple radish slices in a red wine vinaigrette. 

Hungry for more? Check out my latest post on citrus to add a little extra flair to winter. 

Cabbage varieties: bok choy, cannonball, choy sum, Chinese/Napa, green, Portugal, red, & savoy -to name a few 
​
Season: summer - autumn - winter
Taste: bitter/sweet, pungent and peppery notes with crunchy flavor
Nutrition: 85% CHO, 12% protein, 3% fat 
Volume: quiet to moderate
Technique: bake, broil, braise, grate, pickle, raw, steam, stuff [overcooking brings out pungent, sulphuric notes]
Flavour Affinities: 
cabbage + apple
cabbage + carrots + ginger + mint + rice wine vinegar
cabbage + ginger + lime
cabbage + potatoes + turnips

Cabbage Pairings: build your own recipes by using complimentary flavors from these foods
APPLES, including JUICE & CIDER
bell peppers
butter
CARAWAY
CARROTS
celery
cheese
cilantro
cream 
dill 
GARLIC
GINGER
HORSERADISH
leeks
lemons 
mushrooms
MUSTARD
nutmeg
OIL, especially OLIVE, sesame, vegetable, walnut
onions
parsley
pepper
POTATO
rice
salads
seeds
sesame
VINEGAR

• Grilled cheese & kimchi: just like a classic grilled cheese, but with added kimchi. Serve with wilted greens for balance nutrition.
• Fermentations: kimchi & sauerkraut [served with maultaschen, a German ravioli; click for the recipe]
• Stuffed cabbage with veal in a tomato sauce, Polish-style 
• Cole slaw: red cabbage, apple, cider vinegar, onion

The answer to this question is not simple nor clear, and like most nutrition recommendations, results may vary. Factors that influence the nutritional value of cabbage are based on season of harvest, cabbage variety [red vs. green], amount of salt and time spent in brine, & cooking methodology (Martinez et al., 2009; Chun et al., 2004). However, if one were to compare raw cabbage and sauerkraut using nutrition analysis, one would discover that raw has slightly higher, nonsignificant levels of antioxidants. 

So, how does this all make sense? The key to understanding why the analysis shows a discrepancy is because they are not considering all the factors mentioned above, which can be time consuming, tedious, and maybe impractical. 

Let me sort this out for you. 

After a short review of articles, I can say a few things with certainty: 

• red varieties have greater antioxidant activity, despite cooking methodology when compared to green varieties 
• specific types of antioxidants are influenced by processing and packing containers
• raw, red cabbage varieties have the highest amount of antioxidant capacity (increased capacity=good news; its the response to fight off free radicals)
• any 100g serving of cabbage can provide a significant amount of antioxidant capacity, 57.1 - 695.6 mg 

In other words, EAT CABBAGE ​

​Inspired by Nopalito: A Mexican Kitchen, this month's cookbook from my club held at SubText, I gathered some friends for a fiesta of our own. The morning of, I awoke with a taste for smothered chiles and spiced beans between sliced bolillo (Mexican bread), avocado, with that undeniably-satisfying crunch of cabbage. Images of dancing tortas appeared between my eyes as I tried recalling my dreams. That's when I knew what I was going to prepare for the feast. Others told me they would bring Mexican rice, guacamole, cheese dip, homemade hot sauces (including a new method of clarified hot sauce, more on that coming soon), mango salad, and a tomato black bean salad to accompany. Conditions were perfect.
 
​....and, purely for fun because it crossed my mind, and because I'm a fan, I couldn't help but include this Flight of the Concords clip where conditions were also perfect: 
​

Sorry for the random video. It just felt right.

Anyway, back to tortas. ​Rather than make individual tortas, I prepared all the components separately. Everyone chose their own salsas, protein, and stuffings to build individual, customizable sandwiches.

Here's a look into the creation of my vegetarian version of a torta. It's loaded with fiber, lean protein, and has a wonderful smoky flavor from the homemade adobo sauce with just a touch of brightness from the tomatillo & jalapeño salsa. A nutritious take on a classic Mexican sandwich that will have you begging for seconds. Diner tested, dietitian approved.

Serves 4 large tortas, or 8 (more manageable) halves 

​Ingredients: 
1 cup adobo sauce (recipe below or store bought) 
2 cups black beans cooked
2 cups cabbage, shredded
1 tsp salt 
1 cup cotjia cheese (optional)
salsa jalapeño (see recipe below)
1/2 cup crema*
1 avocado, sliced 
4 bolillo (Mexican sandwich rolls) cut in half lengthwise and widthwise 
*can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream 

Directions: 
Heat the beans in the adobo sauce and keep warm until ready to use. In a small bowl, combine the cabbage with salt. When ready for assembly, in the following order, layer your sandwich in this order: bread bottom, beans, cotjia cheese, salsa, crema, avocado, bread top. 
​

​This recipe makes 1-2 cups, which ultimately depends on your desired consistency. 

Ingredients: 
4 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried pasilla chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried mulato chiles, stemmed and seeded 
6 cloves garlic
1 white onion, cut into thick wedges
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup parsley with stems
1/4 cup oil 
2 teaspoon cumin, ground  
1 teaspoon coriander, ground

Directions: 
In a 2 quarts boiling water, add the chiles, garlic, and onion. Cook for 30 minutes and puree in a blender with the remaining ingredients. Adjust with chile water until you reach desired consistency. 
​

​Ingredients: 
2 jalapeños, stemmed 
8 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 bunch cilantro 
1/4 cup white onion 

Directions: 
In a blender, combine all ingredients and allow to chill until ready to serve. Sometimes the end result may be bitter. Feel free to experiment here and adjust the flavor using agave or a pinch of sugar to offset the bitter notes. 

​And be sure to check out my recipe for black beans and burdock for more plant-based protein goodness.
​

As a dietitian, I counsel people through food substitutions with every patient. Nearly everyone has foods they either need to avoid, or have foods they should limit in their diet. It's helpful to be guided through options, but sometimes having a list you can periodically check can be handy. You'll see a basic list of suggestions here on TCAgenda to make necessary food substitutions. Comment below if you have any addition suggestions of food swaps or questions you'd like ask. 
​
​Let it also be known, I am all about flavor. Never would I tell you OR anyone to get rid of something in their diet...unless it's regular soda :-P. The key is moderation and to have variety in your diet. 
​

​....and sometimes, if you're like me, you may just not have all the ingredients on hand to make a meal you crave. Perhaps I can inspire you to start creating your own meals, like I did with this new recipe: Pea Pesto & Kale Pasta. I don't often plan my meals, so I'm constantly making food substitutions. In this particular dish, I used brown rice pasta (instead of a wheat-based pasta), pepita seeds for walnuts (I'm allergic), cilantro and mint for basil, and kale from my garden to boost the dish with extra nutrition. 
​

Serves 2
Pea Pesto Ingredients
1 cup shelled peas*
1/2 cup pepita seeds
1/4 cup olive oil 
4 cloves garlic
2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup packed cilantro and mint 
1 lime, freshly juiced
pinch salt and pepper
2 tablespoons dukkah (optional)
*you can substitute frozen peas as well

Directions: 
Blanch the peas in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain, cool, and pulse in a food processor with remaining ingredients until you reach desired consistency. 

Kale Pasta Ingredients: 
4 oz brown rice pasta (or pasta of your choosing)
1 bunch lacinato kale, cut into thin strips
pea pesto (see above for recipe)
1 oz Parmesan, grated

Directions: 
Prepare pasta according to package. Drain, add back to pan with kale, and as much pea pesto as you desire. Stir until combined and serve with Parmesan cheese. 

Seeds are sown, the seedlings are planted, and every morning I rise to look at my plot of greens growing outside my window as I sip my morning coffee. It's easy to tend. The hardest part is waiting for my prized produce to finally appear.

As for my other garden plot one mile away, well, that's another story. That's where they feast. That's where I fight daily for the crop: Me vs the rabbits. 

There's a fence around the perimeter, but that doesn't always keep them out. Can I blame them for wanting to taste the bounty? Truthfully, no, If I tasted those buttery soft leaves of tennis ball greens (lettuce varietal) once, of course I'd keep coming back for more. 

And, luckily, I had the forethought to plant the majority of leafy greens at the plot growing outside my window, where less rabbits reside (at least that I know of). This week, I harvested, and indulged in, French breakfast radish and fresh arugula. 

In an earlier newsletter, I highlighted radish and the varietals subtle differences from one another, French breakfast being my favorite: It's got a perfect spicy balance from the first to last bite, and a watery crunch to wash your palate. I enjoy them most on their own with a couple granules of salt crystals and other times over an artisan slice of bread with whipped European butter. Curious? Try it for yourself, recipe as follows:

​Serves 4
Ingredients: 
1 baguette
4 tablespoons European butter, unsalted at room temperature (see below)
1 tsp flaky sea salt
10 radish, washed, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 cup arugula
1 tablespoons herbs like tarragon, chives, basil *optional 

Directions: 
Slice baguette lengthwise and then into quarters. Spread the butter on one side of the bread, layer on the radish, sprinkle salt over radish, and then the arugula (option to add herbs at this point). Finish with top slice of baguette. Serve.
​

I'm a dietitian and diabetic educator, but that doesn't mean I don't like OR don't eat the good stuff. European style butter is made from cultured cream and slight fermentation. This results in a unique flavor with a higher fat content than what you find from most American dairy farmers. There are many to choose from including, Kerrygold, Plugra, President, and Beurre de Baratte. You can order them online or find them at specialty grocers. The object of my desire from these is the Beurre de Baratte. It's made by a young cheese master, Rodolphe Le Meunier, a genuineMeilleur Ouvrier de France making butter the old-fashioned from churning. Everyone raves about this French Normandy butter because of it's unique nutty, umami flavor. It's even wrapped in a gold foil to give you that extra posh at a fancy dinner party. Better yet, it makes an excellent gift to that ultimate foodie friend of yours. 

I woke up early this past Saturday morning craving crumpets. Crumpets, the Anglo-Saxon-invented griddle cake made of flour and yeast, are incredibly easy to make. As long as you have patience, anyone can prepare these "curled-up cakes".

A large French pressed coffee and book kept me busy as I waited for the batter to rest. I didn't have the standard shallow rings every recipe requires, so I used my cookie cutters and went crazy with MN state, skull, circle, and various other shapes. Not exactly ideal, but easy enough to handle, and, as it turns out, a lot more fun. In a pinch, one can also use thoroughly cleaned and rinsed tuna cans. 

The best part about making these chewy, English-style cakes, is that when left slightly undercooked, they reheat nicely... like in my trumpet crumpet recipe (see below). 

Side note: if you want my crumpet recipe, you'll have to subscribe to my newsletter and read about it this week (wink, wink). Otherwise, stick to the store-bought for now. 

King trumpet mushrooms, the largest of the oyster mushroom species, are one of many varieties of mushrooms that can be used in this recipe. It was certainly the key mushroom highlighted in this dish. I like to mix many varieties together, as each mushroom has a different texture and flavor that offers your taste buds something unique every time. Try a few different kinds for yourself.  

-more on trumpet and other species of mushrooms in the this weeks newsletter as well-

Prepares: 2 
Ingredients
2 crumpets, fresh* cut in half
8 oz mushrooms chopped (any will do: King trumpet, button, crimini, shaitake, mix and match)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp truffle salt (or Kosher)
1/4 onion, half-moon shaped
2 oz gruyere, grated 
1 tablespoon butter
side of greens: pictured here is arugula and pear in a fennel vinaigrette
*substitute store bought English muffins if crumpets are not in the cards

Directions: 
1. Caramelize onions by heating a large sauté pan with butter on medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions into the pan and cook until translucent, 1-2 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to medium low and stir every few minutes. If the onions start to stick too much and brown around the edges, reduce your heat. Continue to stir for 30-40 minutes, depending on how soft you prefer your onions to be. If the pot starts to burn, add a bit of liquid (water will do).
Just before the onions finish cooking, about 5-8 minutes, toss in the mushrooms with truffle salt and garlic. Preheat oven to a broil 
3. Allow to cook until mushrooms are tender. At this time, arrange crumpets on a baking sheet. Place onion/mushroom mix on top, then with cheese. Put in the oven and toast until browned, about 2-3 minutes. 
4. Meanwhile, prepare your eggs: sunny side up, poached, fried... the choice is yours
5. Arrange the crumpets on a plate, place an egg on top, and serve with side salad. 

There you have it, a complete meal: great source of protein from the eggs, vitamins/minerals from the veggies, and fiber from the whole-grains

Yes, there are differences between soy sauce and tamari: While both are derived from soy through fermentation, they surprisingly have different taste profiles largely due to the presence of wheat. Soy sauce always contains wheat (beware, you gluten-free folks) and tamari has little-to-no wheat. Yes, you may actually find brands of tamari out there that do contain wheat (ahem, gluten), but the label will indicate if it is gluten-free or wheat-free.

The next key distinction is the country of origin. 
            Soy Sauce: A Chinese byproduct of soy products now made throughout Asia 
            Tamari: A Japanese byproduct of miso paste, typically less salty (read your labels), and thicker

Soy sauce is made through fermentation or by hydrolysis (chemically engineered), with different methods and durations of fermentation and water, salt content, soy, and other non-specific added ingredients. Therefore, there are remarkable differences in flavor between soy sauce brands. You'll have to test them all, or whatever you can find, and choose the one that makes your personal taste buds scream for more. 

Traditionally speaking, soy sauces take months to make. For simplicity's sake, the sauce is made by mixing roasted/cracked grains with cooked soy beans, mold cultures, and yeasts in brine. Here are the steps in case you want more deets: 

1. Soak and cook: soy beans in water, separate from wheat, which is roasted and crushed
2. Koji culturing: 50/50 grain to soy ratio mixed with spores
3. Brewing: proceed to mix in salt brine and ferment until mold develops (length of mold time varies)
4. Pressing: separate solid from liquid
5. Pasteurization: raw soy sauce is treated
6. Storage: aged until desired taste is achieved

Non-traditionally speaking, acid-hydrolyzed soy protein, instead of [traditionally] brewed, is used and cuts down the time from months to just a few days by the magic of science.

Tamari, on the other hand, is the liquid run-off from miso paste, fermented soybeans with salt, and koji [a more specific fungus, Aspergillus oryzae], rice barley, or other ingredients. Typically, the ratio of wheat and other grains to soy is much smaller than soy sauce, and often contains NO wheat. Homemade tamari can provide people with celiac disease, wheat sensitivities or an intolerance with an tasty alternative to soy sauce. Be sure to read the label on commercial tamari to be sure it specifically says "gluten-free".

Now, the steps of producing tamari: 

1. Soak and cook: soy beans in water, separate from wheat (sometimes used) along with other grains (barley, rice, buckwheat, rye hemp seed), which is roasted and crushed
2. Koji culturing: grain blend mixed with Aspergillus oryzae
3. Brewing: fermentation time ranges from 5 days to several years
4. Extraction: liquid is extracted from the paste (aka miso)
5. Pasteurization: raw tamari is treated
6. Storage: aged until desired taste is achieved

Time to experiment! Divide this recipe by 2, then make the recipe using soy sauce and make the recipe again using tamari. Compare each recipe after your taste test with friends, family, or just yourself. Do you notice anything different between the two? Which has more depth? Is one noticeably saltier than the other? Leave your comments below to share your opinion.

​Asian Grain Bowl (vegan)
Serves 2
Ingredients:
8 oz tofu, cubed
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
5 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1” piece grated ginger
1 cup short grain brown rice, rinsed and drained
8 baby bok choy, sliced in half
1/2 cup lotus, bite sized pieces
1/2 cup assorted vegetables (carrot and red cabbage shown)
1 cup assorted pickled vegetables*(optional)

​Directions:
1. In a pot, add 1 ¾ cup water with rice and 1 tablespoon tamari. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, about 40 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, toss the tofu and lotus in the following marinade ingredients: sesame, rice wine vinegar, and grated ginger. Allow to sit until you begin assembling the bowls.
3. Ten minutes before the rice is finished, assemble your steamer and begin heating the water, about ½ “ high in the pan holding the steamer. When ready to steam, place bok choy in steamer and cook for 3-5 minutes.
4. Assemble each bowl, dividing each of the ingredients equally: rice, bok choy, tofu, lotus, carrot, red cabbage, pickled vegetables, and drizzle some of the leftover tofu marinade on top (green onions and sesame seeds make for great garnishes if you want to be showy). 

You can choose any kind of pickled vegetables, including: carrot, asparagus, beets, green beans, watermelon, cucumbers (quick pickles), or radish variety.

​​I recommend keeping both sauces stocked in your kitchen to experiment in your recipes. Swapping out one for another will certainly change the flavour, but it won't affect the overall dish in terms of 'turning out'. 

Looking for more recipes to experiment with using soy sauce/tamari? No worries, I've got you covered:
​
peanut sauce
lotus root, carrot, & daikon slaw
-or- make your own fried rice: toss soy sauce/tamari in leftover rice sautéed with scrambled egg and veggies (bok choy, mushrooms, carrot, onion).

I love chili. It's incredibly diverse, you can add just about any meat, bean or vegetable, make it spicy (or not...but where's the fun in that?), and it has lots of health benefits. 

1. Clears the sinuses -say goodbye congestion 
2. Iron -from beans and greens to prevent anemia 
3. Fiber -bean lovers, this will help keep you fuller longer, keep you regular, and your heart happy
4. Nutritional balance of macros (CHO, Fat, protein) -chili is a well-balanced meal with vegetables and macronutrients
5. Vitamin A + C overload -if the chili you're eating has peppers, chilies, and orange produce, it will boost your immune system 
6. Capsicum love -will only benefit if there are hot chilies present- it doesn't hurt to work up a sweat 

Texas was the first to 'discover' and take credit for chili, but undeniably it has Mexican roots. You may know this traditionally as chili con carne, which includes beef, pork, chiles, garlic, onion, oregano and cumin. New Mexican chile verde also leaves out the beans. Thick, juicy chunks of pork shoulder is the backbone of this chili with a tart tomatillo sauce. However, you will find that many chili's do incorporate beans and often many varieties of beans like pinto, black, garbanzo, and kidney. 

In the 1880's, San Antonio was the first to have chili stands where women, a.k.a 'chili queens', sold bowls o'red for a mere 10 cents, including bread and water as accompaniments. The dish was a hit and eventually made it's way north to Chicago at the World Fair in 1893. Some would even say this dish was responsible for keeping many alive during the Great Depression due to the low cost and free crackers. The times have certainly changed since then, but it still remains true to be a low cost dish for many. 

No longer are chili joints and competitions found only in Texas. In fact, we have many competitions fast approaching right here in Minnesota where you can either taste or participate or both. 

Chili Cook-off's in 2018 around the state
January 17th: Crosslake Chamber Chili Cook-off, Baxter, MN 
January 27th: Owatonna's Chili Cook-off, Owatonna, MN 
February 9th & 10th: Chilly Open, Wayzata, MN 
​February 22nd is National Chili Day
​
And if you're the adventurous type, check out this website from the World Championship Chili Cook-off to find competitions nationally. 

Throughout the year, I eat and prepare chili. It changes seasonally at my home and varies drastically based on what's in my pantry/fridge. This week, I thought I would continue on the cinnamon trend I started (from the monthly newsletter) and pull ingredients that were around and available. I always have beans on hand, and that with the combination of corn and squash make this the 'three sister's' chili. 
-Three sisters, culinarily speaking, are the three main agricultural crops of many Native Americans in North American. They include winter squash, corn, and beans, and are all grown together as companions. Each crop is planted close so that each may benefit from one another. 

corn is for structure
beans are for nitrogen fixing 
squash is for weed prevention ​

Prepares 24 cups
Ingredients:
2 lbs butternut squash, cubed 
7 cloves garlic, roasted and pureed*
3 tablespoons oil
3 - 32oz jars (96oz total) tomatoes, diced and pureed 
3 hot pickled Hungarian peppers, pureed*
2 medium onions, diced
1 lb carrots, sliced into rounds (~9 medium)
5 cups cooked black beans
2 cups corn
1 1/2 tablespoon salt, more to taste
1 tablespoon pepper, more to taste
2 tablespoons coriander, freshly ground
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons cumin 
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup cilantro to garnish, chopped
*option to puree or chop

Directions: 
1. In a 425F oven, roast butternut with 2 tablespoons oil and cook for 30 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat remaining oil and sauté onion and carrot. After ~6-8 minutes when carrot begins to soften, add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. 
3. Add butternut and simmer on stove until it's reached your desired consistency. The longer you let it simmer, the more flavor will develop. Let it stew and grow if you want something magical in your mouth without regret. Garnish with Greek yogurt and cilantro.

Having extra chili on hand is never a bad thing. You can always freeze it and enjoy it weeks or months later when you're lazy. Or give to your guests: they'll love you forever.

After eating the truly spicy and delicious curry at White Horse, a downtown St. Cloud restaurant, I felt the overwhelming urge to make Indian food on my own. Plus, as Minnesota descends into the winter months, there's a biting chill in the air that can really only be remedied by hot, savory, spicy food.

Indian seemed like a swell idea. 

When I think of Indian food, I think of chutney, sambar, curry and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and  cumin. I think of rice, lentils, coconut, mustard seed, biryani, lamb, samosas, roti and other flatbreads.

Oh, yes, & perhaps my very favorite, dal. 

Many foods come to mind when I think of Indian cuisine; it's an enormous country with a broad range of diverse soils, climates, and cultures. It makes sense that many flavors, dishes, and cooking methods have come to represent this ever-changing, always-dynamic subcontinent.

It's one of those foods with two meanings:

1. dried, split pulses (i.e. lentils, peas, and beans)
2. soups prepared from these pulses
​
But no matter what, pulses are the star. You can assume that when you read/hear the work dal that pulses are the key ingredient, though may not necessarily be in soup form. 

Traditionally, dals are eaten with rice or flatbread like chapati, roti, or naan. They're high in fiber (from the lentils, beans, peas), and are a fantastic and affordable source of healthy plant-based protein, as well as being high in B vitamins, thiamine and folic acid, and minerals, iron and zinc. 

In this particular recipe, I chose to substitute acorn squash for rice (starch for starch) and use cauliflower as the star vegetable. The cauliflower florets make a lovely addition to this dish with a slightly crisp texture from the oven that balances the sweetness from the squash. Since I didn't use rice, but rather squash, I was able to avoid adding coconut milk to ensure a natural sweet flavor without the added fat. 

Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 cup split yellow lentils
2 tablespoons mustard oil (or vegetable oil)
3 chilis, kept whole
¼ tsp cardamom
1 tsp cumin
¼ tsp mustard seed
1 yellow onion, small dice
3 cups squash, raw, cut into 1” cubes (I chose acorn)
1 tsp. Kosher salt
3 cups water or broth
½ cup raw, unsweetened coconut
4 cups cauliflower
1 tsp turmeric
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup yogurt
8 sprigs cilantro

Directions

1. Clean and rinse lentils thoroughly.
2. In a large pot heat mustard oil, add chilis, cardamom, cumin, mustard seed, and onion. After 3 minutes, add the lentils and squash, kosher salt, broth, and coconut. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and cook for about 45 minutes.
3. Ten minutes before the lentils cook, heat oven to a broil. Toss cauliflower in turmeric and oil, then put on a baking sheet. Broil for 3-5 minutes until browned, but not burnt.
4. Assemble: In a bowl, place lentil mixture on bottom with cauliflower on top. Garnish with dollop of yogurt and a couple sprigs of cilantro. ​

Whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner, all meals should be nutritionally balanced. But, understandably so, it can be difficult to consume veggies at the first meal of the day... if you eat a typical American breakfast. Many cultures do not consume the American standard of bacon, eggs, or cereal grains for breaky. Instead, others eat foods like: 

• beans, eggs, cheese, jam, and pickles (Egypt) 
• Chutney, dips, roti or other breads (India) 
• Watery noodle soup with veggies and meat (Madagascar) 
• Miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables and a protein like fish or Japanese omelette (Japan)
• Open-faced sandwich with fish or cold cuts, cheese, mayo and fresh veggies like tomato and cucumber (Sweden)
• Plate of ham, cheese, bread, Feijoada (Brazil)

Some are healthier (Japan and Sweden, e.g.) than others, but each are generally balanced on a macronutrient level (protein, fat, & carbohydrate). But to really get a balanced diet on a micronutrient level (vitamins & minerals), this requires more thought. 

You probably could have guessed it, produce, and lots of it! Making sure you get at least 3-4 servings of fruit (1 serving=1 small apple, size of a tennis ball) and another 4-5 servings of vegetables (1 serving=1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw) every day is incredibly important. And it's a lot easier than you think, even for breakfast. Here are some suggestions on how to improve your fruit and veggie consumption: 

Pancakes are meant to be simple, quick and easy. With this recipe, one can enjoy it for breakfast or dinner, especially since cornmeal has great versatility. 

​Serves: 4
Ingredients:
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons thyme, chopped 
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cup milk
¼ cup honey or sweetener of your choice (agave, molasses, maple syrup)
2 tablespoons butter for greasing the pan
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 cups blueberries
4 cups arugula (or kale, as seen in the pic)

Directions
1. Combine all dry ingredients, which include the cornmeal, flours, baking powder, thyme, and salt into one medium sized bowl and mix well with a fork.
2. In a second bowl, whisk the egg and milk together and slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons honey or sweetener.
3. Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients while mixing with a fork. Be sure to mix until the batter begins to come together; you do not want to work out all the clumps. If you sifted the flour before adding, you may need to add more liquid until thick, but loose batter results.
4. Heat the griddle to 350° F or a frying pan. Add the butter once it is hot, a little bit at a time, and in batches, ladle the batter onto the pan. Bubbles will appear around the edges to indicate a golden brown crust. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes or until the pancake has set. Remove from pan and keep warm or eat immediately.
​5. Top pancakes with a dollop of Greek yogurt, blueberries, honey drizzle, and spicy arugula greens.

Last week I was asked to prepare and instruct a cooking class/demo for a group of people just outside of Chicago. They wanted similar flavour profiles to their traditional Mexican fare, but also something new and exciting that wasn't intimidating. Other important aspects of this class were to include low sodium foods, lower fat foods (not to be confused with low fat -simply less animal and more plant based fats), and heavier on fresh produce to demonstrate healthy eating. 

The objective was to engage the family in the kitchen and learn a new technique, food item, and/or nutrition information. Considering these requests, my mind immediately went to watermelon, ceviche and grilling. The rest of the menu unfolded itself once I couldn't shake the idea of these foods and cooking methods. 

Menu: 

• mixed melon salad: massaged kale, pepita oil, melon, queso
• shrimp ceviche: avocado, cuke, red onion, cilantro, lime, tomatillo
• grilled chicken anticucho: pascilla pepper and roasted garlic marinade with pickled red onion 
• corn, jicama & brown rice: charred corn, tomato, green onion 
• fresh fruit platter with yogurt dip: mint, lime

​Serves 4
Ingredients
20 oz chicken, bone-in 
3 cups anticuchera sauce*

Direction:
1. marinate chicken in anticuchera sauce for a minimum of 3 hours
2. remove chicken from sauce and grill for 40-50 minutes, basting as necessary 
3. heat sauce and serve

Prepares 3 cups

1 cup pasilla pepper paste (~6 each)
1/3 cup garlic paste
2 tsp. black peppercorn, ground
1/2 tbsp. cumin, toasted and ground
1/2 tbsp. oregano 
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable oil 
salt to taste

Direction: 
1. If making chili paste from scratch, begin here by throughly washing peppers. Cut in half and remove seeds and veins. Put chiles in a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 12 hours or overnight, changing water if time/schedule permits during soaking. Once soaked, drain chiles and put in a blender with 1/4 cup boiling water. Blend for 5 min -chili paste
2. If you are not making your own chili paste, start here. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Set aside for 3 hours or overnight to marinade. 

Pasilla peppers are not the original pepper to this sauce, but to make it Mexican, I swapped out the Peruvian pepper for a mild, low heat pepper, pasilla. The word anticuchos means meat stew, originating in the Andes and is now a popular menu in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chlie, which consists of meats cooked in a highly acidic, vinegar marinade often including dried peppers. Additionally, it is usually served on a skewer with a boiled potato or bread. Feel free to try the skewers vs my method; it's quicker if you're short on time and don't have 40-50 minutes to grill. 

Still hungry? Check out other great eats like grilled radish or lotus root, carrot & daikon slaw.

To make it more fun, sip on a beautiful Pinot Noir and take your time. This isn't a race. Enjoy yourself, and your food. ​

Currently, I am in a place of transition, and am moving to Duluth, MN, leaving Chicago. A couple weeks ago, my father drove down from Sauk Rapids along with my mum and uncle. The move went great, but it left me kitchenless and reliant on friends. Truly I am thankful for their friendship and hospitality (Chris, Amy, Lynsey and Brian). As one last girls night with some of my closest Chicagoan friends, I asked to share one last meal. With the gloomy weather and chill in the air, I decided to express myself through a Brazilian fish stew (Moqueca Capixaba). 

Six years ago, I moved to Chicago from a 3-month journey, primarily exploring Brazil. One of the worst snow storms hit the city as I arrived to the states, leaving me stranded. I knew I needed a new scene where I could grow professionally in both passions, food and nutrition, so I decided to stay. Soon I found a cheap apartment in Uptown, northern Chicago, and made it home. To bring this story full circle, I found it fitting to prepare a dish from my travels, which brought me to Chicago. 

Moqueca Capixaba is a traditional fish stew from Bahia, Brazil with fish (cod, sea bass, shrimp), tomatoes, lime, peppers and coconut. Traditionally, it is cooked in a claypot, but was originally made in banana leaves many years ago. Slowly the stew evolved as the Spanish and Portuguese colonized Bahia, who later introduced the garlic, onions and cilantro.

Serves 6
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs fish (cod, sea bass, shrimp) - cleaned and cut into 1" cubes if using filets 
32 oz. tomatoes crushed or 5 fresh tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
32 oz. coconut water
​1 large onion, cut into thin half-moons 
2 tablespoons coconut oil (olive oil is fine)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1 fresno pepper, seeded and minced
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. cayenne
​2 limes, 1 juiced & 1 cut into wedges for garnish 
salt and pepper to taste
​1 cup cilantro, fresh for garnish
2 green onions sliced for garnish 

Serve with cooked rice
I chose to cook my rice in coconut water with diced yellow onion. When the rice was cooked, I mixed in cilantro before serving. 

Directions:
1. In a large, heated pot, sautéed your onion in coconut oil. Once translucent, add garlic, bell and hot peppers, and spices. 
2. Add the coconut water, tomatoes, tomato paste, and juice of one lime to the pot. Mix well and stir occasionally for 5 minutes
3. Adjust the heat to a simmer and add the fish. Larger cuts of fish will take longer (cod, sea bass) and will need 20-30 minutes while smaller crustaceans (shrimp) only require 5-8 minutes depending on size. 
4. Assemble the garnish plate and cook rice (optional) on the side. 

Note: you may substitute the coconut water with coconut milk for a richer flavor, add different hot peppers or adjust the consistency. If you prefer a thinner stew, add less liquid/coconut water and if you prefer a thicker stew, adjust and add more.

Recipes are guidelines, and you're the cook! Make it your own and adjust as you desire 

Still hungry? Check out carrot, parsnip cake to serve for dessert.

Wowza, I feel embarrassed about the lack of posts. My sincerest apologies, but I have much to show for my lack of appearance in the blogosphere. For instance, the completion of my Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition! Fear not Salt & Pepper fans, I am back, and with many new, exciting topics to cover. If you have a suggestion, please feel free to comment below and I'll be sure to address. 

This morning, I woke up thinking about grains. How I'd love to make an easy porridge utilizing a variety of whole grains packed with fiber and nutrition. I dug through the cupboards and found three varieties with different mouth feel and textures. 

Grain #1: Good ol' Reliable Oats
Classic but a goodie; oats have a sweet flavor and almost never have their bran and germ removed during processing. I use regular oats in this recipe, but you ought to know there are quick and instant oats that exist as well. These are varieties that are steamed and flattened. But, if you like a nuttier, chewier texture, choose steel-cut oats. Steel-cut oats are the entire oat kernel and cook 20 minutes, unlike the others, which cook in less time. 

Grain #2: Red Quinoa 
You can find quinoa in some colors (purple, black, white & red) and taste mildly different from one another. I chose the red variety for this recipe being it has a crunchier bite and stark red color for a visual appeal. Most quinoa should be rinsed before cooking to remove saponins, which is used to ward off insects. An important unique quality about this grain, it's a complete protein that contains all essential amino acids (n=9). Typically, plant proteins are said to be incomplete, which is unlike this source. 
Quinoa cooks in 10-12 minutes. 

Grain #3: Farro
There are three species of farro, einkorn, emmer, and spelt (smallest to largest, 
L-->R); all types of hulled wheat. Emmer considered higher quality for cooking than the other two grains. In this recipe, I chose emmer and cooked as follows: 
1. bring large pot of salted water to a boil 
2. add farro and cook until al dente (25-35 minutes)
3. pass through sieve

Homemade Porridge My Way
Serves 2
Ingredients: 
1 cup oats, cooked
1/3 cup red quinoa, cooked
1/2 cup farro, cooked
1 cup blueberries 
2 dollops Greek yogurt
2 tbsp honey 
1 tbsp toasted pecans
1 tbsp hemp seeds 

Instructions: 
1. Combine all grains (oats, quinoa, farro) in a mixing bowl and salt to taste.
2. Layer a bowl with the following (in this order), grains, blueberries (other assorted fruits), yogurt, drizzled honey, topped with pecans and seeds.
3. Eat with spoon.

Honestly, this is super easy recipe that's full of fiber and tasty. Swap out the grains, fresh fruit and other varieties of nuts and you'll have a different porridge everyday. ​