Cheddar cauliflower casserole

We tried this recipe: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cauliflower-casserole-with-cheddar Our modifications: first, instead of parboiling the cauliflower florets, we tossed them with a little olive oil and oven-roasted in a baking sheet at 400 for 30 mins (tossing midway). Second, for the sauce, we replaced half (4 oz = ½ dry cup) of sour cream with ½ dry cup… Continue reading Cheddar cauliflower casserole

Oven-baked Jamaican jerk chicken

We tried this recipe, which uses a homemade jerk paste (instead of dry jerk seasoning): https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014722-no-fuss-jerk-chicken Based on our pantry, we used a mix of skin-on, bone-in thighs and drumsticks instead of chicken quarters (thighs and bones connected). We did not love this recipe and probably won’t make it again. For the marinade, to lower… Continue reading Oven-baked Jamaican jerk chicken

Greek-style white bean and celery stew

We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012634-white-beans-with-celery Our modifications: first, we used no-salt canned cannellini (4 x 13.4 oz quattro-carton), which we rinsed and drained in lieu of soaking and cooking dried white beans. For the bean draining liquid, we used a mix of water and some of the liquid captured while rinsing the beans; we did… Continue reading Greek-style white bean and celery stew

Lebanese eggplant casserole with ground meat, tomato, and pine nuts

We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017426-eggplant-with-lamb-tomato-and-pine-nuts Our modifications: First, we used ½ lb each minced pork and minced bison in lieu of 1lb minced lamb. To reduce sodium, we used no-salt tomato sauce. Second, because we find cinnamon cloying, we used a combo of ¼ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg. Third, instead of broiling the… Continue reading Lebanese eggplant casserole with ground meat, tomato, and pine nuts

Pasta frittata

We tried this Mark Bittman recipe for our leftover cooked pasta: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/6791-pasta-frittata We first preheated the oven to 350. Our modifications: based on our pantry, we used 1 ½ cups leftover cooked rigatoni (which we cut into 1 inch thick diagonal slices), 2 Tbsp bacon (which we cut into matchsticks and browned separately), rendered bacon… Continue reading Pasta frittata

Classic apple crisp

After our trip to the orchard, we tried this recipe: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/classic-apple-crisp-recipe Our modifications: first, we used about 8 apples (combo of small and medium, multiple varieties), peeled, cored, quarter, and cut into ¼" slices. Second, in lieu of 2 Tbsp boiled apple cider, we used 2 Tbsp pomegranate molasses. Third, instead of apple pie spice,… Continue reading Classic apple crisp

Savory mushroom kugel

We tried this recipe, which calls for matzoh farfel (3 sheets matzoh broken into 2 inch pieces): http://allrecipes.com/recipe/231328/savory-rosemary-garlic-farfel-kugel/ Our modifications: first, we used shallots instead of onion. Second, we added some chopped sage in addition to a few chopped rosemary needles (about ½ tsp each). We made this for a belated Rosh Hashanah celebration. (Sept.… Continue reading Savory mushroom kugel

Oven-roasted Italian sausage with shallot and bell pepper

This recipe is from my step-MIL, who applied a Provencal flavor profile to a traditional Italian dish. Preheat oven to 400. Using 8 large raw Italian mild pork sausages (see Note below), prick each sausage with a fork (three times on top and on bottom). Cut one yellow and one red bell pepper in half… Continue reading Oven-roasted Italian sausage with shallot and bell pepper

Eggplant parmesan casserole

We tried a variation of the NYT recipe for zucchini parmesan, using 2.5 lb eggplant in lieu of zucchini: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017523-zucchini-parmesan?login=emailWe followed our modifications to the original recipe, details here: http://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/163022801851/zucchini-parmesan-casserole-we-had-an-abundance We found that the eggplant slices took more time to roast, becoming brown on both sides after about 20 mins at 450. As a shortcut,… Continue reading Eggplant parmesan casserole

Zucchini parmesan casserole

We had an abundance of zucchini, so we made this with our pantry ingredients: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017523-zucchini-parmesan Our modifications: First, we used one shallot instead of a small onion. Second, in lieu of 2.5 lb fresh tomatoes, we used two 28 oz cans whole peeled canned tomatoes. To save time, we puréed the canned tomatoes before adding… Continue reading Zucchini parmesan casserole