Vegan

Now that it’s fall, can we talk about butternut squash for a minute? I love its flavor, but I have to confess that I find it to be kind of a pain to break down. It’s such an awkward shape to cut, and I’m short enough that it’s difficult for me to get good leverage …

I have a confession to make. I’m not really into the whole mint and chocolate combination. I’ve never disliked it, exactly, but it’s never been one of those things I crave. Mint chocolate chip has always been my father’s favorite flavor of ice cream, but ever since I was a kid, I could take it …

For a long time, I didn’t know what passion fruit tasted like. I associated it vaguely with tropical juice blends and  artificial fragrances in things like air fresheners and girly shampoos. For some reason, I assumed it was syrupy sweet and generally unappealing. Man was I wrong. Real passion fruit is tart and fragrant, almost …

I have this theory that people tend to dress for yesterday’s weather. The day after a 90°F day, I see so many people in tank tops and shorts and sandals and sun dresses, even if it’s a high of 70°F  and raining. The day after a cold snap, I see so many people carrying around …

Summer calls out for salads like this one. It’s bold and colorful and crunchy and spicy and refreshing. I’ll admit I don’t think about green beans all that often. It’s not that I don’t like them. It’s just that I forget about them amid the bounty of summer vegetables that are crowding the farmers markets …

These popsicles taste like summer. They are icy and refreshing with a turn toward the tropical. They taste intensely of mango, with just enough lime to enliven the whole thing. They remind me of one of my favorite agua frescas, the one I inevitably, invariably order when I find myself sitting at O’Hare for any …