THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION PAGE 26 SEPT/OCT/NOV 2026 t h etchoenc no encnt ei oc nt i son j s. cnoj .mc o m HEALTH & WELLNESS PAGE 26 nch o A Pi f... Couscous Lentil Delight Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD LSKNUTRITION.com Prepare 1 cup uncooked couscous as directed on package. Prepare 1 cup French lentils as directed on package. Combine cooked couscous and lentils in a large bowl. Add: 2 tbsp. olive oil, 3 large garlic cloves (minced), the juice of 1 lemon,1 tsp. lemon zest, & freshly ground salt & pepper to taste ENJOY hot or cold *Option to stu peppers with couscous lentil mixture by baking 25 minutes at 375 degrees in a glass baking dish. veryone has their happy place. For me, it is my kitchen. Renovated 4 years ago, it is my food lab: my creative space to play with ingredients, imagination and contraptions. More importantly, I cannot overemphasize that a well-stocked kitchen (which transcends beyond the pantry and the refrigerator), will enable your inner chef. The workspace, the appliances and utensils must be factored in when turning basic staples into magic. And being productive in the kitchen can also improve cognitive function by originating, experimenting and memorizing new recipes. This is ground zero for wellness. Every summer I visit my sister who lives near the beach in another state. In addition to the sea and surf, an enormous houseware store commands heavy foot traffic. In the past, I purchased little gems which have enabled me to grow as a cook. It’s inspirational to examine various items that you might like to add to your inventory or replace old, worn favorites. The selection is huge: you can see, touch and feel in real time. Micro gadgets, small accessories that are easily stored, can enhance any recipe. Last summer I discovered a micro plane garlic mincer and slicer with removable blades for precise shapes. Garlic is a healthy addition to specific dishes as allicin is released upon compression, which can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Equally important, a good cheese grater adds flavor as well as calcium and protein to many dishes including pasta, salad and vegetables. I recently replaced my basic cheese grater with an efficient rotary hand crank model (cylinder blade restaurant version). The former cheese grater has now been repurposed to a citrus zester, and I’ve completely discarded the old lemon/orange zester. Strainers, commonly used for pasta, are sold in all sizes. A three-inch variety masters the task equally as a citrus squeeze but with more ease and less bulk. And of course, lemons, oranges and limes are packed with vitamins A and C. Macro gadgets or appliances cost more and are generally less of an impulse item. My first food processor was a 4-cup mini chopper, great for prepping vegetables. Soon after, I graduated to a full-size food processor, which is essential for more involved cooking. Veggie burgers, sauces, emulsions and dough are just some of the creations. I probably would never have purchased an immersion blender but received one free as a bonus with a new hair dryer. It remained unused until I began perfecting my butternut squash recipe to yield a smooth yet thick velvety texture. I was surprised how easy it was to operate as long as you’re working in a deep pot in your sink to minimize messy splatter. Having the right kitchen tools will make a world of difference in your culinary practice. Curiosity, patience and time are all important in order to perfect your skills. Sometimes just rummaging through your pantry, cookbooks, online recipes, articles, podcasts, and shopping will inspire you to try something new. The Couscous Lentil was born that way: I wanted a simple recipe to showcase micro gadgets. Enjoy! Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD is the owner of LSKNutrition, a nutrition counseling practice serving individuals and families for over 25 years. Her office is in Martinsville and virtual sessions are an option. More information is available on her website, www.LSKNutrition.com. Gadgets & Gizmos By Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD FOOD THOUGHT for Having the right kitchen tools will make a world of difference in your culinary practice. Curiosity, patience & time are all important in order to perfect your skills. E
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