courage, and empathy. I take your lessons with me wherever I go.
For Alice, for whom “mentor” is not lovely or
whole enough a word—who saw beyond my 12-year-
old frame to the me I was and would be. Thank you
for my first job in the culinary world and thank you
for taking the time to write this foreword.
For my best friends over the years, who chose me
and choose me over and over again. You keep me
grounded, hugged, and understood.
For my new family, who embraced me from
the beginning, and who my heart is now fully
intertwined with.
For Jolene and Ironman, our furry children, who
never fail to put life in perspective and draw out my
softest side.
For the Natural Gourmet Institute, who gave me
the knowledge and confidence to move forward
into uncharted territory, and reminded me of parts
of myself that had gotten buried—for the year that
changed everything.
For the Blue Hills Press team, who shared my
vision for this book and worked doggedly alongside
me to make it happen.
*Since this cookbook came out, I went through a divorce. You will notice my ex-husband’s name throughout the book, and I have no intention of changing
this—we had wonderful years together, and he will always be one of the dearest people in my life. I am so grateful to have this book as a memento of
many happy memories.
CONTENTS
recipe directory
2
