Beyond the Recipe | Edible Paradise

Welcome to Beyond the Recipe

Rediscovering the knowledge that helps us eat well, live well, and become more connected to our food.

Great food is about more than what happens in the kitchen. Beyond the Recipe explores the connections between the food we eat, the people who grow it, and the choices that shape our health and communities. From seasonal recipes and nutrition insights to homemade yogurt, sourdough, canning, and other traditional kitchen skills, this is a place to learn, explore, and reconnect with food in a more meaningful way. Our goal is simple: to help preserve the knowledge, skills, and traditions that make healthy eating more accessible, sustainable, and rewarding.

Chef’s Guide for Selecting and Cooking Fish

With summer around the corner and seafood in abundance at the farmers market, now is the perfect time to brush up on how to choose and cook fish. This season you’ll find both fresh and frozen options from H & H Fresh Fish Company (Aptos Farmers Market), La Marea by the Sea (Monterey Farmers Market),...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Cook Spelt

Nutty, hearty, and pleasantly chewy, spelt is an ancient grain that makes a versatile base for countless dishes. Toasting the grains before simmering brings out their warm, aromatic character, while cooking them with herbs infuses subtle depth. Spelt is excellent as a side dish, tossed into salads, stirred into soups, or even used as a...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Make Homemade Spice Blends

Why buy spice blends when you can make them fresher, cheaper, and better at home? Homemade seasoning mixes cost just a fraction of the price of store-bought versions and contain none of the anti-caking agents or fillers often added to commercial blends. Start with fresh, high-quality spices, and store your mixes in airtight containers to...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Make Hot Honey

Transform your dishes with this simple yet irresistible hot honey recipe! Perfectly balancing sweet and spicy, this versatile condiment enhances everything from appetizers to fried chicken, grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, and cornbread. It even adds a delightful kick to tea or cocktails—and makes a thoughtful holiday gift for food-loving friends and family. Thanks to our...

{ Continue Reading }

A Guide to Winter Greens: Kale and Collards

Kale and collards are hardy greens you’ll see at the farmers market nearly year-round, but they’re at their sweetest after a cold spell. The chill in the air coaxes out natural sugars, turning these leafy vegetables into flavorful, nutrient-packed staples for hearty winter cooking. Choosing the Best Leaves Look for bunches with supple, succulent leaves...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Make Great Stuffing

Most families have favorite stuffing or dressing recipes that have been passed down for several generations. If you weren’t privy to the early Thanksgiving morning kitchen activities as a kid, there’s a chance you may have missed watching Mom or Grandma making their signature stuffing. There are many stuffing recipes and variations from region to...

{ Continue Reading }

I Yam What I Yam

Have you ever wondered about what the difference is between sweet potatoes and yams? Sweet potatoes are also called ‘yams’ — however, these tuberous root vegetables are actually from two very different plants. Sweet potatoes are related to morning glories and true yams are related to palms and grasses. When you buy a ‘yam’ at...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Steam Sweet Potatoes

Although we love baked sweet potatoes, steaming is quicker and produces a perfectly moist potato. Steamed baked potatoes take about 30 minutes, while baked potatoes take at least an hour. This method is for medium-sized potatoes. However, if you have only large-sized potatoes, you can cut them in half. (1) Fill the lower part of...

{ Continue Reading }

How to Cook Quinoa

Quinoa is a versatile, protein-rich grain that’s quick to cook and adapts well to both savory and sweet dishes. Before cooking, it must be rinsed to remove saponins—a natural coating that can make quinoa taste bitter or soapy if left behind. Domestic quinoa often needs just a quick rinse, while imported varieties may require several...

{ Continue Reading }