One more quick fava bean and pea recipe before their respective seasons sadly come to an end…then, on to something else. I had a version of this salad way back, many years ago, at a [Slow Food] potluck when I was living in Chicago.  Love the concept of a potluck, particularly one hosted by Slow … Continue Reading

I have a new (at least for me) culinary discovery, miso butter — nothing more than miso (used red miso, because that’s what I had on hand, but you can easily substitute any miso you like) mixed with butter. Miso + Butter = Umamilicious…to say the least.  Today I made sockeye salmon en papillote (salmon … Continue Reading

 This dish just screams SPRING. Well, almost spring. I really wanted to use fresh peas, but due to the typically cold and rainy spring in Chicago, peas have yet to make an appearance at the farmer’s market. However, one of the farmers assured me that peas are on the way. Instead of fresh peas, I … Continue Reading

There’s more to peas than the ones you find in the freezer section of your grocery store. There are snow peas, snap peas, pea greens, pea shoots, sprouted peas, pea tendrils and even pea flowers…all edible. Today, I want to introduce you to pea shoots (if you’re not already familiar). I’ve been growing lots of … Continue Reading

In the past few years, around this time, I’ve developed a bit of a ritual — my annual pasta to celebrate the spring season. Essentially, my spring favorites, anything from peas to fava beans, artichokes, asparagus, ramps, green garlic, chives/chive blossoms, and/or spring herbs tossed with my favorite pasta shape. Sometimes pasta from scratch, sometimes … Continue Reading