Pasta has a million calories and nearly zero nutrition. I used to be sad about this. But then I learned how to make daikon noodles. As a pasta substitute, daikon is a super-appealing superfood. For an Asian touch, I like daikon broad noodles, with stir-fried asparagus and black bean sauce. Visually, they could pass for rice noodles — with a …
5 reasons why I love Madrid
Last November, a 10-day vacation in Madrid made me a fan for life. The city was so welcoming and filled with surprises. The art, the cultural immersion — I was totally enchanted. I also learned a few things about the immigrant experience. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip. To be honest, visiting Spain was never on …
How Weight Watchers helped me knock off 8.8 lbs. in 2 months
Yes, I’m doing Weight Watchers. So far, it’s been two fascinating months. Slowly and steadily, I’ve been shedding both fat and bad habits. This is a freakin’ miracle. This is also not your mother’s Weight Watchers. The program got its start in the early ’60s with the late Jean Nidetch, a Queens housewife with big blonde hair. She gathered friends …
Indian cooking spices up mother-daughter bonding
When my daughter and I take cooking classes together, the power struggle and bickering stops. Our generational divide closes as we surrender to the instructor and the magic of food. Our latest love fest? Indian cuisine. The adventure also marked our first visit to the new digs for Institute of Culinary Education (ICE). This venerable cooking school trains professional chefs …
Planting my 1st vegetable garden, thinking of Dad
Once upon a time, gorgeous yellow lillies bloomed in my front yard. Then, I ripped them out to grow veggies instead. The urge to try farming in some small way brought a surprising bonus. Of all things, I’m making peace with my control freak dad. More on that in a minute. First there’s the tale of the kale… I kept …
5 reasons to love the Hastings-on-Hudson farmers market
It’s that time again here in my hometown! The farmers market is setting up for the summer at its outdoor location overlooking the Hudson River. There’s something special about buying stuff grown and made only a few hours away. It makes me feel connected to the earth. Good for the soul. And, the stomach too. Through the winter, a scaled-down, …