Roasted parsnips and baby fingerling potatoes

We tried this recipe: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roasted-baby-potatoes-with-thyme-and-rosemary-237107 We cut skin-on baby fingerings in vertical halves and peeled and cut two parsnips to make them similar in size and shape to the halved fingerlings. We toss them in olive oil, a little salt and pepper, and a few sprinkles (about ½ tsp) dried Greek oregano. We placed the… Continue reading Roasted parsnips and baby fingerling potatoes

Lebanese fattoush salad

We followed this recipe: http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/lebanese-fattoush-salad-with-grilled-chicken-422438 Our modifications: first, we omitted the radish and onion from the salad. Second, we served the salad with cutlets of chicken shawarma (recipe here: http://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/171465741451/chicken-shawarma-we-followed-this-marinade)rather than using the chicken recipe. (Mar. 2018)

Middle Eastern green salad with herbs and radishes (marul salatasi)

We roughly followed a recipe in Faye Levy’s cookbook, Feast from the Mideast. First, we tossed together: 4 romaine lettuce leaves (cut into bite-sized cut into 2 inch pieces), 6 red radishes (cut into ¼ inch half moons), and 2 Tbsp each chopped Italian parsley and spearmint. Second, we whisked together the juice of 1… Continue reading Middle Eastern green salad with herbs and radishes (marul salatasi)

Roasted cauliflower bulgur pilaf with tahini sauce

We tried this recipe, which originally called for a grain called freekeh: https://cookieandkate.com/2014/roasted-cauliflower-freekeh-tahini-sauce/ Our modifications: first, we used 1 cup coarse bulgur, following proportions here: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/health/nutrition/08recipehealth.html Second, oven-roasted the cauliflower pieces and a few sliced shallots for 30 mins, following these directions: http://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/144070024406/armenian-style-roasted-cauliflower-with-tahini Third, in the mean time, we sautéed the ¼ cup slivered almonds… Continue reading Roasted cauliflower bulgur pilaf with tahini sauce

Healthier eggplant parmesan

We tried this Cookie & Kate recipe, which uses oven-roasted, non-breaded eggplant slices: https://cookieandkate.com/2017/italian-eggplant-parmesan-recipe/ Our modifications: first, we doubled the amount of sauce because we prefer saucy casseroles. Even so, we almost ran out of sauce for the final layer (we had three layers of eggplant). Second, we did not have a 9x9” baking dish,… Continue reading Healthier eggplant parmesan

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

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

Celery-apple salad with lemon dressing

We tried this recipe: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/celery-apple-salad The recipe called for 2 cups each honey crisp apple and celery; we estimated this to be 1 large honey crisp apple (1/4” slices with skin on) and 4 stalks celery (cut in 1/2” diagonal slices). We increased the dressing to the juice of one lemon (not just 2 Tbsp)… Continue reading Celery-apple salad with lemon dressing

Grandma Gladys’s brownies

We recently made this treasured family recipe that was an important part of my husband’s childhood. First, preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9x12” baking dish, and set aside. Second, melt 11 Tbsp unsalted butter with 12 oz chocolate chips (we used Ghirardelli semi-sweet chips). You can do this either by using a double-boiler… Continue reading Grandma Gladys’s brownies

Lebanese chick pea stew

We tried this recipe: http://www.arabamerica.com/lebanese-chickpea-stew/ Our modifications: first, based on our pantry, we used a homemade roasted green bell pepper, following these instructions: https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-roast-red-peppers/ (see Note below). Second, we used 2 ½ tsp za’atar, 1 tsp crushed red pepper for red pepper flakes, and 1 Tbsp cumin powder (not cumin seeds). Third, we increased the… Continue reading Lebanese chick pea stew