In the many years I was planning events professionally, clients hosting lavish buffets, or even rather simple ones, always came around to that one question – “Shouldn’t we serve some kind of vegetable that’s, you know, healthy?” Not creamy spinach dip, or cheesy stuffed mushrooms, but something that would presumably appease the guest who didn’t want, well, food. Caterers were … [Read more...] about Roasted Carrot and Cumin Soup
Fruit and Vegetables
Foldin’ Money Cabbage
So we’ve discussed that Black-Eyed Peas are good luck on New Year’s Day, representing any number of things. Greens are said to bring prosperity in the New Year, largely because they represent foldin’ money. Many people choose to cook up a mess of collards or turnip greens, but I choose cabbage, for what represents a stack of good green money more than cabbage. … [Read more...] about Foldin’ Money Cabbage
Black-Eyed Peas for Luck
I have always known that on New Year’s Day, you eat black-eyed peas for good luck in the coming year. My parents weren’t necessarily the strictest adherents to this philosophy, but some how or another, black-eyed peas generally made an appearance on January 1. We had a family friend who made Hoppin’ John, and sometimes we’d end up at their house, even just for a … [Read more...] about Black-Eyed Peas for Luck
Spiced Fruitcake Bars
During my college semester abroad in London, I was determined to visit Austria on winter break. I am not sure where this notion came from, maybe too much Sound of Music as a kid, but I set out alone to discover whether the hills were truly alive. After a trying time in Vienna, I moved on to Salzburg, a lovely place I found charming and comforting and manageable. I think it … [Read more...] about Spiced Fruitcake Bars
Sweet Potato Casserole with Cider, Orange and Maple
For most of my childhood, we spent Thanksgiving with my family in Arkansas. It was always a big, loud, boisterous gathering of family we didn’t see nearly enough. For many of these years, my brother and I were the oldest of the kids, so we got to sit at the grown-up table, which made us feel very special. After the meal, the men would go watch the ball game and the women … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Casserole with Cider, Orange and Maple
