Lisa on May 14th, 2010

Sometimes you might be in the mood for a crunchy taco, sometimes you might want a soft taco.  The only problem with the latter is that it’s hard to find Qualitarian soft taco shells — the majority of the store-bought ones have all kinds of chemicals in them to keep them soft and supple.  And [...]

Continue reading about Alternative Soft Tacos (in a French Kind of Way)

Lisa on February 5th, 2010

A whimsical name for a whimsical dish: pasta tossed with guacamole.  I got the idea when I wanted to make guacamole but was out of corn chips.  What to do?  Use corn in a different form, I decided.  I did.  I also deepened the flavors of the dish by sautéeing the garlic and onion before [...]

Continue reading about Monster Pasta

Lisa on December 28th, 2009

What do shrimp, salmon, avocado, and Boston lettuce have in common?  They’re all smooth — in the case of avocado, downright creamy — and full-flavored, and when you put them together, you get a very tasty, quick, well-balanced meal.  (And since the salad is served cold, it’s also a great way to use leftover cooked [...]

Continue reading about From the Sea to Your Plate

Lisa on December 21st, 2009

Food is like life — it’s all about balance and simplicity.  And although any dish has the potential to hit that sublime yin-yang-ness, salads are probably the easiest and most versatile showcase for a blending of flavors.  Sweet?  Salty?  Sharp?  Smooth?  Those elements are probably already on your shelves and ready to go. All it [...]

Continue reading about Kitchen Zen

Lisa on September 16th, 2009

In the U.S., we tend to view avocadoes as a savory vegetable, to be served alongside tacos as guacamole or to be sliced and used as a sandwich topping.  In other areas of the world, though, you’re just as likely to find avocadoes on the dessert menu:  in Tanzania, avocado ice cream is a favorite; [...]

Continue reading about Tropical Sublimity

Lisa on August 10th, 2009

Some people won’t eat them because they’re green.  Some people like to eat them because they’re green.  Some of us wouldn’t care if they were striped with orange and purple and accented by yellow polka dots — we eat avocadoes because they’re delicious.  No other vegetable, fruit, grain, nut, or even dairy source can match [...]

Continue reading about Avocadoes: The Ultimate Condiment

Lisa on April 8th, 2009

Velvety, creamy, mashable (yet slice-and-diceable)…and a color that would make the Grinch envious.  Who can resist avocadoes?  Not me!  I make guacamole with them, I serve strips of avocado in wraps and atop salads, alongside fish and strewn atop chili.  You just can’t beat ripe avocadoes for the warmth and richness they bring to almost [...]

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Lisa on January 17th, 2009

Cabin fever strikes again!  This time, I’ve paired shrimp with avocado and mango to escape the winter blues.  This salad is refreshing for the tongue and for the eyes…and with the protein and calcium from the shrimp, the antioxidants from the mangoes, the fiber and good fat from the avocadoes, and the omega-3s from the [...]

Continue reading about Shrimp, Anyone?

Lisa on October 26th, 2008

Move over, Taco Bell! You can whip up this quick and tasty lunch in less time than it would take you to make a run for the border. (Whoa…isn’t it amazing how long TV ad jingles stick in the brain?) And not only is this muy rapido to make, it’s a much healthier choice than [...]

Continue reading about Crispy Corn Tortillas with Salsa & Avocado

Lisa on August 25th, 2008

According to my surfer buddy in San Diego, “surfer’s surprise” is anything you take out of the fridge and throw together for dinner.  In that spirit, then, I thought I’d write down the recipe for fish tacos I used to make in Costa Rica with my surfer pals.  Warning:  we never measured anything; the ingredients [...]

Continue reading about Surfer’s Surprise