• Vanilla ice cream topped with raspberry sauce
    Drinks,  Food,  Living

    Fourth of July Celebration Ideas

    July 4th is one of the most enjoyable holidays because it comes with so few expectations and so many opportunities for creativity. Let this list be your guide for a stylish and tasty celebration. Make a Seasonal Barbecue Sauce: Inspired by summers on the Maine coast, this recipe relies on fresh blueberries to create a slightly sweet and smoky sauce in the style of Carolina barbecue. The vinegar-rich sauce celebrates flavors from along the East Coast. Wherever you are, it’s a tasty way to celebrate summer’s finest while adding delicious flavor to chicken and meat. Mix Plaid, Gingham, Stars and Stripes: Traditional red, white, and blue can be found on…

  • Tomatoes and apricots
    Living

    Q & A with Thirsty Radish Founder Vanessa Young

    As I interact with readers and travel around teaching about culture, food, and wellness, I often am asked questions about Thirsty Radish. This week, I’m sharing answers to some of the top questions. How far in advance do you come up with your recipes? The recipes on Thirsty Radish are what you’ll find me eating that week. In fact, I came up with a wonderful cherry recipe at the tail end of cherry season last year only to be unable to find a tasty bunch at the market later that week, so I wound up not posting that recipe. I enjoy making and baking food along with all my lovely…

  • Pink tulips on counter
    Living

    Welcome Spring Into the Kitchen

    The first day of spring is upon us, and a rotating array of the season’s produce will be on display at the farmer’s market. Regal spears of asparagus, handfuls of pea pods, and wily bunches of sprouts will make their way into my basket and onto the pages of Thirsty Radish. Along the way, I’ll share what I’m enjoying and invite you to cook along with me. To kick things off, here are some seasonal cooking ideas, a little music advice, and even a recommendation of what to wear to stay comfy as you usher in spring. Take Chocolate to the Floral Side A gift of candied violet chocolate and…

  • Brownies on counter
    Living

    Late Night Cravings

    Conventional wisdom says that if you’d like to avoid extra pounds, keep tempting food out of sight, and certainly don’t bake brownies after 10 p.m. as I did this Tuesday. If your cravings come and go quickly, you probably weren’t all that hungry in the first place. As someone whose counter might be home to just-cooled maple granola or a dessert recipe I plan to share on Thirsty Radish, that just would not be possible, nor would I want it to be. January is a time when we often make health resolutions or bring ourselves back to the basics. You’ll note that I shared a salsa verde recipe last week…

  • New Year's Party
    Food,  Living

    New Year’s Party Food for Joy and Prosperity

    After the elaborate roasts and trays of appetizers you may have served over the holidays, it can be challenging to come up with more recipes for a New Year’s celebration, particularly if you’re entertaining many of the same guests. Aside from champagne and charcuterie, which I know you already have covered, here are my recommendations of what to enjoy as you ring in the new year. Good Luck Foods From good health to good fortune, we each have our wishes for the days ahead. Turn to foods that symbolize these wishes as a way to share good luck with everyone around you, such as pork for progress and prosperity, extra-long…