Author: Admin General

The Hass avocado has always been my go-to choice when a vegan recipe calls for a rich and creamy texture, and it’s what I reach for when I’m making my favorite guacamole.  A large-sized fruit with a high fat content, the Hass is an ideal choice for so many recipes—I use it to add a buttery smoothness to chocolate desserts and to give soups a creamy finish. Its dark, green-colored wrinkly skin turns purplish-black when ripe, making it easy to see when it is perfectly ready to enjoy.

Recently, I discovered the Florida avocado, there are several varieties of avocado called Florida, and they mature during the fall and winter months. In an effort to support our local farmers, I have been reaching for these smaller-sized varieties, sometimes called the skinny avocado, not because of their size, but their fat by weight, which can be as little as half of that of the Hass.  The Florida avocado also tends to be waterier, with a fruitier flavor making it the ideal choice for salad dressing.  

Yield: Serves 4

The dishes from our childhood memories stay with us throughout our lives. When faced with life’s challenges, we naturally crave the flavors of our youth as they are so deeply blended with memories of happier times—gatherings with friends and family, dishes prepared with love and passion or, as with this recipe, the stability and safety of a predictable routine.

Growing up in New York, there was easy access to delicious, authentic Chinese food.  Sundays at my Uncle’s home meant long, Italian-style family meals that started after church, mid-day, and stretched through dinner.  At night, the kitchen was closed, and if we got hungry, we would pick up Chinese take-out on the way home. If the streets were quiet, we would sit on the hood of my Dad’s car eating out of the take-out box with chopsticks as we gazed up at the stars. It’s just something we did on Sundays in New York.

Back then, my go-to dishes were rice and gravy, pork spareribs, and pork fried rice.  As an adult, I lean toward a plant-centric diet and created this cauliflower fried rice to closely mimic the flavors of my youth, as I remember them.  Feel free to swap out the cauliflower rice for traditional rice (it’s best to use rice that was prepared the day before), and add meat or shrimp as you like.  You can also marinate tofu in the soy mixture and add it to the recipe.

Yield: Serves 6

Celery is one of those kitchen and restaurant staples that we all take for granted. As a child I remember creating peanut butter boats by filling the center with creamy peanut butter—a quick, healthful snack I could make on my own. As an adult I’ve enjoyed the tall stalks, leaves and all, as a stirrer and accompaniment to the occasional Sunday brunch Bloody Mary. When I studied cooking in France, I learned that celery plays a supporting role as the flavorful bedrock of their cuisine, mingled with carrots, onions and butter as a Mirepoix—it is a recipe staple.

Mostly, I think of celery as the heart of Thanksgiving where it appears in a myriad of savory dishes, including stuffing, dressing and soups. The flavors of Thanksgiving were the first tastes I craved when our family self-quarantined to help flatten the curve. Perhaps, it’s because those aromas and flavors, those taste memories, will always be mingled with feelings of peace, happiness and safety—Thanksgiving has always been a time when I’m surrounded by family, in a happily busy kitchen or huddled closely by a toasty fire with a homemade spiced apple cider in hand.  

This dish is well worth the effort, and you’ll have most ingredients on hand. I like to serve it with a simple baked chicken breast atop, or crispy-skin wild salmon. It was such a hit with my family that I’ve been making it again, and again with a variety of accompaniments.  

Yield: Serves 6

This lentil soup exceeds all expectations of what lentil soup can be. It is light, spicy and a lovely red color. It is easy to prepare and loaded with plant-based protein.  Really satisfying, it is a meal in itself. I often serve it with a naan bread from Nisha’s flavors of India usually found at the West Palm Beach Green Market.  You can use any naan, and if you’d like to make your own, here’s a quick, easy recipe for naan from one of my favorite blogs.

Yield: Makes 10 cups

This week I was meant to be home, but I was planning to be at The Ranch. Normally, this is the time of year my family and I get ready to transition to our summer home, and before the big haul I take a week to myself to hike, be in nature, eat healthfully, reset and recharge. I put all electronics aside and allow myself to think, dream and plot how to schedule time to do more of what I love. 

In response to the Covid-19 threat, like many of you, our family decided to self-quarantine, and all travel plans were cancelled.  We have been home since mid-March and as we eased into a routine I naturally found myself walking more, dreaming more and simply spending time doing the things I love and never have time for—being with family, reading, organizing, cuddling with my pets, and cooking.  Inspired to pull out some tried and true recipes, we have had a lot of fun revisiting the dishes we’ve loved and shared so many times with family and friends, and on so many happy occasions.

Then, I received a gift from my friends at The Ranch, a copy of their new cookbook, Food, Food, Food, featuring deliciously wonderful plant-based recipes.  I love the food at The Ranch because it is so like the way we eat at home—seasonal, whole, plant-based foods. Since we were already sheltered-in-place, and even grocery runs were off the table, I had to improvise with a few of the recipes. 

This aromatic, filling, sweet potato hash was inspired by the Ranch’s recipe, and it was a big hit with the family. When I shared it on Instagram several friends DM’ed me to say they tried it at home and loved it, too. It’s the kind of comfort food that builds you up, it is healthful, whole and full of immune boosting ingredients that are on hand in most kitchens.  

Yield: Serves 6 

Amaranth is a wonderfully nutritious gluten-free grain, and a high-quality source of plant protein. My acupuncturist recommended it when I was having digestive issues; and I’ve come to learn that it is also heart healthy, and fantastic for alleviating inflammation.  Easy to purchase in bulk, it keeps well. Sometimes I leave out the oatmeal because I’ve really come to love the flavor of amaranth and simply top it with seasonal fruits. Mostly I make it with oatmeal as my husband prefers it that way. He also likes to add goji berries and chia seeds. Some cooks suggest soaking the grains, I simply rinse them before cooking.

Yield: Serves 6