DIY Take-Out

April 23, 2012

Low-Sodium Kimchi Umami Burger

Did you ever think you’d see all those words together in the same sentence? Well believe it. Because it’s here. The low-sodium, salt-free kimchi umami burger. A creation that takes any notion that low-sodium food has to be tasteless and boring and gives it a karate chop in the pants. But let’s back up. Because I can’t take complete credit for this tower of power. Although I did make everything — from the buns to the BBQ ketchup — by hand. Just for the record. Before these burgers landed in my kitchen, their journey began in LA, where one dude [...]

March 22, 2012

Secret Low-Sodium White Sauce

Shhh. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. White sauce. It’s usually made of milk, cheese, butter, and other ingredients that can be full of sodium. But here’s what people don’t know. And please, try to contain your reaction as we don’t want to draw attention to this news. White sauce doesn’t need milk, cheese, or butter. (Are you sitting down?) White sauce can actually be made with one, simple ingredient: Cauliflower. Steamed cauliflower that gets pureed with a little bit of water and, if you’re feeling up to it, a head of roasted garlic. Amazingly, the result [...]

March 16, 2012

Low-Sodium Thousand Island Sliders

A few interesting things happened this morning. I lugged every piece of heavy cooking equipment out of the cabinets. Food processor. Stand up mixer. Blender. I covered my kitchen in flour. I whipped up salt-free burger buns in less than an hour. Really. And I totally dominated an all veggie, low-potassium, low-sodium slider with low-sodium drippy and delicious thousand island dressing. A recipe that not only completes this week’s run of drive-through makeovers for Nick Cannon. But also lends itself perfectly to introducing you to a low-sodium reuben sandwich recipe (made by my amazing sis-in-law and her boy-toy) that you can enjoy this [...]

March 13, 2012

Low-Sodium Nuggets for Nick Cannon

In case you missed it, there was big news in the lupus and kidney world last week. Nick Cannon, star of such films as Drumline (which I’ve watched three times in one night — thank you TBS), the host of America’s Got Talent, and hubby to Mariah Carey announced that his recent kidney troubles are due to a form of lupus that attacks the kidneys, called lupus nephritis. Sound familiar? What’s thrilling for the lupus and kidney disease communities is that Nick is so open about his diagnosis, helping raise major awareness about both conditions. But what is equally exciting [...]

February 16, 2012

On Top of Low-Sodium Spaghetti Squash

I really love a deeply meaty pasta sauce. There is something about lusciously simmered tomatoes mixed with browned chunks of beef (or pork in this case) and a sprinkle of fresh herbs that is just irresistible. To the point that I would almost rather eat the entire pot of pasta sauce rather than deal with those pesky noodles getting in the way. Waiting for them to boil is just too much. A spoon will do. Thank you. But when you add the delicate strings of spaghetti squash, which turn and tumble around a fork just like spaghetti should, suddenly, the [...]

January 24, 2012

Low-Sodium Inspiration Pizza

Inspiration. For me, it comes from cravings. From menus. From other people’s dinners. From smells. From pictures in magazines. From trips elsewhere. From ingredients that are past their prime. From questions sent in by you. From dreams I have about cooking. From prepared food at Whole Foods. From television cooking contests. From websites like this. And blogs like that. From childhood memories. From the determination to turn the word “no” into a “yes.” From the season and what’s in season. And did I mention cravings? Yeah, those inspire me too. And this past week, I needed a good slice of [...]

January 12, 2012

Low-Sodium Microwaveable Lunch Challenge, #2

It’s chilly. Which means it is time to make chili. And while I am quite devoted to my black and red beans, I thought these blustery days deserved something a little lighter. A little whiter. So I traded the darker hues for some creamy Cannellini (or butter beans). But just because the beans are pale doesn’t mean the dish has to be colorless. So I added yellow corn, green jalapenos, red onion, red tomato, yellow and purple potatoes, and some matchstick zucchini and orange carrots. All of this could easily go in a pot, with a little water, to steam [...]

December 1, 2011

By The Slice

Most people get their pizza at the local pizza joint. Or from the pizza guy. Or from the pizza counter that offers up hearty pieces of pie by the slice. I got mine in the mail. A few months ago, the lovely couple Tom and Sue of GalloLea Organics sent me an email to ask if I wouldn’t mind trying their low-sodium pizza and new low-sodium pizza sauces. It was like asking me if I wanted chocolate for dinner for the rest of my life. Obviously the answer was a resounding yes, and a few weeks later a little paper [...]

November 7, 2011

Salt-Free Chicken Tortilla Soup

Let me let you in on a little secret… I have been traveling non-stop for the past four weeks and I just flew in from NYC. Boy are my wings tired. So while I collect my thoughts about the most extraordinary trip (and meals) I just had, let me give you this recipe for a salt-free chicken tortilla soup. Even if it is warming up again in your area of the world, this soup will help kick off the fall soup and stew season. And I hope you find more uses for the salt-free, tomato and corn broth you are [...]

October 27, 2011

Low-Sodium Cabbage Spring Rolls

What do you crave? Burgers? Enchiladas? Pate? If your answer was spring rolls, well then you’re in for a real treat today. But before we dive into the low-sodium wrapping and rolling, let’s back up and take a look at why the traditional spring roll may pose a sodium problem. Spring rolls can come in both fried (golden brown, nice and crispy, and often called egg rolls) or non-fried versions (transparent in color and served cold). Either way, they tend to be filled with combinations of noodles, shrimp or crab, shredded carrot, mushrooms, bean sprouts, fresh cilantro, and even bean [...]

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