quinoa and persian cucumber salad with spicy mint sauce

this salad celebrates both the cool and the spicy – the juiciness of the cucumbers and the cool mint taste help to defuse the sharp bite of the jalepeno, creating a broad taste profile that is intriguing to the tastebuds. and because quinoa is a fluffy high-protein gain while cucumbers are light and watery, this dish is both filling and light. the perfect snack or accompaniment to any meal. Read More  Read More

grape lemonade

this drink remedies two problems i have with processed grape drinks.  first, i think grape flavoring is gross – tasting nothing like natural goodness of grape juice – because the “grape flavor” is simply a chemical compound that is synthesized in a laboratory. secondly, most drinks you buy in a supermarket are loaded with sugar or high fructose corn syrup, which can give you a sugar rush and subsequent sugar coma like nothing... Read More

10 tips for enjoying heirloom tomatoes

tomato season is coming to an end, but there are still a few weeks left to enjoy all of the sweet, tangy, fresh and juicy varieties of seasonal heirloom tomatoes.  you can find the freshest picks and most different varieties at your local farmers’ markets.  since i happen to sell tomatoes at a few farmers’ markets, i’m offering up these 10 tips for successfully choosing, moving, storing and serving those unique and delicate veggies. ... Read More

sesame-fried shishito peppers

like the daikon radish or momotaro tomatoes, shishito peppers are special japanese treats that – lucky for us – are easily grown in california.  and lucky for me, the local japanese family farm i work for carries them. most of these miniature peppers are very mild, almost like a bell pepper with just the tiniest bite of spice that is not at all hot.  one in every 20 or so might be spicier, but cooking helps reduce the heat of the... Read More