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Organic A-Z: Apples
Sad but true, this American classic (which originated in Central Asia) is a real pain to grow. To make apple farming productive, conventional farmers have to rely on a whole lot of pesticide and fungicide to keep bugs at bay. Apples are always on the Environmental Working Group's list of fruits and veggies you MUST EAT ORGANIC. I won't even touch a conventional apple anymore.
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Organic A-Z: Bell Peppers
Being a staple in my house I was both fascinated and frightened to learn that the bell pepper is so toxic when grown conventionally, and when you go to a regular grocery store...you're not likely to find an organic offering. Yet peppers at FARMER'S MARKETS are cheap, cheap, cheap and pesticide free, free, free.
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Organic A-Z: Chicken
I won't lie, I love chicken. It's a delicious comfort food for me-the first meat I ever cooked on my own as a 17-year old budding chef. It's so easy and versatile; you can take chicken from being classic and simple to exotic and bold, plus it is the most affordable animal protein I know-even the organic birds.
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Organic A-Z: Dates
Dates are cute, wrinkly, sweet and yummy little buggers. An exotic fruit from desert palm trees; they're a healthy raw choice for sugar and a staple in my kitchen.
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Organic A-Z: Eggplant
Eggplant rocks. It's a most glorious veggie (technically a berry). I've found that most people either love it or hate it...but if you're a hater it is probably due to poor execution. TRY IT AGAIN. Eggplant is so versatile and there are so many varieties, you need to expand your repertoire.
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Organic A-Z: Fennel
I'm having an affair with fennel. She's a mysterious and seductive vegetable, hard to describe but easy to cook and love. Oh that sweet anise scent, that cool, fresh flavor, that je ne sais quoi. DELVE INTO FENNEL and expose yourself to a delicious new world of scent, taste and options.
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Organic A-Z: Ginger
What can I say about this glorious rhizome? Delicious to the core. Healthy, versatile, the embodiment of FRESH. That crisp, sharp, citrus-like flavor rocks the mouth, body, mind and soul awake. Ginger kick-starts any party, livening up food and drink from sweet to savory while settling an upset tummy. If garlic is the king of my kitchen, GINGER IS MY QUEEN.
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Organic A-Z: Herbs
I love fresh herbs and they love you. If you are not hip to eating fresh herbs, it's time to wake up and change your world. Fresh herbs are so magnificently tasty your whole being rejuvenates upon smelling and tasting them. Tending to your herbs, watching them grow and snipping some before cooking are incredible, meditative experiences that will ensure you happiness and a long delicious life.
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Organic A-Z: Ice Cream
Alrightie, I?m really pushing it on the letter I. There are very few foods that start with this letter. Even my copy of the encyclopedic foodie bible "LAROUSSE GASTRONOMIQUE" is of little help. The giant tome does make mention of IGUANA and two types of wild goat: Ibex and Izard. While I am a huge fan of goat curry and once met a man in Costa Rica who told me that Iguana tastes exactly like chicken, I just don?t think those are appropriate theme ingredients for this episode...and where am I going to get a farm-fresh iguana?
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Organic A-Z: Jalape??o
So, what do you think of the new set? After shooting the first batch of shows I moved up to Sonoma County in Northern California to get closer to agriculture, wine and nature. I rented an awesome country home on the Russian River, got a job working at a winery, and got back to work on Organic A to Z.
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Organic A-Z: Kale
I love a challenge. And Kale gives me one -coz there are a lot of fools out there who say they hate kale. I blame execution and bad child hood memories. I am here to tell you this is one delicious leafy green. It's also crazy good for you. In fact some nutritionists say it is THE HEALTHIEST VEGETABLE OUT THERE. Protein, fiber, calcium, iron, copper, vitamin A, B, C, K, antioxidants...the list goes on an on. And did I mention it tastes good too? Oh yeah.
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Organic A-Z: Lemon
The lemon. It may be a classic but it's never boring. Such an exciting and intense fruit. Lemons really wake things up with their acidic juice, making an incredible addition to drinks and salad dressings and drizzled on top of finished dishes. The zest and oils are amazing and versatile too in heaps of sweet and savory recipes. The fleshy cells of the interior are soft and delectable. Limitless options and uses.
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Organic A-Z: Mushroom
You know what I think? I think mushrooms are the bomb. They're incredibly mysterious, delicious, and if you're into wild ones, they are dangerous too. So exciting.
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Organic A-Z: Nuts
Man, I don't even know where to start. If you are not eating nuts you are totally insane. They are so good, so healthy, so versatile. And they are everywhere too. Right? Come on people, do I really need to write this blog?
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Organic A-Z: Olives
Man, I love olives. I always have. Not sure why, but even when I was a little kid I was crazy about them. All of them, even the strong and bitter ones and the love affair continues. I don't think a day goes by without me consuming at least a tablespoon of olive oil. For real. It's so good, truly a nectar of the gods.
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Organic A-Z: Potatoes
Yummy, yum, yum. I love the potato and I hate the freaks who turned everyone into haters. Even if the potato was really bad for you, I'd still eat it. I mean, come on, WHAT TASTES BETTER than a bowl of mashers, a side dish of perfectly roasted and seasoned wedges, or a cone of fries with sea salt? Soft, crunchy, starchy, pillowy...POTATOES make you feel great.
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Organic A-Z: Quinoa
Not familiar with quinoa? Well, you are about to be. I predict that quinoa will soon be everywhere, a world-wide munching phenomenon. Quinoa is prolific and easy to farm, cheap and delicious and crazy killer good for you. If you could buy stock in a grain, this is one to bank on. The more I eat quinoa, the more I love it and you will too. Give in to this affordable, healthy, easy to cook grain and you'll be rewarded in multiple ways.
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Organic A-Z: Rice
R is for RICE. A most righteous grain, a powerful staple and one of the world's most important foods. You know it, you love it, it's rice. What's the big deal? you say. Rice has been around forever. Right you are, but it is an exciting time for us to eat rice because there are so many different types readily available to us as well as heaps of fun rice-based products. It's like a whole new food group.
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Organic A-Z: Strawberries
We are celebrating the letter S and our special guest today is the queen of the berries , the STRAWBERRY. I had to do strawberries because they are so beloved, so delicious and oh so dangerous.
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Organic A-Z: Tomato
Rice, Strawberries, and now tomatoes...I feel like I'm losing my creativity here, just cranking out these obvious candidates. But tomatoes are delicious. And they're everywhere and we really take them for granted.
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Organic A-Z: Upside Down Cake
Stumped by the letter U I had a pull a shifty and thus came up with Upside Down Cake.? I think U may have be tougher than the letter I...? What food starts with the letter U?? Upside Down Cake is a great choice, it's classic comfort food and right now everyone can use some of that.
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Organic A-Z: Vinegar
V is for victorious vinegar.? There are so many different types out there and they're all so delicious.? Different colors, different tastes, different levels of acidity, different bases for making them.? Let's get started.?
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Organic A-Z: Winter Squash
When the summer dies down, I get a little sad. I can't believe it's over. But I do love the fall and the cooler weather. It's then that the farmer's markets go through a transition and I'm on a mad dash to taste the last of the berries and tomatoes, and suddenly, I'm thrilled and excited and happy all over again when I see the winter squash.
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Organic A-Z: Yeast
We are damn near the end of the alphabet and on the letter Y. Again, not a lot of foodstuffs to choose from, so I thought it'd be cool to feature YEAST on this episode.
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Organic A-Z: Zucchini
At long last, we reach the end of the alphabet. The letter Z was so far away when we started with the humble, classic apple. And what better way to wrap up the alphabet then with something equally approachable, easily accessible and absolutely delicious. ZUCCHINI.
