Posts by Laurie Constantino - Laurie Constantino

The 10 Best Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers

Cheese Board from Fromages.Com

My list of 10 Best Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers helps last minute shoppers buy great presents for the food obsessed; most of the items on the list I’ve used and loved for years. Most importantly, if you act quickly, there’s still time to order most of my recommended ...

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It’s Summer! It’s Hot. Where’s the Ice Cream?

Rhubarb-Crystallized Ginger Sorbet. Photography by Laurie Constantino

 

Summer! Mosquitoes! Hot & Sweaty! Earthquake! Is it the apocolypse?

Maybe. Apocolypse or no, the garden is coming into its own and its bounty must be used. We’ve had a bumper crop of gorgeous red rhubarb. I want to turn it into something cold enough to get my mind off bugs ...

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Cold Soup for Hot Summer Days: Green Gazpacho

Baby Moose Frolicking in Pond. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

 

When days are long and the sun shining, there’s no better place than Alaska. We left a dinner at 10 tonight and drove to another, surrounded by brilliantly blue skies, balding mountains, and balmy 74° temperatures. Arriving home, a baby moose was happily frolicking in the pond. Hard to believe ...

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Safe and Ethical Foraging with One Final Cow Parsnip Recipe

Cow Parsnip Ice Cream with Cow Parsnip Chips and Strawberries. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

 

Eager to ensure enthusiasm doesn’t get the better of my taste buds, I’ve been carrying samples of foraged food with me wherever I go and offering tastes to anyone and everyone. Wild chips, roasts, curries, and ice creams are my calling card as I investigate whether my recipes have more ...

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How to Prepare Cow Parsnip for Cooking and Eating

Immature Cow Parsnip Leaves & Stalks. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

 

After reading my recent cow parsnip article and cow parsnip salad recipe, Susan asked “In Janice Schofield’s book Discovering Wild Plants, she says to peel [cow parsnip] stems. I didn’t see that step in your blog post, so maybe that’s optional?

Good question Susan. Discovering Wild Plants is the best resource ...

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Wild Edibles: How to Harvest and Cook Cow Parsnip Greens

Cow Parsnips Ready for Harvest. Photograph by Laurie Constantino

 

Young cow parsnips shoots and leaves have wonderful flavor. When prepared correctly, they’re a highly desirable wild edible.

I can hear the groans now. “Cow parsnip is a horrible plant.” “I’m allergic to cow parsnip.” “Cow parsnip stinks.” “Cow parsnip is the curse of the trail.” “Avoid it at all costs.” ...

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