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Category Archives: The Balanced Diet
The Balanced Diet: Chicken Paillard with Chopped Salad Nicoise
When I was around 4 years old, my parents moved us to Paris. We weren’t there long, but if I’m connecting the dots, Steve Jobs-style, I would be remiss to discount the experience as anything less than an essential stepping stone in my food journey. I forgot the language quickly upon my return. But the smells stuck with me, and still do to this day – the roasting chestnuts, caramelizing sugar on the crepe griddle, and the bread. Oh, the bread.
But for all the sense memories, I rarely cook French food in my kitchen. It just feels too fussy, too pretentious.… Continue Reading
The Balanced Diet: Radish and Basil Thai Fried Rice
Fried rice is one of the few take-out delicacies I actually make more at home than I order off a menu. It’s actually the leftover rice from my much more frequent veggie green curry orders that gives me the impetus to make fried rice in the first place.
In the spirit of helping you find healthier ways of eating your favorite comfort foods, I wanted to share with you a Thai version of fried rice that I resort to often. There’s no soy sauce, which is nice for the gluten-free set. And, at least in my version, there’s no egg.… Continue Reading
Green Eggs and Ham: Pasta Carbonara with Zucchini and Crispy Prosciutto
Green Eggs & Ham and I go way back. Well, to childhood, obviously. But in terms of my cooking story, not quite that far.
During my first few years out of college, friends of mine would host an epic party for Hoboken St. Patty’s Day. For those non-New Yorkers who are not used to hearing about record breaking arrests for public urination the following day: Hoboken St. Patty’s takes place a week or so before the actual holiday, and it always lives up to its reputation for being a sh**storm.
Anyway, said guys would host a morning pregame for 50 or so of their closest friends, complete with Irish coffee, mimosas, and my scrambled eggs.… Continue Reading
The Balanced Diet: Carrot-Fennel Potage with Dill Oil
Last Friday at Haven’s Kitchen I taught a class on winter soups, stews, and chowdahs. Creamy soups (you know, the type with “cream of” in the title) were my favorite growing up. But my stomach just can’t handle them anymore. What can I say, I’m 27 going on 50. Nowadays, one of the things I love doing is adding potato to the broth–what the French call a “potage”–which creates an amazing full-bodied, smooth texture when pureed. It’s one of the things I demo-ed in this segment, and it was something I really wanted to include in my soup class for those with dietary restrictions.… Continue Reading
Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad
I find that one of my biggest challenges with keeping my food-related resolutions is that it’s so darn cold outside. Who wants to eat a salad when there’s snow on the ground? My mind is saying steamed vegetables and tofu, but my body wants chili con carne.
I always tell people that listening to your cravings is important. If I cut out some of my food vices entirely, in a moment of weakness, I’d probably end up on my couch at 11pm watching reruns of Sex and the City with a bucket of Buffalo wings.
This month I’ll be focusing on healthier versions of my favorite comfort foods.… Continue Reading
The Balanced Diet: Cauliflower Caponata Pasta
Happy New Year!
I can’t believe it’s 2013. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the demise of 2012 for months—and not just to prove those silly Mayans wrong. This past year was a bit of a doozy. It involved a lot of professional and personal struggle and change. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that the challenges at hand were stepping stones. But if there’s anything I’ve learned in 2012, it’s that you have to always keep looking and moving forward. For me, that included starting anew with this blog, going on a silly reality TV show, and cooking for strangers’ friends and families more than my own.… Continue Reading
