A Simple Fennel Salad

a-simple-fennel-salad

As I child, I did not like fennel. Raw, it has a crisp, bold, anise flavor that  takes some getting used to. Luckily for me, our palates tend to change over time, and now I can’t seem to get enough of the fresh, crunchy and delicious vegetable. I’ve been picking up a bulb every week at my farmers market in Noe Valley. Conveniently, fennel is a hardy plant, a member of the Apiaceae family, and can be grown year round here in Northern California.
(more…)

Farfalle with Borlotti Beans, Salami and Parmesan

farfalleborlottisalami

For me, pasta is one of the ultimate comfort foods. There is really so much that one can do to make quick, easy, and flavorful pasta dishes using just a few simple ingredients.

I keep a variety of different pastas on hand to create fast meals at the end of the week when I’m running low on food and less inclined to go out to the store. This dish, like many in my kitchen creates itself from the leftovers and staples that I keep in my pantry. The beans are delicious addition to pasta, and are filling, which helps me avoid eating the whole box of pasta, something I have been known in the past to do.

(more…)