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Spice Rubbed Barbequed Tofu

08/13/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

During summer, if you’re not firing up your grill, you’re missing the party. It’s all happening where the heat is…the inviting smoke, the sweet and spicy aromas, the camaraderie around the barbeque. But if you don’t do meat — or are trying to minimize your animal consumption — there’s no reason to feel left out. A simple hunk of tofu is a protein-packed (approximately 20 grams per 8 ounces) meatless alternative for any cookout. My summer addiction to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives inspired a classic down-home take on tofu. Choose the firm kind of tofu and make it organic (we don’t trust you, GMO’s). Slice the tofu into “steaks,” then raid your spice drawer and mix … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Condiments

Summer Vegetable Ceviche

07/25/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

There’s nothing like a summer breakup to make you feel all young again. Last week, a friend and I parted ways, and though I saw it coming for months, I wasn’t prepared for the teenager-like symptoms that hit me soon after: the moping, the zits, the loss of appetite. For the past few days, I just haven’t been myself. So I got busy cooking. Luckily, I had a brand new cookbook on my counter, Nobu’s Vegetarian Cookbook. It was the perfect distraction, and I sat down and perused it cover to cover. It’s a spectacular book, crammed with the celebrated chef Matsuhisa’s imaginative vegetable musings and glorious photos. Just as I was starting to get hungry again, I came across a recipe for vegetable ceviche. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appetizer Recipes

Vegan Almond Pancakes

07/17/2012 By Dana Slatkin 4 Comments

During the school year, a typical morning in my house looks like someone pressed the fast forward button. Five people scuttle around the kitchen in haphazard directions, stopping only for a few seconds to guzzle breakfast, then dispersing into the day. But during summer, the morning unfolds leisurely, with a more substantial meal to send everyone off on their way. This week, I was in the mood for a tall stack of fluffy, golden pancakes, but I had forgotten to restock eggs, flour, and buttermilk (hey, the kids aren’t the only ones on vacation). In my summer state of mind, I tend to shrug off just about everything with a “whatever,” so I carried on anyway. I used almond flour in place of regular flour, omitted the eggs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Summer Vegetable Fried Brown Rice with Egg

07/11/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

When I was around 15 years old, my parents decided to separate. Their marriage had gone from stable to hostile, and I longed for peace in the house. But with one foot still in childhood and the other on shaky ground, I had a hard time figuring out which way was forward. Amidst all the confusion, I can remember taking long walks with my mother, often in total silence, around the nearby park. As we both tried to fathom our futures, our walks became a comforting ritual. Sometimes we would end up at our favorite restaurant, treating ourselves to warm apple pie á la mode for dinner. On other occasions, we would only travel a block or two before turning back, lacking a plan or inspiration. But we could count on those walks. Putting one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Side Dish Recipes

Zucchini Lemon Mint Hummus

06/29/2012 By Dana Slatkin 3 Comments

I’m going to tell you a little story about a hike I took recently. It’s a hike I have taken every summer for the past fifteen years, and it has nothing to do with hummus. But it has everything to do with this recipe. Aspen Mountain is certainly not the highest peak in Colorado, but it’s the one I stare at from the window of our summer rental. Climbing to its 11,200 foot peak is a daily ritual for many locals. For me, it is a grueling challenge. But time and again, I am strangely drawn to its trails, even though they are punishingly steep. Early one morning this week, I set out on one such hike, dreading the process but eager for the breathtaking view at the top. I plodded up the jagged trail buttressed by Aspen trees … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appetizer Recipes

Chokes ‘N Cheese (Artichoke Gratin)

06/22/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

Now that school’s out, it’s fine time for some juicy summer reading. While the kids work their way down their assigned lists, I’m looking forward to delving into that teetering stack of books on my nightstand. And though I cop to missing the e-book boat, I’m in no rush to let go of my beloved hardcovers. Top on my list is Angella Nazarian’s Pioneers of the Possible: Celebrating Visionary Women of the World (Assouline, 2012). These deftly-written profiles of visionary women are crammed with mesmerizing stories and wisdom, perfect for a spontaneous read on a hammock over a warm afternoon. Inspired by this fearless tribe of women, I plan to say “yes” more often this summer…“yes” … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gluten-Free Recipes, Side Dish Recipes

Barefoot Peach Bellinis, Sugar-Free

06/15/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

June is a month of goodbyes. My kids graduate — from preschool, elementary school, and junior high — leaving behind familiar classrooms, teachers, and friends. My oldest takes off for camp in Maine. And the rest of us bid our annual adieu to L.A. as we recamp to a tiny mountain town in Colorado. There will be tears of joy and farewell hugs. And (you know me so well by now) my kids will get a good dose of mom wisdom to pocket for their journeys ahead. But lest you think I’m about as much fun as fish oil, I assure you there will be numerous festivities. We’ll mark the milestones with bubbly drinks, bountiful fare, and plenty of togetherness around the table. This effervescent summer cocktail is what I’ll be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beverages

Kale and Quinoa Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette (adapted from Porta Via)

06/06/2012 By Dana Slatkin 5 Comments

Last month, I taught a class with Peter Garland, owner of Porta Via here in Beverly Hills. If you have never heard of the restaurant, it’s probably because Peter likes it that way. Because he knows that if word got out on this darling neighborhood canteen, it might cease to feel like home to his adoring clientele. Porta Via serves the kind of farmers market-inspired dishes that you would make yourself if you had the time. Seasonal salads, vegan soups, simply grilled fish and Double Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies have made Peter one of the most popular restaurateurs in town (of course, it hasn’t hurt that he is charming, handsome, and single). This beautifully balanced salad is a perfect sampling of Porta Via’s fare. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Salad Recipes