Where food begins long before it hits the table

Inspiring a slower, more thoughtful way to cook.

One that reconnects us to what we grow, gather, and share.

Recipes

Sample Blocks

This is an excerpt
Soup

Kale & White Bean Soup with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This is a simple, deeply savory, plant-based soup built around pantry staples and a handful of kale. Instead…

Your Table Starts Here

Explore dishes shaped by the garden, the weather, and whatever you’re in the mood to cook.

All Recipes

Dig a little deeper

Every good garden starts with a little digging. Unearth recipes, tips, and seasonal inspiration by searching below.

Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato & Farro Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

Salad

Big Brassica Fall Salad with Lemon-Mustard Dressing

Salad

Seasonal Harvest Lentil Salad with Carrots, Kale, Oregano, Garlic, and Feta

All Salad Recipes

appendix A – i wrote a book!

Name of the Cookbook

Seasonal recipes, garden-led wisdom, and simple techniques that celebrate food at its very beginning. This book is an invitation to cook slowly, eat intentionally, and savor what the earth so generously offers.

Pre-Order

Book Tour

appendix B – About Carmen

About

Carmen

A home for urban gardeners, home cooks, and anyone looking to create a more seasonal, sustainable way of living.

This space is dedicated to seasonal cooking, urban gardening and the simple joy of growing your own food, right in the heart of Los Angeles.

What started with a small but abundant garden filled with fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and a flock of hens has grown into a resource for anyone interested in homegrown living, no matter the size of their space.

Here, the garden inspires everything. You’ll find garden-to-table recipes, seasonal cooking tips, and practical guidance for growing food in an urban environment.

If you’re looking for beginner gardening advice, easy seasonal recipes, or inspiration for creating a greener, more intentional lifestyle, you’re in the right place.

xo, Carmen

Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato & Farro Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

A Hearty, Nourishing Salad If you love hearty grains, roasted veggies, and bold flavors, this Roasted Sweet Potato & Farro Salad is about to become your new favorite. Packed with nutty farro, caramelized sweet potatoes, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and a tangy honey…

Salad

Big Brassica Fall Salad with Lemon-Mustard Dressing

About This Recipe: This vibrant Thanksgiving or holiday salad is a perfect addition to your festive table, easily scalable to serve any number of guests. The salad features finely chopped kale, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, bite-sized broccoli florets, toasted slivered almonds, freshly…

All Salad Recipes

Tried & Tested

You’ll find a few affiliate links woven through these seasonal recipes, garden guides, and kitchen tools. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Every recommendation is rooted in what I genuinely use and trust.