The Market Opens in May There's something very exciting going on in May - that is, in addition to the Kentucky Derby, a new baseball season, and many college graduations. I'm talking about the season of local Farmer's Markets opening and blooming with vibrant colors, amazing flavors, top-quality nutrition, and fun for everyone. It has become a 'thing' these past 3-5 years to meet your friends, buy a vegetable, and meet a farmer on Saturday mornings at the Market. But, it was weeks and months before May that local farmers got started... Starting the Crops As winter transitions to spring, … [Read more...] about The Spring Farmer’s Market has Healthy Nutrition Choices for Everyone
10 Tips for Using Spices and Herbs
Are you an herbs-and-spices kind of cook? With all the good news about how they boost the immune system and lower risk for chronic disease, you'll want to use herbs and spices in your kitchen everyday. But how? 10 Easy Tips for Using Spices and Herbs - Getting Started Get started for using more spices and herbs by tossing out your very old ones. If they've been in your pantry for >3 years, then out they go. Next, go to the grocery store and buy new ones, two per shopping trip. If you see a sale, then buy three. Little by little, you'll own an assortment of fresh and flavorful spices … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Using Spices and Herbs
Read Your Recipe Carefully to Avoid 5 Common Recipe Mistakes
Even experienced cooks make mistakes. For me, there have been many like over-spicing a chili to the point it was not edible, leaving the sugar out of a quick bread, leaving the egg out of etc etc. You get my drift. If you want to 'nail' your recipe every time, try this simple strategy: Read your recipe carefully before you start making it. It will help you avoid common mistakes. Read Your Recipe Carefully It's super smart to take 10-15 minutes to read over your recipe every time you cook something for the first time. Even if you're cooking a recipe you've made before, take a few minutes … [Read more...] about Read Your Recipe Carefully to Avoid 5 Common Recipe Mistakes
Cooking in a New Kitchen
It takes determination and desire to break-in a new kitchen and the results are definitely worth it. My Cooking Mistakes While living in northwest Spain this fall, I'm finding out that cooking in a new kitchen is not so easy. I've already made a ton of mistakes like these: Letting the rice boil over and make a mess Burning part of the eggplant I was trying to sauté Measuring the salt incorrectly, without a proper measuring spoon Running out of eggs when I wanted to make a Spanish Tortilla Omelet Missing the spices I needed to make a chickpea burger … [Read more...] about Cooking in a New Kitchen
Canned Seafood is a Delicious Mediterranean Choice
If you're a fan of Mediterranean style nutrition then why not become a fan of canned fish and shellfish, too? During my 4-month stay in Spain (pre-COVID19) last fall, something I learned was to eat more fish. I took every opportunity to purchase fresh fish at the Central Market in Salamanca or at one of the walkable grocery stores, and I ordered fish or squid (my favorite!) at a tapas bar or a lunch restaurant. There were many memorable meals and fish was often on my plate. When making a meal in our apartment I liked the canned fish option as an easy, tasty, light supper. My go-to was to … [Read more...] about Canned Seafood is a Delicious Mediterranean Choice
Confidence Makes Cooking More Fun
Confidence adds a fun-factor to cooking and that's worth a lot. 5 Ways to Become More Confident with Cooking Read through your recipe before starting to cook. This is a very important tip and it's hard to follow for most people. When you read a recipe, there's a little organizing and a little learning which builds a little confidence. Do your best not to rush the process and you'll feel more comfortable about what you're getting ready to make. Commit to learning knife skills. There are very few recipes that do not require some knife work. From veggie soups to chicken stews to … [Read more...] about Confidence Makes Cooking More Fun