YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Black-Bean Quinoa Salad

Take this fresh, crunchy crock of BIG FLAVOR  to a spring potluck, or serve it to friends at a celebratory luncheon, or pack a bowl for lunch at work, or fill up a large, colorful pottery bowl for the middle of the dinner table, along with a big bowl of tomato soup. Yes, it has a lot of ingredients, but that’s how you make the magic. You cannot go wrong with quinoa, and you cannot go wrong with this meal-in-one. I’m also sure you’ll be glad to know that it will keep in the fridge for a few days. You can make it as simply (canned beans, quinoa pre-made, store-bought lime juice) or as involved (heirloom beans, red quinoa, organic limes) as you like. It’ll be delicious either way — promise! Continue reading



YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Deep-Dish Greens with a Millet-Amaranth Crust

Looking for something to do with those collards?! Still trying to figure out what to do with that millet you bought in a weak moment a few months ago already? This is what you’ve been waiting for! What I love most about this beautiful recipe is the unusual and complementary pairing of greens and grains to highlight their different tastes and textures. Once you get the hang of it, you may even want to try it with other grains, like polenta (corn) or brown rice. Don’t skimp on the stock — water just doesn’t give it as much flavor. Continue reading


The Real Meaning of “Breakfast Cereal”

Let’s talk about something I said a few weeks ago: It started with the term “breakfast cereal.” I put it in quotes for reasons that I’ll get to below. I also made the point that the term “breakfast cereal” reminds me of phrases like “TV dinners,” and “Lunchables,” whatever that means. Whenever marketers tell me what to eat and when to eat it, that’s a very bad sign. Actually it’s more of a clue. And that’s the subject of today’s post. Continue reading


YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Scrambled Eggs and Broccoli

After the requisite amount of hemming and hawwing, I picked up a copy of Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything as a shower gift for our young cousin and his beaming Australian bride-to-be. When they opened it, he quipped “Well, we won’t be needing any other cookbooks.” True dat! Try this broccoli beauty for starters. Or dinner. Continue reading