When my daughter, Jyah, graduated from high school, I took her on a mother-daughter odyssey to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It was one of the most poignant and magical journeys I've ever taken. In the morning, we would drive to ancient archeological sites, underwater caverns, and small villages, returning in the afternoon to sit by the ocean and sip agua di chaya, a cool, wonderful drink of green leaves and lime juice which is indigenous to the area. Around 4 o'clock every afternoon, local fishermen would pull their rowboat onto the beach and offer up the day's catch to the restaurant we frequented most often. That night, the fish would be written up on a chalkboard as the catch of the day, and offered with a choice of sauces. My favorite by far was the Salsa a la Veracruzana, a richly flavored blend of tomatoes, green olives, capers and thyme with a slight kick of jalapeno. This dish differs from one kitchen to the next, so feel free to experiment, and try it with snapper, halibut, chicken, pasta, or tofu.

Photo Courtesy of Jody Hoy

Seared Halibut with Red Wine Reduction Sauce is a wonderful and festive entree anytime of year, and has a particular impact around the holidays. Deep ruby red sauce glistens on the plate; it is a feast for lovers and loved ones alike.

It was recently brought to my attention that Dean Foods, parent company of Horizon Organic and Silk soy milk, has been exposed for dishonest and misleading advertising of its products. It started with Horizon Organic, and most recently pulled a "bait and switch" with Silk soy milk. The product was originally marketed as organic, and made with organic soy beans, but in early 2009 Dean Foods began using conventionally grown soybeans to produce Silk. The packaging, bar code and price remained the same, with the only difference being the word "Natural" instead of "Organic" on the label. "Natural" is a totally unregulated and vague terminology, and encompasses genetically modified foods full of chemicals and pesticides. No announcement was sent to retailers, and it was not until recently that watchdog organizations caught on.

Is this how we will feed our children?

We've been having a Nor'Easter in New York and up the East Coast these past couple of days, and all I've wanted is soup. There's something about the comfort of a steaming bowl of goodness that can carry us through a day when it's blowing, stormy, and we'd rather be home on the couch with a blanket and a movie. Curried Red Lentil Soup with Jalapeno is a slightly spicy soup with anti-inflammatory curry spices that is sure to warm your belly on a chilly day.