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Mindful Cooking with Herbs: A Sensory Journey
The heady scent of herbs filled the air as I ran my fingers through their fragrant leaves. Look closely – see the oregano bravely...

Melanie
4 min read


White Bean and Herb Olive Oil Cheesecake
Thanks to Melanie Underwood, author and chef instructor at the Institute for Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City for this unique white bean and herb olive oil cheesecake recipe. This savory cheese cake features an herbed olive oil garnish. The versatility of this cheesecake is limitless. Chickpeas or black, pinto, or kidney beans will work wonderfully. Just remember the color of cheesecake will change depending on which bean you choose. Don’t be tempted to leave off th

Melanie
3 min read


Cardamom Shortbread
This shortbread is what I make when I want something warm, quick, and grounding without turning the kitchen into a production. It comes together in five minutes, bakes in twenty, and it’s one of those recipes you can change without thinking too hard. I used cardamom for this version because I love the warmth it brings, but I’ve made it with coriander too, and it’s just as delicious in a completely different way. You can add orange zest, lemon zest, vanilla bean, or black pepp
melanie5890
1 min read


Caramel Apple Crumb Cheesecake
From my book, Making Artisan Cheesecake, Quarto Publishing 2015 This is delicious with the goat cheese, but you can use all cream cheese if you prefer or use an equal amount of mascarpone for the goat cheese. The crumb crust and topping make this taste almost like an apple pie. Streusel Crumb Crust 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour 1 ½ cups (340 g) light brown sugar ¾ cup (60 g) rolled oats 1 tablespoon (7 g) ground cinnamon Pinch of ground nutmeg 12 ounces (337 g) unsalted bu
melanie5890
3 min read


Chocolate Rye Cookies
At Nourish & Gather, we believe the table isn’t just where we eat — it’s where we connect. And sometimes, that connection extends far beyond the table itself. When FinaMill invited me to create a recipe for their Sunday Supper series in support of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer , I said yes immediately. Their mission to bring people together through food aligned perfectly with my own: to use flavor, creativity, and conversation to foster connection. These Chocolate Rye Cookies w

Melanie
2 min read


Baked Cauliflower and Kale Pasta with Herby Breadcrumbs
This cozy baked pasta balances creamy roasted cauliflower, hearty kale, and fragrant sage breadcrumbs for a comforting fall dinner that’s both grounding and deeply satisfying. It’s a dish meant to be shared - every step is an invitation to slow down and connect.

Melanie
2 min read


Autumn Radiance Bowl with Apple Cider Miso Vinaigrette
This nourishing Autumn Radiance Bowl brings together roasted delicata squash, caramelized Brussels sprouts, earthy beets, crisp kale, red cabbage, and fresh pear slices, all balanced with a light apple cider miso vinaigrette.

Melanie
1 min read


Whipped Herb Ricotta with Jammy Roasted Tomatoes & Focaccia
Serves 6 This overnight focaccia is one of those recipes that makes you feel like a genius with almost no effort. Sure, you can make it...
melanie5890
2 min read


This Yonkers chef is all about baking self confidence into teen cooking classes
From LOHUD This Yonkers chef is all about baking self confidence into teen cooking classes Jeanne Muchnick Rockland/Westchester Journal...

Melanie
3 min read


Tomatoes with Whipped Ricotta & Basil
Serves: 4–6 Ingredients: 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1 cup ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons heavy cream 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon...

Melanie
1 min read


Tomato Shrub
What is a shrub? A shrub is a concentrated syrup made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Also called "drinking vinegar," shrubs were...

Melanie
1 min read


What a 6 A.M. Burrito Taught Me About Boundaries
Summer arrives like an unexpected houseguest - welcome but wonderfully disruptive. Kids are home from school or shuffling between camps, sleep schedules dissolve like ice cream on hot pavement, and suddenly everyone’s hungry at the most inconvenient moments. It’s during these beautifully chaotic times that we need kitchen boundaries most, yet feel least equipped to maintain them. Let me paint you a picture from last week: 6 AM, I just woke up. My 16-year-old appears, bleary e

Melanie
3 min read


It’s Not Lazy to Slow Down
I haven’t been moving slowly this summer. My cooking classes are in full swing, schedules are packed, and my days blur together in beautiful chaos. But I’ve been thinking about something — about the guilt that creeps in when we’re not “productive.” About the parents stealing moments of quiet between carpools and snacks, wondering if they’re doing enough. Here’s what I want you to know: It’s not lazy to slow down. Actually, let me be honest. I think I wrote this for myself. Le

Melanie
3 min read


Mindful Summer Nourishment Recipes
Golden Turmeric Iced Tea Serves 2 Ingredients: 2-inch piece fresh turmeric root, grated (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric) 1-inch piece...

Melanie
1 min read


Supernatural Brownies
There’s something deeply comforting about baking something to share - it’s the act of nurturing. Feeding someone else can feed something in us, too. This week I’m sharing a recipe from former colleague Nick Malgieri, who I worked with at the Institute of Culinary Education.

Melanie
1 min read


Baked Vanilla Donuts with Powdered Sugar
My sister Sherry didn’t love cooking—and honestly, she didn’t care much about food the way the rest of us did. But she did love donuts....

Melanie
2 min read


Miso-Roasted Carrot & Citrus Salad with Crunchy Seeds and Herby Yogurt
A vibrant, textural dish that’s all about trusting your instincts—adjust flavors, swap ingredients, and embrace the beauty of...

Melanie
2 min read


Welcome
Welcome to Members-Only Reads , a curated space where you can revisit past newsletters, insights, and reflections—all in one place. This...

Melanie
1 min read


Unique Things To Do In Yonkers
Whether you’re settling into a rental house in Yonkers, NY, searching for the perfect home , or moving into a new apartment , check out...

Melanie
1 min read


Unlocking Your Culinary Intuition: A Guide to Confident, Mindful Cooking
Use this image to inspire your confidence in the kitchen. Close your eyes, imagine the possibilities. Cooking is more than following...

Melanie
3 min read
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