Cooking Coach Case Study

Case Study A:  I’ve been cooking for client Michele for several months. She has several parameters: It’s a big challenge to shop & cook.  She lives by herself. She eats vegan only, cannot tolerate gluten, and avoids processed sugar, making it hard to eat out. She needs more protein in her diet.   She’s on [...]

Read Full Post »

Tales of Catering: Practicing Equanimity

S**t happens. I’ve learned to wing it, especially when catering on-site. Equipment breaks down, ingredients aren’t available, or the client’s facility is compromised. Last MayDay (2011), HOBT theater lobby’s fuse kept tripping, so the stews in the electric roasters weren’t heating up, and my brilliant idea of baking tater tots in a portable convection oven was [...]

Read Full Post »

Hearty Nourishing Food for MayDay Parade volunteers

I’ve designed the post-Mayday Parade Volunteer Feast menu for 60 tired, hungry and cold volunteers and artists. This dinner isn’t served until 10pm – 11pm, b/c that is when they have finished transporting all the giant puppets & floats from Powderhorn Park back to the Theatre. Probably half of the workers will have been outside [...]

Read Full Post »

Earth Day Dinner De-brief

Wednesday was a whirlwind, with two special events back to back — and extra deliveries on Tues to compensate. In the morning, at the Active Aging Info Fair held by Inver Grove Heights Community Center, I handed out last week’s DDoW, Kamut Salad in Orange Mint Vinaigrette, to all sorts of people, and had my Whole Grains & [...]

Read Full Post »

Cooking Lessons and Cocktail Hours

It’s Fundraiser season! As mentioned in an earlier post, I often contribute cooking lesson gift certificates to charity auctions. For instance, the Urban Arts Academy Gala last Sat and two upcoming in May, for World Savvy’s 10th Anniversary event, and MN Chorale’s Annual Gala, respectively. I also cater fundraiser receptions and house parties. Good food & drinks loosens [...]

Read Full Post »

Harvesting Justice: Farmworkers, Food and You

Come eat a tasty organic dinner & discuss food justice at an Earth Day Dinner & Film Nite next Wed eve, Apr 25th, at First Universalist Church @ 3400 Dupont Ave So, Mpls.  It’s family-friendly w/ kid activities and child care. Kids will see film about Cesar Chavez while adults watch “The Harvest”.  Starts 5.30pm, Dinner at [...]

Read Full Post »

More April Menus

Here are the menus for next 2 weeks’ Delivered Dish of the Week. April 15 – 21 1) Gingery Lentil & Carrot Stew. Vegan and gluten-free. A vegetarian staple, to which I will add “ajwain”, an interesting Indian spice that smells like thyme. See previous blog posting “Trying New Spices”. 2) Cumin-scented Kasha Pilaf with Cabbage & Spiced [...]

Read Full Post »

Trying New Spices

I love to browse ethnic grocery stores the way you might browse a thrift store — you will always find interesting stuff!  Indian groceries are particularly fun because I’m not as familiar with them as with Asian stores. A while ago I picked up a couple packages of spices unknown to me. Trying new and [...]

Read Full Post »

Crocus but not Asparagus

Okay, Okay, spring is here. I have stopped resisting it. Unfortunately, that does not mean spring vegetables are here in Zone 4, despite how it feels like they should. Besides, as my clients know, I do not include ‘spring’ veggies in DDoW menus until they are more abundant (and cheaper) at local farmers’  markets. Perhaps [...]

Read Full Post »

Green Eggs & Ham-less Soup

This week’s Ham-less vegan Super Green Split Pea soup nevertheless has a nice “meaty” flavor, due to my favorite smoked paprika and also to shredded nori (dried seaweed). Nori is packed w/ Vitamins C & A, potassium and fiber, while boasting no fat, carbs or calories.  Plenty of chopped super-food collards makes it Super Green. [...]

Read Full Post »