We first tried this recipe in 2007 when our friend Sandhya served it at a party. The recipe is here: https://www.food.com/recipe/barley-pilaf-with-chickpeas-and-artichoke-hearts-301799 Our modifications: first, we halve the amount of marinated artichoke hearts (to a 6 oz jar), drain, and slice them vertically in half. Second, for the pesto, we prefer Safeway private label brand or… Continue reading Barley pilaf with artichoke hearts and chick peas
Tag: quick meals
Venezuelan black beans
This is a recipe I learned from Cristian’s cooking class in Tampa in October 2010. Mix the following in a bowl: 3 diced Roma tomatoes (I forgot fresh tomatoes, so I used 4 oz of drained, canned diced tomatoes), diced ½ onion, chopped ¼ bunch curly parsley, 3 minced cloves garlic, and 2 tsp cumin.… Continue reading Venezuelan black beans
Chicken saltimbocca
Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 cutlets. Sprinkle lightly with salt, then place 3 fresh sage leaves on the top of each cutlet. Separately, line up 4 thin slices (2 oz total) of pancetta (or prosciutto de Parma) and slice in half, lengthwise. Wrap each chicken breast with 2 pancetta strips each, securing… Continue reading Chicken saltimbocca
Madder Jaffrey’s Indian chickpea curry (chana masala)
Heat 3 Tbsp canola oil in a Dutch oven, then add in the following order at separate intervals: 3/4 tsp cumin seeds; 1 finely diced onion until browned; 1 tsp freshly grated ginger; ¾ tsp coriander seeds, ¼ tsp cayenne and turmeric; and then 1 ½ tomatoes, grated (skin removed). Add 1 cup water and… Continue reading Madder Jaffrey’s Indian chickpea curry (chana masala)
Juju’s Indian chicken and potato curry
This recipe is courtesy of my friend Juju. Marinate 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into large bite-sized pieces) in 2-3 Tbsp Patak’s biryani paste, 1 cup plain yogurt (here, I used nonfat greek), and ½ tsp salt for at least 2 hours. Heat 1-2 Tbsp of neutral oil in a large pot, then add ¾ cup fried… Continue reading Juju’s Indian chicken and potato curry
Pulao with black-eyed peas
We had some leftover, unused black-eyed peas from the Ghanaian dish (red-red), so I decided to try out this recipe to use the remaining cup. Before starting this recipe, I boiled the soaked,drained peas in water (about 1 cup peas to 3 cups water) until tender (about 30 mins). Here is the recipe by Aarti Sequeira: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/black-eyed-peas-pulao-recipe.html.… Continue reading Pulao with black-eyed peas
Indian chickpea curry
Before starting to cook, toast ¾ tsp cumin seeds in a small, ungreased pan until fragrant (do not burn), then grind using a mortar and pestle. Set aside. Using a medium sauce pan, heat 3 Tbsp vegetable oil, then add ½ small onion (grated), 1 Tbsp microplaned ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves. When fragrant… Continue reading Indian chickpea curry
Indian kidney bean curry
Heat 3 Tbsp vegetable oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat, then add 1 small onion (grated), 1 Tbsp microplaned ginger, and about 2 garlic cloves (minced). When fragrant and onion is golden brown, add 1 ripe tomato, cut into quarters. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir frequently until tomato melts into the onion mixture (about 5… Continue reading Indian kidney bean curry
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
Cooking Adventures 