jessg23

August 9, 2010

Hot Pockets

It is true that the easiest way to lower your sodium is to cut out the prepared, packaged items from your diet. But it is false that home-cooked meals, made from scratch, have to be costly, time-consuming, and exhausting to create. Now, I’m not saying your assumption is wrong, because many dishes, like making your own mole sauce, could put you into an ingredient-induced coma for weeks. But thanks to inventions like the slow cooker and immersion blender, you can make flavorful, low sodium meals in the time it takes to order a pizza. For this particular story, let’s just […]

August 6, 2010

Highfalutin and High Flying

If it seems I am a bit punchy this morning, well I think it is because I am drunk with anticipation. I am about to head off to the airport to board one of Virgin America’s swanky 70’s lounge flyers (which always makes you want a cocktail and a disco ball at 7am) and join my friends in Southern California to celebrate a most special day – Miss Davies’ Wedding! Beyond the normal excitement, I will also be acting as the officiant – or the Pope as I like to refer to myself – so I am most definitely filled […]

August 4, 2010

Low So and High Five

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration, a fresh perspective to get us out of our cooking ruts and thinking beyond the proverbial pasta boxes. And in the whirlwind of these past few months, my cooking was in desperate need of a make-over. When not dreaming up something for this blog, my feeding schedule has become heavily dependent on three reoccurring meals: frittatas, tomato-based soups, and pork Ragùs. I know, kind of random. But across the board, I find that these recipes are all easy to make, comforting to eat, and successful at using up leftovers in the fridge. After […]

August 2, 2010

BBQ (and salt free) Burgers

I love hamburgers. But I hate manning the Bar-B-Q. Actually – true confession – I hardly know how to turn one on. I’m sure it’s simple, but the whole deal with the gas and the coal and the clean-up afterwards…it’s just too much for me to handle. So for those nights, when no one else offers to man the barbie and I’m craving a succulent bite of summer, I take my meat to the stove. This recipe for pan-fried burger literally packs sautéed ginger, garlic, and a flurry of fresh herbs directly into the pattie. A topping of tomato, curried ketchup, […]

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 […]

July 28, 2010

Summer Awakening: Tacos

I love a taco. They are quick and comforting and a great way to feed many mouths without too much effort. But after numerous nights of seasoned ground beef, chopped iceberg lettuce, and yellow corn tortillas – you know, the standard – a girl’s palate can begin to desire something more. Something exotic and unexpected. Something like fried squash blossoms and tilapia. As I’ve said in past posts, there are two key tricks to successfully cooking low sodium food. The first is to find flavor elsewhere, whether it is in your ingredients, spices, fresh herbs, or condiments. The second, and […]

July 26, 2010

The Origins of Spice: Paprika

There’s always that single, awkward moment of parenthood when your child asks you: “Mom, Dad, where does paprika come from?” And just in case your parents danced around the subject, providing answers like “the store” or “that bottle over there,” I wanted to start your Monday by giving you the information that you have been seeking your whole life. Now, when I myself discovered the origin of paprika, I have to admit that I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that in all my years of cooking and using these burnt, ruby grains, that I didn’t already know the plant from […]

July 23, 2010

For the (Epi)curious

Curiosity may have killed the cat (rest in peace, Fluffy), but it will definitely make you a better cook. For someone on a restricted diet – especially a salt-free diet – it is essential to venture beyond your comfort zone and try things that will not only impress your guests, but surprise your palate. If you simply rely on the basics (salt and pepper) and the simple (red pasta sauce and noodles), your options will be limited and your meals will end up – I hate to say it – tasting pretty bland. But once you stop focusing on the […]

July 21, 2010

Low Sodium Avocado and Fish Soup

I’m beyond thrilled to present to you the first ever post of the Salt-Free My Recipe series. Today’s make-over is brought to you by none other than our good friend Mark Bittman (who always comes through in a pinch) because the submission box was a bit bare this week. Ahem, ahem. So for future posts, don’t let Mr. Bittman have all the fun (or hog the spotlight) and remember to email sodiumgirl@gmail.com or comment below with your salt-free recipe challenges. Ok, so back to this week’s “submission.” Last night, our wonderful blogger group (which continues to grow by leaps and […]

July 19, 2010

The Pot Luckiest

This Sunday, I spent the afternoon gallivanting at Filoli and Edgewood Park, all in the name of celebrating a very special lady’s birthday. And while there were – of course! – cupcakes and candles and birthday wishes galore, this summer festivity was equally filled with the delights of Filoli’s gorgeous gardens (did someone say white pigeons and pear trees? Yes, I just did) as well as a picnic feast filled with low sodium treats. And while it wasn’t my day of birth, boy oh boy, did I eat like it was. We consumed a feast of perfect picnic proportions, and, […]

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