Photo and recipe from thecrunchyradish.com
Photo by Mackenzie Smith
An Inspiring Conversation with Miranda Hammer of The Crunchy Radish
This month, we are thrilled to feature an insightful interview with Miranda Hammer, the creative force behind one of my absolute favorite wellness destinations, The Crunchy Radish! Miranda, a New York-based registered dietitian and talented chef, is on a mission to demystify healthy eating. Her philosophy centers on demonstrating that preparing wholesome, nourishing meals doesn’t demand excessive time, elaborate techniques, or expensive ingredients. Instead, she champions a straightforward approach, encouraging everyone to embrace their kitchens, understand the origins and benefits of their food, cook from scratch, and most importantly, find genuine joy and satisfaction in every bite. Beyond her incredible recipes, Miranda also enriches her blog with captivating travel stories and practical lifestyle tips. I highly recommend grabbing a comforting warm drink and settling in, because once you begin exploring The Crunchy Radish, you’re guaranteed to be captivated for quite some time. Join us as we delve deeper into the world of this truly inspiring culinary expert and nutrition advocate!
What ignited the spark for you to launch The Crunchy Radish?
My journey into food blogging began during my graduate studies at NYU. While immersed in rigorous science courses, I discovered that experimenting in the kitchen offered a vital creative outlet. It was during this period that I felt a strong desire to share my culinary explorations, leading me to start my blog and Instagram. This was a relatively nascent era for food blogs, making it an incredibly exciting and rewarding way to channel my creativity amidst the intensity of my academic pursuits. The platform quickly evolved into a space where I could blend my scientific understanding of nutrition with my passion for accessible, delicious, and healthy cooking, truly making my education come alive in a practical and inspiring way for others.
Among all your travels, which place holds a special spot in your heart, and what makes it so memorable?
It’s genuinely difficult to pinpoint just one favorite travel destination, as I cherish every opportunity to explore new horizons. What I adore most about traveling is the chance to immerse myself in different cultures, discover unique regional cuisines, wander through bustling local markets, and ultimately, gain a fresh perspective on life. Last year, my husband and I embarked on an unforgettable trip to Morocco, which was an absolutely incredible sensory feast. The vibrant flavors of the food, the richness of the culture, the explosion of colors, and the intoxicating aromas created an experience that was deeply stimulating and truly unforgettable. Paris also remains a perennial favorite; its unparalleled blend of exquisite food, timeless fashion, and captivating culture is endlessly inspiring. I have a few beloved spots I always revisit when I’m there, yet somehow, my ever-growing “to-eat” list never seems to shrink! Nantucket, too, holds a special charm for me. I appreciate its comforting familiarity, the wonderfully laid-back atmosphere, and that quintessential ‘New England’ character that makes it feel like a true escape.
Could you give us a glimpse into a typical day on your plate, illustrating your approach to daily nutrition?
My day typically begins with a morning workout, either a refreshing run with my husband and our dog or an invigorating HIIT class. Post-workout, my breakfast varies with the seasons. During the warmer months of summer, I often opt for scrambled eggs paired with sautéed greens and a generous serving of mashed avocado on hearty multigrain sourdough toast. As winter arrives, my preference shifts towards warm, comforting grains such as oatmeal, amaranth, or quinoa, prepared with hemp milk and enriched with raisins, walnuts, and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness. Lunch is usually a creative endeavor, often whatever new recipe I’m developing for The Crunchy Radish, or a substantial, vibrant salad packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables. For dinner, if we’re not dining out, I typically prepare roasted or sautéed vegetables, a wholesome grain salad, and a simple mixed green salad, often complemented by a legume of some type during the summer. Winter evenings call for hearty, warming soups and stews, providing both comfort and ample nutrition. To keep hunger at bay throughout the day, my go-to snacks include raw cashews, a banana with my favorite nut butter, or Mary’s Gone Crackers topped with hummus. This diverse approach ensures I’m always well-nourished and energized.
If you had to choose just one food you could enjoy endlessly, every single day, what would it be?
This is always a fun question, and my answer definitely sways with the seasons! Right now, I am absolutely obsessed with heirloom tomatoes. Their incredible variety of colors, shapes, and complex, sweet-tart flavors make them an absolute delight, especially when they’re perfectly ripe and in season. Similarly, juicy stone fruits like peaches, plums, and nectarines are simply irresistible for their vibrant sweetness and refreshing qualities. They encapsulate the pure essence of summer. And, to be completely honest and perhaps a little “basic,” avocados are a perennial staple. Their creamy texture and rich, healthy fats make them incredibly versatile and satisfying, elevating almost any dish they grace. Whether it’s the peak seasonality of tomatoes and stone fruit or the year-round reliability of avocados, these foods embody freshness and nourishment for me.
Where do you typically seek inspiration for your culinary creations, and which food blogs do you consistently follow?
My primary source of culinary inspiration undeniably comes from the rhythm of seasonal produce. The abundance of fresh, vibrant ingredients available each season naturally guides my recipe development, sparking ideas for how to best showcase their flavors and textures. Dining out at plant-centric restaurants and cafes also plays a significant role, as it allows me to experience innovative preparations and flavor combinations that I can then reinterpret in my own kitchen. I’m always looking for creative ways to highlight vegetables and whole foods. As for my go-to blogs, I deeply admire the work of a few exceptional creators. What’s Cooking Good Looking, Feed Me Dearly, Dolly and Oatmeal, The First Mess, and The New Baguette are all incredible resources. Each offers a unique perspective on healthy, plant-forward eating, with beautiful photography and thoughtfully crafted recipes that continually inspire me to explore new culinary avenues and techniques.
Imagine a typical Friday night in New York; where would we most likely find you?
It might surprise some, but I am truly a homebody on the weekends, especially as the colder months set in during winter. While I absolutely love venturing out with friends or my husband for dinners and social gatherings during the week, my Friday nights often take a more relaxed turn. There’s something incredibly comforting about unwinding at home after a busy week. So, on a typical Friday evening, you would most likely find me cracking open a bottle of my favorite wine, ordering in some delicious takeout from one of New York’s fantastic eateries, and settling down to enjoy a movie or delve into a compelling TV show. It’s my perfect way to recharge and prepare for a rejuvenating weekend ahead.
Among all your kitchen essentials, which tool or tools are an absolute must-have for you?
Without a doubt, there are three indispensable tools in my kitchen that I simply cannot live without, each playing a crucial role in making healthy cooking efficient and enjoyable. First is my Vitamix blender. It’s a powerhouse for everything from silky-smooth green smoothies and nutrient-packed soups to creamy sauces and homemade nut butters. Its versatility and sheer strength save me so much time and effort. Second, a high-quality chef’s knife is absolutely essential. A sharp, well-balanced knife transforms food preparation from a chore into a meditative process, making chopping, slicing, and dicing a pleasure. It’s the cornerstone of any efficient kitchen. Finally, my zester is a small but mighty tool. It’s perfect for adding bright, fresh citrus zest to dishes, elevating flavors without adding excess liquid, and also fantastic for grating fresh ginger, garlic, or even hard cheeses, adding a burst of aromatic freshness to both sweet and savory recipes. These three tools empower me to create delicious, wholesome meals with ease and precision.
Your blog is filled with an abundance of incredible recipes. If you had to select just one as your absolute favorite to share, which would it be?
While choosing just one recipe from my blog feels almost impossible, as each holds a special place, if I absolutely had to pick, it would probably be my Slow Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Pasta. This dish encapsulates so many of my favorite things about cooking and eating. It highlights the natural sweetness and depth of flavor that slow-roasting brings to summer tomatoes, beautifully complemented by the rich, caramelized notes of roasted eggplant. The combination is incredibly satisfying, hearty yet wholesome, and truly bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. I’m an absolute “sucker” for a good pasta dish, and this one, with its simple yet profound ingredients, delivers comfort and vibrant taste in every forkful. It’s a perfect example of how nourishing food can be both unfussy and utterly delicious.
A heartfelt thank you to Miranda Hammer for graciously opening up about her life, her inspiring culinary philosophy, and her kitchen! A healthy, hearty, and wonderfully simple-to-make pasta dish—could it get any better? My mouth is already watering just thinking about it. We encourage everyone to explore The Crunchy Radish for more delightful recipes and wellness wisdom. Bon Appetit!
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Late Summer Slow Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Pasta
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- Author: Lindsay Pleskot
Yield: 4 – 6 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes or 5–6 large tomatoes or 10 roma tomatoes
- 6 tbsps olive oil
- 2 medium eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- salt + pepper
- 5 anchovy fillets (omit for vegan version)
- 6 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 lb whole grain or gluten-free pasta
- 1/2 cup basil
- parmesan cheese or hemp seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93°C). Slice tomatoes in half, drizzle them with one to two tablespoons of olive oil, and gently toss with a pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange the seasoned tomatoes on a parchment paper-lined sheet tray and roast for 3-4 hours. Smaller cherry tomatoes typically require around 2 hours, while larger varieties may need closer to 4 hours to achieve optimal tenderness and flavor. You can store these roasted tomatoes for later use or set them aside. *For times when you’re short on time, the cooking temperature can be increased to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149°C), which generally shortens the roasting time by approximately an hour, depending on your preferred level of caramelization and the size of your tomatoes.
- Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232°C). On a separate parchment paper-lined sheet tray, toss the cubed eggplant with 4 tablespoons of olive oil, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast the eggplant for 20-30 minutes, ensuring to toss them halfway through the cooking time, until the eggplant pieces are beautifully caramelized and tender. Set aside once cooked.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the whole grain or gluten-free pasta according to package directions until it reaches an al dente consistency, meaning it’s firm to the bite but still cooked through. Before draining, reserve approximately 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water; this will be crucial for creating a silky sauce later.
- In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, warm one tablespoon of olive oil. Add the anchovy fillets (if using), chopped garlic, and chili flakes. Cook this aromatic base for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the anchovies melt away into the oil, infusing it with their savory depth. Incorporate the roasted tomatoes and eggplant, stirring and cooking for another minute to allow their flavors to meld. Add the reserved 1/4 cup of pasta water and the cooked pasta to the pot. Stir everything thoroughly until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has a cohesive, luxurious texture. Remove from heat immediately, transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl, and garnish generously with fresh, torn basil, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, or a handful of hemp seeds for a vegan option. Serve hot and enjoy!
Photo and recipe from thecrunchyradish.com
We hope you thoroughly enjoy exploring Miranda’s philosophy and, of course, savoring this delightful Slow Roasted Tomato and Eggplant Pasta recipe. It truly embodies the simple, wholesome goodness that The Crunchy Radish stands for.
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