When visiting a new city for the first time, any foodie’s first question is, “Where do I eat?” I rely on cross-referencing friends’ recommendations with Trip Advisor and Yelp so I ensure I go to places locals would eat and not the easy, middle of the road places that happen to be popular. My first…
Category: Healthy Diplomat
Healthy Diplomat: Vegan avocado basil pesto brightens any savory dish
Even if you’re not vegan, this pesto is bursting with summer freshness. Rich, yet light, this savory condiment is perfect for everything from pasta to meat and vegetables. When one of my friends conjured up a version of this pesto to get rid of some ripe avocado, I was curious how it was going to…
Healthy Diplomat: Vegetarian Quinoto-stuffed peppers
Tired of boring old quinoa? Need new ideas for healthy entrees – vegetarian or not, or just an impressive side dish for guests? Try this Peruvian inspired delicious bell pepper stuffed with a goat cheese quinoa risotto, also known as quinoto. It is rich, yet light – typically under 300 calories per serving and a…
The Healthy Diplomat’s Mediterranean-inspired turkey burgers
The all-American hamburger gets the CD international treatment with infusion of flavors that span the northern and eastern Mediterranean. An oh so easy classic you might just turn into a weeknight menu staple! America has a love affair with the poorly named hamburger. Though the name refers to its attributed origin – immigrants to…
The flying trapeze as life metaphor: The CD’s non-culinary adventure in West Oakland
In life, we are faced with pivotal moments that define us, inspire us, and help us see ourselves and our world in a new light. While this blog obviously seeks to do this through the shared experiences of adventures in food, drink, and culture, this post takes that theme in another direction. Today, I share…
San Francisco’s Greens: A fine dining experience to excite vegetarians and surprise carnivores
Vegetarians are accustomed to limited options at fine restaurants. Yet San Francisco’s Greens has given generations of vegetarians (and their carnivorous friends!) living or visiting the Bay Area meatless, international farm to table experiences since 1979. If you are a vegetarian in the Americas or Europe, your restaurant dining options typically force you to choose…
Unorthodox Moroccan spiced Sweet Potato Chicken Chili
Slow-cooked chicken, bright sweet potatoes, and jalapeños get a kiss of Near East spices. Moroccan tagine meets American chili. Whether you are thawing out from a snow-in, rain-in, or simply are looking for a great winter (or Super Bowl) recipe, this unorthodox chili is a great alternative to a standard chili con carne or white…
Warm butternut squash and spinach salad with Stilton and cranberries
Thanksgiving may have come and gone, but this warm salad is packed full of autumn flavors to brighten your table this holiday season. The sweetness of maple roasted butternut squash and tart cranberries is balanced with spinach and red onions, while the mild tang of Stilton cheese adds some richness and a hint of unami….
Rethinking the nutritional value of cheese: Is it really so bad?
In my last post, I raved about cheese and how we attach such strong memories – and a sense of culture and place, or terroir to each variety. But we often look at cheese as an indulgent treat or topping, often as a guilty pleasure. But is it really so bad? Does cheese have its…
Italian-Californian fusion: A hearty sauce Romanesca over roasted spaghetti squash
This classic, hearty Italian sauce adds some masculinity and depth to roasted spaghetti squash for a nutritious and satisfying low-carb, comfort meal. Customize by going meatless or pair it with your favorite pasta for a taste of Roman home cooking in your own kitchen. I believe that Italian food is the world’s comfort food….
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