Live Naturally Fred Meyer Fall 2019

PG. 26

FINDING

HEALTH & HARMONY WITH JEWEL

PG. 7

NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS TO BEAT BACK STRESS PG. 45

COMPLIMENTS

The Joy of Cooking

Do you like to cook? If yes, you’re one of the growing number of Americans who are relying less on snacks, convenient meals and fast foods and spending more time in your kitchen.

According to a new report—Eating Trends: Cooking & Food Shopping by Packaged Facts, a market-research company in the food and beverage sectors—53 percent of U.S. adults say they really enjoy cooking, while 35 percent consider the kitchen the most important room in the house.

Some other fun facts from the report:

20 percent of U.S. adults read cooking and food-themed magazines.

59.3 percent of U.S. adults like to try new recipes, and 42.2 percent refer to recipes when cooking. To find these recipes, one-third of Americans turn to the internet, and the percentage of adults who use apps to find recipes has increased from 11 to 20 percent.

Millennials and homeowners cook for fun: Millennials are 19 percent more likely than average to agree that they enjoy cooking for fun, and homeowners are 32 percent more likely to do the same.

Another conclusion from the report: Americans are setting more time aside to enjoy sit-down meals with family.

I love to cook and enjoy researching and trying new recipes. My stack of cookbooks is always expanding, and I often lose track of time while reading food blogs and searching the internet for even more recipes. The best part of all this: making a yummy meal and sharing and enjoying it with my husband, friends or family.

lives, several of the factors to longevity are a healthy, mostly plant-based diet; moderate alcohol consumption (mainly red wine); and good spiritual, family and social networks. Meals are most often the core for gathering and networking.

As always, we’ve gathered a tasty array of recipes to help you with your meal planning. From dishes using the root veggies of fall (pp. 26-28) to fish and seafood creations to please the pescatarian in you (pp. 36-39) to a fun selection of fast and easy appetizers (pp. 31-34), options abound.

If you didn’t know, our magazine is distributed in Kroger and many of its affiliate stores across the country, including King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith’s, Fry’s and QFC.

The fast-approaching fall and winter holiday season means it’s time to start planning some fun get-togethers. And also some fun “cook togethers,” where you can invite family and friends into your kitchen to help with the cooking and meal prep. Enjoy!

Food can be a wonderful and healthful social connection. In regions around the world dubbed “Blue Zones,” where people live exceptionally long

Rebecca Heaton, Editor editor@livenaturallymagazine.com

7

BEGIN

Talking with Jewel

PLUS Ask the dietitian, plant-based on a budget, food and inflammation, and how to reduce plastic use.

EAT

Dish It Up

Flavorful creations using the earthy root vegetables and fruits of the season.

Fast & Flavorful Quick and easy appetizers for your fall parties or potlucks.

BOOST

Butterbur

This potent herb fights headaches and hay fever.

Stress Busters

A go-to list of natural supplements for reducing and managing stress.

recipe index

Braised Fennel and Figs with Sweet Walnut Vinaigrette 48

Celery Rémoulade 28

Crispy Whitefish Sandwiches with Lemon-Caper Tartar Sauce 37

Fresh Fall Salad 28

Ginger-Garlic Shrimp and Wild Rice Pilaf Bowls 38

Halwa—Indian Carrot Pudding 28

Maple-Dijon Salmon with Roasted Winter Vegetables 36

Miso Ginger Wings 32

One-Day Injera 41

16

KITCHEN

Pasta and Sauces

PLUS Dairy innovations, cauliflower products, pasta prep tips and cooking with kids.

Healthy Kitchen Fish and shellfish recipes that will please your palate.

Around the World Ethiopian food is a unique and fragrant cuisine, no utensils required.

TRY

Braised Fennel and Figs

Anise-flavored fennel enhances this rich and flavorful side dish.

Red-Flannel Hash 28

Rosemary Delicata

Squash Dip 34

Spiced Goat Cheese

Stuffed Dates 31

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Balsamic Caramelized Mushrooms 28

White Bean Crostini 33

Zucchini Noodles with Red Clam Sauce 39

Ashwagandha is one

which support the

natural response to stress.*

Himalaya Ashwagandha releases stress and promotes greater sustained levels of energy.*

HEALTHY MADE EASY

Part

FALL 2019 livenaturallymagazine.com

VICE PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER

Deborah Juris

EDITOR

Rebecca Heaton

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lindsay Burke

DESIGNER/DIGITAL

Shannon Moore

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Kellee Katagi

DIGITAL EDITOR

Lauren Yeates

DIGITAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Ashley McLeod

COPY EDITOR

Julie Van Keuren

MARKETING OPERATIONS MANAGER

Susan Humphrey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nancy Coulter-Parker, Dina Deleasa-Gonsar, Genevieve Doll, Taffy Elrod, Sarah Howlett, Kellee Katagi, Shaelyn Katagi, Kimberly Lord Stewart, Robin Roenker, Rebecca Treon

CONTRIBUTING ARTIST AND STYLISTS

Jennifer Olson, Eric Leskovar, Nicole Dominic

ADVERTISING SALES

Deborah Juris, Susan Tauster, Dan Vincent

PUBLISHED BY

PRESIDENT

Brendan Harrington

Clean Protein for Every Lifestyle

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BEGIN

In Harmony with Jewel

The award-winning singer-songwriter, author and mental health and mindfulness advocate is spreading happiness as a habit.

BY REBECCA HEATON

Life is work no matter what, so why not work toward a happier future? This is what Jewel is focused on through her music, poetry and foundation. We caught up with her to learn more.

You started the Never Broken Foundation to inspire people to “Make Happiness a Habit.” You write that you see life as a living body and to experience harmony and happiness, we need to have each aspect of life well-toned. Tell us more about this.

Many of us are strong in one area of our lives but perhaps in others we are lacking tone or expertise. We might be adept at parenting, but poor on our physical health. Skilled at building a company, but lacking in intimacy and relationship fitness. This is okay and to be expected. But through being mindful and curious and taking small simple steps, we can start to build tone in other areas of our lives.

My life’s mission has been

gaining education to help me be well-rounded and happy and developed as a whole human. I like the word harmony because it recognizes that we are always evolving and growing and there is no failing in this process and at different stages of our lives we are working on different things.

Please talk about the importance of mindfulness and meditation in your life.

When I was a teenager suffering from anxiety and depression, mindfulness and meditation saved my life. When I was homeless, it helped me not only survive but also to get in touch with who I really am and want to be; hence my lyrics, which became a career. As an adult,

entrepreneur, mom and touring artist, it has helped me create a peaceful and aware space between what happens in my life and how I choose to react to it. This has allowed me to bring my best self forward, to have peace of mind and to connect to others and my work in such a meaningful way.

What about diet and nutrition?

I’m extremely passionate and nerdy about nutrition, food and where it comes from. I began studying food as medicine when I was 15 to solve health problems. I was able to study under pioneers in the field, and it has been a lifelong passion and pursuit to understand the preventative and healing aspects of food. Now it’s getting easier for people to make better choices than when I was a kid. As far as a diet, I’m not super strict: I just

like to be aware of what I am eating and to eat as healthy as I can because it really affects how I, and my son Kase, feel.

Can you offer a few tips for someone who wants to start on a path of mindfulness and wellness?

First, realize it’s not as complicated as people fear. Just do one act of improvement a day. Meditate for even a few minutes a few times a day. I call it a brain break. Just sit still and breathe for 10 breaths; it can give you 100 percent more energy in the afternoon. Drink one extra glass of water daily; it can make a huge difference in how you feel. Get to sleep before 11 p.m. and get 7-8 hours sleep. Any one of these things will have a big impact. Just start with one and keep it simple.

Learn more about Jewel’s Never Broken foundation at jewelneverbroken.com.

MATTHEW ROLSTON

A Sparkling Good Cause

BY SHAELYN KATAGI

Recovering from addiction is hard. Nobody knows this better than Wes Hurt, founder of yerba maté beverage company Clean Cause, who started his business after emerging victorious from his battle with drug and alcohol addiction.

“It was all thanks to God and my wife and the support of everyone around me,” Hurt says. “Things I had lost to my addiction have been restored.”

It didn’t take long for Hurt to turn his struggle into hope for others. Within two

to three months after recovery, the idea for Clean Cause was born. The company began selling sparkling yerba maté, an organic, naturally caffeinated drink derived from a Brazilian plant. But the beverage itself wasn’t enough.

Hurt wanted to use his experience to help others in situations like his own. “I needed to do something with purpose,” Hurt explains. That is why Clean Cause donates 50 percent of all profits to support recovering addicts in the form of scholarships.

Although founded in Austin, Texas, Clean Cause is a national brand with a local impact, and it works by the phrase: “We give where you swig.” In other words, it hands out scholarships in the area of the nation where the product has been purchased.

Each scholarship is worth $500 and is given to a trusted sober-living home in the region, to help an individual find a job, stay accountable and reintegrate into normal life.

“We believe in grace,” Hurt says. “There is no limited number of chances to extend.” Clean Cause puts these words into action. More than half of its employees are former addicts. They are united by a common goal to craft sustainable yerba maté drinks.

With only 30 calories and no added synthetics or stimulants, Clean Cause yerba maté “gives you the energy without the crash.” It comes in four flavors— peach, blackberry, lemon-lime and raspberry—with mango in the works. We’ll drink to that.

NATURAL CARE FOR ALL

JON AND KRISTY GUERRA founded ACURE in 2010 on one principle: to craft safe, clean, affordable products for skin and hair. “Everything is under $20,” says national sales manager Christie Rae. “It is very important to us that our products are available to everyone.”

Kristy Guerra was the company visionary. After her grandmother passed away from breast cancer, she was determined to develop a product containing only the best and safest ingredients. That’s where her husband, Jon, came in. As a chemist, he went through 75 different formulas for hair care/shampoo

alone, before finding the most effective one. ACURE now offers about 50 different products—including moisturizers, scrubs, face masks, shampoo, deodorant and cleansing gel—with more on the way.

Beyond making healthy rejuvenating skin and hair care accessible to all demographics, ACURE supports causes such as Unite for HER, a breast-cancer nonprofit. The company passes along 10 cents from every Day Brightening Cream and Night Brightening Cream purchase to Unite for HER, and also donates products for the organization to use in fundraisers. —S.K.

To learn more, visit acure.com.

Ask the Dietitian

Kroger dietitian and nutrition instructor Molly Hembree, R.D., L.D., answers your health and wellness questions.

Have a nutrition- or diet-related question? Send it to editor@livenaturallymagazine.com.

Do cleanses actually work? If so, what’s a healthy approach?

Considered a way to “purify” our body’s natural detoxification system, dietary cleanses promise to press some untold refresh button on our physiology.

Although this Marie Kondo style of decluttering our body chemistry sounds credible, in reality, our liver, intestines and kidneys, if otherwise healthy, are already doing a fine job of filtering excess waste and toxins from our diet.

Instead of a cleanse, focus on a

regular bowel pattern from adequate daily fiber (25 grams for adult women, 38 grams for adult men) and fluid (11.5 cups for adult women, 15.5 cups for adult men). Also regularly consume fruits, like pomegranate and berries, and vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, onions and Brussels sprouts. This combination should do all the gentle cleansing you need.

Speak with your doctor if you have digestive problems that need to be addressed.

How do you feel about pea and other legume proteins growing in popularity? Is there potential for developing an allergy if they’re overused?

The presence of legumes, which include black-eyed peas, split peas, beans, soy, peanuts and lentils, in our diets is something to celebrate! Many of these powerhouse foods are a good source of fiber, protein, iron and

zinc. We should strive for 1 1/2 cups of legumes weekly, plus one serving of soy (tofu, soy milk, edamame, tempeh, etc.) daily. Double this amount if you follow a strict plant-based diet.

Protein supplements made from pea and soy protein offer a safe and effective alternative for those who can’t tolerate milk, while “faux meats” with added legume protein can easily be substituted for their animal-derived counterparts.

The major eight allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, soy, milk and wheat. These foods are responsible for 90 percent of all food allergy reactions. There is no evidence that eating more of a food (even soy) increases your chance of developing an allergy to that food. Research has not determined what causes food allergies, but a family history of food allergies or related conditions like eczema and asthma could increase risk.

A registered dietitian with Kroger, Molly provides private nutrition-counseling services, and has been a public speaker, radio talk-show guest, blog author and TV news presenter for Kroger. She enjoys helping customers simplify the confusing world of nutrition labels, dietary intolerances, weight management or plant-based nutrition. When she’s not at work, you can find her at a hip-hop dance class, snuggling with her cats or working on her food-photography skills.

Simple SWAPS

Expert tips for integrating reusable items into your everyday routine.

BY SARAH PROTZMAN HOWLETT

GROCERY BAG

Ever since some U.S. locales began charging for plastic shopping bags or banning them outright, taking reusable bags on a grocery run is increasingly common. Brittney

LaGesse, owner of Refill Revolution in Boulder, Colo., loves the Ecobags Classic String Bag ($13.99, ecobags.com), which looks small but stretches a surprising amount and can safely haul everything from watermelon to wine. Don’t forget about produce bags, too.

Instead of plastic ones, try Net Zero’s 12-Pack Reusable Produce Bags ($39.99, netzerocompany. com), made from ecofriendly, machinewashable mesh.

There’s no doubt about it: Recycling feels great. But as of late, hundreds of U.S. cities have either scaled back recycling or stopped altogether, reporting that the required energy and materials have become too expensive and increasingly complex.

Voices in the zero-waste movement would tell you we’re looking in the wrong place for answers: The problem isn’t that we’re recycling all wrong—it’s that we’re creating too much trash in the first place.

Although it may seem daunting to change long-standing habits, we can all start somewhere, says Brown Cannon, founder of No2Plastic, based in Bend, Ore. “Pick one thing and be dedicated to whatever that is—be it no longer using plastic straws, water bottles or plastic cutlery,” he says. “You might see it’s not that difficult to inject that one change into your life.” Check out no2plastic.org to join the movement. Here are some simple ways to get started:

WATER BOTTLE

In 2016, bottled water beat out soda to become the nation’s most-consumed beverage. The downside: Each of those bottles sticks around for a long time—about 450 years, to be exact. With water-filling stations everywhere from gyms to airports these days, it’s easy to go reusable. Cannon likes the lightweight and collapsible Hydaway water bottle ($30 for a 25-ounce bottle, shop.hydawaybottle.com).

LUNCH CONTAINERS

No paper bags or plastic zipper bags necessary with To-Go Ware’s 3 Tier Stainless Steel Food Carrier ($27.99, to-goware.com) or a LunchBots Bento Box (starting at $24.99, lunchbots.com), both of which are good choices for a picnic or work lunch. “I like to tell people to look at what they already have at home [like mason jars], so they don’t have to buy a bunch of new things,” LaGesse says. Carry your lunch in a reusable, insulated Out of the Woods Paper Sac ($12.99, outofthewoods.com), made with a renewable, washable material derived from paper that looks and acts like leather, even though it’s 100 percent animal-free.

Shop Smart: Carbon Neutral Water

Known for its thermal pools, waterfalls and striking terrain, Iceland is also host to many natural springs. The Ölfus Spring, which formed 5,000 years ago following a massive volcanic eruption, is where Icelandic Glacial sources its naturally alkaline water. And the company is proud that its bottled water is certified Carbon Neutral. How? It uses green energy sources to power its facility; invests in carbon offsets for renewable energy projects; and bottles its water—with a naturally occuring high pH level of 8.4—in BPA-free, rPET bottles, labels, caps and packaging that is all 100 percent recyclable. More at icelandicglacial.com.

HIGH pH FROM NATURE. NOT A FACTORY.

Certified Carbon Neutral for Product & Operation

Product selection varies by store

Diet for Inflammation

Foods that quell inflammation can enhance your overall health.

BY ROBIN ROENKER

The foods we eat create a cellular connection that can either cause or fight chronic inflammation in our bodies. This connection is what first interested Desiree Nielsen in becoming a registered dietitian more than a decade ago.

“Iliked the idea that nutrition is more than just getting your body what it needs every day, but also recognizing that we truly have the power to heal,” says Nielsen, whose recently released cookbook Eat More Plants (Penguin, 2019) offers more than 100 antiinflammatory, plant-based recipes for healthy living.

Foods known to have antiinflammatory properties include raw nuts, green leafy vegetables, avocados, apples and olive oil. In contrast, refined carbohydrates—think white breads and pastas—as well as processed meats and sugary drinks can increase inflammation.

Short-term, or acute, inflammation can be a good thing: It’s what allows our bodies to heal after an infection or injury. But as Nielsen explains, when left unchecked, chronic, long-term inflammation can manifest in a host of physical conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, digestive disorders, and even anxiety or depression.

The main goals of an anti-inflammatory diet, Nielsen says, include keeping blood sugar stable by avoiding hyper processed foods; increasing quality fats—like avocado oil and extra-virgin olive oil—while reducing saturated fats; and prioritizing gut health by choosing plant-based foods that promote a healthy, beneficial mix of gut bacteria. “Many plants have naturally occurring chemicals that are directly anti-inflammatory,” Nielsen says.

With an abundance of research documenting its anti-inflammatory effects, garlic is one of Nielsen’s go-to flavor sources. “Garlic has vital chemicals like diallyl sulfide and alliin, and these are strongly anti-inflammatory molecules,”

Nielsen says. “It also contains a type of prebiotic fiber called a fructan, so it can be very beneficial for feeding the gut.”

In her recipes, Nielsen also loves to incorporate seeds, like hemp and flax, that are rich in healthy omega-3 fats, as well as raw or natural cocoa powder. “Cocoa powder has flavonoids, which are well researched for fighting inflammation,” she says. “Permission to eat chocolate? Absolutely!”

In addition to recipes like Healthy Breakfast Cupcakes and Lentil and Walnut Tacos, Eat More Plants includes a 21-day meal plan to help with the transition to a plantbased menu.

Nielsen says the effort is worth it. “In my [dietitian] practice, I get to see people transform their lives through their diet every day,” she says. “When they add these incredibly nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory plant foods into their routines, it not only has a massive impact on their health, but they also feel more energized.”

Source: Eat More Plants: Over 100 Anti-Inflammatory, Plant-Based Recipes for Vibrant Living by Desiree Nielsen, R.D. (Penguin Canada, 2019)

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2 PLAN YOUR MEALS WISELY.

4

CHOOSE A PREP DAY.

Plant-Based, Budget-Friendly

Yes, you can afford to eat healthy, with these five simple tips.

BY KELLEE KATAGI TONI OKAMOTO

hen it comes to finances, eating healthy gets a bad rap. “People often think that to eat healthy and plant-based, you have to go to an entirely different grocery store and buy expensive, unfamiliar ingredients,” says Toni Okamoto, author of Plant-Based on a Budget (BenBella, 2019) and founder of plantbasedonabudget.com.

But if you do the math, healthy eating is the clear winner. “Fast foods and packaged foods aren’t as cheap as people think,” explains Okamoto, whose daily lunch in high school was from Taco Bell and who has watched several family members struggle with health issues because of a poor diet. A fast-food meal usually ends up costing around $6 or $7, while if you shop and cook smart, you can have a nourishing, whole-food diet for roughly $1.20 per meal. Here’s how:

WLEARN HOW TO COOK.

“I grew up eating Top Ramen and mac and cheese,” Okamoto says, “so I totally understand that it’s intimidating when you pass by a butternut squash in the grocery store, and you’re like, ‘What the heck is this?’” Educate yourself by checking out cookbooks from the library (try How to Cook Everything

Vegetarian [Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017] by Mark Bittman) or visiting sites like Okamoto’s plantbasedonabudget.com.

For Okamoto, who was on a very tight budget when she switched to vegan eating, this was the biggest gamechanger. Assess what you have on hand, and plan meals that use those ingredients, she suggests. When you shop, stock up on filling items—like beans, quinoa, brown rice, oats, corn tortillas and vegetable bouillon— that can be used in multiple dishes.

3 SHOP WITH INTENTION.

Go in with a game plan, and stick to your list to prevent impulsive purchases, Okamoto says. When possible, avoid premade and packaged foods, which are more expensive. She recommends looking for store brands, which often contain the exact same ingredients but cost less. Buy only the fresh produce you know you’ll eat, and fill your freezer with frozen fruits and vegetables, which are just as nutritious. Also, keep an eye out for imperfect produce, and consider asking the store for a discount. Some stores have shelves with “ugly” fruits and veggies at a discount.

“I use one day of the week to cook a lot of my staples, like lentils and beans and quinoa,” Okamoto says. “That way, when the work week is picking up, we can use those and just steam some vegetables and add a sauce instead of resorting to fast food or other unhealthy options.”

5 REPURPOSE YOUR FOOD.

Make a large batch of a recipe and find ways to tweak it throughout the week. For example, Okamoto might make split pea soup and eat it plain that night. Day two: She adds lemon juice and hot sauce. Day three: She adds liquid smoke for a more traditional flavor. Day four: The peas will have absorbed a lot of the moisture, so she’ll serve it over brown rice. “That way, I’m cooking only one time, it costs me $5 to make that whole meal for all those days, and I can vary it up, not making myself hate something I actually love,” she says.

Toni Okamoto, author of Plant-Based on a Budget, offers free weekly meal plans for one to four people, Visit plantbasedonabudget.com.

MICHELLE CEHN

TASTE THE BEST FROM ITALY

SIGNATURE ITALIAN INGREDIENTS, SIMMERED JUST LIKE HOMEMADE

100% ITALIAN TOMATOES

• NO SUGAR ADDED

Next-Level Noodles

BY KELLEE KATAGI

If you’ve never bought anything but the same old spaghetti from the pasta aisle, plan to take a moment on your next trip and peruse the options. What you find may surprise you. The most striking change is that noodles cannot be categorically dismissed as high-carb, empty-calorie fare. Many offerings are made from ingredients—such as chickpeas, quinoa or lentils—that provide impressive levels of protein, fiber and iron, and are gluten-free, as well. Even many wheat pastas are being crafted from the finest grains, resulting in a healthier, tastier final product. Here we present a few of our favorites.

KITCHEN

WITH KIDS P24

RED LENTILS

OUR PICK

GREEN LENTILS

OUR PICK

Tolerant Organic Green Lentil

Why we like it: Red lentil flour is the only ingredient in this high-protein (13 grams per 2-ounce serving), highfiber (6 grams) pasta. It also serves up 10 percent of your daily potassium needs, is produced in a dedicated gluten-free plant, and doesn’t stick together like some GF pastas.

Tasters say: “Great texture and neutral flavor that pairs with any sauce.”

Bonus points for: Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Non-GMO

TOP IT OFF

Don’t drag a great pasta down with an inferior sauce. Here are a few of our favorite pairings.

ALSO TRY

Tolerant Organic Red Lentil Penne

BARILLA VERO GUSTO

Made in Italy, these non-GMO sauces brim with the rich flavor that comes from carefully selected ingredients, such as Genovese basil and Calabrian peppers. Bonus: No added sugar, water or preservatives.

Why we like it: Made from just one ingredient—organic green lentil flour—these low-glycemic noodles are nutrition heavyweights: 25 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber in each 3.5-ounce serving. The flavor is subtly earthy, and the texture mimics a traditional firm pasta.

Tasters say: “Delicious! Way better than I expected an alternative pasta to be.”

Bonus points for: Gluten-free, Kosher, Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan

ALSO TRY

Ancient Harvest POW! Green Lentil Spaghetti

SILVER PALATE

There’s no added sugar in these sauces—because they don’t need it. Vine-ripened San Marzano tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh vegetables give them more than enough crave-worthy flavor.

Today’s pasta is way healthier than you’re used to without sacrificing the yum.

CHEF LORENZO P18 // HEALTHY DAIRY P20 // COOKING

Barilla Red Lentil Rotini

Penne

AMERICA IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST MARKET FOR PASTA—

2.7 MILLION TONS

CONSUMED ANNUALLY.

SOURCE: NATIONAL PASTA ASSOCIATION

VEGETABLE

OUR PICK

Why we like it: Made with dried carrots, tomatoes and spinach, this wheat-based pasta provides a full serving of vegetables with every 4 ounces. The tricolor noodles offer subtle but welcome dimension in both flavor and color to enliven your meal.

Tasters say: “The spinach noodles are especially tasty.”

Bonus points for: Non-GMO

CHICKPEA

OUR PICK

Why we like it: These gluten-free noodles’ mild, pleasant flavor and nonmushy texture are a delectable vehicle for each 3.5-ounce serving’s 23 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber and 35 percent of your daily iron requirements. The low-glycemic pasta’s ratio of carb grams to fiber grams makes for 28 fewer net carb grams per serving than most traditional pastas.

Tasters say: “It passed the toughest test: My kids loved it!”

Bonus points for: Gluten-free, Kosher, Non-GMO, Vegan

WHEAT

OUR PICK

Why we like it: By being picky about its ingredients (high-quality durum wheat, water from its own Italian spring) and its process (ground in its own mill to lab-tested standards, bronze drawing, slow drying), DeCecco delivers a superior-tasting pasta with a rough texture to hold sauce.

Tasters say: “Worthy of a fine Italian restaurant.”

Bonus points for: Kosher

ALSO TRY.

SIMPLE TRUTH ORGANIC CLASSIC ALFREDO SAUCE

This traditional creamy sauce uses organic ingredients to craft a rich, cheesy topping that complements any pasta.

ALSO TRY

GLUTEN-FREE TIP: If you’re looking for the closest gluten-free guesstimate—in terms of taste and texture—to traditional wheat-flour pasta, try Barilla Gluten-Free Spaghetti, made from non-GMO corn and rice.

ALSO TRY

Ronzoni Garden Delight Veggie Tricolor Rotini

DeCecco Spaghetti

Buitoni Parmesan & Black Pepper Ravioli

Barilla Chickpea Rotini

Banza Chickpea Penne

Pasta 101

Barilla’s Chef Lorenzo Boni shares his expert tips and tricks on buying and cooking deliziosa pasta.

APPEARANCE

WHEN SHOPPING FOR PASTA, LOOK FOR BITE

Amber color—a sign of good-quality wheat—versus whitish, reddish or grayish hues. Pasta that adheres to high-quality standards should also have fewer specks (blackish marks) or impurities.

Good pasta should be cooked al dente every time for the best meal experience.

CLARITY

Pasta made with the highest-quality durum wheat should not release a lot of starch in the cooking water. Look to make sure the cooking water is clear versus cloudy— an indicator that excess starch is being released, which usually results in sticky, clumpy pasta.

DOESN’T BREAK

Pasta made with the highest-quality durum wheat should not break, clump or stick when cooking. Serve immediately to ensure the best meal experience.

Why do Italians like their pasta al dente?

In Italy, food is an emotional experience that engages all the senses. Every meal is a celebration, and pasta is an important part of the meal. Cooking pasta al dente, which means “to the tooth” in Italian, means the pasta will still be firm when you bite into it. This is preferred because the firm bite of the pasta allows you to taste the pasta better.

@ CHEFLORENZOBONI Follow Chef Lorenzo Boni on Instagram

STEP 1

HOW TO COOK PASTA

Place 4–6 quarts of cold water in a large pot, and bring to a boil.

STEP 2

Add salt, and bring back to a boil. Oil is not recommended, because it can prevent sauce from sticking to the pasta.

STEP 3

Add pasta, and cook according to package instructions.

STEP 4

TIP

When you cook pasta, 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good rule to follow. What does 2 ounces look like? It depends on the shape.

LONG SHAPES

Spaghetti, angel hair, fettucine and linguine

A bunch of noodles in your hand the size of a quarter

SHORT SHAPES

½ cup Elbows, penne and rotini cup

Campanelle, farfalle, rigatoni, shells and mini-wheels

Penne and ziti ¾ cup

STEP 5

For al dente pasta, do a bite test for slight resistance.

Drain, but reserve some of the pasta water! It’s a great addition to the sauce. Add about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup or a ladle full of water to your sauce before adding the pasta. The salty, starchy water not only adds flavor but also helps glue the pasta and sauce together; it will also thicken the sauce.

STEP 6

Add your favorite ingredients and sauce, toss, serve and enjoy!

TRADITIONAL PASTA COOKED AL DENTE HAS A LOW TO MEDIUM GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI) VALUE, WHICH MEANS THE BODY DIGESTS IT MORE SLOWLY THAN MANY OTHER CARBOHYDRATE-RICH FOODS AND KEEPS YOU FULLER LONGER.

CHEF LORENZO ADDS SALT TO THE WATER UNTIL “IT TASTES LIKE THE SEA.”

COURTESY OF BARILLA

The New Face of Dairy

No bones about it, dairy products are a great source of calcium and plenty more nutrients, too.

In an increasingly crowded food and beverage space where plantbased products are drawing a lot of attention, the dairy world is innovating to meet consumers’ evolving wants and needs.

THE GOOD IN DAIRY

Healthy and natural options are at the top of consumers’ lists, and dairy products— including milk, yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese—are laden with naturally occurring nutrients, giving them a step up on plant-based versions, most of which are fortified. Calcium is of course the big player: 1 cup of cows’ milk contains 30 percent of your daily needs.

FOLLOW YOUR GUT.

With the continued buzz around probiotics and gut health, fermented products like kefir and yogurt—which are rich in tummy-supporting probiotics for digestive health—are becoming more available in new flavors and international styles. A great example is skyr, a fermented, dairy-based, yogurt-like product with a thick and creamy texture, hailing from Iceland; check out offerings from Icelandic Provisions.

And yogurt and kefir don’t come just from cows. Redwood Hill Farm produces its fermented offerings from goats’ milk. It’s worth noting that people who can’t tolerate dairy from cows may be able to more easily digest milk from goats. Why? Fat molecules in goat’s milk are smaller and easier to digest.

A LOVE OF CHEESE .

According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. consumers have a love affair with cheese—we each consume about 34 pounds a year! But it

doesn’t have to come only in chunks or slices. Crunchy, innovative, all-natural snacks like Parm Crisps and Moon Cheese are made from 100 percent cheese—nothing else.

GOOD TO ANIMALS .

Studies show that dairy from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals is quite nutritious, with more fat-soluble vitamins and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than that from cows fed moreconventional feed. Notable brands include Kerrygold, known for its creamy Irish butter and now launching sliced and shredded cheese; Organic Valley USDA Certified Organic milks, cheeses, yogurts and sour cream; and Horizon, which also offers USDA Certified Organic milk, cheeses, cottage cheese, sour cream, butter and eggs.

DID YOU KNOW? Humans are the only species that consumes milk in adulthood and milk from other animals.

SOME SAY, “I LOVE YOU.” SOME BAKE CAKE.

Made in Ireland with milk from grass-fed cows, it’s a taste that says a thousand words.

CAULI PRODUCTS

Food companies are capitalizing on the low-carb, gluten-free trend by using vegetables like cauliflower to replace flour, rice and other simple carbs in their products. Here are a few to try.

71 %

Calling Cauliflower

Nutrient-dense and versatile, this cruciferous vegetable continues to trend as a go-to ingredient swap.

BY REBECCA HEATON

Food trends come and go. But one that’s holding its own in America’s kitchens is cauliflower. This mild-tasting, cloud-shaped veggie is part of the Brassica or cruciferous family, meaning it’s related to broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts and kale. It possesses the chameleon-like ability to take on various forms for different ingredient and diet needs. And it’s popping up in a growing number of packaged food products, too. Here’s why it remains a staple on so many shopping lists.

IT’S SWAPPABLE. Cauliflower can be prepared well beyond steaming. Try roasting florets, or slice a head into thick “steaks” and roast. When pureed with olive oil, it’s a great substitute to cream sauce. Other options? Place florets in a food processor, and turn them into a substitute for rice. Or mash processed florets with eggs, grated cheese and spices, and press into a pizza crust.

IT’S FULL OF NUTRIENTS.

One cup (100 grams) of cauliflower contains 2 grams of protein(!), 77 percent of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C, 20 percent DV of vitamin K, close to 3 grams of fiber, plus vitamin B6, folate, potassium, manganese, phosphorus and magnesium.

IT’S LOW IN CARBOHYDRATES AND GLUTEN-FREE (THINK KETO-FRIENDLY!).

A 100-gram serving of white rice contains 150 calories, 34 grams of carbs and 1 gram of fiber, while a similar portion of riced cauliflower contains just 25 calories, 5 grams of carbs and triple the amount of fiber.

SNACK .

From the Ground Up Cauliflower Pretzels

IN 2018, SALES FOR PACKAGED CAULIFLOWER

PRODUCTS GREW

SOURCE: NIELSEN

RICE

Fullgreen Cauli Rice

PIZZA CRUST. Cali’flour Foods Pizza Crust

Cooking Up Memories

The smallest of hands can be surprisingly good in the kitchen. Here are tips on getting your little sous chef started.

BY KIMBERLY LORD STEWART

The holidays are an excellent time to get your kids in the kitchen. Will it be messy? Maybe. Will it be a little hectic? Perhaps. By letting go of expectations of perfection, you will create lasting memories and lifelong skills to nourish their bodies and minds. “Embrace the chaos,” says Deanna Cook, author of multiple children’s cookbooks, including Cooking Class (Storey, 2015), Baking Class (Storey, 2017) and her latest, Cooking Class Global Feast! (Storey, 2019).

“Cooking is a hands-on, healthy activity that gets kids to turn off the screens and actively engage with food,” she says.

What age is ideal? Cook says as early as the high-chair stage. “I gave my kids flour to run their fingers through or a biscuit to pat down,” she says. “Work up slowly with sensory lessons, such as smelling herbs, rinsing vegetables and pushing the button on the salad spinner.”

By the time children have a little more dexterity, say around ages 4 to 6, teach them how to use kitchen tools like a pizza cutter or kid-friendly scissors to snip herbs. As they get older, they can use the food processor and mixer to scale up their knowledge and comfort level.

MAKE YOUR KITCHEN A HOLIDAY CULINARY CLASSROOM

Cooking with relatives over the holidays will be a cherished memory. “My favorite memories are cooking with my grandmother or helping my mother get the food ready for a party,” Cook says. The experience moves the emphasis away from gift-getting to the gift of hospitality, whether it’s cooking something for a teacher or preparing a recipe and serving it to guests. “For instance, kids can make hummus with a vegetable platter to welcome their guests when they arrive,” Cook says. “It’s an opportunity to learn social skills and kindness by being hospitable.”

The holidays are also a time to teach your children about family lore and traditions that hark back to your family’s ancestral roots. Call a relative and ask about their own holiday food memories from childhood, or trace back the family tree and create recipes that might have been served in a far-off land.

SCIENCE, HISTORY AND MATH IN THE KITCHEN

The kitchen also provides endless opportunities to teach about food history, culture, writing, science and math. Start by giving each child in your family a notebook to use to collect recipes, make shopping lists, jot down notes and first impressions about a food or recipe, and draw pictures of favorite foods. Many years from now, this will be a treasured keepsake to see how far they have progressed.

By thinking of your kitchen as a laboratory, lessons in science and math aren’t far behind. Baking is a wonderland of chemical reactions of fats, liquids, acids, leaveners and emulsifiers that turn ingredients into irresistible treats. When a recipe’s serving size needs to be cut in half or doubled, math is essential. Cook suggests giving older children $20 and a list of needed items at the grocery store, so they can budget and calculate costs.

Lastly, use this time to teach your children that recipes may not always go as planned, which is perfectly OK. Use your time together to enjoy one another’s company and not criticize or judge what is on the table. As Julia Child once said, “No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.”

Kids Cooking Tips

Learning to cook is like soccer or piano—it takes time and effort— so start young. Here are some tips from Deanna Cook.

Ages 2-5

TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS

Little kids love tactile tasks like stirring, dumping ingredients in a bowl, kneading and rinsing vegetables in the sink (even a toy kitchen sink).

Ages 6-8

YOUNG CHEF

Kids in elementary school can follow simple instructions, measure ingredients, grease and flour pans, crack eggs, whisk, and make fun faces and art with food. Stay by their side to be sure they are on top of a recipe, and step in if they go off track.

Ages 9-12

TWEENS

Older kids have the attention span and patience to cook tonight’s dinner or tackle a longer baking project. Give them as much independence as you can, but stay nearby in case they can’t understand a step and need a reminder to turn off the oven and clean up the kitchen.

Crispy Cheese Squares

If you’re a fan of cheese-flavored crackers, try making these from scratch with real shredded cheese. You may never eat them from a box again! MAKES ABOUT 2 DOZEN

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

4 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks

1 cup flour

¼ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a food processor, combine cheese, butter chunks, flour and salt. Pulse until mixture looks crumbly.

2. Pour the milk through the top of the food processor. Mix until dough starts to stick together.

3. Remove dough from bowl, gathering the crumbs together into two balls.

4. Flatten the balls into disks between sheets of plastic wrap. Wrap them

up, and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes (or up to 3 days).

5. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. (If it’s too hard to roll, let it soften on the counter for a few minutes.)

6. Cut dough into 1-inch squares with a knife or a pastry or pizza cutter (or cut into shapes with a small cookie cutter).

7. Place crackers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Wiggle a toothpick in the center of each square to make a hole. Bake for 8–12 minutes, or until crispy. Cool on the pan for a few minutes before serving.

Deanna Cook is an author of children’s cookbooks. For more on her books, go to deannafcook.com.

©2017 by Deanna F. Cook. Photography © Carl Tremblay. Used with permission from Storey Publishing.

THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM THE CHILDREN’S COOKBOOK, BAKING CLASS BY DEANNA COOK.

ROOTING FOR FALL

The earthy root vegetables and fruits of the season find their way into five delicious creations. TURN TO PAGE 28 FOR RECIPES.

SWEET NUTRITION

One medium sweet potato provides 400+ percent of your daily vitamin A requirements and 37 percent of your vitamin C.

HALWA—INDIAN CARROT PUDDING

SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI WITH BALSAMIC CARAMELIZED MUSHROOMS

Just 1 ounce of garlic contains 15 percent of your daily vitamin C needs and 17 percent of your vitamin B6.

SELECT AND STORE ROOT VEGGIES

Choose firm, bruise-free vegetables. If there are greens attached, make sure they’re bright and firm (Hint: You can eat them!). Store the veggies in a cool, dry place.

THREE TYPES OF ROOT VEGGIES

TAPROOTS

carrots, beets, radishes, turnips

TUBERS

potatoes, sweet potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes

BULBS leeks, garlic

FRESH FALL SALAD

RED-FLANNEL HASH

Celery Rémoulade

SERVES 4

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup Greek yogurt, whole or 2%

2½ tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 large (about 2 pounds)

celery root

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix together mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, salt, lemon juice and a few grinds of black pepper.

2. Peel celery root, and grate coarsely.

3. Mix dressing with grated celery root. Taste, and add more mayonnaise, lemon, salt or pepper, if needed.

4. Serve chilled. Can be made up to 2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator.

Note: Make dressing first; then grate celery root, because it discolors quickly.

PER SERVING: 420 CAL; 8 G PROTEIN; 14 G FAT; 78 G CARB (27 G SUGARS);

1,520 MG SODIUM; 8 G FIBER

Fresh Fall Salad

SERVES 4

½ pound brussels sprouts, ends trimmed

1 small garlic clove, finely grated

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

¼ cup finely grated Parmesan, ½ cup more to shave

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 bunches kale

1 cup pecans, roasted

1 fennel bulb, quartered, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise

1 tart apple, such as Granny Smith; quartered, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise

½ cup pomegranate seeds

½ cup parsley, tender leaves and stems; coarsely chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove all outer leaves from brussels sprouts, and place in a large bowl with garlic, lemon juice and ¼ cup Parmesan.

Season with salt and pepper.

2. Remove stems from kale. Thinly slice leaves into thin ribbons by

rolling them and then cutting. Add to sprouts and dressing. Massage leaves until evenly coated. Let sit about 5 minutes.

3. Add pecans, fennel, apple and pomegranate seeds to brussels sprouts; toss to coat. Add parsley and olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and more lemon juice, if desired. Garnish with Parmesan shavings.

PER SERVING: 253 CAL; 5 G PROTEIN; 15 G FAT; 26 G CARB (8 G SUGARS); 1165 MG SODIUM; 4 G FIBER

Red-Flannel Hash SERVES 4

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups cooked, chopped corned beef

1½ cups cooked, chopped beets

1½ cups cooked, chopped potatoes

½ cup fresh, chopped parsley

Freshly ground black pepper and salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until translucent.

2. Add corned beef, beets and potatoes. Stir to combine; then spread out evenly in pan. Reduce heat to medium. Press down with a metal spatula to help brown the mixture.

3. Let cook until nicely browned on one side. Then use a metal spatula to lift up sections of the mixture, and turn over to brown other side.

4. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley, and sprinkle on black pepper and salt to taste.

5. Serve plain as a side, or with fried or poached eggs.

PER SERVING: 483 CAL; 23 G PROTEIN; 34 G FAT; 19 G CARB (5 G SUGARS); 1315 MG SODIUM; 3 G FIBER

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Balsamic Caramelized Mushrooms

SERVES 6

GNOCCHI

1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potato

1 cup ricotta

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan, divided

3–4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

SAUCE

6 tablespoons butter, divided

1½ pounds cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced or grated

2 teaspoons fresh, chopped thyme

2 teaspoons fresh, chopped rosemary

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

½ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. To make gnocchi: Mix sweet potato, ricotta, eggs, salt and ¼ cup Parmesan together in a large bowl. Add 2½ cups of the flour, and mix well with your hands. Dough will be sticky but should be sturdy enough to shape into a ball. Keep adding a little flour at a time until you get a soft dough.

2. Spread some flour on a large work surface. Roll dough into a log, and cut into four equal pieces. Take one piece, and cut in half. Roll piece into a log shape about ½-inch thick; then cut into pieces about the width of a fork. Dust gnocchi with a little flour; then use one finger to push gnocchi up onto the tines of a fork. Let gnocchi drop back to the work surface. Repeat with all pieces.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

4. While waiting for water to boil, in a medium skillet over high heat, add 2 tablespoons butter. When butter is melted, sprinkle in mushrooms in a single layer. Let caramelize on the bottom, about 2 minutes. When caramelized, toss once and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Continue to cook without stirring, 5 minutes.

5. Add remaining butter, and cook until it begins to brown. Once butter is browned, reduce heat and add garlic, thyme, rosemary and red pepper flakes. Sauté about 1 minute; then add balsamic vinegar. Simmer until mushrooms are glazed with

sauce. Remove from heat.

6. Add gnocchi to boiling water. Boil until they float; then remove with a slotted spoon, and add into skillet with sauce. When all gnocchi are placed in saucepan, return skillet to medium heat. Let gnocchi crisp on one side; then stir around to mix in mushroom sauce. Remove from heat, and serve immediately with remaining Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

PER SERVING: 601 CAL; 23 G PROTEIN; 20 G FAT; 80 G CARB (5 G SUGARS); 320 MG SODIUM; 4 G FIBER

Halwa—Indian Carrot Pudding

SERVES 4

5 large carrots

1½ cups almond, rice or oat milk

1 cup canned coconut milk

1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil

2 tablespoons honey

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

1⁄8 teaspoon ground ginger

1⁄16 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄16 teaspoon ground cloves

Dash of salt

¼ cup raisins

¼ cup pistachios, roasted, unsalted

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash, peel and shred carrots.

2. Pour milk into a medium saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add carrots to pan; simmer 20 minutes.

3. After milk begins to thicken and take on an orange color from carrots, add butter or coconut oil and honey to pan. Stir until butter has melted; then add cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Toss in raisins; stir to combine. Continue to simmer 10 minutes, or until more of the milk has evaporated and carrots are very soft. Remove pan from heat.

4. Top with pistachios; serve warm or cold.

PER SERVING: 418 CAL; 5 G PROTEIN; 36 G FAT; 24 G CARB (10 G SUGARS); 37 MG SODIUM; 2 G FIBER

Live naturally is excited to partner with Johnson & Wales University (JWU). Vincent Armada, Chef Jorge de la Torre and Sarah Moon (L to R) developed these recipes. Known as a recognized leader in culinary education, JWU is changing the way the world eats. For info, visit jwu.edu/denver.

My background is in naturopathic family medicine, as a primary care doctor. I had a practice for over 20 years, serving over 12,000 patients. I’m all about well-being. I love that we can put things in our bodies every single day and surround ourselves with amazing opportunities to up-level our well-being. That is why I founded Optimum Wellness 20 years ago, and why I founded Healthy Skoop in 2012. Here’s to being the most awesome version of yourself!

-Dr. James Rouse

MADE WITH ORGANIC INGREDIENTS. MADE WITHOUT GLUTEN, SOY, DAIRY, GMOs.

Not just the

WHERE WHO WHY BEHIND

YOUR FOOD

Organic Valley dairy farmers — like the Johnstons — love to provide healthy, local, organic dairy products for the communities they live in. Thanks to the support of our customers, we’re celebrating more than 30 years as a farmerowned cooperative, producing nutritious, organic foods in harmony with the earth and with respect for animals.

Learn more about our mission at www.ov.coop

Johnston Family Farm Tillamook County, OR

HAVING A SMALL GATHERING? STUFF ONE-DOZEN DATES AND SAVE REMAINING GOAT CHEESE TO USE AS A SPREAD ON YOUR FAVORITE SANDWICH.

S tar ters Simple

Kick off your fall party or potluck with these quick and easy appetizers.

BY GENEVIEVE DOLL | PHOTOS JENNIFER OLSON | FOOD STYLING ERIC LESKOVAR | PROP STYLING NICOLE DOMINIC

Spiced Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates

Quick and simple to make, these decadent morsels are eye-catching, too. They can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Wait to garnish until serving.

MAKES 25 DATES

25 Medjool dates

4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

1 teaspoon orange zest

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cardamom

Pinch of salt

2 tablespoons pistachios, roughly chopped Pomegranate seeds, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove stems, and slice dates lengthwise to remove pit and create an opening for filling.

2. In a small bowl, mix goat cheese, orange zest, cinnamon, cardamom and salt with a spatula until well combined.

3. Fill each date with about 1 teaspoon spiced goat cheese. Garnish with chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds.

PER DATE: 85 CAL; 1 G PROTEIN; 2 G FAT; 18 G CARB (16 G SUGARS); 50 MG SODIUM; 2 G FIBER

Miso Ginger Wings

A delicious meld of salty, sour and sweet, these wings will disappear quickly. They are also a great dinner option, served with jasmine rice and edamame. MAKES 20–24 WINGS

2 pounds chicken wings, drumettes and flats

½ teaspoon salt, divided

2 tablespoons white miso

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Minced chives, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Place wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle one side with ¼ teaspoon salt, flip, and sprinkle with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Bake 20 minutes, until cooked through.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk miso, lime juice, maple syrup and ginger.

3. Brush both sides of wings with glaze. Bake on top oven rack for an additional 5 minutes, until wings begin to brown.

4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake a final 2 minutes. Garnish with chives.

PER WING: 33 CAL; 4 G PROTEIN; 1 G FAT; 2 G CARB (1 G SUGARS); 114 MG SODIUM; 1 G FIBER

FOR A CRISPIER SKIN, ALLOW CHICKEN WINGS TO COME TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE BAKING.

White B e an Crostini

For even faster prep, serve dip style in a decorative bowl, with baguette slices on the side, and let guests plate their own. MAKES 32 CROSTINI

2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans

½ cup vegetable stock

1 tablespoon salted butter

1 medium garlic clove, minced

¾ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 large baguette

Lemon zest, for garnish

Thyme leaves, for garnish

Red pepper flakes, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Drain and rinse beans.

CHOOSE ORGANIC LEMONS WHEN POSSIBLE FOR ZESTING, AND ZEST BEFORE JUICING.

2. Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Add beans, stock, butter, garlic and salt. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium low. Simmer about 7 minutes, until liquid is partially reduced.

3. Meanwhile, slice baguette on diagonal into ½-inch slices. Toast on a baking sheet in oven 5–6 minutes, until slightly crispy.

4. Remove beans from heat, and mash with a potato masher. Stir in lemon juice. Consistency should be soft and spreadable. Season to taste.

5. Spread about 1 tablespoon beans on each slice of baguette. Garnish with lemon zest, thyme and red pepper flakes..

Rosemary Delicata S q ua s h D ip

Delicata squash is a fall favorite, sweet and tender with an edible skin—no need to peel. This dip will come together quickly after squash is roasted. MAKES APPROXIMATELY 2½ CUPS

2 delicata squash (about 1½ pounds)

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 cup vegetable stock

1 teaspoon chopped rosemary, more for garnish

Pita chips and olives, for serving

RINSE SQUASH SEEDS, AND ROAST WITH OLIVE OIL, CURRY POWDER AND SALT FOR A YUMMY SNACK.

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425°. Remove ends of squash, and slice lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out seeds. Slice halves into ½-inch half-moons.

2. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Spread in a single layer, using a second baking sheet if needed. Bake 20 minutes, until squash begins to brown and is easily pierced with a fork.

3. Transfer to a food processor, and blend with stock, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and ¾ teaspoon salt. Process until smooth. Add rosemary; blend until well combined.

4. Transfer to a serving bowl, and garnish with chopped rosemary. Serve with pita chips and olives.

PER TOTAL YIELD: 579 CAL; 9 G PROTEIN; 43 G FAT; 43 G CARB (3 G SUGARS); 501 MG SODIUM; 5 G FIBER NUTRITIONAL VALUES CALCULATED AT NUTRITIONDATA.SELF.COM

SHOP RECIPES ON OUR WEBSITE

RECIPES a Sea of

Please your pescatarian palate with these four fish and shellfish dishes.

Maple-Dijon Salmon with Roasted Winter Vegetables

The touch of sweetness from maple syrup and roasted vegetables make for a cozy fall meal. A perfect accompaniment: a salad of bitter greens with a tangy vinaigrette. SERVES 4

2 carrots, peeled

2 parsnips, peeled

2 small sweet potatoes

1 small cauliflower head

¼ cup + 1 tablespoon

mild cooking oil, divided*

1 teaspoon sea salt

¾ teaspoon black pepper, divided

1 teaspoon dry parsley

4 (4-ounce) salmon fillets

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon real maple syrup (Grade B preferred)

¼ teaspoon onion powder

Fresh parsley or scallions for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes into ½-inch pieces. Cut cauliflower into small florets. Toss cut vegetables with ¼ cup oil, salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and parsley.

2. Spread vegetables on a well-oiled sheet pan or cookie tray; bake on center rack of oven about 1 hour, until they are tender and beginning to brown around the edges.

3. Meanwhile, prepare fish. In a small bowl, stir together mustard, maple syrup, remaining tablespoon oil, onion powder and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

4. Spread 1 tablespoon of mixture

Look for grade B maple syrup; it has a more pronounced maple flavor than grade A and tends to be slightly less expensive.

over top of each piece of fish. Place fish on a well-oiled baking sheet.

5. When vegetables have been in the oven about 40 minutes, place tray of salmon in oven too, and bake 15–20 minutes, until fish is cooked through but still tender. It should be fully opaque and flake apart easily.

6. For each serving, place one piece of fish and about 1 cup of vegetable mix on each plate. Garnish with fresh parsley or chopped scallions, if desired.

*Coconut oil, avocado oil or a light olive oil

BY TAFFY ELROD | PHOTOS JENNIFER OLSON | FOOD STYLING ERIC LESKOVAR | PROP STYLING NICOLE DOMINIC

Crispy

Whitefish

Sandwiches with Lemon-Caper Tartar Sauce

These sandwiches are light, crisp and flavorful. Even people who think they don’t like fish are going to love these—the tartar sauce is a game changer. For best results, use any fresh, firm whitefish. SERVES 4

TARTAR SAUCE

1 cup mayonnaise, divided

1 tablespoon minced shallot

1 tablespoon capers, minced

1 tablespoon dill-pickle relish

Zest of 1 lemon, about

1 tablespoon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Pinch of cayenne pepper or dash of Tabasco

SHOP RECIPES ON OUR WEBSITE

FISH

4 (5-ounce) firm whitefish fillets, such as cod or haddock

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup panko-style breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter

4 soft rolls, split and lightly toasted

Lettuce, onion and dill-pickle slices

DIRECTIONS

1. For tartar sauce: In a small mixing bowl, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, minced shallot, capers, relish, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper or Tabasco; stir together. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, to allow flavors to marry.

2. Preheat oven to 375°. Blot fish fillets dry, and season well with salt and pepper. Then spread them with remaining ½ cup mayonnaise, being sure to cover all parts of the fillets, including the sides.

3. Mix breadcrumbs with oil or butter in a shallow dish. Coat fillets with breadcrumbs, gently pressing crumbs on to be sure they adhere. Carefully transfer breaded filets to baking sheet lined with well-oiled aluminum foil.

4. Place in middle rack of oven, and bake about 20 minutes, until fillets are firm to the touch, fully opaque and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

5. To assemble sandwiches, stir tartar sauce, and spread some on top and bottom of split, toasted rolls. Place a piece of fish on bottom half of each roll, and layer on lettuce, onion and pickle chips. Place top of roll on fish.

TIP

Make these with glutenfree breadcrumbs and your favorite gluten-free rolls, or wrap them in romaine lettuce leaves for an even lighter “sandwich.”

Letting rice cook completely undisturbed and allowing it to steam in the pot after you remove it from the heat will go a long way toward a perfect pot.

Ginger-Garlic Shrimp and Wild Rice Pilaf Bowls

This bowl has everything you need to keep you going through the chilliest fall activities. Once rice is cooked, the dish comes together in just a few minutes. The sweetness and tang of cranberries in the pilaf enhance the shrimp’s natural sweetness. SERVES 4

3 tablespoons coconut oil, divided

2 scallions minced, divided

3 teaspoons minced garlic (4 medium cloves), divided

3 teaspoons grated ginger (about 1-inch piece of ginger root), divided

2 tablespoons dried cranberries (optional)

¼ cup slivered almonds or shelled pistachios

1 cup whole-grain wild rice blend

2 cups water or

low-sodium broth

1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and deveined, with or without tails attached

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 head bok choy, or your favorite green vegetable

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

¼ cup water

Sliced scallions, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan with a tightfitting lid, heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil, and add 1 minced scallion, 1 teaspoon garlic and 1 teaspoon ginger. Cook until fragrant. Add cranberries (if using), nuts and rice to pan; stir to coat. Cook another minute, stirring to prevent burning.

2. Add water or broth, and stir. Allow to return to a boil. Once water starts to boil, don’t stir the pot again.

3. Cover with lid, reduce heat, and allow to simmer undisturbed about 50 minutes. When rice has absorbed all the water, remove pan from heat and let sit undisturbed another 10 minutes.

4. While rice is resting, season shrimp with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, and add 2 tablespoons coconut oil.

5. Add remaining scallion, ginger and garlic; cook until fragrant. Add shrimp, and cook about 2 minutes; then flip shrimp over for about 30 seconds just to brown, and add chopped greens.

6. When shrimp is almost cooked and greens are brighter in color, add soy sauce, vinegar and water. Stir, and cook until sauce is hot, about 1 minute.

7. To serve, place ¾ cup rice pilaf in each dish, and top with about 1 cup shrimp and bok choy mix. Garnish with more scallions, if desired.

Cooking zucchini briefly before you add sauce cooks off excess moisture, so the sauce clings to the “noodles” and they carry more flavor.

Zucchini Noodles with Red Clam Sauce

A lighter twist on classic linguini with clam sauce, this dish has all the traditional deliciousness, with the modern touch of spiralized zucchini noodles. Don’t let cooking clams in the shell intimidate you: It’s easy, and the dish is a lot of fun to make. SERVES 4

2 pounds littleneck clams, soaked and scrubbed

¼ cup light olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 medium zucchini (about 1½ pounds), spiralized

1 cup prepared marinara sauce

½ teaspoon oregano

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Small pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

¼ cup clam juice, plus extra for thinning the sauce

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Parsley and extra cheese, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan with a tight-fitting lid over high heat. Add clams to pot, and cover tightly. Cook until clams open and release their juice. Discard any clams that never open.

2. Remove clams from pan, and strain juice through a fine strainer into a bowl; reserve for sauce. Remove clams from shells, and roughly chop. You may save a few clams in the shell for garnish.

3. Place a large skillet over medium heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add garlic, and cook until fragrant and brown.

4. Add zucchini, and cook 1–2 minutes, until zucchini begins to look slightly dry.

5. Add marinara sauce, oregano, black pepper and red pepper flakes if using; stir to combine. Add ¼ cup clam juice and chopped clams; cook until hot. If too thick, add more clam juice (saved from cooking clams) 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach desired consistency. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

6. Divide among four pasta bowls, and garnish with reserved clams in the shell, chopped parsley and more cheese.

TIP

Tasting the Horn of Africa

Ethiopian food is a unique, fragrant and comforting cuisine, with no utensils required.

BY REBECCA TREON

Ethiopian food is based on millennia of tradition. The country’s civilization dates to 2,000 B.C., and its roots are even older. The country has ties to ancient Egypt and upheld the traditions of Judaism before Christianity took over in the fourth century, forming the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Islam arrived in the 600s. For centuries, these belief systems have coexisted and influenced Ethiopian cooking.

“Trading with far Asia and the Middle East, especially Yemen, as well as the various battles across our history—including the one with Italy and its four years of occupation in 1935— are also factors that have shaped our cuisine,” says Yohanis Gebreyesus, in his new cookbook, Ethiopia (Interlink, 2019). “Yet never colonized, Ethiopia’s culinary and cultural diversity is a point of pride to the continent.”

A few trivia tidbits: Ethiopian Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim faiths all prohibit consumption of pork or shellfish; instead, goat, chicken and beef are more commonly eaten. Vegan dishes are served on religious-fasting days. The Italian occupation created a taste for pasta. Coffee is ritually prepared after every meal; the ceremony includes flowers, prayers and incense and is served with popcorn. Dining etiquette dictates that the right hand is used to eat, and gursha (“mouthful”) is a common rite of feeding friends and family bites of

food as a display of friendship or love.

The backbone of Ethiopian cuisine is injera, a spongy, fermented, round flatbread that is used as a plate, torn off and used to scoop bite-sized pieces of stew. The bread is made from teff, the country’s most widely grown crop, with grains the size of a poppy seed. Teff has been cultivated for 3,000 years. It is gluten-free, very nutritious and, today, grown around the world.

“Food is an object of survival, an entity believed to feed the body and soul across different cultures around the world. In Ethiopia, on the other hand, it holds another crucial dimension, one that conveys a positive human energy through a powerful saying ‘enebla,’" Gebreyesus says. “Enebla translates to ‘let us eat’ and our staple food injera is made in a way that invites more than one hand to the meal. It is a moment of sharing, of caring, and of showing respect for one another.”

Most Ethiopian dishes can be characterized as a selection of wot, or stewed dishes. Wot’s base is a mix of chopped red onion, grated garlic and ginger, known as kulet, cooked in niter kibbeh, a clarified butter. Spices are a part of every dish, too. Berbere is a blend of powdered chili pepper and other spices used in red stews, while fiery orange-red mitmita is a blend of piri piri peppers, cardamom seed, cloves and salt. Fish, beef, chicken, goat or lamb is added, as well as vegetables like potatoes, carrots or chard. Lentils and split peas are also common.

Ethiopian cuisine presents a routine-busting opportunity to bring centuries of tradition and history to your modern-day table. Get started by shopping for teff, spices and other Ethiopian staples, and trying our recipe for One-Day Injera.

Sights and flavors of Ethiopia: (top) the Semien Mountains and valley around Lalibela; (bottom) a selection of “wot” (stewed dishes) on injera bread; (right) traditional Ethiopian coffee served at a street cáfe.

One-Day Injera

RECIPE EXCERPTED FROM ETHIOPIA BY YOHANIS GEBREYESUS.

Purists might balk at calling this injera, but this quick version can be made in one day. There are plenty of coveted eyes (ayen) on the surface; a hint of sourness, an important key to balancing the flavors of the stews; and a spongy, chewy texture. A standard 11-inch crepe pan is ideal for preparing this recipe.

SERVES 2

2 cups teff flour

2 cups water

¼ teaspoon salt

½ tablespoon

baking powder

Vegetable oil, for oiling pan

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, add flour and water. Stir well. Cover with a dish towel, and let sit undisturbed on kitchen counter for 24 hours.

2. After this period, batter should be slightly foamy. Whisk in salt and baking powder. (The batter will deflate as you stir.)

3. To cook injera, use a nonstick crepe pan or skillet. Moisten a paper towel with oil, and wipe the surface. Place pan over mediumhigh heat.

4. When pan is hot, use a spouted measuring cup to scoop ½–1 cup of batter, depending on pan size. Work quickly and carefully to pour batter evenly around pan. Starting at pan’s outside edge—going clockwise if you are right-handed or counterclockwise if you are left-handed—pour batter in a thin stream and in one continuous motion in a spiral formation, without overlapping, until you end at the very center. Although it’s not traditional, if using a crepe pan, swirl the pan if needed to evenly distribute batter.

5. Cook undisturbed until bubbles begin to form on the surface and batter begins to set. When about 75 percent of surface batter has changed color (45–90 seconds),

cover pan with a large lid. (A glass lid is helpful, because it allows you to check doneness without uncovering.) Cook until edges of injera begin to curl, top is quite dry and injera has released from bottom of the pan, from 30–90 seconds. Do not flip the injera.

6. When cooked, use a long, thin spatula and a thin plate or piece of cardboard to transfer injera to a flat basket or a large plate lined with parchment paper without breaking.

7. Remove any stray dough from cooking surface, apply more oil as necessary, and reheat the pan. (After the first few injera, lower the heat to medium low.) Continue cooking in same way, layering each injera on top of the last on the basket or plate as they are finished. Allow to cool at least 5 minutes before placing another on top, and allow all to rest at least 30 minutes before serving. Cover any leftovers loosely with plastic wrap; injera will keep for about 2 days.

Note: There are several types of teff flour. The most common to use for injera are ivory and brown.

PER SERVING: 257 CAL; 9 G PROTEIN; 1 G FAT; 51 G CARB (0 G SUGARS); 570 MG SODIUM; 0 G FIBER

NUTRITIONAL VALUES CALCULATED AT NUTRITIONDATA.SELF.COM

BOOST

TAKE HEED

Butterbur contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can harm your liver, so choose only products certified PA-free, and keep in mind that no studies exist regarding longterm use. People allergic to ragweed and similar herbs may also react to butterbur. Do not use butterbur if you’re pregnant or nursing, or if you have liver damage.

Benefits of Butterbur

Headaches or hay fever? This potent herb may be just the relief you need.

BY KELLEE KATAGI

WHAT IS IT?

Butterbur is a perennial, creeping plant found in Asia, Europe and North America, especially in marshy areas. Its roots, leaves and bulbs have been used medicinally for millennia, and its name derives from the traditional use of its large leaves to wrap and preserve butter in warm temperatures.

USE IT FOR

This herb is most commonly taken to prevent migraines and reduce hay fever symptoms, without causing drowsiness.

THE SCIENCE

Numerous studies—including one in the journal Neurology and another in

the journal Headache—have shown butterbur to greatly reduce the occurrence of migraines in both children and adults, better than a placebo. A variety of research, such as a study published in Phytotherapy Research, has also demonstrated that butterbur subdues hay fever symptoms better than a placebo and as well as some common pharmaceuticals.

HOW TO TAKE IT

Most of the studies showing butterbur’s efficacy were conducted using extracts, but it’s also available in capsules, tablets and powders. The best results occurred with higher doses—75 mg twice daily with meals— versus doses of 50 mg twice daily.

Stress BUSTERS

Left unchecked, everyday stressors can lead to chronic ailments. Consider these natural supplements—and a few lifestyle changes—to put you back on a healthier, more balanced track.

BY NANCY COULTER-PARKER

These days, stress has become a regular fixture in our daily lexicon. With 44 percent of Americans reporting that their stress levels have increased over the past five years, and three out of four Americans saying they have experienced at least one stress symptom in the past month, according to the American Psychological Association, it’s no surprise that “Stressed!” has become the common response to “How are you?”

“I think that we live with way more stress than we have lived with in a very long time,” says Dr. Jennifer Tufenkian, N.D., founder of Enjoy Full Health clinic in Portland, Ore. “We work more as working parents, we have environmental stress and 24/7 demands to stay on top of the news and social media, and we are parenting more intensively than we have in other generations. There also is

financial stress—how much you have to work to cover basic living expenses is massive. There are a lot of stressors in our lives, and it is a big piece that leads to chronic disease for a lot of people. Learning how to manage our stress is really beneficial.”

It is in fact critical to long-term health. Stress ultimately can affect our relationships and our ability to sleep,

and lead to depression. It can cause digestive issues, an increased risk of heart disease, and can ultimately suppress immune-system function.

Usually people know they are stressed, but Tufenkian says a good indicator is if you are walking into the office at the start of the day and you’re already overwhelmed. “Another sign that someone needs help is if they look at me and say, ‘I can’t get through a day without my caffeine. There is no way I can do this.’ Then I know there is an issue,” she says.

When working with patients who are experiencing stress, Tufenkian first looks at lifestyle fixes, such as exercise, diet and sleep, and only after those issues have been addressed will she consider supplementation options. “If someone has already worked on exercise,

breathing or meditation and addressed those things, and it is still affecting their relationship, mood and energy, I will suggest supplementation,” she says.

Stress, says Tufenkian, is a big term, and there are a number of things that can cause it. It can be hormonal, or there could be underlying health issues. Our stress response is often referred to as adrenal fatigue, but the correct term, Tufenkian says, is hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. The HPA axis influences how we respond to stress, by releasing cortisol and other

hormones. HPA axis dysregulation is when the body is no longer able to produce normal amounts of cortisol. “Our stress response can be stuck on overload, in a high-alert emergency state, where cortisol levels get really high. If this is prolonged, we end up with low cortisol levels and fatigue. “High alert leaves us

wired and tired and feeling like we drank a lot of bad coffee, or low cortisol leaves us feeling really draggy,” she explains.

To help patients get back on track, Tufenkian has certain supplements she offers patients. Consult with a specialist for the right dose, or follow product directions. Here is her go-to list.

YOUR GO-TO LIST OF STRESS-BUSTING SUPPLEMENTS

ADAPTOGENIC . HERBS

This class of herbs, which has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, helps the body restore and maintain healthy homeostasis and adapt to stress. “They are a wonderful class of botanicals. If you have high stress, they bring you down to normal; or if you are down, they will bring you up,” Tufenkian says. “There are a lot of nice combination formulas. I look for the root cause of the stress and try to address that. One combination might influence a person’s healing more than another.”

Of the adaptogens, ashwagandha is particularly popular and helpful for feeling more balanced and improving energy in those who suffer from chronic stress. Rhodiola is another adaptogen thought to improve focus and concentration and fend off stress. A study published in The Journal of Alternative and

Complementary Medicine also outlined this herb’s ability to take the edge off symptoms brought on by severe depression without any side effects. Licorice root is helpful, particularly if a patient has low cortisol, is fatigued, and is suffering from adrenal exhaustion or HPA Axis Dysregulation. Licorice root can help by limiting the body’s breakdown of cortisol, so it has a chance to rebuild its cortisol reserves.

VITAMINS B AND C, . AND MAGNESIUM .

“A lot of people are very deficient in vitamin C, magnesium and the B vitamins that are essential for managing stress,” Tufenkian says. “Often taking the B-complex alone will help to boost people’s energy.” Studies have shown that vitamin B can ease stress by promoting the release of dopamine, which regulates our emotional responses. Magnesium has also been shown to calm the brain.

MATÉ, . GREEN TEA AND HERBAL TEAS .

“If your HPA axis is off-kilter, caffeine is not your friend. It feels like it is in the short term, but in the long term it makes it worse, overstressing the system and making it off-balance,” Tufenkian says. To wean people off caffeine, she suggests yerba maté or green tea to make the transition a bit less bumpy. “They still have caffeine in them, but they are better options [than coffee].” Ultimately, she encourages patients to substitute coffee with decaf and to then take the step toward herbal teas, such as chamomile, which calms the digestive and nervous systems.

KALI PHOS . CELL SALTS .

This homeopathic remedy, which typically comes in tablets that you dissolve under your tongue, is

nontoxic and safe to give to young children and babies, Tufenkian says. “If you are too wired to sleep, Kali Phos will calm you down.” Derived from potassium phosphate, these salts can overcome mineral imbalances in the body to offer relief for stress and nervous tension.

ESSENTIAL OILS .

“Essential oils are really powerful for lowering stress, as they go straight to the limbic brain from the olfactory center,” Tufenkian says. The limbic brain is the part of the brain that manages emotional stimulation and memory. When choosing your scent, Tufenkian says lavender is a classic for stress, and wild orange and bergamot both help with anxiety.

YERBA

“There are a lot of stressors in our lives, and it is a big piece that leads to chronic disease for a lot of people. Learning how to manage our stress is really beneficial.”

ALCOHOL BREAKS DOWN INTO ACETALDEHYDE

ACETALDEHYDE BUILDS UP IN THE LIVER

NOT SO GOOD MORNING!

ALCOHOL BREAKS DOWN INTO ACETALDEHYDE

BETTER MORNING!

TRY

Fabulous Fennel

With the flavor of sweet anise, this versatile bulb lends itself to a variety of cooking options.

BY DINA DELEASA-GONSAR

Braised Fennel and Figs with Sweet Walnut Vinaigrette

ONE CUP OF FENNEL CONTAINS ALMOST 20 PERCENT OF YOUR RECOMMENDED DAILY VALUE OF VITAMIN C.

A member of the celery and parsley family, fennel hails from the Mediterranean region. Its distinct aromatic flavor, reminiscent of licorice or anise, becomes more delicate when cooked. Tossing with a vinaigrette after braising and adding caramelized figs introduces another level of rich flavor. SERVES 4-6

BRAISED FENNEL

2 fennel bulbs, cut into quarters

2 tablespoons butter or ghee

Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup chicken or vegetable stock

¼ cup orange juice

FIGS

8 large figs, cut in halves

1 tablespoon butter

1½ tablespoons roughly chopped walnuts, for garnish

WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

½ cup walnut oil

1⁄3 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon fennel fronds, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut off and discard stalks from fennel bulbs, reserving fronds. Chop 1 tablespoon fronds and discard remainder. Cut bulbs lengthwise into ½-inch-thick slices.

2. Melt butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat; then brown fennel slices well, turning over once, 3–4 minutes.

3. Return heat to low. Season fennel with salt and pepper, adding in garlic. Stir to combine. Let fennel sauté 1 minute longer, until garlic is fragrant.

4. Add chicken stock and orange juice. Make sure fennel is covered; if not, add up to ¼ cup of water.

5. Cook covered, about 12 minutes, until fennel is tender. Remove from heat and drain. Let fennel cool.

6. Meanwhile, using same skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted, add figs cut side down over medium-high heat. Sauté figs until they caramelize or turn brown, about 4 minutes. Set aside.

7. In a large bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients.

8. Add fennel to bowl, and gently toss. Place fennel on a long serving tray or large shallow bowl. Add figs over top and garnish with chopped walnuts.

PER SERVING: 301 CAL; 3 G PROTEIN; 27 G FAT; 13 G CARB (4 G SUGARS); 142 MG SODIUM; 3 G FIBER NUTRITIONAL VALUES CALCULATED AT NUTRITIONDATA.SELF.COM

@ DISHITGIRLDINA | Dina Deleasa-Gonsar loves to create recipes and, in particular, experiment with ingredients.