New Year's diet resolution? You have fun with that.

Perpetual spinach (Beta vulgaris var cicla) gets sautéed with arugula-lamb sausages and a summer peach

I have a confession. That thing I said about pie being less fattening if you plan a garden while eating it? Not actually true. 

So if you followed my example and ate the equivalent of an entire pecan pie over the course of the holidays, not to mention several pounds of cookies, cakes, bagels with cream cheese and lox, champagne, candy, more champagne, and several pounds of latkes, you may be feeling a little sick of rich food right now. I certainly am. 

And also possibly a few pounds heavier than before the holiday season. 

Miner's lettuce with pappardelle, cherry tomatoes, and fresh ricotta cheese

Warm kale salad with roasted butternut squash, parsnips, and caramelized red onions

Recently, someone told me she'd cancelled her CSA box after one too many deliveries of kale and butternut squash. Those of you in similar situations might want to bookmark this warm winter salad. Kale's assertive, slightly bitter flavor can be too much on its own, but provides the perfect balance for the sweetness of roasted winter squash and parsnips, caramelized red onions, and maple-balsamic dressing.

Full recipe at our new site: Plant and Plate.com!

Continue reading Warm kale salad with roasted butternut squash, parsnips, and caramelized red onions on PlantandPlate.com

Tuna salad, with chickpeas instead of tuna

What do you call a recipe like this? "Chickpea of the sea" is a little too cute, but "garbanzo bean salad" could be anything, and "mock tuna salad" sounds like one of those recipes that starts with a box of crackers and a can of cream-of-something soup.

Still, there's no more accurate way to describe it than "tuna salad, with chickpeas instead of tuna." Or maybe "lumpy hummus with pickle relish and celery." Whatever you call it, it's damned tasty. Also pretty healthy, gluten-free, and vegetarian- and vegan-friendly (just use tahini or another mayonaise alternative.)

Whether or not you're actively avoiding tuna, you should definitely try this version the next time you're making lunch.