Cannellini Beans with Pistachio Gremolata

COOL BEANS

Leonardo DaVinci once said that simplicity was the ultimate sophistication. If that's the case, then this recipe is sophisticated AF. It's a really easy, yet packs a flavorful punch. 

To vegan-ize the recipe, simply replace butter with olive oil. If you can't find fresh unshelled cannellini beans, feel free to use regular 'ol green beans. 

BEAN

• 2 handfulls of white beans trimmed and cut in half
• 1 large clove of garlic
• 1 tbs. butter
• 1/4 cup of white wine
• 1 tbs. of fennel seeds
• pinch of sea salt and pepper

GREMOLATA

• 3/4 cups of chopped scallion
• 1/4 cup of chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup of chopped mint
• 1/4 cup of pistachios
• 1 tbs. lemon zest
• braised garlic from pan
• 1/2 cup of olive oil (or until the mixture resembles a slurry)

DIRECTIONS

Clean the beans, trim the ends and cut them in half. Heat up the butter on a pan of med-high heat. Add the beans to the pan with some salt, pepper and fennel seed. After 5 mins of cooking, add the clove of garlic. After another 4 mins, add the white wine and let it reduce down. When the liquid has reduced to half, the beans are ready. 

Meanwhile, chop all of the herbs, and add remaining ingredients to a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it resembles a liquidy paste. 

Serve the beans with the herb mixture overtop + enjoy! 

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An Ode to Fennel

This may not be a popular opinion, but fennel is my favorite vegetable. In a very real way, fennel is a symbol of my outlook on food. It is an incredibly diverse ingredient and can be used in a variety of ways- bulb to frond. The curious flavor intensifies food with a complex anise note, which I find both unusual and delectable. Fennel's whimsical shape and texture make it visually striking on the plate, thereby enhancing a dish with a grace and elegance, impossible to overlook. What I'm trying to say is, fennel is v. grammable. It's a convenient coincidence that fennel happens to be healthful for you, to boot. The qualities of fennel match the qualities that I seek to bring out in an exceptional food experience. I strive to use ingredients that can be applied in many ways. It excites me to feature ingredients that are flavorful and unique, and create bright presentations on the plate. These qualities are ingredients that I use to create a memorable meal.
 

Hello

Hi. I'm Atara!

This blog is a distillation of my professional and communal experiences sharing and loving food. I have a simple philosophy when it comes to food- create simple, beautiful dishes that bring loved ones together around the table. While it may be trite, I believe that remarkable meals have the power to unite us under an inspired shared experience. 

I have spent the past 3 years teaching children to love food. And I’m talking about real food – food whose origins can be sourced, food that is not made up of ingredients, but are ingredients themselves. Raw, plant-based, wholesome deliciousness. I taught them to appreciate fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

 I can’t tell you how many parents and teachers warned me that there was no possible way on earth that I’d get their child/student to try kale, let alone love it. Yet time and time again, after teaching them a few basic ideas about healthful eating, the environment, and encouraging them to cook and handle the ingredients themselves, the kids loved the food that they sampled. Every single time, without fail. I’ve converted thousands of picky eaters into herbivores.

My background has taught me a lot about the way people interact with food. The first, is that coupling food with a positive and fun experience has the power to challenge a picky eater instead of scaring them into a shell of anxiety. Second is that most people want to eat healthfully. Our very broken food system has made it nearly impossible for many to embrace a healthful lifestyle. Lastly – food does not need to be so complicated. Creating satisfying, affordable, ethical and delicious meals start by simply leveraging the best available ingredients to create an inspired dish.

 But my love for food transcends my working life. Many of my cherished memories have happened at the table, the heart of my home. My goal is to share these recipes with you, while sharing my story along the way. I hope that you'll use these dishes to bring your friends & family together and create experiences that you'll truly never forget.