In a small heavy skillet, cook the sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring constantly, just until you see them starting to turn golden.

The reason I came home to St. Louis was to further what he taught me and bring it to a place I knew I could do some good.".Michael Gallina spent four years as chef de cuisine at Dan Barber's farm and restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester County, New York, an experience that instilled a reverence for vegetables.

But to bring that sensibility to St. Louis—home to ag giant Monsanto's world headquarters?That takes some grit.. Vicia.is named for a common Midwestern cover crop that restores nutrients in the soil.

It's also a metaphor for the larger mission here, celebrating the region's rich agricultural history.Dinner delivers the message with bites like split breakfast radishes served with a pesto made from their tops, or a glass of tomato water with a piece of charcuterie balanced on its rim.

Vicia isn't meatless, but Gallina chooses his moments carefully.

You might find rich pork jowl and tender rib paired with "taco" wraps—purple top turnips sliced into translucent rounds.There's a heartfelt quality to the experience here, and it peaks with bread service taken outside, in front of the wood-burning oven.Salmon is meaty enough to stay intact on a grill and gets meltingly tender as it cooks.

Serve leftover salsa with grilled lamb, chicken, or pork.. Get the Recipe.Air Fryer Fish Tacos.

Golden brown panko-breaded cod fillets and a creamy red cabbage slaw are folded into charred corn tortillas in this fish taco recipe.The slaw gets a pop of acidity from fresh lime juice, as well as savory notes from Mexican-style hot sauce and grated garlic.. Get the Recipe.