These friendly, sweet vegetables just go together. Fresh with a splash of Asian inspired dressing, it's crisp and sooths the summer heat I'm guessing these would go great with these Scallion Pancakes and just about anything grilled. Give it a try. ASIAN PEA ...
Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. It's become a bit of a tradition and now her birthday dinner consists of her year's list of favourite things. Apps, entrée, sides, beverage, heck, even the dinner music is chosen by said truly. Amazing thing is that the family ...
Officially spring when the weeds beat out the flowers - even in the grocery store. Today was one of those exciting days at the market. Everywhere I turned there was new, fresh seasonal produce. I was greeted by thin, crisp greens, herbs and miniature everything like these potatoes ...
As I sat, thinking what the ultimate food for Sunday would be, it actually took me a bit to come to the chili conclusion. Crazy, yes, I am aware of this. Coming from an advertising background, I have to honestly admit that the majority of my Superbowl viewing experience takes place during half time. Perfect for cooking for a crowd, the chili is a dash of this and a can of that - and then you leave it. So quick and easy, you won't even miss the commercials.
Who doesn't like pizza? I am yet to meet a single soul who would turn down a slice.... Except when it was going to be me with the notion of no cheese. I was always of the mindset that pizza had but one basic construction - a crust (perfect blend of thin and chewy ), sauce (very important) and cheese. - Everything on top of that is really up to an individuals discretion and craving. That was until I had a bite of my first "real European" pizza experience. Being 15 and at the height of my pizza connesseur training, I was in the south of France on exchange. My host mother would pack my lunches complete with a little Mom note, a chocolate and something often mysterious to try; there was infrequent PB&J in Provence. While out in the countryside, our group was left to remark on the construction of Romanesque Aqueducts. Removed from any civilization able to spare me of my brown bag filled with cold and cheeseless pizza with peppers and black olives (with pits!) Starving and only armed with my Orangina, I dug in and discovered a new, old, delicious world of pizza. From that moment, my eyes were opened, my pallet was cleansed and my nose had been lifted to new a pizza snob height never known before; and I was yet to arrive in Italy! Flashing forward 15 some odd years, when trying to capture the best vegan version, I knew that one of those important and very expected elements - cheese, would be missing. Making up for the lack of gooey dairy was actually easy and created a more flavourful pizza than I'd usually eat. The secret of a good crust is always important and the hint for vegan pizza is just to pre-bake the crust a little longer to insure the crispness and then you're free to go to town on virtually any topping you could imagine. Pizza for breakfast? Check out 80 Breakfasts, who is hosting HHDH. I'm sure it will be quite the round-up.
My ever problem solving daughter is always creating new suggestions for dinner and desserts; favourites like Mialita, Chuchetta and the like. Her recipes, with the addition of marshmallows, ketchup and eggs kind of remind me of that show that aired around here in the 80's I always wanted to go on, "Just Like Mom" But this morning, when I rolled out of bed complaining of still feeling under the weather from the night before, she suggested Magic Soup. Magic soup is something that we've made before and she will eat it. All of it, as if it were well, like, magic. First she'll tell me onion, then a carrot, some tomatoes maybe a little celery if she's daring and somehow this soup is normal... soothing and delicious, kind of like Minestrone. Although my barren stomach felt it couldn't handle much more than the thought of dry toast, her idea of this to make me better was just what I needed. Like the kiss on the forehead you'd get from your mom when you were sick, I got one from my five year old and her bowl of soup.
Needless to say we all like soup in this house. Nothing beats a warm bowl on a cold day. Well, maybe that warm bowl with some of that fresh bread I've finally been able to be baking... Red peppers, to me, are one of those amazing vegetables. You see, I absolutely, without a doubt hate it's cousin the green pepper, but a red one, especially a freshly roasted one? I will put in and on just about everything. Roasting the peppers take about as long as the soup, so it's a quick and delicious lunch.... So quick, I was very glad to have photographed it first, since the pot did not last.
It's unseasonably warm but damp today. Crazily enough, once winter takes it's hold, at least for me, I just wish it would put us into it's full throws. Cold, crisp, freeze your the inside of your nose, crunchy snow kind of winter. I find it a little easier warming up from the cold rather than the damp which is why today, I needed a little extra help. Quick, satisfying, revive you to your toes help, like potato leek soup. Potato leek is virtually the premise for most vegan "cream" soups, which is what makes it so perfect. The simplicity leaves for the attention to details like the perfect potato, consistency, herb combination and finishing drizzles of infused oils and the like. It's a free pallet that's open for individual taste, but no matter what your preference, the satisfaction is all there. I choose to keep my soup fairly au natural as possible then jazzing it up with some little bite sized Walnut Rosemary and Kalamata Madeleines. Mmmm savoury and delicious.
Considering it's chilly, I couldn't help but to think warm. So when Jeanne, over at Cook Sister told me to go topless, I thought, well, that's cheeky, it's November. All snickers aside, I grabbed for the freezer door to find my handy pack of puff pastry. So ...
Upon returning from vacation I couldn't help but notice one of my pumpkins from my collection. The skin of my Marina Di Chioggia had turned much darker than its original green and although I don't know a whole heck of a lot about pumpkins and their various shades green, I do know that my prized Marina Di Chioggia is one of the most delectable of all the gourd breeds. From the coasts near Venice, love is in the air for the pumpkin aptly nicknamed "Deliziosa". The hard, green shell of this heirloom pumpkin may be a pain to peel, or even get into for that matter, but it's sweet, subtle flavour and silky flesh certainly make it worth it. To claim victory over the tough to surrender peel, just make one cut around to get in and clean out the seeds, then simply roast the pumpkin in a short depth of water for about 90 minutes at 350ºF. Of all the heirlooms gathered from the patch this season, the glorious Marina Di Chioggia is perfect for just about any recipe. It's sweet yet delicate and can hold it's own beautifully in pies, pasta and of course, gnocchi. Perpetually intimidated by making gnocchi, with or without eggs, I found that this pumpkin is a great addition to the delightful dumplings. Typically worried about them being gummy and dense or at worst, falling apart in the cooking water, I found nothing of the sort. The dough was quite soft, so depending on the extent of draining you do, climate you live in and any other moisture factors, you may have to adjust the amount of flour to create a workable dough. ...And with a terrific yield, everyone can look forward to a few great pumpkin recipes to add to autumn and holiday collection.
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