It’s July in Miami, and the temperatures are crazy-hot pretty much everywhere. Cool things down with Spain’s summer classic, Ajo Blanco. It translates literally as white garlic, but don’t panic, the garlic flavor is mild in this chilled soup, and the texture is lush and velvety, thanks to almonds and old bread. Ajo Blanco, aka…
Vegan Harira for Ramadan
Vegan Harira is made with nourishing ingredients making it the perfect soup for breaking a fast. Ramadan begins tonight at sundown. It’s strangely early this year, but as ever, it’s 30 days of reflection and prayer, of fasting from dawn to dusk, of returning to yourself and your family, a time to pledge your faith…
Three Lowcountry Women — Preserving History and Making it
Among my culinary crushes, Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor stands tall. She stood tall in real life, too. She was as statuesque and extroverted as I am short and nervous. We met in the pages of her 1970 cookbook/memoir, Vibration Cooking or The Travel Notes of a Geechee Girl. I’d never heard of Geechee before, and like the…
Pappa Al Pomodoro: A New Life for Old Bread | Conscious Cookery Day 6
Pappa Al Pomodoro is a soup for everyone made with old bread and bursting with flavor. This soup is a great way to reduce waste and increase consciousness. Before Covid-19 changed our world, many Americans were avidly anti-bread, following Paleo, Keto and gluten-free diets. Sheltering in place has brought out everyone’s inner baker. It’s as…
Just Add Water – Cocina Povera | Conscious Cookery Day 4
We waste up to half our food in this country. This is unacceptable in the best of times and now, in this time of lockdown, well, just don’t do it. Give produce bits and bobs the second chance they deserve. Make vegetable broth and agua fresca for free. Free. Do I have to say it…
My Favorite People, My Favorite Recipes: Adeena Sussman
Adeena Sussman knows what you want to eat. Tapping into others’ gastronomic yearnings is her superpower. She’s done it with numerous co-authors including Chrissy Teigen, with whom Sussman partnered for Teigen’s bestselling cookbooks Cravings and Cravings: Hungry For More. In Sababa, Sussman’s first solo effort, the food passions are her own. Sababa is Israeli slang…
Lentil and Brown Rice Soup With Lemon and Mint
Organic Matter Originally posted for Huffington Post on 11/14/2011 This soup is cheap, easy, made with pantry-friendly ingredients and is a fabulous winter warmer, perfect for January, National Soup Month. All November, Meatless Monday focuses on things good and things meatless, the things that make our lives worthwhile and worth saying, “thanks.” Today, a big thanks to…
Back to Nature Vegetable Soup
French Lesson Originally posted for Huffington Post on 01/17/2011 Ah, the French. I love them, but I don’t pretend to understand them. And I’m not sure they get us, either. Of all America’s contributions to culture, who do they fall in love with? Jerry Lewis. When I was there last week, everyone was playing ‘70s disco —…
Pursuit of Happiness Red Lentil Soup with Spinach, Mint and Pepita Pesto
In Pursuit of Happiness — Recipe for the Trump Years Originally posted for Huffington Post on 11/27/2017 If you care about justice and respect, there’s no way to be happy about Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination. Use your vote, use your voice and nourish yourself. We need everyone in the game. This encore Meatless Monday originally ran November…
Fish (or Vegetable) Soup
Anna Thomas’ Revolutionary Idea — “Vegan, Vegetarian, Omnivore” Originally posted for Huffington Post on 04/18/2016 I’ve long been a fan of Anna Thomas, not just for her culinary creativity but because we both believe in the power of a shared meal. If you’re in upstate New York this month, meet Anna at the Omega Institute. If you’re not,…
