I’ve always been a collector of recipes. Due to frequent long distance moves, I haven’t collected much of anything else. But recipes are so portable.
My mom used to save all her Bon Appétit and Gourmet magazines for when I came to visit. Then we would sit and talk while I pored through the old issues, cutting out recipes I liked and dreaming about the meals I was going to make. She wasn’t particularly interested in cooking; I suspect she may have subscribed just so we could share these hours together.
Once I had a stack of clippings, I pasted them into a binder and—thanks to Elmer’s glue sticks—they’re still there today. Some of the recipes remain aspirational, quite a few didn’t turn out to be as good as I’d hoped, while others have been on regular rotation in my kitchen for decades.
I’m sharing one of those favorites in this issue—a holiday recipe for Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti—to go with our story about local pistachio farmers. In fact, this issue is loaded with a record 10 recipes, as well as fascinating stories, to see you through the winter.
Three talented local chefs—Michael Rotondo, Soerke Peters and Katherine Stern—share their preparations for cozy, comforting pasta dishes. And be sure to try nutritionist Talya Lutzker’s recipe for Chicken and Lemongrass Stew; it’s one of her family’s favorites and already one of mine. There are recipes in this issue for cooks at all levels of experience from beginners to “not-my-first-rodeo.” We hope these pages inspire you to get into the kitchen and get cooking this holiday season, filling your home with wonderful aromas and making new memories of your own.
As 2022 draws to a close, we would also like to thank all of our wonderful advertising partners, who make our work possible throughout the year. Please show your appreciation by doing your holiday shopping with them and keeping dollars spent here circulating in the local community.
Wishing you a very happy holiday season and a delicious new year!
Deborah Luhrman
Publisher
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
