The History Of Spinach & Ways To Use Spinach For National Spinach Day

March 26th is National Spinach Day. Popeye may have enjoyed his spinach straight from the can, but for today, we can come up with 20 better suggestions. Below: > 20 ways to enjoy spinach. > The history of spinach. Elsewhere on The Nibble: > The year’s 7 spinach holidays. > The year’s 60+ vegetable holidays.…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Baby Purple Artichokes (Fiesole)

In season now, these little artichokes are a treat for artichoke lovers and a lovely shade of vegetable for Easter dinner. Called fiesole (fee-YEH-so-lay) in Italian, the baby purple artichoke—the size of a large egg—belongs to the botanical genus and species, Cynara scolymus, which includes the green globe artichokes and purple globe artichokes. Artichokes are…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Leftover Grains As A Soup Garnish

When we have leftover cooked grains—barley, bulgur, kasha, quinoa, rice, etc.—we start using them the next morning in breakfast omelets. By the time lunch comes, we’re ready to make grain salad. If we don’t have enough for a salad, we add the grains to soup. They can make quite a handsome garnish, and most grains…
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TRENDS: Restaurant Focus For 2015

No more waste: In restaurant kitchens, everything can have a second life. Citrus peel is turned into marmalade. Photo courtesy Lola Loves Green.   What are the top culinary concerns for restaurateurs this year? According to a survey by Nation’s Restaurant News, the top five focus on gluten-free and sustainability. 1. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Safeguarding natural…
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PRODUCT: Castelfranco Chicory

Californians are so lucky. Between the great growing climate and consumer demand for the best, local farmers grow produce not often seen in other parts of the country. Take this Castelfranco chicory, a joy to behold. The round, slightly open heads have pale green leaves that are speckled with burgundy red. A second cousin to…
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