Vegan | Katherine Martinelli

Sugar Free Sugar Cookies and a Cookie Blog Hop

September 21, 2012September 22, 201232 Comments

I know it sounds crazy even to say – sugar free sugar cookies? It’s a total oxymoron. But when planning a baby shower for a woman with gestational diabetes the usual sweet buffet just won’t do. Beth cut most normal carbs and processed sugars out of her diet, and took regular blood sugar tests so knew that she reacted well to spelt flour and agave nectar. My mission: To make something akin to sugar cookies without all the sugar. I found these healthy sugar cookies, swapped the almond flour for whole wheat spelt flour, and was in business. With only four ingredients and no butter, I knew that these would be about as healthy as cookies could get – but how would they taste?

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How to Make a Watermelon Baby Carriage

September 18, 2012September 19, 201218 Comments

While this post is uncharacteristic of me and this blog, baby fever has taken over my life. My Facebook feed is overrun with babies these days, and in real life it’s time for my first close friend to have a child. My very best friend in Israel Beth is due any day (hour?! minute?!) now and so a few weeks ago I had the fun of planning my first baby shower. I needed baby shower food ideas, and as usual Pinterest came to the rescue. This watermelon baby carriage was perfect because not only does it look cute and create an interactive centerpiece, but since Beth has gestational diabetes it also fit my sugar-free rule. Yup, the whole baby shower was outfitted with snacks made entirely (ok, mostly) with natural sugars.

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Smoky Cashew Salsa and a Nut Blog Hop

September 14, 2012July 9, 201335 Comments

Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had something so extraordinary that it haunted you? That happened with nearly every dish we ate at Empellon, the upscale Mexican taqueria in New York opened by WD50’s former pastry chef, Alex Stupak. Although the restaurant came with high praise from good friends, I admit that I had my doubts as we stood in the crowded dining room on the stormiest night of the summer waiting for a table. A fancy Mexican restaurant with a molecular pastry chef gone savory and $18 tacos? It’s rare that I say anything was worth a two hour wait and a substantial bill. But they knocked it out of the park. And this smoky cashew salsa has haunted me ever since.

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Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and a Tomato Blog Hop

August 17, 2012August 18, 201238 Comments

Bruschetta was one of the first dishes I taught myself to make. I was only just learning to love tomatoes, and I remember preparing batches freshman year in the communal dorm “kitchen”. It was equipped with a fridge, sink, and microwave, so no-cook recipes were key. As soon as the first hint of spring warmth hit I’d walk, bike or get a ride to the grocery store and pick up fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, and a nice crusty loaf of bread. That’s all that’s needed for this crowd-pleasing appetizer that tastes of summer.

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Thai Coconut Soup and a Coconut Blog Hop

August 3, 2012February 11, 201736 Comments

When Liz pointed out the lone stand with lemongrass in Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market a few months ago, I immediately became excited. It’s one of those ingredients that some of my favorite recipes call. It can be omitted, but you always get the sense that something is missing. You don’t need a whole lot of lemongrass to get the impact, and so Liz and I split a bunch and I quickly began thinking of how to put it to good use. In an instant I knew: Coconut mushroom soup, or Tom Kha Hed. This is one of those dishes that shows up on American Thai menus often, but I get the sense isn’t so far off from the real thing. Continue reading “Thai Coconut Soup and a Coconut Blog Hop” →

Classic Daiquiri for #SundaySupper

July 15, 2012July 16, 201257 Comments

The theme of this weekâ€™s #SundaySupper is Beat the Heat â€“ and I donâ€™t know about you, but when I think about cooling off in summer a cold, refreshing cocktail is one of the first things that comes to mind. This classic daiquiri recipe fits the bill. With only three ingredients (rum, lime juice, and simple syrup) itâ€™s clean and fresh, and oh so simple to make.

If youâ€™re looking for a sugary, frozen, flavored concoction then this is not the drink for you. This is a daiquiri in its purest form, favored by luminaries like Hemingway. It is believed to have been concocted in the late 19th century inÂ a Cuban mining town.. According to Rob Chirico onÂ Chow.com, “Although the locals had probably been knocking back rum and lime for years, in 1886 an American engineer, James Cox, and a Cuban engineer named Pagliuchi refined the rum and lime drink by adding cane sugar. When Admiral Lucius Johnson introduced the recipe to the Army Navy Club in DC, in 1909, the daiquiri was becoming one of the worldâ€™s most popular drinks.”

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Roasted (or Grilled!) Asparagus for #SundaySupper

July 1, 2012July 1, 201254 Comments

With Independence day on Wednesday, this week’s Sunday Supper is appropriately themed “4th of July cookout fun! Could be favorite foods on the grill, salads or desserts.” While my cheese-stuffed burgers would make the perfect entree, I could easily eat an entire platter of roasted asparagus and by just as happy. As I’ve said time and again, roasting is one of my favorite methods for cooking vegetables as it brings out beautiful flavor in them. As usual, I prefer simplicity: just some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Once they’re done, sprinkle on some freshly grated parmesan and you have yourself an incredible side for just about any meal. I usually roast them, but they are beautiful on the grill as well and make an awesome addition to any barbecue.

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American Rice Salad for World on a Plate + Vintage Cookbook Love

June 24, 2012June 23, 201221 Comments

I adore cookbooks and have a particular affinity for vintage editions. I love the insight that you get into a time and place from its recipes, the similarities and differences between now and then, the foods and ingredients that were in vogue. I recently discovered an absolute treasure trove: the Library of Congress digital collection of American Church, Club and Community Cookbooks from the late 19th and early 20th century. Dozens of cookbooks from organizations around the country are available in full and online for your reading pleasure – you can even download them for free onto your tablet!

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Bulgur Salad with Pomegranate Molasses

June 19, 2012October 30, 201218 Comments

Nearly two months later, I still can’t stop thinking about our trip to Istanbul. The flavors have seeped into my repertoire, influencing how I approach ingredients and combinations. This simple bulgur salad with pomegranate molasses quickly transports me back to the enchanting city on the Bosphorus, where my husband and I took a Turkish cooking class with Selin Rozanes through her company Turkish Flavours. Check out the article I wrote about it here, and another related one hereÂ (both have recipes!).

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Som Ta â€“ Green Papaya Salad and a South Asian-Inspired Blog Hop

June 15, 2012June 15, 201228 Comments

When Liz and I saw green papayas at Tel Avivâ€™s Carmel Market, I knew two things: That I had to have one, and that I would make Som Ta (Thai Green Papaya Salad) with it. Although I have yet to visit Thailand (itâ€™s on the top of my massive travel bucket list!), this salad is one of my favorite things to order at Thai restaurants. Fresh, shredded green papaya is tossed with tomatoes, string beans, chili pepper, and a sweet and savory dressing for an insanely addictive starter or side.

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