If there are two foods that the French have mastered they would have to be cheese and bread. I know that’s totally unspecific, and there are many types of cheeses and breads – both good and bad. However, if you have had the privilege to visit France (or at least a really good French bakery …
Welcome to 2023, zesters! I don’t know about you, but by the end of last year I was ready for a hard reset. 2022 was one of the best years I’ve had so far, with tons of traveling, lots of friend and family time, and my wedding in France in October. While it was a …
I love risotto. While it sounds like it could be a menu item at a fancy restaurant (and sometimes is), it’s actually very easy to make, and it’s become kind of a weeknight staple for me. You can dress it up a bunch of different ways with various ingredients, spices, herbs, and cheeses. This particular …
One thing I absolutely love about this season are all the beautiful, colorful fall vegetables that fill the farmer’s market tables. I get so excited when I see freshly dug beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips, etc. and can’t wait to cook up some delicious and cozy recipes. This crispy galette, brimming with root vegetables and …
Chickpeas are some of those versatile ingredients that are great by themselves but can also be used in various different recipes. They’re filling and nutritious, and if you adhere to a vegetarian lifestyle, their high protein content makes them an awesome meat replacement. I know chickpeas. what is falafel? Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern …
When I was younger, one of my favorite comfort meals was broccoli cheddar soup from Panera in a big bread bowl. Yummmm! It always hit the spot on a cold winter’s day. Not to knock Panera, but when I got older and started to pay attention to the ingredients in my favorite foods, I realized …
I know I’ve been kind of on a butternut squash kick lately, but it’s just such a great fall/winter veggie! And when paired with one of my favorite Italian dishes–risotto–it’s even better. This recipe is pretty easy to make; the most important things are roasting the squash and getting the risotto to the right consistency …
This pasta is warming, comforting, and the perfect comfort food for a cold night. This pasta includes hearty butternut squash and kale for a nourishing meal that won’t make you feel bad about eating all the carbs. For a zesty twist, roasted pecans and Panko are mixed with some lemon zest and olive oil that …
I’m always trying to find recipes that “spice up” eggplant (pun intended). This harissa-roasted version is certainly a show-stopper by bringing loads of spice and a variety of flavors. If you love eggplant, great, drop right down to the recipe and make this right now. If you’re apprehensive about the veggie or an all-out hater, …
Hello, all! I apologize for the long hiatus…a lot has happened in the last couple of months! My last post was a late-summer dish teeming with fresh corn, and now it’s early November. Each year it still astounds me how quickly the seasons change. Anyway, since you last heard from me, I spent a couple …