Drain 15 oz canned chick peas, setting aside 3 pieces for garnish. Mix the chick peas with ½ cup water in a sauce pan, bring to a boil for a few minutes until water reduces by half. Pour the hot chick pea mixture into a food processor, add 2 cloves garlic and 1 tsp salt,… Continue reading Classic hummus
Basil pesto pasta garnished with cherry tomatoes
The basil and tomatoes came from our balcony garden. Recipe from Ina Garten: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/pesto-recipe.print.html#. This was my first time making pesto, and I loved Ina’s use of walnuts as well as pine nuts. (Oct. 2014)
Salvadoran beef and vegetable soup (sopa de res con verduras)
I fell in love with this soup at a Salvadoran restaurant in Columbia Heights, and I’m happy that I finally did it justice at home. Using a stockpot, combine 10 cups water, 2 ½ lb boneless beef chuck (cut into small chunks), 1 chopped tomato, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped leek (white only), 3 stalks… Continue reading Salvadoran beef and vegetable soup (sopa de res con verduras)
Mini-frittata with grape tomatoes, leeks, Gruyere, and chorizo
We made two dozen of these as a Thanksgiving appetizer. Recipe to come. (Nov. 2014)
Chicken and andouille gumbo
After having a sublime gumbo at Bayou Bakery, I decided to try a gumbo recipe at home. This recipe is from Chef Emeril Lagasse: https://www.emerils.com/129273/chicken-and-andouille-gumbo. (Nov. 2014)
Cottage pie
Heat 2 tsp oil in a wok, cook 1 chopped onion until wilted, then add 1 lb minced beef (here, bison). Season with a little salt and pepper. When browned, stir in 1 Tbsp flour and 5 oz hot beef stock. Bring to a boil, then add 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce,… Continue reading Cottage pie
Lebanese farmer’s salad with tahini dressing (salata felaheen)
Toss together 2 cups chopped cucumber, 1 cup red radish (cut into half-moons), ½ cup diced bell pepper, and 1 cup chopped parsley. Mash together 2 cloves garlic and 1 tsp salt, then whisk in ¼ cup tahini and 5 Tbsp lemon juice. Pour dressing over salad and serve. This recipe is from Classic Lebanese… Continue reading Lebanese farmer’s salad with tahini dressing (salata felaheen)
Azorean marinated beef kabobs
The key to this recipe is marinating the beef overnight in burgundy wine and two types of garlic and onion (fresh and powder). This recipe is from Azorean Cooking by Maria Lawton. (Nov.2014)
Salvadoran chicken broth with vegetables (caldo de pollo con verduras)
While on our honeymoon at ClubMed, we had a delicious soup that inspired us to try our hand at home. First, make the chicken broth by combining 1 ½ lb chicken wings, necks and gizzards (here, 3 lb chicken wings and drummettes), 4 stalks chopped celery, 1 lb chopped and peeled carrots, ½ bunch each chopped cilantro… Continue reading Salvadoran chicken broth with vegetables (caldo de pollo con verduras)
Vanilla meringues
After developing a meringue addiction while in Ixtapa, I decided to try my hand at making meringues at home. For this first try, I followed a simple recipe from the Azorean cookbook that involved whipping 3 eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar (here, vanilla-infused sugar) until stiff (about 9 mins on the hand mixer), then… Continue reading Vanilla meringues
Cooking Adventures 