Chef Andrew Cohen | Edible Paradise

Roasting peppers brings out their natural sweetness, deepens their flavor, and gives them a silky, supple texture. Once roasted and peeled, peppers can be used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, soups, pasta dishes, antipasto platters, salsas, and spreads. You can roast peppers over a direct flame on the stove, over coals or gas flame on the...

Lemony Grilled Summer Squash

Vegetableseasy summer side dish, edible paradise, farmers market recipes, farmers market squash, grilled summer squash, grilled vegetables, healthy grilled vegetables, lemon herb squash, marinated summer squash, seasonal produce recipe, summer grilling recipes, summer squash recipe, summer vegetable side dish, vegetable marinade, yellow squash recipe, zucchini recipe

Summer squash often gets a reputation for being bland, but with a little care it can become a star on the plate. This recipe takes a simple, seasonal vegetable and transforms it with a quick lemon-and-herb marinade that brightens its flavor and brings out its natural sweetness. Marinating isn’t just for meat—vegetables benefit too, absorbing...

Slow-Braised Romano Beans

VegetablesBorba Family Farms, braised romano beans, california produce, edible paradise, farmers market recipes, flat green beans, how to cook romano beans, italian green beans, italian romano bean recipe, mediterranean cooking, romano beans, seasonal vegetables, summer side dishes

Tender, flat Romano beans—sometimes called Italian pole beans—are one of summer’s hidden gems. Unlike slender green beans, Romano beans are at their best when cooked slowly, allowing them to become silky, buttery, and full of flavor. Braised with onion, garlic, olive oil, and a splash of white wine or water, they make a wonderfully rustic...

A Guide to Cooking Pastured and Grass-Fed Meats

Culinary Resources, Meat and PoultryBeyond the Recipe, braising grass-fed beef, Chef Andrew Cohen, cooking lean meat, cooking pasture-raised meat, dry-aged beef cooking tips, edible paradise, farmers market meat, grass-fed beef, grilling grass-fed steak, how to cook grass-fed beef, pasture-raised goat, pasture-raised lamb, pasture-raised meat

There’s a reason chefs and home cooks alike seek out pasture-raised and grass-fed meats at the farmers market. Animals raised on pasture develop richer, more complex flavor, firmer texture, and a nutritional profile that reflects a more natural diet. But if you’ve ever found yourself wondering why a beautiful grass-fed steak seemed to cook faster—or...

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Saladsspinach, spinach salad, spinach strawberry salad, strawberry

This may seem like an unlikely pairing, but sweet strawberries and earthy spinach are a natural match. The key is simplicity—let the flavors shine. A light balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together, with the option of adding toasted sesame oil and a splash of soy sauce for a subtle Asian twist. Use your sharpest knife to...

Spring at the Market: Chef Andrew on Asparagus

Home Page Storiesasparagus, asparagus recipes, fresh asparagus, how to select asparagus

Each spring, the first bundles of asparagus arrive at the Aptos and Monterey Farmers Markets like a quiet announcement that the season has changed. At the Borbaa Family Farms and Klein Family Farms booths, those bright green spears practically glow on the table — freshly cut, tender, and ready for the kitchen. For Chef Andrew,...

All About Artichokes

Home Page Storiesartichoke recipes, artichokes, how to prepare artichokes, how to trim artichoke

Artichokes are everywhere along the Central California coast, thriving in the region’s mild, foggy climate. Driving down Highway One toward Monterey, you’ll pass fields of artichokes in every stage of growth. Castroville proudly claims the title of “Artichoke Capital of the World” and hosts the annual Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival. Although artichokes are...

February Highlight: Avocados

Featured Seasonal Produceavocado, avocados, california grown avocados, Gwen, Hass

As Californians, we have so many things to be thankful for when it comes to fresh food—and avocados are certainly one of them. At our farmers market, several vendors supply these sublime fruits. Since California produces about 95% of the avocados grown in the United States, it’s no surprise we enjoy such abundance. When it...

Mint Pistachio Pesto

Miscellaneousmint, mint pistachio pesto, pesto, Pistachio

This Mint Pistachio Pesto blends fresh mint with pistachios, almonds, garlic, and olive oil for a light, aromatic sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta, vegetables, or seared fish. A fragrant, versatile pesto ideal for spring and summer cooking.

Ohitashi (Japanese Marinated Spinach with Sesame)

Appetizers Coldappetizer, Japanese, Ohitashi, spinach

This easy Ohitashi recipe features blanched spinach marinated in soy and mirin, finished with toasted sesame seeds. A classic Japanese side dish ideal for weeknight meals or bento.