Some people may still hold on to some childhood Brussel Sprout trauma (think not being able to get up from the dinner table until you have eaten all of your boiled, overcooked, soggy, mushy, wholly unappetizing dark green orbs that stink to high heaven). But really and truly, recovery is possible.  If you like greens, a little char on your sauteed veg AND BACON, well then, recovery is closer than you think!  I always say, if you don’t like Brussel Sprouts (or any brassica - b

Not a potato. Not a yam. Sweet potatoes are so misunderstood. Sweet potatoes are a vining plant in the Morning Glory Botanical Family. Potatoes belong to the Nightshade Botanical Family along with eggplant, peppers and tomatoes. Yams are also a vining species but in a different botanical family altogether, related to grasses. Yams have a dark brown or tan “bark-like” skin, and are very starchy. They originate from West Africa. Sweet potatoes are deliciously, naturally sweet,

Beets are a real gem! Red beets' intense color tells you they are loaded with antioxidants. They also contain lots of fiber and potassium. Golden beets contain lots of lutein. Their earthy flavor needs to be balanced with fat and something acidic.  Beets belong to the Amaranth Botanical Family along with Swiss Chard. According to UC Davis , “Although domestication of beet as a leafy vegetable and root crop took place in prehistoric times, sugar beet is a relatively new crop p

Fennel is one of my favorites! I love its versatility and delicate anise flavor. I use fennel seeds often - in soups and biscotti. Fennel can be eaten raw or cooked, can stay crisp, juicy and full of anise flavor or get soft and jammy with low and slow cooking like onions. Fennel works really well with tomatoes, fish, chicken, sausage, citrus, cheese, and other herbs. Fennel is in the carrot or Umbellifer Botanical Family along with cumin, dill, celery and parsley.  Fennel is