While visiting Barcelona a few years ago I ate a sweet and savory cauliflower tapas that left me happily traumatized.  I now make this dish when I want a taste of Spain or to remember an afternoon with Gaudi and visiting the amazing  Picasso museum in Barcelona.  I dream of  going back to Spain with my son and have him sample both the art and food of this region.  It is so true when Latinos coming back from Spain say "que bien se c...

This recipe for succulent roasted brussel sprouts came from the website of  Cafe Gratitude, a collection of vegan eateries in California.  The restaurant group has a dedicated area where visitors can choose from a short seasonal list of recipes.  I love brussel sprouts in general but this miso glaze made with Tamari, maple syrup, red miso and apple cider gives these green babies an extra yum.  The asian-inspired dish is that com...

Al ajillo is basically a potent garlic sauce used in some tapas dishes.  Artichokes or alcachofas al ajillo is a common savory dish that you may find in a traditional tapas menu.  You will probably always find gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce).  Whether veggies or shrimp, it is always covered in a delectable garlic sauce. As I made this dish I remembered how back in Peru you can buy freshly chucked artichoke hearts at any...

Dandelion is claimed to be one of those miracle greens. It is bitter yet cooling and it is apparently good for stimulating liver function, reducing swelling and inflammation and improving digestion among a myriad of things.  Just the word "dandelion" sounds lyrical and makes me think of magical fairy food picked off by beautiful creatures frolicking in colorful fields in a faraway land.  Perhaps I have watched too many fantasy fil...

Sweet and delicious baked squash with maple syrup and a touch of cumin.  I ate mine straight from the shell and with a glass of red pinot noir to savor every bite. Not much to this recipe. Cut, scoop seeds, season, bake and there you have it! I mashed the remaining half of the squash and served it to my son and husband as a side dish.  They slurped it right up!   Save Print Baked Acorn Squash ...

I promise this is not a cheap way out of a blog post, I just honestly love roasted asparagus and it is a dish I make often.  And simple, simple, simple. The thinner the asparagus the less fibrous they are when you cook them.  Chop about an inch off the bottoms to get rid of the hard stuff. Drizzle with olive oil. Add some fresh cracked pepper and sea salt and toss around to cover asparagus well. Roast and here you have...

We were in Paris last week and I was reminded by how the French prepare vegetables that are simple and beautiful.  These vibrant and opinionated people (whom I love by the way) seem  to effortlessly throw raw or cooked veggies on a plate with a bit of a sauce and voila!  Lunch or dinner is served!   These radishes looked so rich and crispy on the produce shelf that I whisked them up right away to create a French style roasted sa...

Edamame is a favorite side dish/snack that I serve my family a few times a week.  My husband and toddler both love it and I am overjoyed that my little one is getting protein and fiber while having fun picking the beans from the pods.  We eat edamame plain mostly but when I want spicy, salty and garlicky, seasoning these babies is the way to go.   Best part is that you can make edamame in a few minutes without thinking too much a...

When I lived in Buenos Aires I ate palmito (hearts of palm) salad all the time.  I loved it and ordered it in restaurants whenever I could find it.  I hadn't eaten palmitos in a while and then recently I was at a Brazilian restaurant and they had it on the menu!  It was so delicious that I have brought back palmitos into my cooking for the Spring.  You can buy palmitos canned at most local super markets. Palmitos on t...

These beautiful little potatoes have been coming from Oregon to my local supermarket for the last two weeks.  They range in a medley of colors and the grocer has them in baskets where you can just grab and mix whatever hues you want. Seems like I spent more than a few minutes picking out the prettiest potatoes thinking how lovely they would look on my dinner table. Actually, it was probably not more than a minute since G reaches h...