Posts From Pat Crocker
Tastes of Spring – Benefits of Bitter Greens from Dandelion to Radicchio
Herbalists and other healers have long championed the bitter taste of certain herbs and garden greens. Yet the majority of North Americans still shun these essential foods, preferring salty and sweet over the equally important sour and bitter.
Recipe: Dandelion Pasta
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘The Bitter Tastes of Spring‘. Gather dandelion in the spring when the leaves are young and tender and the bitter...
Recipe: Wilted Greens Soup
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘The Bitter Tastes of Spring‘. Greens and beans are a balanced combination of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. This is...
Recipe: Sautéed Radicchio & Other Bitters
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘The Bitter Tastes of Spring‘. Simple, healthy, and a great way to start a meal, use just radicchio or a...
Fire Up Your Winter Meals with Immune Boosting Chile Peppers
Chile Pepper Medicine Turns Up the Heat The mighty capsicum (botanical name for pepper) has been named 2016 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association.
Simmered Fall Suppers: Hearty One-Pot Meals That Stick to Your Ribs
Autumn rhythms bring us back into order, back into shoes, and back into the kitchen. Now is the time for hearty, bone-warming dishes and hardy herbs to season them. But wait.
Spring Cleansing with Herbs – Bitter Tonics Herald Ancient Rite of Spring
Cleansing tonics are an ancient rite of spring that reflects the season’s central theme of self-renewal. By definition, a tonic is an infusion of herbs...
Recipe: Curry Paste
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘SIMMERED FALL SUPPERS‘. (Makes about 1-1/2 cups) Ingredients 1 Tbsp coriander seeds 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp fenugreek seeds...
The Mighty Ginger Root: Health Benefits and 6 Thirst-Quenching Recipes
The dried root of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used “as a condiment and aromatic stimulant from ancient times”2. And from the 15th century, ginger...
Gifts From The Kitchen: How to Create Homemade Gifts That are Fun and Budget-Friendly
I’m a cook, I’m a foodie, and I’m a herb whisperer. My life is seasonal and revolves around the only two places I love to...
Lemon Chutney
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN‘. (Makes 4 cups) 8 organic lemons, scrubbed 2 Tbsp kosher or pickling salt 4 large cloves...
Polynesian Spice Blend
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN‘. I use cinnamon as a sweet flavouring in both sweet and savoury dishes. It imparts an...
Mediterranean Pesto
From the Vitality Food Feature ‘GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN‘. (Makes 2 cups) Ingredients 4 large cloves garlic ½ cup pine nuts or sunflower seeds 3...
My Top 10 Superfoods: Fresh Summer Recipes to Supercharge Your Diet
While many organic and natural foods could be considered superfoods, it is handy to have a short list of must-have foods that we know we...
The Joy of Juicing – Fruits, Veggies, and Herbs to Detox and Revitalize
If you work, breathe, eat and drink, you will most likely benefit from cleansing, detoxification fasts, and supportive juicing. Cleansing diets and health fasting may...
Green Magic in the Kitchen: Cooking with Spring Plants
From ancient times, the spring season has been greeted with ceremony and rituals along with the gathering of all fresh, wild edibles, which were inevitably...
