It’s been unseasonably warm in Salt Lake so far this winter…I was able to go out without so much as a sweater until this week. But the white ground following a recent and brief snow fall already has me yearning for a summery day. Until that day comes, in-season pomegranates and persimmons are the perfect way to punctuate my … Continued
I love my local Mexican market. Last week, they had gorgeous persimmons and California Pomegranates 3 for a dollar. They are such a rare sight and usually so expensive, I couldn’t help myself – I had to get three. Then they sat on the counter for a week, slowly drying out. This weekend I took action … Continued
Now that the holiday season is here, many of us will be spending a lot of time cooking. A common byproduct of cooking is food waste. The thing is, many waste items can still be used in really delicious ways. Here are 5 food waste items that you shouldn’t toss out, what to do … Continued
Pumpkin season is upon us, and so is the time of year when most people start making pie, pumpkin bars, and other seasonal goodies. The thing that most people don’t do, though, is make their own pie filling from fresh pumpkins. If you’ve ever wanted to try, now is the time. It is super easy, … Continued
I was very fortunate this month to be invited to attend a women’s leadership retreat in Sundance, Utah. Not only was the name special – Chocolate Villa – the experience was unforgettable. There was some business (I am also a consultant and trainer when I’m not playing in the kitchen) but also some pleasure…especially early … Continued
The first time I walked into an Indian grocery store, I didn’t know coriander from my elbow. It took years of reading, being introduced to ethnic restaurants, and cooking experiments to build up familiarity and confidence with coriander and the multitude of other spices and flavors this world has to offer. Today, I not only … Continued
I’ve been out of it – focus, sleep, the internet, even the country. Hopefully, it didn’t really seem like I was gone. But, I was….to the farthest reaches of China near the Mongolian, Russian, and Kazakh borders. It was an amazing trip, that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks. The only … Continued
Last week, I posted a picture on Facebook and Google+ of a dish I improvised with some roast chicken and other ingredients I had on hand. It turned out to be an incredibly popular post on Google+, with more comments and sharing than I typically get. In reading through people’s comments, a few things stood … Continued
My first recipe experiments were in a shared dorm hall kitchen during my freshman year of college. Unfortunately, those meals were mostly forgettable. What I do remember is that my neighbor, homesick for her native Korea, thought I made the perfect taste-tester. She would cook dishes that were unfamiliar and exotic to my rural Utah … Continued
I was browsing. Just trying to mind my own business. But, then I heard a deep voice – a la Michael Clarke Duncan – ask, “What’s for dinner?” Standing next to me was the butcher – as imposing as his voice, arms crossed as if proudly surveying the meat, poultry, and seafood refrigeration units that … Continued
