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Northwest Edible Life

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Side Dishes

48March 7, 2018Cooking by Erica

Caramelized Turnips and Apples with Thyme

Jump to the Recipe The turnip, along with her cousin the rutabaga, is an underappreciated root vegetable in the cabbage family. Winter turnips (the most common cultivar is Purple Top White Globe) can have a sharp, almost radishy flavor, but this mellows out and sweetens when you cook them. In this recipe, turnips and apples…

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37February 14, 2018Cooking by Erica

Harissa Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Jump to the Recipe I’m pretty late to the harissa game. What can I say, I’ve lived in suburbia for 14 years and don’t get out much. Oh sure, I’d heard of this North African spice blend. I’d even eaten a decent amount of grilled squid with harissa, made by the the one restaurant within…

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20March 30, 2015Cooking by Erica

Kale Florets with Garlic, Chili and Lemon

In case you missed my earlier description, kale florets are the delicious edible flower bud of a mature, overwintered kale plant. You might think of them as bonus no-work broccoli raab. Or perhaps as “the only thing that’s harvestable in the whole damn garden right now.” However you mentally characterize these tender little brassica buds,…

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6March 11, 2015Cooking by Erica

Simple Creamy Braised Cabbage

If I had to limit myself forever more to a single vegetable, I could first cry out at the injustice of it all, and then grudgingly pick cabbage. I know of no crop more versatile, delicious, adaptable and healthy. This recipe showcases cabbage’s comfort-food side. Slow braised with onions and cream, it ends up sweet…

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0January 27, 2014Cooking by Erica

Roasted Carrots with Feta and Parsley

This is a simple side dish that turns even bulk, supermarket carrots into something special. The combination of the sweet roasted carrots and the salty feta works really well together, and the parsley and lemon keep everything fresh and bright tasting. This dish couldn’t be simpler – toss carrots in olive oil and season with…

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3January 13, 2014Cooking by Erica

Beet Greens with Lemon, Bacon and White Cheddar

With beets, you get two great vegetables for the price of one. The greens are very similar to chard (beets and chard are closely related) but with thinner stems and a smoother, smaller leaf. This easy preparation is a variation of my standard, go-to method for skillet cooking greens. Here, beet greens get paired with…

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25November 26, 2013Cooking by Erica

Easy Skillet Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Oh,  poor maligned Mr. Brussels Sprout. Seems like he gets pulled out every year as a Thanksgiving side and then is forgotten the rest of the year. Can’t you just imagine him in a group therapy session for one-day-only vegetables? Brussels would take the floor: “Hey guys. Yeah, well, it’s gotten a little bit better…

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2February 21, 2013Cooking by Erica

Skillet Cauliflower with Curry

This recipe is from the Eating Local in the Depth of Winter recipe demo and presentation I gave at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to learn just how delicious it can be to eat from your garden, even in the “low time.” To view all…

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9February 21, 2013Cooking by Erica

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Maple-Bourbon Vinaigrette

This recipe is from the Eating Local in the Depth of Winter recipe demo and presentation I gave at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to learn just how delicious it can be to eat from your garden, even in the “low time.” To view all…

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Hi! I'm Erica, the founder of NWEdible and the author of The Hands-On Home. I garden, keep chickens and ducks, homeschool my two kids and generally run around making messes on my one-third of an acre in suburban Seattle. Thanks for reading!

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