Roasted Broccoli

Note: I am reposting my old food columns from Milford Patch. They originally contained step by step photos and accompanying instructions, which I hope to recreate at some point. Until then, I am posting the original text. This post originally appeared on Patch on February 27, 2011...

Broccoli has an image problem. Oh, sure, everyone knows it’s healthy. It has more vitamin C, calcium and fiber than oranges, milk and wheat bread. But all too often, broccoli is treated as a necessary evil, something serious people and obedient children endure to earn their gold stars, like flossing or the stair climber machine.

I contend that broccoli’s problem originates in the casting department. It has been typecast as the watery, flaccid afterthought, as in: what vegetable can we throw on this plate so we can call it a complete meal? No wonder kids and former presidents resist eating it. If we treat broccoli with respect from the outset and give it a supporting cast, people will eat it—and they’ll like it.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

You guys, this is what my fruit bowl looked like this morning:

Gross, I know. When I see this, I know it's time for banana muffins and applesauce. Both recipes will save your old fruit from the garbage just by using regular pantry ingredients, like these:

Martha's Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is one of my all-time favorite foods, so I take it very seriously. Listen to me when I tell you this Martha Stewart recipe is the Gold Standard. Don't believe me? Do a google search for Martha's Mac and Cheese and you will see the superlatives pile up. There are simpler recipes, and cheaper recipes and healthier recipes; I use those often. But this is what I make for special occasions.

Crockpot Applesauce

Note: I am reposting my old food columns from Milford Patch. They originally contained step by step photos and accompanying instructions, which I hope to recreate at some point. Until then, I am posting the original text. This post originally appeared on Patch on September 25, 2011...

Apple picking is one of my favorite things to do all year, and is practically a mandate in New England. But sometimes, after you’ve eaten all you can, and you’ve made a pie, you’re still looking at a bunch of apples. Or maybe going picking with your little ones left you with some less-than-perfect specimens. It’s time to make applesauce.

Sesame Noodles

Like most people, I am always on the lookout for something to rescue me from the weeknight dinner grind. We all know the criteria for a good weeknight meal, Quick, easy, not too challenging for the picky palates, but something different for heavens sake because we're all sick to death of the same 4 things!

Sesame Noodles are almost universally popular, easy to make, easy to modify to suit your family's idiosyncratic tastes, and they feel a little special. You can serve them hot or cold (leftovers for the win!) and they go with a lot of different proteins, either on the side or added right in (shredded rotisserie chicken?) On the night pictured, I served them with bagged Asian salad mix and -ahem- chicken fingers, because we're all just trying to make it though the week. These noodles go a long way to redeem chicken fingers, and who needs more than that?

Kitchen Tip: Cutting Basil into Chiffonade

Wondering how to cut your basil into the pretty confetti known as chiffonade? Here's a quick tutorial:

Remove the basil leaves from the stems and stack into a neat pile.

Roll the pile of leaves tightly like a cigar.

Cut the roll crosswise into thin strips.

Ta-da, chiffonade!

Two Tomato Salads

Note: I am reposting my old food columns from Milford Patch. They originally contained step by step photos and accompanying instructions, which I hope to recreate at some point. Until then, I am posting the original text. This post originally appeared on Patch on August 13, 2011...

Tomatoes are here! There is no other food that more clearly illustrates the difference between in-season, fruits and vegetables and year-round, well-traveled supermarket produce. It’s just not worth eating tomatoes the rest of the year, so you should get your fill in the now. Besides tomato sandwiches, here are two great ways to enjoy tomato season. These recipes only take a few minutes to make, so wait until the last minute to put them together.