Nothing beats simple, homemade pesto in the summer. Most recipes for traditional basil pesto call for pine nuts, but I’m here to make the case for pumpkin seeds. I fell in love with pumpkin seeds (pepitas) after visiting Mexico, where seeds and nuts are used in a variety of recipes, from salsas to dessert. I think pumpkin… Read More →
How to Buy & Store Asparagus Look for tight tips and small leaves on the side of the stalk that cling to its body. The cut end should be moist, not frayed, browned or dry. Spears should be smooth, not wrinkled. Storing asparagus is simple: keep them standing in a few inches of water in… Read More →
A Tried-and-True Recipe This pasta dish with asparagus-pistachio pesto is from my days as a chef at Café Un Deux Trois in the 1990s. I’ve made this recipe for hungry crowds ever since with amazing results. The smoky bacon and rich, salty pistachios are perfectly balanced by the fresh veggies and fragrant herbs. This ‘sauce’ can… Read More →
My Best Recipes for Spring Produce I love hearty meals in a bowl as much as the next guy, but it’s time to swap out beef stew and chili for recipes highlighting fresh spring produce. Here in the upper Midwest, we love anything that comes out of the ground as early asparagus, morels, ramps and rhubarb. And… Read More →
