With all the 8 essential amino acids your body needs, quinoa is an impressive complete protein. Although it has only recently made its way onto the menus of trendy fare here in the US, its history dates all the way back to 3,000 B.C.E., where it was grown in the Andes. Now the grain that the ancient Incas called the “mother grain” is quickly making its way into healthy diets around the world.

Just why is quinoa good for you? Here are five excellent reasons:

- Quinoa is gluten-free.
- This particular grain …

Tags: cake , dessert , diet , grains , health food , healthy desserts , quinoa , quinoa cake , vegan

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I imagine in your health consciousness you’ve given up Jell-O as a dessert choice, but you probably have an occasional use for gelatin to thicken jams, jellies and pie fillings. I’m not sure if you ever considered where gelatin comes from, but it’s far from vegan. That nondescript white powder sold as Knox is extracted from the bones, connective tissues and organs of animals. Many people are surprised to learn that something as seemingly innocuous as a gummy bear is not a vegetarian food.

The plant kingdom saves the …

Tags: agar , candy , carrageenan , cooking , dessert , food , gelatin , substitute , vegan , vegetarian

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This is the season for outdoor eating and impromptu get togethers. It’s also the season for stone fruit – peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and nectarines.

Here’s a gorgeous dessert to take to a cook-out or barbecue. It’s quick and easy to put together, simple enough to showcase the fruit without overpowering it and the dough is easy to work with – even for those who are inexperienced with pie crust. The only secret to a flaky crust is to keep the ingredients as cold as possible and don’t mix the …

Tags: baking , dessert , easy , galette , Recipe , seasonal fruit , stone fruit

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Sarah’s piece on Meyer lemons last week got me thinking about some of my favorite ways to use these fragrant lovelies. Abundant as they are this time of year in my area, they can almost be had for the picking (or foraging). Meyer lemons are commonly found in backyards all over the Bay Area, where they thrive in our Mediterranean climate. In fact, it’s practically customary to bring a bag of Meyer lemons as a hostess gift throughout the winter months.

This lemon curd is …

Tags: dessert , dining , entertaining , food , meyer lemon , organic , Recipe

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