Noodles

January 16, 2015

Baked Bowtie Pasta Croutons

HAPPY 2015 FRIENDS! If you’ve wondered where I’ve been since December, I’ve been deep in thought (and under a pile of kleenex, colds, and chicken rice porridge). But mostly in thought, reflecting on this little space of Internet where I like to talk about food and the many low-sodium tricks that keep said food bright, bold, and beautiful. Oh, side note, I was also in New York taping a little segment on the DR. OZ SHOW and making Low-Sodium Bloody Marys Dr. Oz himself. So that happened too, and it’s airing this upcoming Monday, so set your DVR or you know stay in bed all day […]

November 25, 2013

Thanksgiving Obsessions

I hope you’re wearing a loose pair of pants right now because I’m about to STUFF you full of Thanksgiving ideas, tips, and yes, some turkey. We are four days away from the big day, people. So it’s time to get seriously serious about all this holiday cooking stuff. But before we get to mashed potatoes and brine-free birds, I want to pass forward this piece of wisdom. To make the best Thanksgiving feast of your life, you only need to do one simple thing: MAKE WHAT YOU WANT. It’s that easy. Forget about recreating the soggy green beans and […]

March 28, 2012

Low-Sodium Citrus Pasta

What do you do with a bushel of grapefruit, oranges, and lemons? If you said juice, that’s a great idea (and, yes please, I’d love a glass). If you said pasta, that’s even better (and I’ll take a whole bowl, thank you). I can’t take credit for this idea. It’s genius. I was actually served citrus pasta while dining out at one of my favorite local restaurants: Firefly. They always do me right with incredibly thoughtful, salt-free food. And this bowl of noodles proved to be no different–and, I mean, I’m talking giant soup bowl that was twice the size […]

February 2, 2012

Low-Sodium Super Bowl

I apologize for the brevity of this post. But as I run out the door, hair half-dried, sweater half-on, I wanted to make sure you were prepped and ready for the big game on Sunday. Of course, there are all my old super bowl favorites, which can be found here on this newish nifty site, Pinterest. But I also wanted to pass on a few tips for you to add a low-sodium, flavorful twist to other classic Super Bowl favorites. The first, hot wings. And not just any hot wings. Mandarin Orange Hot Wings. We’re talking sweet and spicy and […]

November 2, 2011

Salt-Free Corn and Brussels Pasta

Sometimes the best things are the most simple. Like snuggling up in a blanket on a blustery, winter day. Or soaking in the sun while you wait for a friend to arrive. Or eating this pasta, with only a few ingredients and lots of flavor. Roasted corn is awesome. Whether you use a grill or your oven, giving the yellow and white kernels a little extra love and char suddenly adds a deep smokiness to an already sweet ingredient. And because of its texture, taste, and creamy quality, it pairs incredibly well with tacos, soups, on top of fish and […]

June 15, 2011

Pasta Pretzel Bites

Um…wait…what? Pasta pretzel bites! I made pasta pretzel bites. I’m still not sure what you’re talking about. I’ve never heard of those before? I know, neither had I. Until I made them 15 minutes ago. Still lost. Basically, let’s say that you have a serving of leftover pasta. Like two day old noodles that are facing the grim reality that, most likely, they’ll have to be tossed away. It gives a low-sodium green god or goddess like yourself a bit of a heart attack. But what can you do? First, turn on your oven to 400 dg F. Then, pour […]

July 30, 2010

Salt-Free My Recipe: Peanut Sauce Pasta

Drumroll please. Today is the first user-submitted Salt-Free My Recipe. And isn’t it a beauty! The original dish, sent in by the wonderful CFoung, includes only one ingredient that this sodium girl can’t have: Jade Sichuan Peanut Sauce. But it is this nutty, spicy, creamy condiment that is the true star, if not the heart and soul, of the dish. Which poses a perfect low sodium challenge. Without the Sichuan Peanut Sauce, you are left with a somewhat boring and sauce-less stir fry. So it was time to put on my cooking cap and come up with a mind-blowing low […]

June 17, 2010

Low-Sodium Yakisoba

For the second installment of the new, Biting Mr. Bittman series, I figured I should stop fooling around, take a big risk, and attack a recipe that relies heavily on salt. You know, just in case Mr. Bittman is actually reading this blog–good morning, Mark!–and wants some proof that this Sodium Girl really knows how to cook everything, without salt. So I scoured his recent recipes for a true challenge–searching for a dish that usually comes in a take-out box and that uses a lot of soy sauce–basically, something of Asian origin. And after sifting through asparagus pesto and laid-back […]

April 15, 2010

The First Supper

After five days of the pre-surgery, liquid-only meal plan, I was finally allowed to dig into something hearty that did not come served in a mug. I love you broth, but it was time to move on. Since I was still in recovery mode, my first meal out of the gate had to be something mild and delicate. Nothing with too much fiber or spice. But bland just isn’t in my vocabulary. So, even though the recipe I had in mind was somewhat colorless, I wanted to make sure it still had flavor. In the fridge, I had some leftover […]

December 18, 2009

Pot Roasted Pappardelle

To avoid holiday hostess stress, I’ve come to realize that it is best to prepare dishes that can cook uninterrupted and unattended for long periods of time. Whether in a crock pot or an oven safe casserole dish, your one pot pièce de résistance will simmer, thicken, and marinate on its own while you mingle with guests (and charm them with your wit and wile). And when it’s time to sit down (or stand as is often the case in our San Fran apartment), your meal is ready to be plated and served with little hassle. Another tip and host/hostess […]