Along with the bumper crop of slender green beans – the particular variety, I’m not quite certain of; our garden has blessed us with a bounty of beautiful purple and green peppers as well as Japanese eggplant and Chinese peas. It’s a veritable United Nations of vegetables growing in our backyard – just one of […]
Meatless
Ad Hoc Blue Cheese Dressing
Tender baby romaine from the garden. What would highlight the vibrant greens? I was thinking a simple presentation with a bold flavor … My taste memory responded with an instant craving for real, blue cheese dressing – rich and creamy with big chunks of tangy blue cheese. The kind that flows and hasn’t been thickened […]
Fried Rice with Spinach, Peppers, and Smoked Paprika
With fresh spinach from our garden, some chopped yellow peppers, and smoked paprika for an aromatic smoky flavor, extra containers of steamed rice from the previous night’s Chinese takeout is transformed into a delicious vegetarian meal. Grilled peaches add a touch of summer sweetness and a lovely contrast to the spicy warmth of the paprika. […]
Mushroom and Spinach Tart
Unlike the rest of my family, I could eat spinach every day with practically anything! Most of the time I sauté it with a bit of olive oil and, of course, red pepper flakes for a bit of zip. But last week, we celebrated the first spinach harvested from our garden in a delicate puff […]
Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanut Ginger Dressing
There is absolutely nothing better on a hot summer’s day than a chilled noodle or pasta salad. I’m talking about this refreshing, delicious departure from your typical store-bought pasta salads laden with fat and calories from mayonnaise, but a Thai-inspired Soba noodle salad strewn with vibrant carrots, cool cucumbers and a luscious homemade peanut butter-ginger […]
For the love of eggplant
She’s Cookin’s recipe for Eggplant Parmesan was chosen as a finalist in Zov’s (of Zov’s Bistro fame) eggplant recipe contest and the judging is today; so I’m busy making Eggplant Parmesan “My Way” just as soon as I finish this cup of java 🙂 Over the years, I fine-tuned the preparation of this dish to […]
Zucchini and Sundried Tomato Tart
For my first ever professional photo shoot I prepared two entrees: one was a Mediterranean-inspired Zucchini and Sundried Tomato Tart, the perfect dish for a spring garden party or brunch. With summer nearly here, I decided on Grilled Lamb Kebabs for the second dish. Brochettes or kabobs are a lighter alternative to grilled steak or […]
Asparagus and Potato Frittata
This is the third in my series of asparagus recipes for spring – the first was a wonderfully Creamy Asparagus Soup made with no dairy, the second was a simple Roasted Asparagus with an array of suggested “toppings” , and now, Asparagus and Potato Frittata. Frittatas are such a versatile dish: you can use almost […]
Potato and Leek Soup
With tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve had Irish on my mind. Unlike many revelers on the Day of the Green, we’re not just Irish one day a year, The Don is of Irish/Scottish descent, his grandmother’s name was Bridgette O’Rourke – that’s about as Irish as you can get! So, besides the rustic, stick-to-your-ribs […]
Meatless Monday – Roasted Veggie Lasagna
One day, while surfing Foodbuzz’s “Daily 9”, a photo called the Greatest Vegetable Lasagna in the World caught my eye. I clicked on it and scanned the recipe, the blogger was from Iceland (if I remember correctly) and linked to two sites that inspired her adaptation. The photos resulted in a Pavlovian response of instantaneous […]