THE
FOODIE ISSUE
I
Treat Yourself
The Root Cellar’s Sera Cuni and wife Susan White prepare a laid-back comfort dish inspired by Sera’s Italian roots
“I GREW UP HAVING HOME-COOKED MEALS EVERY NIGHT, so that was a family tradition that has been important to me to maintain in my life with Susan,” Sera says. “For me, sharing a meal together at the dinner table with as few distractions as possible just makes for a happier home and life.” The couple cooks at home most days and it’s a team effort: Sera is the chef; Susan manages the cleanup. “We know what our strengths are!” Sera says. Although Sera and Susan typically stick to a paleo diet, which
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involves lots of vegetables and lean meats, “we try and treat ourselves once a week with a non-paleo meal [like this one].” They’ll serve the ricotta gnocchi with bacon and a brown butter-sage sauce with a Brussels sprout side salad. “[This] dish is easy to throw together very quickly if we get home late or are rushed for time,” Sera says. “I always have the ingredients in our pantry and freezer; We love Melina’s Fresh Pasta [available at the Carrboro and Chapel Hill farmers’ markets on Saturdays], especially the gnocchi.” –Laura Zolman Kirk