April 2012 Archives | Basil DiariesBasil Diaries

Eselan Kale Salad Recipe

29. April 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Dinner, Gluten-free, Lunch, Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

Eselan Institute

I’m rounding out the weekend with Eselan’s Kale Salad recipe – made famous by the Eselan Institute located in Big Sur, CA. Eselan is nestled on 120 acres of land on the California coastline, just off of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Natural Mineral Hot Springs and Eselan Massage

The property has its own natural mineral hot springs that are positioned out of a seaside cliff. The hot springs are known for their natural healing properties, but most famously for a 180 degree view of the Pacific Ocean. If you’re lucky, you can catch wales breeching during migration season.

Eselan offers workshops on yoga, cooking, massage, meditation, and more. The Eselan massage is also famous - inspired and influenced by the rhythm of ocean waves.

Peter and I will be attending an Eselan workshop this summer. We joke that this is our “summer of love” – in reference to the ambitious amount of “hippie” activities we will be participating in. (We’re also going to the Wanderlust Festival in Lake Tahoe.) In just two years in California, we’ve fully embraced the culture out here. But we don’t take it too seriously. Whenever we explain our plans to our friends, I laugh and roll my eyes knowing how ridiculous it can sound.
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Halibut with Mango Salsa

26. April 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Dinner, Seafood, Vegetarian

Farmed or Wild Caught?

Grocery shopping isn’t my favorite chore, but what does give it some reprieve is a fresh seafood dinner. I like stopping by the seafood counter because I know they’ll have the freshest fish possible. They’ll also clearly mark a wild caught fish vs. a farmed fish. For me, the seafood industry is much more difficult to navigate than, let’s say, the cattle industry, because there are issues with both farming fish and purchasing wild caught fish.

The bad news:

Some of the problems with farming fish (or aquaculture) are the foods the fish are fed. If the fish are fed pellets, the pellets can contain antibiotics not naturally found in the fish’s diet. Anti-foulants, such as copper paint, are also commonly used in aquaculture to keep the cages or nets clean. Environmental problems may occur as the metal slowly leaches out of the paint. ¹
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Chickpea, Red Onion, and Sweet Potatoes in Homemade Tahini Dressing

24. April 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Dinner, Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

A common question that I ask my vegetarian friends is, “How do you get your protein?” The answers are most likely a combination of beans, nuts, and special grains. I thought it would be great to feature one of my go-to recipes when I need to increase the protein in my diet.

I came up with this flavorful recipe after spotting something similar at a small town cafe on the way to Lake Tahoe. Although their original concept was nice, I thought it was lacking in flavor. I tweaked it to finally come up with this version.

This recipe is tossed in a tahini dressing, which most of you will recognize as something similar to Annie’s Goddess dressing. It’s essentially the same thing, but without the preservatives.

I served this recipe with a couple of slices of vegan bread from a local bakery. Everything you see is vegan-friendly! More »

An Elegant Wedding at Carneros Inn – Napa, CA

23. April 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Celebrations

Peter and I with the happy couple

This weekend, we were a part of our friends’ beautiful wedding in Napa, CA. The happy couple, Justin and Meredith, tied the knot at Mont La Salle Chapel, overlooking rolling hills of vineyard fields. The celebration continued at Carneros Inn, a prestigious luxury resort. The wedding was elegant and classy – true to Justin and Meredith’s personalities. More »

3 Ingredients That Will Make Heirloom Tomatoes Go From Good to Great

19. April 2012 · 1 comment · Categories: Lunch, Vegan, Vegetarian

My husband and I are going to Hawaii for our one year anniversary! So, I’m making an effort to prepare meals packed with fruits and vegetables to stay slim and trim.

I’ve prepared an heirloom tomato recipe with a special spiced/herbed seasoning – an original by yours truly – and a vegan roasted red pepper, hummus sandwich for a light but filling lunch.