Sometimes I'll plan ahead and remember to soak dried beans overnight, but most of the time, I simply use recipes that call for canned beans. Better yet, lentils are so tiny that they don't require an overnight bath. Don't believe me? Then give this recipe a try. It proves that brown lentils can be cooked in under a half an hour. They're combined with sautéed veggies and vegetable broth to make Read more

Adding more vegetables to your lunch routine will give you great midday nourishment and an extra punch of energy to carry you through the afternoon slump. We've already shared some surprising ways to sneak vegetables into your breakfast, so here are three more tips to amp up your daily veggie intake: Upgrade your sandwich. You may not consider some of your favorite vegetables sandwich-friendly, Read more

It feels like Winter has officially rolled through San Francisco, and the shift in seasons brings a whole new crop of delicious produce at the farmers market. Winter may not feel like the time to be introduced to a new vegetable, but guess again: it's time to meet kohlrabi. While it's available year-round, kohlrabi really peaks in the colder months. The freaky-looking veg gets its name from the Read more

We're halfway through Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Although it's a time of spiritual reflection, there's also a focus on food and Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at sundown. This is no exception in the food-centric North African country of Morocco, where nearly 99 percent of the population practices Islam. Moroccan cuisine is distinctive and unique, thanks in part to the Read more

The other day I popped into Trader Joe's for the usual essentials, and I immediately zeroed in on a new product — prewashed, precut kale in a bag — heavenly! I'm not a big pre-packaged kind of girl, but Trader Joe's always offers a variety of bagged lettuces, and veggies, sliced, diced, washed, and ready for eating. What's great about kale is you can do so much with it and it is full of Read more

Summer or Winter, I'll never say no to a piping-hot tureen of New England clam chowder. But lately, I've been trying to reduce my calorie intake by steering myself toward lighter, broth-based soups, like lentil vegetable soup. It's time, I've decided, to try my hand at making Manhattan clam chowder, a totally different yet irrefutably delicious take on shellfish stew. While I love white chowder Read more