Pear, avocado, and spinach salad

I learned this recipe from my step-MIL, who ingeniously combined crisp pear with ripe avocado.  The recipe is simple:  line a serving dish with baby spinach, place one sliced (1/4") and cored pear (here, Bartlett, but any crisp pear will do) on top of the spinach, and then top with slices from one avocado (the… Continue reading Pear, avocado, and spinach salad

Indian-style quinoa pilaf

Another great recipe by Shubhra Ramineni's Healthy Vegetarian Indian Cooking. This is makes an easy and portable lunch. Rinse, clean, and drain 1 cup uncooked quinoa, and set aside. Heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a medium sauce pan, then add 20 whole cashews (split into halves). Saute until cashews are light golden (about 20… Continue reading Indian-style quinoa pilaf

Indian cauliflower and potato (aloo gobi)

This recipe is from a wonderful and easy-to-follow cookbook, Healthy Indian Vegetarian Cooking by Shubha Ramineni. Using a large skillet (or a low-walled Dutch oven), heat 3 Tbsp vegetable oil, then add 1 medium vine-ripe tomato (quartered).  Cover the skillet and cook until tomato becomes soft, stirring frequently.  Add 1 medium head cauliflower (washed and… Continue reading Indian cauliflower and potato (aloo gobi)

Roast chicken with root vegetables

This Ina Garten recipe is our go-to roast chicken recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-chicken-recipe.html Our modifications: we lined the bottom of the roasting pan with 1 lb baby tri-colored potatoes, 1 lb peeled and quartered parsnips, 10 peeled and roughly cut shallot bulbs, and 1 head peeled garlic in lieu of the fennel, onions, and carrots. (Mar. 2015)… Continue reading Roast chicken with root vegetables

Vietnamese caramelized minced pork and/or chicken

We love this recipe with freshly cooked jasmine rice. We often serve this dish with Javanese pickle (see Note 2 below). Mince 1/2 small onion (or 1 shallot). Heat a large wok, then add 3 Tbsp neutral oil and saute the onion on medium heat until fragrant. Then add 1 lb minced pork and saute… Continue reading Vietnamese caramelized minced pork and/or chicken