• 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…

  • Blood orange glazed carrots
    Food

    Blood Orange Glazed Carrots

    Blood oranges have gorgeous interior colors, with some being uniformly crimson and others resembling a tortoise shell pattern. As you squeeze the fruit needed for these blood orange glazed carrots, the juice color will give an indication of the jewel-toned side dish you’re about to whip up in the skillet. I use a combination of purple and orange carrots, sometimes even yellow and white, as they each pick up the rich shade of the glaze in a subtly different way. A rainbow-hued bunch will transform in the skillet as the glaze reduces, and as an added bonus, each color has its own health benefits. Ingredients 1 pound carrots 1 tablespoon…

  • Rich hot chocolate
    Drinks

    Rich Hot Chocolate

    Velvety hot chocolate thick enough to coat a spoon is decadent enough to qualify as dessert. This version is so rich and flavorful that you might serve it in the demitasse cups often used for espresso. Consider it a cure for all the unsatisfying experiences you’ve had with thin, bland hot cocoa. Since this recipe requires a great deal of chopped chocolate, select your favorite bars as they will determine the resulting flavor. A combination of semisweet and milk chocolate lends just the right amount of sweetness, with no additional sugar needed. Before the milk melts all that chocolate, it receives some special treatment in the form of cinnamon sticks…

  • Baked Chocolate Donuts
    Baking

    Baked Chocolate Donuts

    Breakfast in bed may be a Valentine’s Day staple for some, but if you let me sleep in then wrap me in a fluffy robe, I’m happy to whip up a treat like these baked chocolate donuts. Skip the hot oil and heat up the oven instead to fill the kitchen with the rich scent of cocoa in the morning – or make them the night before and set the table in advance for the most indulgent breakfast, one that simply requires plating. Steeped in lore and made from the seeds of a tree whose scientific name is equally romantic – food of the gods – chocolate sets the tone…

  • Braised pork in bowl
    Food

    Braised Country-Style Pork Ribs

    When you make this recipe, be prepared to feel hungry the entire time it’s cooking. From the initial searing of pork to the scent of thyme and red wine simmering in the oven, the dish seems to be calling you to take a taste. Occasionally that’s fine, but try to leave the dutch oven lidded so that it can do what it does best – maintain consistent heat that turns pork so tender you can break it apart with a wooden spoon. Since these country-style pork ribs will braise in the oven for 3 hours, consider this ideal weekend comfort food or snow-day fare. Planning ahead gives you plenty of…