Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Sweet Corn and Clams
23 Sep 2014

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Sweet Corn and Clams

by | posted in: Pasta & Noodles, Recipes, Seafood | 7

There’s been some talk about the new “never-ending” pasta bowls at the Olive Garden lately. It seems the franchise is disregarding the low-carb (or the fresh and local) dietary trends of the day, and beckoning diners with even more all-you-can-eat. (My favorite crack? “When you’re here… Why are you here?“) Well, I happened to eat at the Olive Garden in New York City recently, to celebrate my friend Kara’s birthday. It was a nostalgic gag that myself and 14 other … Read More

Summery Bean Salad with Freshly Shelled Cowpeas
19 Sep 2014

Summery Bean Salad with Freshly Shelled Cowpeas

by | posted in: Beans, gluten-free, Recipes, Sides & Salads, vegan, vegetarian | 4

I love making new food discoveries, like making new friends. This late summer-almost fall, I came upon some warbled bean pods that were blushed with red on the bright green outsides. Fresh cowpeas, so the sign for them had read. This wasn’t at the farmers market, where I usually find my rare produce delicacies–but at the bodega down the block from me in Brooklyn, which catered to a mostly Caribbean neighborhood clientele and was run by Korean owners. I have … Read More

Support Just Food at ‘Let Us Eat Local’ (or by winning a foodie adventure)
12 Sep 2014

Support Just Food at ‘Let Us Eat Local’ (or by winning a foodie adventure)

by | posted in: Events | 0

Each year brings a different set of challenges for local food systems. But each year has seen some progress in New York City, thanks to the non-profit organization Just Food. From helping small farmers through CSA to bolstering fresh food access through city farms, Just Food makes it more possible to Let Us Eat Local. So on September 17th, we’re celebrating with a benefit event called that. In addition, you can participate by winning a unique prize in its silent auction, … Read More

Shaved Summer Squash and Nectarine Salad
8 Sep 2014

Shaved Summer Squash and Nectarine Salad

by | posted in: gluten-free, Recipes, Sides & Salads, vegetarian | 4

It doesn’t take more than a couple fresh ingredients at their prime to make an appetizer that you might spend upwards of $10 for in a restaurant. But in a restaurant, a dish like this–even with so simple a philosophy that I can agree with–nags me a little. It’s just too precious. Too plated. And often, too skimpy.

Vegetarian Paella
2 Sep 2014

Vegetarian Paella

by | posted in: gluten-free, Grains, Recipes, vegan, vegetarian | 3

Last summer, ten friends and I kissed the summer goodbye with a beach weekend and a clambake. I wrote afterward that there was no greater communal food activity than this, if you’re by the shore with many people. I take that back just a little. Because for all the seaweed we let sizzle on molten-hot rocks, and crustaceans that reddened atop those before cracking open, there is another awesome group food that should not be overlooked in the summer: paella.