It’s a very special pleasure to share a recipe that combines the last of winter’s potatoes with new spring asparagus to create a dish that is so truly nourishing it serves as a complete meal with no assistance whatsoever. There is something about eating with the seasons that makes your entire self feel ever-so-satisfied. Serving it in a bright red bowl helps make it easier to notice each and every one of the beautiful ingredients that compose this seasonal specialty.
Author Archives: Dr. Sukol
Book Group Talk
It’s a conversation that has lasted for more than fifteen years, one month at a time. Two members of our book group, Mo and Netta, have folded themselves comfortably, side by side, into big chairs separated by just a small table. Our host today, Deena, lies nearby on the floor, her head on a large, soft cushion.
Except for Zoe, the rest of us sit on various parts of the couch, facing all our friends and the big chairs opposite, with the coffee table in between. Casual tonight in a t-shirt, jeans, and baseball cap, Zoe has seated herself cross-legged on the floor, halfway between me and a crackling fire.
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Dal (Lentils) Palak (Spinach)
This recipe is what thekitchn.com calls a very simple dal palak. I guess that depends what you usually eat. A parade of flavors, a mix of textures, and a happy, healthy-sized pot of food to serve a big bunch, it goes great with rice or chapatis (or warm pita if that’s all you have).
Diet-Controlled Diabetes
From what I’ve heard, people tend to divide the diagnosis of diabetes into three categories, two of which they suspect aren’t the real thing. Or at least not worth worrying about. Take, for example, diet-controlled diabetes. They’re not really sure if this is even worth mentioning, but they’ll take a shot anyway. “My sister might have something, I’m not sure, but she doesn’t have to take anything for it, as long as she eats right.” “Okay, so maybe diet-controlled diabetes?,” I ask. “Yeh, I think so,” comes the reply. More on this below.
The second is diabetes controlled by oral medications. They’re not sure if this is the real thing either, but they figure they’ll mention it, just in case. “I think my dad has diabetes,” they might say, “but he just takes a pill for it.” When I reply with “Well, okay, that’s important to know,” they nod, and then look relieved to have done the right thing by bringing it up.
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Here’s a vegan version of an artichoke dip you may have made once upon a time. Except instead of mayo and parmesan cheese, this one is filled with cashews, spinach, and olive oil. It tastes delicious — I should know since I ate half the bowl last week!
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Carrot Cashew Pâté
All at once, you get a beautiful color, a creamy texture, and a silky warm flavor to savor. Thank you to care2 make a difference for the original version of this recipe.
An Oxymoron’s Version of Events
Today I’m thinking about “junk food.” So called junk food, that is. In my mind there’s junk and then there’s food; there’s no such thing as junk food. It it’s junk then it can’t be food. If it’s food, it’s not junk. Junk food? Really? Who put this one over on the American family? Junk food? What a joke. There’s some kind of logic to this. It’s fairly obvious: it’s one or the other, and if it’s junk, then it can’t be food.
Here in my virtual reality corner of the internet, I’m working to create a quiet storm around this concept. I post week in and week out about the differences between real food and manufactured calories. My commitment to this blog is so great that I post even when I’m on vacation, which makes it a working vacation. What’s that? Okay, I’ll cut back on those.
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Mashed Cauliflower
Looking for a version of mashed potatoes, loosely defined, that 1) tastes delicious and 2) gives you all the smooth, fluffy, mashed white vegetables you want without worrying about your blood sugars or limiting your portion size to two teaspoons? Here’s the answer to your prayers! This is surely what you’ve been waiting for! And, in response to the person whose special request for more cauliflower recipes prompted this post, this one’s for you. Thank you, Whole Foods, for the original version of this recipe.
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: A Pair of Fennel Salads
Fennel is a very special bulb of a vegetable, with the faintest sweet taste of…what?…licorice(!)…but very faint, so don’t be put off. To me it’s more like the bergamot in Earl Grey tea than actual licorice. If you’ve never eaten fennel before, these recipes are the perfect introduction. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Carrot Curry Soup
Had a recent request from a commenter for some more carrot recipes. Okay, here you go! Not only is this soup gorgeous, but it is so nutritious it is amazing! People who are worried about their joints or vision will benefit especially. A great carrot soup from AllRecipes.com.