• Roasted Pineapple Salsa
    Food

    Roasted Pineapple Salsa

    Fresh salsa is so much tastier than canned varieties that you will wonder why you haven’t been making it all along. You’ll also wonder why you’ve never used a pineapple as a salsa bowl. Fortunately, there is a bit of time to ponder such things while you watch the oven for signs of caramelization on the pineapple slices and blistered skin on all those juicy tomatoes that make up the base of this homemade salsa. Once the ingredients have cooled, use a blender to pulse them a few times, and then make good use of the hollowed out pineapple by transforming it into a serving bowl. Save the lid as…

  • Botticelli Birth of Venus
    Living

    Recipe for Romance

    Image: Sandro Botticelli / Birth of Venus Food and love are intertwined in beautiful and surprising ways. Leading up to Valentine’s Day, I’ll be talking about just that in a series of Recipe for Romance classes. Join me in person to learn about historic aphrodisiacs, food myths and facts, and inspiration for intimate gatherings as we explore the art and science of romantic meals. Dates are listed on the Thirsty Radish Facebook page, and if you don’t see a location near you, I can set up a private class for your group or even kitchen coaching for yourself. Please contact me to discuss all the class options that are available.…

  • Yogurt Marinated Chicken Shish Kebab thirsty radish
    Food

    Red Pepper Marinated Chicken Kebabs

    As it spread along ancient trade routes, the Middle Eastern tradition of skewering and grilling cubes of meat sparked incarnations from Indonesian satay to Japanese yakitori. Rich with local seasoning, the various styles conveyed their own sense of place down to the bamboo rods or long pieces of flat metal rotated above the flame. For the modern cook, they offer distinct advantages. Small pieces of meat cook quickly, allowing dinner to be on the table in a snap. In the heart of winter, or anytime a grill is not available, the high heat of an oven does the trick beautifully. This recipe highlights the savory and smoky end of the…

  • Creative Tablescape
    Living

    A Creative Table: Meaningful Place Markers

    Gathering for a farm-to-table feast or a weekend brunch with loved ones offers the opportunity to communicate what you cherish about each of your guests. Whether the fare is simple or elaborate, a creative tablescape adds to the festivity and to the fun of hosting the party. You can throw away all the rules and pressure associated with entertaining, but always hold onto the joy of infusing meaning wherever you can, even down to the place markers. We all know that the best hosts take time to relax and enjoy the celebration. New friends or old, we feel truly welcomed in their home while we enjoy their signature dishes and…

  • Spinach Salad with Red Onion, Manchego, and Walnuts
    Food

    Spinach Salad with Pickled Red Onions, Manchego, and Honeyed Walnuts

    Ribbony red onions, shavings of Manchego cheese, and crunchy, sweet walnuts provide such intense flavor that the only dressing needed for this spinach salad is a drizzle of olive oil. With a dose of vinegar from the quick pickling process, red onions contribute to the flavor of a vinaigrette. In fact, all of the toppings are rather playful, lending vibrancy to this salad. The cheese has a distinct nuttiness, the nuts are coated in the sweetness of honey, and the sweet qualities of red onion are transformed with pickled flavor. Ingredients Baby spinach Aged manchego cheese Quick pickled red onions Honeyed walnuts Quick Pickled Red Onions 1 medium red onion…