Yet Another Variation

I’ve mentioned many times on this blog that this dish (Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice) is one of my all-time favorite recipes, I could eat it a couple times a week and not tire of it. I’ve also posted many variations of it, and this is yet another. The thing I did different this time–other than using brownContinue reading “Yet Another Variation”

Anticipation

Yup…it’s that time of year again. Time to start thinking about the victory garden. That’s a savoy cabbage plant pictured above. Future food for my son and I. In a few months I plan on eating it. No, let me rephrase that. In a few month months, after I harvest the cabbage and some cayenneContinue reading “Anticipation”

Fish Meat(less) Balls

This is a play on traditional spaghetti-and-meatballs…in place of meat I used fish for the balls. I could have called it by it’s fancy-sounding Italian name, polpette di pesce, or it’s French cousin, boulettes de poisson, but in English it is what it is…fish meat(less) balls. Anyhow, these are so easy to make and reallyContinue reading “Fish Meat(less) Balls”

Quiche Lorraine

I made this today at my job (for 120 people actually) and it looked so beautiful and was so delicious I thought I’d post a few pictures and share a very simple recipe for it. The classic recipe calls for bacon, but in this version I use ham (both are equally delicious). I also includedContinue reading “Quiche Lorraine”

Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Pizza, and Why it Took Nearly 48 Hours to Make them

Firstly, this post is not about how to make Ezekiel Bread, per se, but more about how to incorporate bread making into the rhythm of your daily life rather than upsetting it. I have always thought, and still do, that the bread mostly makes itself, we simply provide the correct conditions and guide it along.Continue reading “Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Pizza, and Why it Took Nearly 48 Hours to Make them”

Basmati Rice with Salmon, Saffron, Peas, and Grape Tomatoes

This is something I made for staff lunch today. It’s really just a variation of a basic rice pilaf that includes salmon. If you prefer not to use fish (which would be a shame because this is delicious), chicken or lamb would be good substitutes but they would have to be cooked longer (in theContinue reading “Basmati Rice with Salmon, Saffron, Peas, and Grape Tomatoes”

Lebanese-Style Chicken-and-Brown Rice (sans boeuf ou d’agneau)

Yes I’ve posted this recipe before–or many variations of it–but it’s one of my favorites and I can’t help but post it again in hopes that more people try it. This is yet another variation of the classic Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice recipe that I grew up with. While this version still has toasted vermicelli, I usedContinue reading “Lebanese-Style Chicken-and-Brown Rice (sans boeuf ou d’agneau)”

Oatmeal-Flax Bread (whole wheat, of course)

In an effort to make ever healthier breads, this is my latest one. It’s really just a variation on a them of whole wheat breads. This one simply includes oatmeal and flax seed. The big difference is that you have to add even more water to the dough because the oatmeal and flax absorb some.Continue reading “Oatmeal-Flax Bread (whole wheat, of course)”

Raw Vegetable Salad with Oil-Braised Garlic and Near East Spices

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”

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”

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)”

Spicy Cheddar Meatloaf Recipe

I am far from being a vegetarian but some days–most days–I eat far less meat than grains and vegetables…but comfort foods like this literally make my mouth water. Now I don’t expect you to make 50 lbs / 22.6 kg of the stuff (pictured above) but I hope you try the below recipe. It isContinue reading “Spicy Cheddar Meatloaf Recipe”

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)”

Middle Eastern Brown Rice with Lamb and Vermacelli

This is a variation of my recipe for Lebanese Chicken and Rice. In this version I replace the chicken with lamb and use brown rice instead of white. Beef or pork can replace the lamb but it’s not quite the same. The aroma this dish (or any of it’s variations) will permeate the house withContinue reading “Middle Eastern Brown Rice with Lamb and Vermacelli”

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”