This vegetable salad is so delicious it’s making my mouth water as I look at the picture; it’s also exceedingly easy to make. You can use whatever vegetables you prefer, or whatever seasonings you prefer. The recipe is below, but these are the basic steps. Slice, chop, or shred whatever vegetables you like.Put the vegetablesContinue reading “Raw Vegetable Salad with Oil-Braised Garlic and Near East Spices”
Category Archives: cooking as therapy
Hearty and Meaty Spring Ragout
I’ve mentioned a few times on this blog that while I am far from being vegetarian I have been making efforts to eat less meat for a variety of reasons…but sometimes I crave it. Today was one such instance. Maybe it was that I swam 1/2 mile and hauled concrete blocks about 5 miles (oneContinue reading “Hearty and Meaty Spring Ragout”
Salute the General
I made this for staff lunch at work today…General Tso’s Chicken. It is not that difficult to prepare and really rewarding because when you make it yourself it is not greasy or sickeningly-sweet. The only differences in the version I prepared today (the one picture) is that I added a sliced orange and toasted sesameContinue reading “Salute the General”
Barley Tabbouleh
Yesterday I made mushroom-barley soup but cooked too much barley (it’s amazing how it just keeps expanding isn’t it). The outcome was that I had an excess of cooked barley today. So I made a variation of tabbouleh for staff lunch today. I had never made this with barley before but it was delicious. AndContinue reading “Barley Tabbouleh”
Carrot, Lentil, and Brown Rice Burgers (recipe and pics)
I am far from being a vegetarian but over the years I have drastically reduced my meat consumption, and this is another example of how delicious a meatless meal can be. In the title of this post I referred to these as burgers but I made them into smaller patties for dinner and ate themContinue reading “Carrot, Lentil, and Brown Rice Burgers (recipe and pics)”
Pesce (e Pasta) Fra Diavolo
I’ve mentioned it before but I have to again…this is without doubt my favorite pasta dish. It’s easy to make and super delicious (and you can use whatever seafood you like). The recipe is below, but if you would like more photos and info about this dish (including it’s history and etymology), click here. NowContinue reading “Pesce (e Pasta) Fra Diavolo”
Homemade Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Other Good Things
I didn’t intend on making homemade tortillas tonight but I did…and here’s a quick story why. Last night I made my son and I tacos for dinner (using store-bought tortillas). I filled them with homemade carnitas de pollo (click here for the recipe and pics), salsa pico de gallo (recipe below), lettuce, and cheese. TheyContinue reading “Homemade Whole-Wheat Tortillas and Other Good Things”
Macaroni-and-Cheese with Ham and Shrimp (recipe)
Macaroni-and-Cheese with Ham and Shrimp 1 small onion, 1 clove garlic, 1 or 2slices of ham, 8-12 ounces cooked or raw shrimp, 2 tablespoonsunsalted butter, 2 or 3 tablespoons flour, 1-1/2 cups milk, 1-1/2cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, saltand pepper, breadcrumbs, 8 ounces macaroni Peel and dice the onion; peel andContinue reading “Macaroni-and-Cheese with Ham and Shrimp (recipe)”
Le Levain
7/99, as in July 1999…this is my 13-year-old levain (sourdough starter) which I brought out of hibernation. I’ve yet to make 100% whole wheat bread with a natural starter…this is next on my list. After that, naturally leavened whole wheat Ezekiel Bread. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, if you want to read moreContinue reading “Le Levain”
Asparagi Aglio e Olio (ricetta)
This is just another delicious variation of cooking vegetables in olive oil with garlic and hot pepper. It is so simple but truly delicious and you can cook nearly any vegetable in this fashion. Here’s a simple recipe; for more recipes like this click here. (I ate this for dinner tonight with brown rice, lamb,Continue reading “Asparagi Aglio e Olio (ricetta)”
Tomato Soup Recipe
This is one of the simplest soups to make but as simple as it is it is equally satisfying. I made this at work today (albeit a larger batch than in the below recipe) and thought I’d share it. Creamof Tomato Soup Yield:2 quarts 3tablespoons unsalted butter 2shallots, peeled and minced 2cloves garlic, peeled andContinue reading “Tomato Soup Recipe”
Corned Beef Hash
“Mama turns the left-overs into hash, I’m doin’ alright for country trash.” Country Trash, by Johnny Cash. As most likely know, this past Saturday was St. Patrick’s Day (yesterday was the parade here in Buffalo) and one of the traditional foods eaten is the boiled dinner or corned beef (to read an article with history andContinue reading “Corned Beef Hash”
Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#408)…and what I made with it
A basket full of fresh vegetables, which I turned into a hearty chicken-and-vegetable soup/stew with Near East spices. Urban Simplicity.
Vintage Food Posters
I enjoy vintage food posters in the same way that I do vintage bicycle posters. What I find interesting (one of the things I find interesting) is that the information they state is still mostly relevant today. You’d think we’d have learned by now. Anyhow…just thought I’d pass these these on. Urban Simplicity.
Spiced Lentil Soup
I really enjoy lentils….and I’m grateful that I do. Because not only are they super-healthy for you, they are also a great medium for all sorts of flavors and textures…and not just vegetarian recipes. Anyhow, a purveyor at work gave me a couple pounds of these lentils as a sample (pictured above)…beautiful aren’t they? IContinue reading “Spiced Lentil Soup”
Ma recette préférée de moules
This is by far my favorite mussel recipe. It is so delicious and so easy to make…simply put everything in a pan and cook it for a few minutes. I made this for staff lunch today at work. They can be eaten alone or served over pasta or rice (the recipe yields a delicious broth).Continue reading “Ma recette préférée de moules”
Stuffed French Toast is Anything but "Lost"
Pictured on this post is a breakfast I made for my son (and a friend) and it’s his favorite…French Toast. I’ve posted numerous pictures and versions of this simple but delicious recipe in the past (click here), but what sets this one apart is that the toast is stuffed. As usual, I used homemade wholeContinue reading “Stuffed French Toast is Anything but "Lost"”
Simple Stirfy…or, how to make something really quick and delicious with what you have
I’ve said this before, but some evenings cooking dinner in my home is like taking a mystery basket test. By the time I get home my son is hungry (and so am I) so time is something to consider…and there’s often just a scant few things in the fridge. Don’t believe the unrealistic TV showsContinue reading “Simple Stirfy…or, how to make something really quick and delicious with what you have”
I Like to Cook at Home
“Cooking is a great destresser because it serves as a creative outlet,” says Debbie Mandel, author of “Addicted to Stress.” “And while stress can numb your senses, cooking activates them. It’s a sensory experience with aroma, taste, touch, visual delight and even sizzling sound.” I could easily start and finish this post with it’s title:Continue reading “I Like to Cook at Home”
Urban Simplicty 