Dinner Parties

May 29, 2012

Mistakes and Low-Sodium Pickled Cherries

Last week I posted about Labor day and roasted garbanzo beans. Turns out, it was Memorial day. This is what some people refer to as a “mistake.” And like frittatas, it is something I make with healthy frequency. At least once a day. And that’s probably a generous underestimate. For the frittatas and the mistakes. As for this latest mishap? It is definitely more embarrassing than misreading the package of Gluten Flour while baking gluten free crumble (which I did last week). But way less disastrous than setting my kitchen oven on fire while making tortillas (which I did last […]

May 8, 2012

Carrot Soup By Color

When introducing a carrot to your friends, what do you tell them? Do you begin by describing it as healthy? A betacarotene and fiber-filled vegetable? Peas’ better half? Or do you tell your best buds stories of how this wonder root likes to be the center of attention in salads and slaws; how, at times, yes, they can be loud and crunchy, but mild and gentle when the moment calls for it; and of course how they’re so flexible to your silly whims, ready for any culinary adventure you decide to throw at it. Broiling? Carrot says lets do it. […]

April 17, 2012

Low-Sodium Brisket Taco

Life can change on a dime. One day, you’re a brisket. The next, a beef taco. But before we get to talking about either dish, there is one important truth you need to know about this particular cut of meat: Brisket can be juicy, luscious, drippy, and moist. Or it can be dry, dry, dry. So it is the sauce — along with a slooooow roast — that makes this cut of meat tender. Not to mention a perfect place to experiment in building low-sodium flavors. For a quick beef tutorial, I turned to the Pioneer Woman’s Passover Brisket recipe and […]

April 12, 2012

Low-So NOJO Avocado Salad

Picture this: The dim light of bulbs and moon beams bounces off the recently rained streets of San Francisco’s cultural axis point: Hayes Valley. And tucked away from post-Symphony rush hour and late-night staples sits NOJO, a Japanese restaurant that makes traditional cuisine with careful hands. But no California rolls. Meaning “farm,” Nojo combines the art of yakitori (things on sticks) with izakaya (traditional bar food) and of course, fresh local ingredients. Like crisp asparagus topped with pink easter radishes and a hen-fresh egg. Or chewy duck neck sprinkled with the chef’s personal stash home-dried and crushed cayenne pepper. An […]

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 […]

March 20, 2012

Low-Sodium Red Lentil Soup

I’ve got a case of the stressies today. The kind where the to-do list just never seems to get to-done. Where the laundry piles up as soon as I fold the last load. The papers I meant to file in 2011 are now buried under the ones I mean to file in 2012. I’m still answering emails from last November. And let’s not even talk about the ones that have come in since then. It seems like the only thing I’ve been able to finish in a timely fashion is the first book of the Hunger Games. (So good) And […]

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 […]

March 8, 2012

Low-Sodium Corn Poblano Posole

When thinking about making posole, two things may seem to pose a challenge: time and the hominy. Now the whole “time” thing really isn’t much of an issue. While this recipe may seem complicated, it really just involves sticking things (peppers, chicken, soup) in pots and pans and letting them heat and cook. There’s no risotto-like ball-and-chain action here. Once you plop those ingredients in your cooking decive, you can seriously let them do their thing. On their own. While you do yours. So as for time? We’ve got that one covered. But hominy. That’s a challenge of a different […]

February 23, 2012

2012 Love Your Heart Recipe Rally

Let’s begin with the facts and the numbers, because that’s a very good place to start: The recommended daily sodium intake for a healthy American is 2,300mg, which equals 1 teaspoon of salt The recommended daily sodium intake for over 50% of adults (due to health problems, age, and other needs) is 1,500mg, which equals just over 1/2 teaspoon of salt Nine out of 10 Americans (that’s 90%) eat more than the recommended daily intake of sodium, averaging over 3,300mg (and if you really consider the soy-sauced sushi, chorizo burrito, and milk swamped cereal…that number clilmbs even higher) More than 800,000 […]

February 23, 2012

Hearts for Hearts

Turns out, taking care of your teeth is mighty important. I was reminded of this during my hour and a half dentist appointment this morning. (Don’t worry–I get to keep all of my teeth. And they even told me I am a super brusher. Not gonna lie. I may have blushed a little. And I’m considering putting it on my resume) But there is another part of your body that needs love. Maybe even more so than your teeth. And that’s your heart. This rubber band knows what I’m talking about. Even if you don’t have any health problems, […]

Previous Entries

Next Entries