If you enjoy soup as comfort food, here’s a lovely and easy seasonal recipe, made with an abundance of spring herbs. The base is familiar—potatoes, onions and broth—but the quantity of fresh herbs makes it a completely different experience.

The British chef provides both gram and ounce equivalents. Note that the products called double cream and single cream in the U.K. refer to heavy cream and half-and-half, respectively, in the U.S. We recommend using the half-and-half.

You can get clean brownie edges like this.
Photo courtesy Incredibly Edible Cookie Co.

Here’s the secret from Lauren Braun Costello, author of The Competent Cook, which is packed with information and tips:

Freeze the brownies for an hour before cutting!

Here’s the technique:

There’s truth in the adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” You can boost your immunity with apples—including apple products such as 100% apple juice, cider and apple sauce.

According to the U.S. Apple Association, recent research suggests that apples might be the key to achieving a stronger immune system and better gut health (the reason many people consume foods enhanced with probiotic bacteria).

A study published in Denmark’s January 2010 issue of BMC Microbiology found that long-term consumption of apples may promote growth of these “friendly bacteria” in your stomach, potentially leading to a stronger immune system.

So, work an apple a day into your diet and see if it makes you feel better. A one-cup portion of fresh apple is 65 calories, with 3g dietary fiber, 13g sugars and 10% daily value of Vitamin C.

APPLE TRIVIA

Pizza with Greek toppings: Greek-Italian
fusion cuisine. Photo courtesy zpizza.

Sometimes the toppings take some creative license: The Tuscan pizza, for example, starts with roasted garlic sauce, mozzarella, cremini and button mushrooms, truffle oil and fresh thyme—very Italian and very tempting. But we don’t understand the addition of shiitake mushrooms (Japanese) and more particularly, feta cheese (Greece and other countries, but not Italy).

But there is a feta-topped Greek pizza. We love a Greek salad so were inspired to try this recipe.

Those within nibbling distance of zPizza (there are locations all over the country) can take advantage of their “Passport to Pizza” promotion. Purchase any three of the Casablanca, Greek, Napoli or Provence pizzas by April 30, 2011 and you’ll get one extra-large pizza for free.

We don’t want National Nutriton Month (March) to roll away without sharing some healthy food recommendations. Whole grains are one of our favorite easy switches and there are lists and lists of others. These five foods were nominated by Healthy Steps by Jokari. They’re easy to integrate into your diet.

 
It doesn’t take much effort to eat a healthier diet. A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single walnut or dish of sautéed spinach.