Every now and then you taste something that knocks you out – in a good way.  Recently at a cooking class with Napa food writer and master gardener, Janet Fletcher, a fresh turnip soup was presented that took my breath away.  Its color was vibrant, its texture silky.  And as we transition from winter to spring, this is just the right dish to satisfy the soul.

Turnips are a “starch” vegetable, but provide only one third the amount of calories as an equal amount of potatoes.   Turnips are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium and magnesium.  In addition, they balance calcium in the body, help ease asthma and relieve sore throats (which seem to be going around right now.)  Turnips also reduce cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease.  Turnip greens are even more nutrition dense than the root.  The greens provide an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, C, E, folic acid and fiber.

Turnip Soup with Greens (adapted) – Serves 6

Most often, turnips are sold in stores without the greens attached.  Therefore, the best option is to buy them from your farmers’ market. If you store them for any length of time, detach the greens from the root and keep in a separate bag until you plan to use. Because our farmers market is only open May-October, I originally bought the roots detached from the greens.  For my first batch, I  substituted watercress for color and added flavor.  (You could use spinach, too.) Watercress is super high in antioxidants which help fight cancers and detox the liver.  (Dr. Perricone lists it as his top superfood!) I also added miso in place of salt for an extra dose of B vitamins along with enzymes that aid digestion.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil, plus more for garnish

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 pounds turnips, peeled and diced

1/2 cup arborio rice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 cups homemade chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 pound turnip green leaves (no stems), or other greens like watercress, lightly chopped

1-1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus a few sprigs for garnish

1 tablespoon organic white miso (my favorite brand is SouthRiver)

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over moderately low heat. Add onion and saute until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute to release its fragrance. Add turnips and rice, lightly season with salt and pepper and stir to coat with seasonings. Add 3 cups broth, bring to a simmer, then cover and adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer.

Cook 15 minutes. Stir in turnip greens, cover and simmer until turnips, greens and rice are soft, about 5 more minutes. Stir in dill. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, in batches if necessary.

Return to pot and stir in remaining broth to achieve a soup-like consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning. (This is when I added the miso.)

Reheat to serve. Serve in warm bowls, garnishing each portion with a drizzle of olive oil and sprig of dill.

Janet’s original recipe can be found in her book: Fresh From the Farmers’ Market which has an abundance of additional seasonal offerings.

This recipe is part of Diet, Dessert and Dogs Wellness Weekend

I had to wait a few days to let the chocolate dissipate from my veins, but now I’m ready to launch into my next favorite indulgence: coconut cream pie!  I hope this is one of your resolutions this year…because no one should deprive themselves of such a decadent health food.  That’s right: it’s good for you.

As you may recall, years ago I got on the ‘love your coconut oil‘ bandwagon, and as luck would have it, more of the world is onto that secret now, too.  I always try to incorporate healthier ingredients into my sweet creations and with the help of Cafe Gratitude, this ‘live’ coconut cream pie has just landed in my ‘favorites file.’

Coconut Cream Pie – Makes one 9-inch pie

The beauty of this pie is that a minute sliver goes a long way.  So you’ll stretch your food dollar for at least a week, depending on your willpower:)

Crust
2 1/4 cups shredded coconut (unsweetened)
4 1/2 oz. date paste (approx. 1/2 cup finely chopped dates)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 tsp. sea salt
Blend all in food processor, except only half of the dates.  Mix until crust starts to rise on sides of processor bowl.  Stop and scrape with spoon.  Add the remaining dates and pulse until mixture is consistent.
Lightly oil a pie plate and press crust evenly on bottom and sides of dish. Chill for at least 30 minutes before filling.

Filling
2 1/4 cups organic coconut milk (not lite)
3/4 cup coconut meat (from fresh young coconut – directions here – worth the effort!) Drink the water!
1/2 cup finely chopped dates
2 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. sea salt
2 TB non-GMO lecithin (this acts as an emulsifier but I’ve gone without and it works fine)
1/2 cup melted extra virgin coconut oil

Berries, extra coconut flakes (optional)
Mix first 5 ingredients in high speed blender until smooth.  Add lecithin and coconut oil and blend until creamy again.

Pour filling into crust and chill in refrigerator or freezer for minimum of 2 hours. If frozen, take out at least 20 minutes before serving.

Garnish with berries and shredded coconut to serve.

This is part of Diet, Dessert and Dogs Wellness Weekend!

I’m sure this time of year you have an abundance of pumpkin on hand, and whether its fresh or from a can, this recipe is a crowd pleaser.  It is what I call a ‘one-dish wonder’ and can be made in advance, or right alongside the other dishes you’re cooking up this week.

Pumpkin is super high in vitamin A as beta carotene – good for the eyes and preventing free radicals from invading our system. Pumpkins also contain iron, zinc, and fiber. Iron, of course, is needed by red blood cells. Zinc deficiency may be related to osteoporosis of the hip and spine, especially important as we get older.

Pumpkin Chili – Serves 6

I adapted this recipe from Whole Foods Market and it has become my absolute favorite chili.  Canned pumpkin is a shortcut but do take the time to cook dried beans, like these from Rancho Gordo. You can add tempeh in place of the ground turkey, or omit altogether for a vegetarian dish.  I served it with a green salad and home baked gluten free cornbread.

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground white or dark meat turkey
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced roasted tomatoes, with their liquid (I use Muir Glen)
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
1 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked Cranberry beans (kidney beans work, too)
1 cup organic corn
Sour cream
Cilantro

Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, jalapeños and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add turkey and cook until browned. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and add beans and corn. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve. Top with a dollop of sour cream and chopped cilantro if desired.

*To make fresh pumpkin puree, cut a sugar pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds (save  for later.)  Lightly brush inside with butter or olive oil and place face down on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Roast for 45 minutes until flesh is soft.  Most pumpkins yield at least 2 cups, but you can freeze whatever you don’t use.

We all have our own favorite carrot cake recipe, but now you’ll have a new one:)  I made this for a crowd at the St. Helena Farmers’ market and it was a huge hit.  Super moist and rich, yet light.  The recipe comes from Fran Costigan’s “More Great Good Dairy Free Desserts, Naturally“ which has an abundance of healthful sweets that are not only delicious, but also vegan.

Carrots are in season year-round and a staple at farmers’ markets.  They are quite versatile in everything from soups and salads, to stir-fries and curries.  And of course one of their most popular uses is in the form of juice which packs a nutritional punch right to the bloodstream.

In addition to the obvious vitamin A/vision benefits, carrots offer a range of other health properties. They are said to cleanse the intestines and to be diuretic, while remineralizing as an overall tonic. Carrots are rich in alkaline elements which purify and revitalize the blood. They nourish the entire system and help in the maintenance of acid-alkaline balance in the body. Raw grated carrot can be applied as a compress to burns for a soothing effect. Its highly energizing juice has a particularly beneficial effect on the liver which is why is is often used as a cleansing food. Carrots also help regulate blood pressure and reduce cholesterol through its high fiber content.

So many easy ways to incorporate carrots into the diet mean more bennies for the body.  And what better way to ‘treat’ ourselves to health than through dessert.  That’s my justification, anyway:)

“24 Karat” Cake – Makes one 9×13 sheet or two 8″ rounds/8-10 servings

Fran’s recipe makes the 2 rounds but I like to have more cake than frosting.  I used my own favorite cashew cream frosting, but she has other frosting recipes in her book, plus cookies and pies and… just see for yourselves!

½ cup organic raisins
1/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 cups whole wheat or your favorite gluten-free flour blend
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼ cup grapeseed oil
¾ cup maple syrup
½ cup almond or rice milk
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. orange extract
2 cups shredded carrots or carrot pulp from juice extractor, firmly packed (see other uses for carrot pulp)

Cashew Frosting
2 cups raw cashews
4-5 TB maple syrup
2 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt

Directions:
Cake
Preheat oven to 350 and oil a 9×13 baking dish.
Soak raisins in orange juice for 10 minutes, or until plump.  Drain, reserve juice.
Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl.
In another bowl, whisk oil, syrup, milk, vinegar, extracts and 2 TB of orange juice until well blended.
Pour wet into dry mixture and stir until batter is smooth.   Add carrots and raisins with rubber spatula.
Spread batter into prepared dish and bake for 30 minutes.  Check with toothpick to make sure it comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.  Take butter knife around edges to loosen cake and invert onto rack for further cooling.  Make sure it is completely cool before frosting.

Frosting
Cover cashews in medium bowl with 4 cups water.  Soak for at least 20 minutes.  Drain and put cashews into high-speed blender.  Add syrup, vanilla and salt and blend until creamy (at least 2 minutes.)  You might need to add about ¼-1/2 cup water to get the right consistency (it will thicken in fridge.)

I hope I don’t get in trouble for saying this, but we are having an incredible summer.  Unlike 90% of our country, California weather has been mild and mellow.  And while the wine grapes are a few weeks behind with harvest, melons are at their sweet peak right now.

It may shock you to learn that watermelon is loaded with water LOL.  But that’s a good thing, as many of us could use more hydration in our bodies, beyond wine:).  In addition to high water content, watermelons are an excellent source of several vitamins.  Vitamin A, which helps maintain eye health and is an antioxidant; vitamin C, which helps strengthen immunity, heal wounds, promote healthy teeth and gums; and vitamin B6, which aids brain function and helps convert protein to energy.  And did ya know?  Watermelon is a great source for lycopene – even more than tomatoes -  a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and several types of cancer, prostate cancer in particular.

So, as is often the case here…even those foods that are delicious are also good for you.

Watermelon Salad – Serves 6-10

This is a great party dish. I love the sweet and savory combination.  And you may recall, I am also a fan of Smoked Olive Oil which gives it a grilled nuance without being overpowering.  The cayenne pepper offers an extra kick.

1/3 cup smoked olive oil – any flavor (if you use the Santa Fe, you might back off on the cayenne)
3 T fresh lemon or lime juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 8-lb seedless watermelon cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 cup crumbled feta (I prefer goat)
2 TB chopped green onion
1 cup coarsely chopped basil leaves
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add the watermelon, feta and onion and toss gently. Garnish with the basil and cayenne and serve pronto.

My latest fave-est are these sweet potato tacos.  I first made them for a class I did for Share Our Strength called “Cooking Matters,” a program for low-income folks who just want to learn how to cook and eat healthy on a budget (which applies to anyone, really.)  The whole class got so excited about this recipe, and since I always have sweet potatoes on hand, it has become a regular entree in our home, too.

Sweet Potato Tacos (vegetarian and gluten free) - Makes 4

These will satisfy even the meat-lovers in your family.  They’re packed with protein from the beans and provide hearty sustenance from the potatoes and greens. Make sure to cut the sweet potatoes in a small dice to ensure they are tender when cooked.

1/2 medium-sized onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil
1 large sweet potato, diced
1 can of organic black beans, rinsed and drained (organic beans are naturally lower in sodium)
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1 t. cumin
1/2 cup organic cheddar or feta cheese
lime, cut into wedges
cilantro, roughly chopped
avocado, diced and drenched in lime juice
4 corn tortillas
Salsa (optional)

In a large sauce pan, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the sweet potato and saute for 5 minutes more.

Warm tortillas in dry skillet.

Add the black beans, red pepper flakes and cumin (and maybe a 1/4 cup of water to help the mixture keep moist) and continue to cook on medium heat for about 5-7 minutes or until the mixture is nice and hot.

Grab your tortilla, add a heaping spoonful of the potato/bean mixture, sprinkle on some cheese, a squeeze of lime, a few cubes of avocado and a toss of cilantro.  You can also add salsa, or any other condiments you like.

One of the many advantages to living in Northern California, is having access to a wide variety of produce based on the seasons. I mean, that’s what we’re here for, right?  Farm fresh, flavorful, colorful, and uber nutritious. This past week at the farmers’ market I was hard pressed not to buy everything in sight but I settled on fennel and leeks which made for a lovely risotto.

The great thing about risottos is their versatility.  You can use almost any vegetable in combination with others, as well as herbs.  I have tried asparagus with thyme; baby artichoke with oregano; and now leek and fennel with parsley.  And because our lemons are still ripening (!), I always make sure to add a little zest to make the flavors really pop.

My preferred grain to pair with most veggies is farro, an ancient form of wheat.  It’s nutty and chewy and offers a multitude of nutrients beyond the traditional white arborio. In this case, however, the farro would be a bit overpowering for the more delicate nature of it’s accompaniments.  I’d love to hear what your favorite risotto ingredients are, too.

Leek and Fennel Risotto – Serves 4

Fennel is high in vitamin C, potassium and fiber.  It is great for digestion and soothing the stomach.  Leeks help lower cholesterol and parsley is packed with chlorophyll and calcium.

3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable stock)
1 large fennel bulb. sliced about 1/4″ thick and coarsely chopped
1 large leek, cleaned and chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee, divided
1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (or goat cheese for creamy texture)
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Pepper to taste

1. Bring  broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Keep warm, covered.
2. Cook fennel and leek in 2 tablespoons butter with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a Dutch-oven or4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add wine and simmer, stirring constantly, until absorbed.
4. Stir in 1/2 cup broth mixture and simmer, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is creamy and tender, about 18 minutes.
5. Stir in leek and fennel, zest, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, parmesan, and pepper to taste.  Garnish with chopped parsley.

I just harvested the last of my radishes to make room for my next crop of beets.  This winter proved pretty challenging for growing baby vegetables, but remember, I’m a newbie gardener so that could be said for just about anything;-)  Since there are just two humans who reside here there are only so many salads with radishes one can – or is willing to – consume (and the dogs know when I sneak them into their food.) In keeping with my theme of  ‘use it up,’ I decided to make a simple dish integrating both the radish bulbs with their lovely greens.

Radishes are in their prime right now, even though they’re available all year.  Nutritionally, they are cooling in nature and about 90% water.  They are a digestive aid and help detoxify our bodies which is great for anyone starting a spring cleanse now. Radish greens also offer health bennies.  They are super high in vitamin C and also contain calcium and potassium.

Sauteed Radishes and Greens

1 TB olive oil
1-2 bunches radishes, cleaned and sliced about 1/2 inch; greens set aside
1/2 tsp. sea salt
Radish greens, cleaned, dried and coarsely chopped
1 TB fresh chopped parsley
1 TB fresh chopped chives

In skillet, warm olive oil briefly and add radishes. Sprinkle with salt and saute for about 3-4 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and continue cooking approximately 5 minutes more until you notice a nice sheen. Add greens and herbs and cook for one minute more. Serve with fish or chicken.

It’s still very much soup season…of course, depending on what’s in it, I guess you could say that all year long.  Onions have made it into just about every dish here lately, with the exception of muffins;-)  I bought a few pounds of yellow onions at the farmers’ market and thought I’d create a pot of soup with other warming spices. Curry powder is comprised of many aromatic seasonings, such as cumin, cardamom, turmeric and coriander.  All of them enhance digestion and reduce inflammation.  Recently I picked up a book on Ayurvedic cooking which uses many of these spices.  Ayurveda is India’s traditional, natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.  Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that literally translated means “science of life” or “practices of longevity.”

Another ingredient which is commonly used in Indian cuisine is ghee, clarified butter that has the milk solids removed. Long a favorite of yoga practitioners, ghee lubricates the connective tissues and promotes flexibility. Traditionally, the preparation has been used to promote memory, intelligence, and also to enhance digestion. Ghee also contains antioxidants which bolster the immune system and has been used to reduce inflammation, especially on the skin (burns and wounds.)

My favorite brand is made by a local company which uses the finest organic cow’s milk to produce ghee – Ancient Organics. You will find great detail on their website about its many uses and therapies, as well as preparation. Ghee has a higher smoke point than many oils and is therefore most desirable for sauteing and cooking at hot temperatures.

Curried Onion Bisque
Serves 4

1 tablespoon ghee, or butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1 tsp. dried
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 large onions, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
5 cups vegetable stock
1 cup coconut milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Melt butter in large saucepan. Stir in thyme and curry powder. Cook for 2¬3 minutes to release flavors.
2. Add onions and stir. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
3. Add wine and stock; bring to boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
4. Purée mixture in blender. Whisk in milk and serve hot.

Today the color green reaches beyond the hills into our clothes and onto our plates.  I thought I’d dig into the archives to support the celebration whether on St. Patrick’s Day or into spring which is just around the corner…

If you’re making Corned Beef tonite, try this mustard sauce on top.

Amy offers a great recipe for Irish soda bread, no yeast required.

Get in the spirit with these easy sauteed greens and orange-ginger sauce.

Have greens leftover?  Cook them up with eggs in the morning.

Or send them to your blender for a kick-start to your smoothie.

Do you have a favorite green recipe of your own?  Please share…and enjoy the celebration!