Spiced Brown Rice with Shrimp and Broccoli

This is another example of how changing a few ingredients–but using the same basic method–can create an entirely new dish (click here). I seasoned this with somewhat Mexican or South West spices, but even this could be altered…changing the spices to curry or Mediterranean herbs would create an entirely new dish. Anyhow, this is howContinue reading “Spiced Brown Rice with Shrimp and Broccoli”

Meatballs…or polpette?

Likely everyone in America has an opinion on the recipe and/or origin of classic tomato sauce and meatballs, especially if you are of Italian ancestry. Some say this is purely an American recipe that was adapted by early Italian immigrants out of necessity, while others believe it has its roots in the “old country”…and surelyContinue reading “Meatballs…or polpette?”

Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe

My teenage son came to me and asked how to make a Mexican shrimp recipe the other day. I was a bit surprised…he was, after all, not simply asking what there is to eat (or why there’s “nothing” in the fridge) or what time dinner is ready. I’m joking, of course, I feel blessed toContinue reading “Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe”

Tacos con Carnitas de Pollo…and a few comments on Ezekiel Bread

Pictured above is one of the tacos I made for my son and I for dinner tonight, before it was rolled up of course. Buried under the vegetables and sour cream are the carnitas…delicious. But more on that in a minute. First I have a couple unrelated comments. Between urbansimplicity.com and urbansimplicty.wordpress.com there are nearlyContinue reading “Tacos con Carnitas de Pollo…and a few comments on Ezekiel Bread”

Spiced Brown Rice and Beans with Venison and Broccoli

I remember hearing the statement–and I’m paraphrasing, I’m sure–that if you teach a person to play a song they can play that song, but teach them to play the instrument and they can play many songs. The reason I mention this is that this is just another example of an endless number of dishes thatContinue reading “Spiced Brown Rice and Beans with Venison and Broccoli”

Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Spinach Pizza, and a Mechanical Malfunction

I haven’t posted a recipe for Ezekiel Bread in a while, but it is my favorite bread. The picture of the pizza above and the bread below were both made using the recipe that follows. Interestingly, Ezekiel Bread recipes are still one of the number 1 ways that new visitors find there way to thisContinue reading “Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Spinach Pizza, and a Mechanical Malfunction”

Super Delicious (and simple to make) Pasta con Vendure

This is a dish that I served to our staff at work yesterday. I was trying to use up some vegetables because we are closed for the first week of January. It’s really just a more complex version of any of the aglio e olio dishes I’ve posted here before. But before I start theContinue reading “Super Delicious (and simple to make) Pasta con Vendure”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#383), a Minor Confession, a Very Brief Story, and a Recipe

Things on the bike…4lbs/1.8kgs of green and yellow split peas. My minor confession…for the past three days, even though the streets have been snow-free, other than a few small jaunts I have relied mostly on my truck for transport. This is mostly–but not entirely–because of family gatherings outside the city. I also have not hadContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#383), a Minor Confession, a Very Brief Story, and a Recipe”

Whole Wheat French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Apple

This is a simple-to-make hearty and flavorful breakfast, and it also happens to be my son’s favorite (somewhat of a Saturday morning tradition). French toast can be made in any number of ways, but the key to a really good one is great bread and flavorful syrup…of course the syrup can be purchased but itContinue reading “Whole Wheat French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Apple”

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”

Three-Bean Soup/Stew with Pork

I made this soup/stew yesterday to utilize some of the turkey stock that was left over from Thanksgiving. It’s a basic bean-and-pork soup or stew recipe, and I say soup or stew because it depends on how you like it. I made it thick (sort of condensed) so it would take up less room inContinue reading “Three-Bean Soup/Stew with Pork”

How to Make a Really Delicious and Nutritious Deep-Dish Pizza (and a loaf of bread, too)

Pizza is one of my favorite homemade comfort foods to make (click here for additional pictures and recipes). And while many believe it to be time-consuming and somewhat laborious–or even difficult–to make, it is neither. It’s basically bread dough with stuff baked on it. Thus, when I bake pizza at home I usually make twiceContinue reading “How to Make a Really Delicious and Nutritious Deep-Dish Pizza (and a loaf of bread, too)”

Tomato Time

Tomatoes are my favorite garden vegetable to grow. They’re my favorite for a couple of reasons: firstly because I enjoy eating them raw or in almost any preparation, and secondly, after the initial planting they are almost worry free…give them sun and water and you’re guaranteed a good crop by August. At any rate, IContinue reading “Tomato Time”