Two friends of mine, Theresa Rogers and Tika Altemoeller, have written an inspiring vegetarian cookbook called Dharma Feast Cookbook – Recipes for a Fresh Start. It is going to be available in February. I am honored to say that my photographs are in it.
I own the first edition of Dharma Feast and use it all the time.What I love about it is the emphasis on simple ways in which we can cook and eat more consciously, as opposed to just getting another meal checked off the to-do list. When you pay real attention, the way Tika and Theresa do, to the way in which you choose, prepare and serve your meals, the food is more nurturing and delicious.
There are wonderful Indian recipes, many tips for cooking the staples of a vegetarian diet and lots of information about how to change your habitual ways of eating. There is also a chapter about making healthy school lunches.
Periodically, I am going to include some of the recipes here. I’ll start with a simple one that uses our most loved vegetable at the Morningside Market – Arugula.
Fussili Rice Noodles
Serves 4
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tbls. minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 lemon, zest and juice
2 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. black pepper
1 pound rice fusilli noodles (or regular pasta if you prefer)
1/2 pound baby arugula ( I even use more)
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
Heat olive oil in medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then add the zest and juice of lemon, salt, and pepper.
Cook rice noodles according to instructions on package. [I think they are best when rinsed and then reheated. Then you can't really tell the difference from regular pasta. We like Tinkyada brand rice pasta.]Drain and return to pot.
Immediately add olive oil mixture to pasta and cook over medium low heat for 3 minutes. Pour hot pasta into large bowl. Add arugula and tomatoes. Toss well. Season to taste and serve hot.
Variations - Substitute whole grain pasta for rice noodles.
Or add finely grated raw cheese to top of pasta after tossing or serve in a small bowl on the side.
We had it the other night:
