Dinner Parties

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 […]

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February 14, 2012

Low-Sodium Spaghetti Squash Snapper

Officially obsessed. This bulbous vegetable holds so many surprises inside. And while I always mistakenly thought that it would (a) taste gross and (b) be difficult to cook, turns out that I was wrong on both accounts. I really love when I’m wrong. So let’s begin by talking about preparing spaghetti squash. All you need to do is stick it on a pan. Whole. No cutting necessary. Easy so far, right? Then, place that pan with the squash into the oven at 375 dgF. And let it soften until you can easily slice it in half with a knife (no […]

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January 27, 2012

Lo-So January Week 4: Chelsea Salt-Free’s Her Very Own Recipe

The girl doesn’t need any introduction. So let’s just get to straight to words from Chelsea and week four of her heroic journey through the low-sodium world… Week Four has been marked by two milestones: entertaining Low-So style and branching out beyond Sodium Girl’s ravishing recipes to create my very own. Last weekend, I hosted a little fête for a friend’s birthday and really wanted to showcase some tasty low-so treats. Remember: I live below the Mason-Dixon Line. Three amigas of mine host an annual Bacon-Off (and, it’s incredible/one of my favorite days of the year). Sodium is alive, well, […]

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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 […]

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November 28, 2011

Small Bites for Big Feasts

I am happily stuffed from Thanksgiving. But I’m far from being done with my holiday eatings. And I hope you aren’t giving up on the feasting any time soon either. Because this holiday season, I want to hit everything on your wish-list. I want to make sure all your wildest culinary dreams come, whether it is salt-free caviar or the perfect low-sodium BBQ spice blend. Or the personal butler to make you french fries any time of day or night. And while I can’t actually help you with the butler thing (sorry, backordered on Amazon), I can most definitely help […]

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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 […]

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October 4, 2011

Salt-Free Radish Sushi

Before I say anything else, let me tell you that I just ate some rice doused in Dave’s Total Insanity Hot Sauce (0mg of sodium). And they seriously aren’t lying in their marketing. This is total insanity. I overdoused. And now I think I’ve permanently scarred my mouth. Or, less melodramatically, I’ve definitely started sweating profusely in public. But moving on. Speaking of insanity, I experienced another form of this emotion (less burning) a few weeks ago at Bar Agricole here in the good old Bay Area. And while I can hardly remember the meal they so carefully crafted for me […]

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September 23, 2011

Low-Sodium Spinach Leek Dip

Just in time for the weekend football lineup (there are games on Sunday, right?) here’s the second of my low-sodium, super healthy tailgate treats. And oh my goodies, is this one scrumptious. But don’t think I’ve lost my sense of modesty. It’s still right next to my love of watching horrible reality TV with my mother (a.k.a never going anywhere). No, no. The tastiness of this dish has nothing to do with me. I mean, I practically threw a bunch of delicious aromatics in a pan, mixed it with naturally tangy Greek yogurt, and called it a meal. Truly, the […]

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July 25, 2011

Salt-Free Dolmas

So I had a job. It wasn’t supposed to involve food — there was a lot more paperwork than stirring or standing over a stove. But nonetheless, it was a subject we always found ourselves gravitating towards. I also had a manager at this job, to whom I always paid a quick visit before heading to the nearest market to grab something for lunch. And upon said visit, I would ask, “is there anything you want me to get for you while I’m in the outside world?”  To which I expected answers like: sandwich, coffee, maybe chips. But she always […]

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July 13, 2011

Edamame Education: The Ultimate

Today is completely dedicated to edamame pate. Because sometimes people don’t like chicken livers. And also because a dish like this exemplifies why (and how!) low sodium cooking can be so much more than just a restricted diet. Or worse yet, a boring diet. In reality, low sodium is the ultimate test of your creativity in the kitchen. And once you’ve whole heartedly accepted the salt-free challenge, your mind starts coming up with some crazy ideas. Like edmame pate. Which is just silly crazy. And it tastes equally bonkers. For my dear reader who asked for a salt-free and equally […]

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