In a wide, high-walled, and heavy skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil on medium heat. Add one celery stalk (chopped) and sauté until crisp-tender. Fold in one medium eggplant (cubed), and saute until a little wilted (the eggplant will absorb most of the olive oil). Season with a little salt. Then add a chopped, seeded… Continue reading Italian caponata
Spaghetti with meatballs
This is one of my husband's favorite dishes, so I decided to try out a recipe. First, start the sauce: in a large Dutch oven, heat a little olive oil, then sauté 1 onion (chopped) and 4 cloves garlic (minced). When fragrant, add a 56 oz can of plum tomatoes and their juices pureed with… Continue reading Spaghetti with meatballs
Auntie Jenny’s mocha cake
Preheat oven to 350. Sift the following dry ingredients together: 2 cups flour, 2 cups white sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp baking soda, and 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup milk, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Using… Continue reading Auntie Jenny’s mocha cake
Mexican pork, hominy, and ancho chile stew (pozole rojo)
Using a large Dutch oven, saute 2 chopped onions in a little canola oil, sprinkle with a little salt. When translucent, add 5 cloves minced garlic. Place large chunks of bone-in pork shoulder (here, 4 ½ lb pork butt) in pot, browning on each side (about 8 mins). Add 14.5 oz canned, diced tomatoes, 6… Continue reading Mexican pork, hominy, and ancho chile stew (pozole rojo)
Burmese fish curry
Marinate 1 lb catfish, cod, or tilapia fillets (6 pieces per fillet) in 2 tsp microplaned ginger, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp turmeric, and 1 tsp paprika for at least 15 minutes. Heat a large nonstick, deep pan with 1 Tbsp neutral oil, then gently brown the marinated catfish on… Continue reading Burmese fish curry
Vietnamese garlicky roast chicken (ga ro-ti)
Marinate 4 lb of bone-in, skin-on chicken parts (I prefer a mix of bone-in breast, thighs, and drumsticks) in 3 ½ Tbsp Maggi seasoning (we reduced to 2 ½ Tbsp), 4-5 large minced garlic cloves, ½ tsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt (we reduced to 1/8 tsp), ¾ tsp black pepper, and 2 ½ Tbsp neutral… Continue reading Vietnamese garlicky roast chicken (ga ro-ti)
Roasted acorn squash stuffed with sausage and brown rice
Preheat oven to 450. Cut three acorn squash in half, removing seeds and membranes. Place, cut side up, on cookie sheet and brush the cut parts and the hollow with 1 Tbsp melted unsalted butter and a little salt and black pepper. Roast in oven until partially cooked (about 35 mins). In the mean time, prepare… Continue reading Roasted acorn squash stuffed with sausage and brown rice
Sausage, leek, and tomato frittata
Saute 1 large link (about 1/4 lb) uncooked hot Italian sausage (we used Whole Foods' mix of pork and chicken, with casings removed) until browned, then let cool and set aside. Separately, lightly mix 3 eggs with 1 cup low-fat milk, then fold in 3 oz shredded Gruyere cheese, 3 sprigs thyme (leaves only), 3… Continue reading Sausage, leek, and tomato frittata
Japanese grapefruit jello
During my childhood, a Japanese family friend, Mrs. Otsuka, made grapefruit jello, which she served in grapefruit shells (similar to lemon sorbet being served in a hollowed-out lemon). A few years ago, I finally tracked down a Japanese recipe for this dish, which turns out to be quite simple. First, lightly spray the inside of the gelatin mold(s)… Continue reading Japanese grapefruit jello
Korean zucchini fritters (hobak jun)
Slice 2 zucchini into ½ inch penny slices. Set up two small bowls on the stove: one with 3 Tbsp flour, the other with 3 eggs mixed with 1 tsp water and a dash of Korean beef bouillon (sogogi dashida); if you use a vegetarian bouillon powder, this can be vegetarian. Dip a few zucchini… Continue reading Korean zucchini fritters (hobak jun)
Cooking Adventures 