Once Upon a Pesto

Once Upon a Pesto Travel the world. Learn new recipes. Master the pesto process. Find it all in the cookbook Once Upon a Pesto.

25/10/2026

Behind the Pages of Once Upon a Pesto

Before there were 120 recipes, 40 chapters, and a whole lot of pesto, there was a passion for travel, storytelling, photography, food, and digging deeper.

The opening pages of Once Upon a Pesto explain a lot about how I ended up becoming its author, recipe developer, and photographer. From studying abroad in Italy to traveling with my camera, I learned that experiencing a place means looking beyond first impressions.

That idea eventually became part of the concept behind my cookbook: food can help us understand places, people, and cultures in ways we might not expect.

Gyeran mari, Korea’s rolled egg dish, gets its signature swirl thanks to a careful layering technique, and Celery Pesto ...
23/10/2026

Gyeran mari, Korea’s rolled egg dish, gets its signature swirl thanks to a careful layering technique, and Celery Pesto whisks right into the eggs for extra flavor in every bite. It’s a lunchbox staple that looks far more impressive than it is to make. Full recipe in Once Upon a Pesto.

Leaf celery, the oldest cultivated form of the vegetable, traces its roots to East Asia. Celery also appears in Korean p...
22/10/2026

Leaf celery, the oldest cultivated form of the vegetable, traces its roots to East Asia. Celery also appears in Korean preparations including salads and kimchi, which made it a fascinating ingredient through which to explore the country’s food.

I blend it with peanuts, scallion, garlic, hard-boiled egg and sesame oil to create a savory, dairy-free pesto in two minutes.

Tomorrow, I’ll share one of the two recipes from my Korea chapter that puts this pesto to use.

Save it for the celery currently waiting in your crisper drawer, and share it with someone who loves finding unexpected uses for familiar ingredients.

Today, celery is often treated as little more than a crunchy snack or soup ingredient. But for thousands of years, peopl...
21/10/2026

Today, celery is often treated as little more than a crunchy snack or soup ingredient. But for thousands of years, people valued it for entirely different reasons. Before it became something to dip into hummus, celery carried a reputation as a healing plant across much of the ancient world. Tomorrow I’ll share my South Korea-inspired Celery Pesto recipe. Save this and send it to someone who thinks celery is boring.

Ancient Beginnings
Wild celery originally grew around the Mediterranean, where ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans cultivated it long before modern grocery stores existed. Early varieties were much stronger in flavor than today’s celery and were prized more for medicine and ceremonial uses than everyday meals.

A Fresh Flavor Finds Asia
As trade routes connected Europe and Asia, celery gradually spread eastward. Today it appears in many Korean dishes, adding freshness and crunch to soups, stir-fries, salads, and side dishes. Korean cuisine has a remarkable way of balancing bold flavors with crisp vegetables, making celery feel perfectly at home.

From Crunch to Creativity
Most people think of celery as something to eat raw, but I love challenging expectations. That’s exactly what inspired my South Korea-inspired Celery Pesto in Once Upon a Pesto. A familiar vegetable becomes the foundation for something completely unexpected while celebrating Korea’s appreciation for fresh, balanced flavors.

South Korea blends thousands of years of history with one of the world’s most modern societies. Ancient palaces stand be...
20/10/2026

South Korea blends thousands of years of history with one of the world’s most modern societies. Ancient palaces stand beside soaring skyscrapers, while quiet mountain temples balance the energy of bustling cities. This week we’ll explore the places that have helped shape Korea’s vibrant culture and unforgettable cuisine.

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung remains South Korea’s largest royal palace. Its graceful pavilions, colorful gates, and mountain backdrop offer a striking glimpse into Korea’s royal past, especially during the traditional changing of the guard ceremony.

Bukchon Hanok Village: Hundreds of beautifully preserved hanok homes line the winding streets of Bukchon, where traditional Korean architecture continues to thrive in the heart of Seoul. Walking these quiet alleys feels like traveling back in time while the modern city rises just beyond.

Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak), Jeju Island: Formed by a volcanic eruption beneath the sea thousands of years ago, this dramatic crater is one of Jeju Island’s most spectacular sights. Watching the sunrise from its summit has become a cherished tradition for visitors and locals alike.

Bulguksa Temple: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Korea’s greatest Buddhist temples. Intricate stone bridges, peaceful courtyards, and beautifully crafted wooden halls reflect centuries of spiritual devotion and artistic excellence.

Hahoe Folk Village: Nestled along the Nakdong River, this traditional village has preserved centuries-old homes, customs, and Confucian traditions. It’s one of the best places to experience everyday life as it once existed during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty.

N Seoul Tower: Standing atop Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower offers sweeping views across one of Asia’s largest cities. By day, the skyline stretches to the surrounding mountains. By night, millions of lights transform Seoul into a dazzling sea of color.

Jagalchi Fish Market: Busan’s famous seafood market is where the ocean meets the table. Vendors display an incredible variety of fresh catches while nearby restaurants prepare seafood within minutes, showcasing Korea’s deep connection to its

Where are we headed this week? Swipe through the map and see if you can call it before the destination name appears. Onc...
19/10/2026

Where are we headed this week? Swipe through the map and see if you can call it before the destination name appears. Once the mystery is solved, we’ll spend the week looking beyond the map to explore culture, history, ingredients and food.

Pesto season doesn’t end when summer does.Autumn brings a whole new palette of ingredients to the kitchen and plenty of ...
18/10/2026

Pesto season doesn’t end when summer does.

Autumn brings a whole new palette of ingredients to the kitchen and plenty of reasons to keep the food processor spinning.

One of my favorite things about pesto is that it’s a process, not one specific recipe. Start with what’s fresh, local, and in season, then build a pesto around the flavors you love. From hearty vegetables to fall fruits, the possibilities change right along with the leaves.

Swipe through for some of my pesto recipes that feel right at home this time of year. Which one belongs on your autumn table?

17/10/2026

Tamales have been around for roughly 10,000 years, making them one of the oldest continuously made foods in the world. My version skips the corn husk wrapping for individual muffin tin cups, filled with black beans, spinach, mozzarella, and a Mushroom and Chia Pesto that would’ve floored the ancient Mayans.

The Mayans believed mushrooms had otherworldly powers and chia gave warriors their strength. I put both into one pesto a...
16/10/2026

The Mayans believed mushrooms had otherworldly powers and chia gave warriors their strength. I put both into one pesto and folded it into masa cups with black beans and melty mozzarella. Consider these tamales with a mythology degree. Come find out how a snack can double as a history class in Once Upon a Pesto.

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