Pakistani chick peas and rice (chana pulao)

I am a big fan of beans and rice in many forms, and I love trying new recipes exploring this combination. We made this recipe: https://fatimacooks.net/chana-pilau-pulao-pakistani-chickpeas-rice/ We followed it very closely, and it yielded a delicately seasoned dish that we inhaled. Our modifications: first, we sliced a medium red onion along the grain. Second, we…… Continue reading Pakistani chick peas and rice (chana pulao)

Tuscan pasta and bean soup (pasta e fagioli)

We had the most delicious pasta e fagioli at our favorite local Italian restaurant. But unlike other pasta e fagioli recipes, the restaurant's version was heavy on the beans (tender, nearly disintegrated, velvety), light brown, and had virtually no other vegetables. We suspected the soup's foundation was homemade bean broth (as opposed to stock plus… Continue reading Tuscan pasta and bean soup (pasta e fagioli)

Indian mung bean dal (moong dal)

We made this recipe as a side dish: https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/moong-dal-recipe/ We used a pressure cooker, and we followed the blogger's tip about adding a bit (1/2 tsp) of red lentil to the 1/2 cup of moong dal to reduce stickiness. We found the instructions confusing and imprecise (for ex, it is vague about the amount and… Continue reading Indian mung bean dal (moong dal)

Chinese smashed cucumber salad, version 2

We had Persian cucumbers and decided to try this recipe: https://thewoksoflife.com/smashed-asian-cucumber-salad/ Our modifications: first, we found 5 Persian cucumbers equivalent to the 2 standard cucumbers called for in the recipe. Second, for the chili oil, we used 1.5 tsp Sichuan chili sauce (laoganma). This was a refreshing and delicious side dish to gong bao chicken… Continue reading Chinese smashed cucumber salad, version 2

Pakistani mildly spiced chick peas (chikad chanay)

I carry a lot of food memories. I recently craved a delicately spiced chick pea side dish that we had enjoyed at a local Afghan kabob place many years ago. While I couldn't find that exact recipe, I stumbled upon this Pakistani recipe: https://sabihaskitchen.com/chikad-chanay/ Our modifications: first, after soaking the 1 lb dried chick peas… Continue reading Pakistani mildly spiced chick peas (chikad chanay)

Mild kichidi (Indian mung bean and rice porridge)

We are feeling under the weather, and we craved a mildly seasoned version of kichidi. This fit the bill, and it was comforting and tasty. https://myheartbeets.com/instant-pot-khichdi-rice-lentil-porridge/ We halved the recipe: 1/2 cup basmati and 1/4 cup moong dal (but see Note below); 1 Tbsp ghee, 3/4 tsp cumin seeds, 1 bay leaf; 3 cups water,… Continue reading Mild kichidi (Indian mung bean and rice porridge)

Katrina’s brown rice and sausage stuffing / dressing

This is a family recipe from my sister’s sister-in-law. We enjoyed it so much at Katrina’s Thanksgiving feasts in years past that she shared the recipe (which originated with her late uncle). Here’s the basic recipe, with some modifications from us: First, cook enough brown jasmine rice to yield 4.5 cups of cooked brown rice…… Continue reading Katrina’s brown rice and sausage stuffing / dressing