Now that we are getting spring vegetables, Carolyn and I decided to try some new salads. We are seeing beautiful radishes and fennel at the farmers market and decided to find a salad that used them. (It is a bonus that our kids actually like radishes, so if we can make a dish with them, we will). 

Carolyn went immediately to Alice Waters’ cookbook “Chez Panisse Vegetables” for some ideas. This is quickly becoming a “go-to” cookbook for us when we are looking for seasonal vegetable dishes. The book has detailed, useful information on the vegetables themselves, different varieties, their seasons and suggested uses. The cookbook tends to lean towards European flavors, but Waters wisely admits this and sticks to her strengths. And so far, every recipe we try or adapt has worked very well. And if you’ve been to Chez Panisse, that’s not a surprise. The work they do with seasonal produce is still the gold standard. In our area only perhaps Manresa, a restaurant with its own farm, can compete. Continue reading →