I wait all year for these indescribably delicious heirloom tomatoes. Yes, in this era of perpetual availability of all fruits and vegetables, there still is a special unique flavor to produce in its natural season. Tomatoes fall into this category. To me, there is nothing more delicious and satisfying than […]
Starters & Sides
Sour Cherry Persian Rice
I should really call this recipe Mock Sour Cherry Persian Rice. I definitely did not create this recipe. I did do a good bit of recipe research and melded all the ideas that worked for me into one- and then added roasted onions because my grandson loves roasted onions. Most […]
Pico de Gallo
Pico de Gallo is a spicy Mexican sauce that can be used on everything: eggs, meat, chicken, fish, tacos -even just vegetables. It differs from salsa, in that Pico de Gallo (also called Salsa Cruda-raw salsa) is consumed raw and chunky; while Salsa is generally based on cooked ingredients and […]
Matzarella en Carrozza
Matzarella en Carrozza is a Passover take of one of my favorite Italian appetizers, Mozzarella en Carrozza. I simply replace the bread with matzah that’s been soaked in egg, add mozzarella and Pesto, and sauté in olive oil. The result is an ooey gooey delicious appetizer/entrée, Matzarella en Carrozza, that […]
Pesto with Basil
Pesto with Basil is a traditional Italian sauce made with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmesan. It lends itself to numerous variations. You can replace the basil with spinach or parsley. You can use walnuts or pistachios instead of pine nuts. For my family, I often use toasted sunflower […]
Roasted Cauliflower
A whole Roasted Cauliflower is a thing of beauty! Can anyone resist digging into that crisp outside and discovering the soft mellow flavors within? Don’t be surprised if you only get 2-3 intact slices from a large cauliflower. You can arrange the pieces that separate into a slice or serve […]
Spinach and Pear Soup
This Spinach and Pear soup is silky smooth and light. It has a mild spinach flavor despite its rich green color. Cuisine Minceur by Chef Michel Guerard was my inspiration for this recipe. His cookbook is filled with low fat recipes that are not lacking in flavor and sophistication. The […]
Parsnip and Apple Soup
Parsnip and Apple Soup takes full advantage of the distinctive flavors of sweet earthy parsnips and tart Granny Smith apples. This combination is delicious on its own; but you can take it up a notch by adding a drizzle of pomegranate molasses and maple syrup. The play of tart and […]
Minestrone
This Minestrone is delicious and perfect for those who don’t want to sauté, caramelize or sear. Just layer your ingredients in a pot, simmer and stir. The result is a flavorful, al dente vegetable mix with a small amount of natural juices. If you prefer more liquid, just add a […]
Cauliflower Soup with Shitake Mushrooms
Take Cauliflower Soup up a notch with the addition of sautéed Shitake mushrooms and truffle oil. No cream, no potato, no flour and yet this Cauliflower Soup is light and creamy. The key is to process each batch until it’s velvety smooth. Taste as you go. The prep couldn’t be […]