Basil, Garlic, & Smoked Paprika Dipping Sauce Above the Salt… A Bit of History: Salt plays an integral role throughout history with so many interesting avenues to explore. As many of us know, humans require salt (sodium chloride) for fluid maintenance and muscle and nerve function. In addition, salt’s ability to preserve food, provided a…
It’s A Whopper… A Bit of History: Ten years ago, Scott Robb of Alaska, claimed a new Guinness Book of World Records for the heaviest cabbage. The whopper green cabbage tipped the scales at 138.25 lb. That’s a lot of Rainbow Asian-Inspired Cabbage Salad! In contrast, a typical garden green cabbage weighs a mere 1-2…
Little Green Trees… A Bit of History During my research for this post, I uncovered some very interesting broccoli facts. In England, broccoli was dubbed “Italian asparagus” after its introduction via Italian immigrants in the 1700s. Despite its recent debut in Europe, evidence suggests that broccoli cultivation began in the 6th century BCE. Starting in…
Not Just for the Fish… A Bit of History Traditional Romesco sauce hails from the Catalonia region of Spain, known as Tarragona. Originally, fisherman concocted this sauce to accompany their daily catch. Using a mortar and pestle, the locals ground stale bread, almonds or hazelnuts, roasted tomatoes, garlic, and Nyroa red peppers with olive oil….
Circling Back… A Bit of History Gyro, a popular street food, in Greek, Turkish, and Arab cultures takes its name from the Greek word gyro meaning to circle or turn. Aptly named, traditional gyros contain meats such as beef, lamb and pork cooked on a vertical, oscillating rotisserie. Inspired by the wonderful spices and flavors…
100 Horses, a Queen, & a Tree…. A Bit of History Personally, chestnuts always evoke memories of Florence, Italy for me. In the winter time, the aroma of roasted chestnuts lingers in the air from the many street vendors’ carts. It is by far my favorite Italian street food. In my recipe for Smoked Chestnut…
Stalk of Fire… A Bit of History Currently, my girls love The Last of the Olympians series by Rick Riordan and the Greeking Out podcast by National Geographic Kids. Coincidentally, this recipe for Orange Ginger Pomegranate Vinaigrette over a fennel salad relates to the Promethium Greek myth. According to Greek mythology, Zeus, in a moment…
From the Neolithic Revolution to Meal Prep… A Bit of History Approximately 12,000 years ago, humans began to shift from a mainly hunter-gather existence to early farming. Historians refer to this transitional era as the Neolithic Revolution or the first Agricultural Revolution. Even though history books will not record this recipe, my ancient grain Greek…
When in Doubt Bounce it Out… A Bit of History My kids and I really enjoyed bouncing in the kitchen this week before crafting my easy homemade cranberry sauce. Apparently, your cranberries are uber fresh if they bounce when dropped to the floor. And really, who doesn’t love bouncing food on purpose? I highly recommend…
Smoke & Bog…Part 1: The Smoke A Bit of History Historians believe that humans have been smoking foods, especially meats, since the Old Stone Age or paleolithic era. Exposing foods to smoke from burning wood, imparts exceptional flavor and serves as a cooking or preservation technique. Early humans definitely had the right idea! I absolutely…