Tingling pineapple-ginger soda with cayenne

by Caitlin Saniga

Waylaid with a nasty sore throat and stuffy sinuses? This drink is dynamite. Pineapple is the only known source of bromelain, an enzyme used to treat inflammation, especially of the nose and sinuses. Pineapple core is especially rich in the protein, so be sure to include chunks from this section in your mixture. The spiciness of the ginger and cayenne is the perfect scratch for an itchy throat. And the lemon is the perfect zing for awakening and soothing sinuses. Drink a glass of the pineapple mixture straight, or add club soda for a less potent sipper.

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Pomegranate orange peel tea with gingered honey

by Caitlin Saniga

The timing of this month’s guide couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve been battling a cold since Christmas Day, and although the worst of it is over, I can tell you for a fact that this tea soothes an uneasy stomach and encourages stuffy nasal cavities to loosen up. Ginger and honey are classic remedies for upset stomach and sore throats, respectively, and the benefits of orange and pomegranate peels were new news to me. Both are high in vitamin C and calcium. Orange peel tea has been used to treat heartburn and indigestion, and pomegranate peel tea has been used to soothe sore throats. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing your fruit for this tea: Organic is absolutely best, as peels touched by chemicals tend to absorb those chemicals.

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Sugar and Spice: Vegan gingerbread cheesecake bites

by Sarah Steimer

I’m a huge fan of cheesecake (the actual, regular kind), but I’d always been curious about vegan cheesecake. I made these little bites for a party, so not only was it a nice, guilt-free item among the less healthy options, but it was something that my friend with a gluten allergy could enjoy as well. As you can see, I also made a pan without the gingerbread spices, but topped with pomegranate arils.

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Sugar and Spice: Gingerbread White Russians

by Sarah Steimer

Some of our gingerbread recipes will be nice… this one will be naughty (well, depends on how many you’ve had, really).

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Sugar and Spice: Gingerbread lattes

by Caitlin Saniga

Gingerbread lattes are the ultimate indulgence, and my recipe doesn’t cut them any slack. If you don’t have or can’t find whole spices for every ingredient listed, don’t worry. Pinches of ground spices can be substituted. If you don’t have an espresso machine, use instant espresso and try steaming milk on the stove (YouTube has some great demos).

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Chai spice palmiers

by Caitlin Saniga

Chai spice palmiers: part pastry, part cookie, part candy, part addiction problem.

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Meatless Monday: Lime split pea curry with rice

by Sarah Steimer

I love curry pretty much any time of year, but it always seems particularly spectacular when it start getting cold out. Even when it comes to picking a restaurant, I tend to lean toward Indian restaurants or other cuisines that include lots of spices in the fall and winter.

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Meatless Monday: Marinated tofu with peanuts and charred bean sprouts

by Sarah Steimer

This dish came together so easily and had fantastic textures between the tofu, bean sprouts and peanuts. Definitely do not skip the addition of a lime wedge, that little blast of tart citrus juice really elevates the dish and cuts some of the saltiness of the lime and peanuts.

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Meatless Monday: Chopped green beans and cherry tomatoes with ginger-shallot dressing

by Caitlin Saniga

It’s the end of tomato season in New England. I type this while picturing the tomato plants still standing in my garden: The stalks are brown and puckered; the few remaining fruits are speckled and dry looking; they need to be ripped out of their beds. So I nearly pounced on a $2 bag of tiny, multi-colored cherry tomatoes this weekend at the farmers market. They may be the last of the year! Sliced in half with a pile of chopped fresh green beans, and drizzled with gingery shallot vinaigrette — this is how I’m saying so long to my favorite summer snack.

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Icebox Pops: Strawberry-lemon and ginger-peach striped popsicles

by Caitlin Saniga

Ginger-peach and strawberry-lemon popsicles would be delicious served separately, but striping them together makes them even more delicious — like chocolate-vanilla twist ice cream, only better.

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