One of my favorite summertime rituals is to make huge batches of pesto, freeze it into smaller serving-size portions, and enjoy it all winter long. This summer, the basil in my mother’s garden was not nearly as plentiful as usual, and was scarce at the local farmers markets as well. The speculation was extreme heat and not enough rain. When it came time for me to make pesto to stock up for the winter, I panicked when I saw a few measly, sun-burnt basil plants in the garden. No more blissful reminders of summer’s bounty to get me through the dreadful arctic weather we experience in the northeast?!
So, here we are with this wintry version of basil pesto. The kale makes this pesto more robust, which is perfect for the winter months, and parsley is a wonderful herbal variation to basil. I kept the pine nuts and cheese, which are staples in classic pesto. This recipe is so versatile – it can be used with any kind of pasta, swirled into risotto, as a topping for pizza, or used as a condiment on just about anything. 
- 1 bunch curly kale
- 12 parsley sprigs – tough stems removed
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- (Shown here topped with ricotta salata)
Directions:
Remove any large, tough stems from the kale, and chop it into 2-inch pieces. Place it in a food processor, or blender, and add the parsley, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and salt. Pulse everything together a few times, and then with the motor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until it forms a creamy paste. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, and taste for seasoning. 
I came across this recipe as I was perusing the latest Williams Sonoma catalog. They gave this recipe as a way to advertise the Vitamix blender, and it looked delicious. I usually don’t follow recipes to a T, but I couldn’t think of a thing I would change so I made it as directed. I was right; this soup recipe is perfection. It is so creamy and velvety, you would not believe there is no cream or butter used. Roasting the cauliflower gives a wonderful depth of flavor, and the kale makes for a beautiful green hue that confirms you are eating right.
What a combination – the heat from the chili sauce, the sweetness from the mango, and the crunch from all the vegetables make for a texture and flavor explosion. The dressing has a hint of nutty sesame oil and tamari adds a wonderful depth of flavor. Baby bok choy is perfect for this slaw, as the larger variety is not as tender when raw and has a more distinct cabbage flavor.
This is a great spin on traditional cole slaw; the Asian influences really shine here. Most varieties of bok choy are available year-round in Asian markets and specialty food stores; look for locally grown varieties in season at farmers’ markets.
In a large bowl, combine the bok choy, red cabbage, shredded carrots, cilantro, and mango. Toss to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and pour over the slaw. Garnish with additional cilantro leaves.
Farro is one of my favorite whole grains. It has a distinct nutty flavor, and looks similar to brown rice but with a delicate chew. Use it in soups, salads, side dishes, or even as a breakfast cereal. Here I cooked it, let it cool, and tossed it together with fresh corn, herbs, crumbled feta, olive oil, and lemon. This farro salad makes a great side dish in late summer when corn is sweetest, but you can use just about vegetable of the season.
Ingredients:
There is something about these perfect little packages that make me so happy. They are the epitome of fresh flavor, and guilt-free appetizing. What’s also great about them is you can vary the filling to whatever your taste-buds desire. Any combination of protein, herbs, and vegetables can be stuffed into rice paper and dipped into either a sweet or savory sauce. 
If you need to be snapped out of your typical breakfast rut, you’ve come to the right place. Starting the day off with a meal full of fresh vegetables is just about as good as it gets. This summer I am fortunate enough to be living footsteps away from a plentiful vegetable garden, so I am taking full advantage of “farm to table” meals whenever possible. I’ve been making this vegetable bowl for breakfast or lunch almost everyday, as it is loaded with just the right proportion of nutritious and delicious.
Just when you think you are tired of soup, comes this fresh and easy seasonal recipe that uses what is plentiful at the market these days. If you need another excuse to pick up an extra bunch of asparagus, well here it is. Just a few simple ingredients make this a quick dinner option – especially when the days are longer, warmer, and the last place you want to be is cooking in the kitchen. The asparagus really shines in this light and earthy soup that tastes of spring. Serve alongside fresh, crusty bread, or a 
Ingredients:
This time of year, along with the fall, are the best times to cook. You can have your windows open with your oven on high blast so that: A) your apartment doesn’t smell like a diner in the winter, and B) you aren’t hot-boxing yourself in the summer. So needless to say, I am roasting every vegetable that comes my way.
I know we’ve all tried the basics like roasted potatoes, carrots, turnips, and asparagus. But have you ever had roasted radishes? When blasted in a hot oven, their peppery bite mellows and their flavor becomes fuller. They become tender and sweet – nothing like the crisp, sometimes bitter flavor raw radishes have. I used their leafy green tops as a garnish, and finished them off with a squeeze of fresh lemon and flaky sea salt. These roasted radishes are great alongside grilled steak, pork, or fish. Try them topped on toasted bread with goat cheese and herbs, or mixed in with other roasted vegetables and quinoa, pilaf-style.
We are ending the last week of winter (thank God!), and although we’ve had some nice spring teaser days, a warm bowl of hearty soup still fits the bill this time of year. As I am fully ready to start seeing wonderful spring produce at the markets, I can’t help but to make my last rounds of winter greens. I bought a head of escarole, had lentils and barley in my pantry, and figured a little soup would do me good. Escarole is great because it holds up nicely when added to soups, as it retains its body and adds wonderful texture and contrast of flavor. It’s great when paired with sausage, although if you wish to make a vegetarian version just leave it out and it will still be delicious and hearty.
