sunchokes roasted with lavender and garlic

sunchokes – also known as jerusalem artichokes – are the root vegetable of a plant similar to a sunflower.  they look like and are often confused for fresh ginger root, but are more like a potato.  they are probably associated with artichokes because of their earthy, subtle artichoke-like flavor and creamy, buttery texture. i love to roast them in the oven slowly over moderate heat until they are melt in your mouth delicious.  almost... Read More

farmers’ market find: sugar cane!

i’ve had fresh sugar cane juice before, but never the cane itself.  it is usually grown in tropical climates, but this week the family i work for at the silver lake farmers’ market brought their first green sugar cane of the season down from fresno, so i decided to take one for a spin. similar in appearance to bamboo, the cane has a thick outer skin that must be cut away with a sharp knife before enjoying the juicy center.  the inside... Read More

toasted sesame sticks

my latest vice is oriental snack mixes.  i could eat a whole bag in one sitting, what with the crispy rice crackers, wasabi peas and – my favorite – the toasty tasting sesame sticks.  i love the stuff so much i decided to try my hand at making them myself. and it’s easier then i thought.  a simple combination of flour, spices, sesame seeds, oil and water, toasted for a few minutes in the oven and enjoyed in copious amounts.  great... Read More

super simple baby bok choy

greens can be remarkably simple.  sure you can chop them up and throw them in nearly any stir fry or soup, but sometimes just a touch of oil and soy sauce is all you need to bring out the natural goodness of those leafy treats. i have been cooking up these adorable baby bok choys nearly every other day, and it couldn’t be easier.  just a few minutes on the stove in a covered frying pan and you’ve got forkfuls a plenty of soft, melt-in-your-mouth,... Read More

bbq lentil and baked sweet potato soup

soup is hands down my favorite food, so i’m always coming up with new ways to brew up a pot of something tasty.  i used to be big on puréed soups, but lately – perhaps out of sheer laziness – i tend to prefer something chunkier.  whenever i get a chance i bake a few sweet potatoes and set them aside for later.  when they cool they are easy to peel and toss the chunks into a hardy stew. paired with lentils and subtle hints of... Read More

in season: oranges!

for some reason i always thought that oranges were a summer fruit, but much to my surprise they are at the peak of their season right now!  i haven’t gone this bonkers over a harvest since july when the juicy white donut peaches were like nothing i had ever tasted.  like the peaches, i have been toting home upwards of ten pounds of these seedless mandarin oranges every week.  mostly i enjoy squeezing them into a tall glass of the best orange... Read More