Grape expectations for autumn salad Now that tomato season has ended, we need a satisfying substitute for this quintessential salad ingredient. Fortunately, California grape season is in full swing, from late spring through December. I keep grapes on hand for snacking, but with their sweet, juicy pulp and...

Recently I spent five days in Philadelphia for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo, the largest food and nutrition conference in the world. This year, for me, it was mostly about networking, book signings, and tasting new products...

Recipe: Spaghetti with Fresh Goat Cheese, Crimini Mushrooms and Arugula I created this recipe for my veggie loving friends, complete with a spectrum of varied tastes and textures to add depth. The earthy mushrooms acquire a meaty texture when sautéed and are balanced by the...

Italy, take me back. I dream of the day I’ll return for a visit and dine on oodles of freshly made pasta, sipping wine on a veranda overlooking rolling fields of vineyards. Years ago in Tuscany, my husband and I ventured to the little town...

Whenever I list corn as a healthy food, people never fail to stare with a mix of amazement and concern. “Isn’t corn fattening?” Ah…No. You’re entering a carb no-hater zone. Virtually all vegetables offer nutritional benefits. As for corn, one medium ear is about 100 calories,...

I’ll never forget the television clip of Julia Child and David Letterman eating raw hamburger live, on-air, due to a stovetop malfunction. She acted like it was no big deal and it was outrageously hilarious. Her vivacious spirit lives on when her segments are...

The first “serious” cookbook I ever bought was Sauces by James Peterson, a James Beard Cookbook of the Year. I was enrolled in the culinary basics boot camp in culinary school at the time, and was following the recommendation of the class instructor. Nine years later, I couldn’t...

Often new acquaintances ask me, “Well, what do you cook for dinner?” On one particular occasion, I nonchalantly mentioned that I might cook salmon, corn and asparagus on the grill. Et voila. Dinner is served. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads, “You...

 Healthier restaurant saladOne of the biggest reasons we get into trouble when eating out are the larger than life portion sizes. Even if the ingredients in the dish are healthy, the menu item can contain twice as much energy (calories) as our body needs,...

Cauliflower season peaks late fall through early spring, so I decided to get creative and use it in this soup. Preliminary data shows a link between the turmeric in yellow curry and reduced risks for inflammation, improved heart health and cognitive function, providing more important...