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Here’s Your first step to get ‘back to the cutting board’…see links below to all of the recipes from the current series of Christina Cooks…Happy Cooking!

A New ‘Back to the Cutting Board’ Series

We hope you’re enjoying the new ‘Back to the Cutting Board’ TV series with Christina on public television and Create TV. We’re excited to let you know we just completed production of 13 new episodes to begin airing in January 2022.

In the current two series, Christina continues the journey of taking you back to simple times and to the idea that whole, fresh food can be delicious.

With more than 285 episodes of Christina Cooks produced since 1997, Christina’s message is clear and still unique: what we choose to eat has a big impact on how we look, feel, age and move through this challenging world.

So what’s so different about the ‘Back to the Cutting Board’ series of Christina Cooks? Christina is still the same funny, engaging, well-informed host she always has been but her message takes on a new…directness, an urgency if you will, as she hopes to inspire us to change how we think about food.

Drawing on her Traditional Chinese Medicine, her Master’s Degree in Food Science and Nutrition and plain old common sense, Christina takes the viewer on a journey to re-engage with the soul of cooking, from the slice of the knife to the aroma of steam rising from a perfectly cooked dish. Using plant-based recipes and the freshest seasonal ingredients along with simple techniques designed to optimize food’s natural flavors, Christina reintroduces the viewer to the creative potential of cooking and transforms the kitchen into the most delicious, nurturing sanctuary.

With easy to prepare recipes made from accessible ingredients from her new book, “Back to the Cutting Board,” in a theatrical setting of an imagined European courtyard, Christina invites you to take a step back and truly enjoy every step of the process of cooking great food. Finding the joy in cooking has never been so simple…or delicious!

Click here to see how you can help keep Christina Cooks on the air.

Series 301 through 313

EPISODE 301

The Macroterranean Way

The macro what? Terranean who? I have spent my career straddling 2 worlds-Mediterranean cooking and macrobiotics with a dusting of Chinese Medicine. And one day it hit me! They are both about wellness and great food so, duh, let’s make a marriage. The result is delicious, unique and a super smart way to eat. I’ll show you what I mean, today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Crostini with Black Kale and Agridolce Shallots
Orecchiette with Cauliflower, Pine Nuts, and Raisins
Fregola Salad with Zucchini

EPISODE 302

The World’s Healthiest Diet

Is there such a thing as the world’s healthiest diet? Yeah, man! Think of it this way. Many Mediterranean countries boast delicious food and some of the longest lives in the world. Let’s discover what all those veggies and great olive oil have to do with living long…and well today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Kale and White Bean Soup
Cauliflower Pizza
Lemon Almond Poundcake with Blueberry Compote

EPISODE 303

The World’s Sexiest Diet

Sophia Loren, Penelope Cruz, Anna Magnani, Claudia Cardinale. What do these beauties all have in common? The Mediterranean Diet, baby! Let’s take a page from their books and sample the world’s sexiest diet today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Penne Arrabata
Lemon Pepper Quinoa Salad
Prosecco Poundcake

EPISODE 304

The Tomato

The tomato…or love apple, pomme d’amour, pomodoro. No matter how you slice it, this fruit is one hot babe. A great source of nutrients like Vitamin C and lycopene, the Lycopersicon Esculentum is as sexy as it is delicious. Giving love to love apples today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Corn and Tomato Soup
Pasta Alla Norma
Tomatoes Stuffed with Couscous

EPISODE 305

Verdure

Verdure or as we call them here, vegetables are the heart and soul of plant-passionate cooking. (can we play heart and soul behind this). Talk about serious commitment; veggies give us every single shred of nutrition we could possibly need. Us and them? A match made in heaven. Let’s fall in love with veggies today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Tomato, Fennel and Chickpea Soup with Garlic Toast
Farro con Verdure
Whole Wheat Lasagna with Vegetables

EPISODE 306

The Drama of It All

High opera is the signature of Italian culture. When we think of Italians, we think colorful gestures, musical language, high fashion, fast cars and lots of drama. Even Italian food isn’t shy and retiring. It’s bold and sensual and bright; it demands your full attention. Let’s get into the drama of cooking today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Israeli Hummus with Fried Chickpeas
Artichoke Risotto
Cuccidati

EPISODE 307

The Beauty of Wellness

I love people watching and nowhere is it more beautiful than in Mediterranean countries. I love the delicate wrinkles that mark a life well lived. I love the smile lines and crow’s feet that come with joyful living. I love how so many women age gracefully. Let’s embrace aging well with what we eat, today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Chickpea and Chestnut Soup
Peach, Hazelnut, Tomato and Arugula Salad (Insalata di Pesche)
Pain D’Epices

EPISODE 308

The Heart of the Story

Ah, our hearts. They beat with life; they grieve with sorrow; they pulse with love; they pump life through our bodies. We don’t take very good care of our tender hearts though. And yet, they fight for our lives every minute of every day. Much of our hearts distress can be linked to our kitchens, so let’s talk about giving our hearts some seriously delicious TLC today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Lentil Fritters
Avocado Hummus
Farinata

EPISODE 309

La Dolce Vita

When we feel great, life is sweet. When we don’t, we want to curl up on the sofa and watch old sitcom re-runs. If you want to live the sweet life, you have to take care of yourself. And it begins in the kitchen. Time to live the good life today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Niko’s Vegan Bouillabaisse 
Mini Spiced Chocolate Cakes

EPISODE 310

Never Enough Pasta

Sophia Loren famously said, “Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.” I don’t know about you, but if she looks like what pasta can do for our looks, I…am…in! Pasta is warm, comforting, sexy and yummy so maybe our Sophia is right. Let me show you why there’s never enough pasta today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Fusilli with Spring Pea Pesto
Cacio E Pepe
Maccheroni with Sicilian Pesto

EPISODE 311

Mangia Fagioli

In Northern Italy, people are known as “mangia fagioli” or bean eaters. They should also be known as “inteligente” since eating beans is one of the healthiest habits we can develop. Packed with protein, fiber and complex carbs, beans satisfy like almost no other food. Time to mangia fagioli today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Skillet Pasta e Fagioli
Speedy Lentil Bolognese
Gnocchetti with Chickpeas and Breadcrumbs in Garlic Tomato Sauce

EPISODE 312

A Life of Wellness

Ah, wellness. The umbrella term for…what exactly? What is wellness and how do we grab some for ourselves? Wellness is that elusive state of balance we achieve when our pistons are all firing in sync; we’re cooking on all four burners. And speaking of cooking, let’s do that…for wellness, today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Orange and Fennel Salad
Spiced Apple and Quinoa Porridge
Penne with Arugula Pesto and Grilled Leeks
Sicilian Fruit Cookies

EPISODE 313

Living the Good Life

Life is hard. We face unprecedented challenges in the best of times, so when things are hard, they’re really hard. So what has food to do with living the good life? Simple. You can’t live well without it. Let’s cook for living well today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Black Rice Salad with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Mint and Pistachios
Whipped Eggplant with Butter Beans and Herby Roasted Maitake

Episodes and Recipes

Series 101 through 113

Episode 101

The Italian Table
I’m Italian and Irish. I must admit that I owe my storytelling to my Irish ancestors. But cooking? That’s all Italian, baby. Today it’s all about the Italian Table as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Pappa Al Pomodoro
Pasta with Pesto, Potatoes and Greens
Baci di Dama

Episode 102

Where Do I Begin?
Healthy eating has an image problem. It’s complicated, right? Tough to change our eating style, right? Nah. It’s simple, delicious and so easy. I’ll show you how as I take you back to the cutting board, today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Hearty Lentil Soup with Fresh Herbs
Bitter Green Salad with Nutty Vinaigrette
Ginger Poached Pears

Episode 103

Your Real Happy Meal
Think wellness and joy comes packaged in a brightly colored box…or yikes…a bucket? Sorry, kids but happiness begins in the kitchen where we cook fresh foods to create strength and wellness. It’s time to get back to the cutting board and cook today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Black Bean Burgers
Cracked Potatoes
Almond Joyfuls

Episode 104

Fear Factor
Quick! Lock the door! We never know what could be lurking outside. We live in challenging times but if everything scares the pants off you, maybe there’s more to it? There is and it begins with your kidneys. Let’s shake off the fear that threatens to overwhelm us by going back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Veggie Hotpot with Biscuit Topping
Brussels Sprouts with Shiitake, Daikon and Baby Carrots
Sesame Hiziki Salad

Episode 105

The Beat Goes On
Experts have concluded…again…that most heart disease is both preventable and treatable with lifestyle changes. Gee…do you think that’s why they’re called a ‘lifestyle disease?’ Maybe a few diet tweaks could keep our tickers ticking? Let’s find out as we go back to the cutting board on how we think about heart health today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Tempeh Reuben
Farro with Cauliflower
Carrot Almond Cake

Episode 106

A Simple Supper
You’re in the driveway. Panic sets in. Inside, a hungry family awaits. Can you get a delicious, healthy meal on the table quickly? Yup. Just takes a little planning. It’s time to go back to the cutting board, today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Chickpea Farro Soup
Stir-Fried Cauliflower and Mustard Greens in Lemon-Sesame Sauce
Peanut Butter Marvels

Episode 107

Pasta Love
Is there anything better than a steaming bowl of pasta? I think not. But wait…isn’t pasta made up of evil, fat-producing carbs? Oh, honey, you don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve taken pasta off your plate. Let’s get back to the cutting board…and the pasta pot today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta with Broccoli-Pine Nut Pesto
Italian Couscous and Veggie Salad

Episode 108

The Med-iterranean Table
We hear a lot about the Mediterranean and its impact on wellness. Is there more to this gorgeous region than blue seas and sunny skies? Si si si…and it’s all about what’s on your plate. Time to get back to the cutting board and discover the joys of the world’s healthiest diet today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Hot, Hot, Hot Black Bean Soup
Cannellini Beans with Greens
Pignoli Cookies

Episode 109

Want to Be a Happier Camper?
Cranky in the morning? Impatient with everyone? Hate waiting in line or yikes…sitting in traffic? Easily irritated? Is it just modern life or? It’s your liver, baby! Let’s get back to the cutting board and fix that little gland right up today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Squash and Sweet Corn Chowder
Sweet and Savory Brussels Sprouts
Warm Escarole and Shiitake Salad

Episode 110

Let’s Stop Sugarcoating the Truth
Ever notice all the ads for diabetes medicine? Do you think it’s as scary as I do? It’s become a dark cloud over all of us. But does it have to be? Nope. Not if we cook to prevent and manage it. Wait, what? We can do that? We sure can and I’ll show you how as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Daikon-Shiitake Consommé
Sweet Nishime Squash
Spiced Pecan Baked Apples

Episode 111

Let’s Just Skip Getting Sick
Health statistics are scarier than a horror novel! And while no one gets out of life alive, we can try to live whatever moments we do have in wellness and vitality. Health begins in the kitchen and I’ll help you find your way as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Creamy Mushroom Soup
Kale Salad with Chickpeas
Pumpkin Squares

Episode 112

I Just Want a Little Something
We eat three squares a day. Or do we? Many of us graze all day long, going from snack to meal to snack to meal. Since it seems we eat everywhere from the opera to the gas station to the bank, let’s at least make sure what we’re eating serves our wellness. Let’s get back to the cutting board and snack well today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Pita Chips with Hummus
Pecan Squares
Asteroids

Episode 113

Why Italians Live Well…A Story of Lentils
Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with lentils! Some say it’s being Italian, but I say it’s also about the benefits these yummy humble beans bring to my wellness. Let’s fall in love with lentils as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Red Lentil-Corn Chowder
Waldorf Salad
Crostini with Lentil Pate

Series 201 through 213

Episode 201

Eating Well on a Budget
If you’re one of the many people who think eating well is the province of elitists, hippies, liberals and environmental activists, think again. Clean air, pure water, rich soil along with fresh food is our birthright. We’ll explore budget-friendly options to eating well, as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Simmered Tofu and Vegetables
Sweet Corn Fritters
Apple Cranberry Crisp

Episode 202

The Skinny on Fat
Is fat healthy for us? What kind of fat should we cook with? What are good fats? Should we skip added fats? It seems so confusing, right? To fat or not to fat. Actually the answer is simple…and delicious. Let’s get the lowdown on fat, as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Tempura Vegetables over Soba Noodles in Broth
Chickpeas with Sage and Olive Oil
Spicy Sautéed Collard Greens

Episode 203

Does This Make Me Look Fat?
If you’ve ever asked if this “does this makes me look fat”, you probably knew the answer already. Look, you’ll find no body shaming here, but like it or not, unhealthy obesity takes a toll on wellness. It’s not about stick thin either. Let’s find our way to a healthy weight for you and your body, as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Tempeh with Lotus Root and Sauerkraut
Watercress, Pear and Pecan Salad
Cocoa Madeleines

Episode 204

You and Your Stress
Modern life…Work, family obligations, the news, climate change, and daily life stress has left us feeling completely frazzled and takes a big toll on our wellness. Can you cook to eliminate stress? Nope. But you can cook to manage it, and come out the other side feeling calm and serene. I’ll show you as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Creamy Millet Chowder
Tofu Vegetable Rolls
Apple Streusel Tart

Episode 205

Age Like a Movie Star
We have become youth-obsessed, with injections, surgery, potions and fillers to desperately hang onto our younger selves. We can end up looking like caricatures of our young faces. Truth is, beauty comes from the inside. It’s time to age gracefully…and naturally, as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Creamy White Bean Soup with Escarole
Tomato Tarte Tatin
Sweet Fruit Pizza

Episode 206

Breakfast of Champions
Your mother was right, at least about breakfast. It truly sets the tone of your day. Breakfast can slow your roll or get you in the groove to handle life’s little adventures. What’s a true breakfast of champions? I can assure you it doesn’t come in a box. Let’s start our day right as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Breakfast Scramble
English Muffins
Good For What Ails You Stew

Episode 207

What a Gutsy Move
You’re either tough or you’re not. And by tough I don’t mean…mean. I mean resilient tough. Come from deep in your gut tough. Your gut. Remember that? Taking care of digestion will have you taking care of business. Let me show you just how gutsy you can be as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Carrot Parsnip Tatin
Burdock Kinpira
Winter Vegetable Salad

Episode 208

The 3 C’s of Health-Carrots, Cauliflower and Cabbage
There are three veggies that create wellness like no others. Lucky for us, they’re delicious, familiar and so easy to add to our diet. No special shops; no fancy ingredients…just food as Mother Nature intended. Let’s create day to day wellness…deliciously as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Split Pea Cauliflower Bisque
Carrots Osso Buco
Spicy Asian Cole Slaw

Episode 209

Rules of the Kitchen
I love structure. My home is orderly and my kitchen is immaculate. I think of it as a sacred space. There are rules of the kitchen that you must abide by if you want to nourish with love and serenity. Sounds like a lot to ask of the kitchen, right? We’ll talk about how to ‘be’ in the kitchen as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Sweet Onion Galette
Sesame Noodle Salad
Mocha Cake with Chocolate Ganache

Episode 210

Cook Your Way to the Life You Want
Can your food choices help put you on the path to the life you want to lead? It sure can. Food has both a physical and an energetic quality and can enhance or impede your growth as a person. How? You’ll find out as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Wise Guy Chili
Brown Rice and Millet Croquettes
Cannoli Napoleon

Episode 211

Essential Plant Proteins
We are obsessed with protein. The question is, do we need as much as we think we need and do we need to eat animals to get it? Hint: cows eat grass. We’ll talk plant proteins and how to cook them deliciously as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Soba Noodles with Crispy Seitan
Fried Tofu with Black Bean Sauce on Scallion Pancakes
Orange-Balsamic Tempeh over Greens

Episode 212

Fear and Loathing in the Kitchen
I’ll give it to healthy eating. We can suck the joy out of food like no one else. And fear? Yikes! Everything will kill us! Breathe, kids. It’s time to talk about the reality of healthy eating. It’s delicious, simple and nourishes you like nothing else. So stay tuned for some yummy food and serious myth busting as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Squash Gnocchi with Basil Oil
Tofu and Root Vegetable Stew
Hamantaschen

Episode 213

It’s the Food, Silly
In our beloved country of more than 350 million people, more of us are sick than not. What a sad and terrifying thought! Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer are so commonplace, we have given them the warm, fuzzy name of lifestyle diseases. Let’s kick unhealthy habits to the curb and turn the tide on disease as we go back to the cutting board today on Christina Cooks.

Recipes:
Wild Mushroom and Black Olive Pizza
Candied Sweet Potatoes and Parsnips with Bitter Greens
Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes