We tried this recipe from Food Network, which calls for only American cheese rather than creamier cheeses: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/chef-joes-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1915004?soc=itksocialshareSMS%7Cios%7Cp Our modifications: first, given the size of the 9x12" casserole dish, the amount of elbow macaroni seemed off. So instead of cooking ½ lb (2 cups) macaroni, we made the full 1 lb box. In retrospect, this… Continue reading Baked mac and cheese
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Middle Eastern minced beef and eggplant over toasted pita (fatteh)
We loosely based this on a Nigella Lawson recipe, with substantial modifications: https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/beef_and_aubergine_46108 First, we followed the beef and cubed eggplant recipe exactly, except for reducing the Aleppo pepper to ¼ tsp. Second, we loosely followed the tahini-yogurt recipe as follows: 3 mounded Tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 2 mounded Tbsp tahini, 2 minced garlic cloves,… Continue reading Middle Eastern minced beef and eggplant over toasted pita (fatteh)
Pita chips
We tried this recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/homemade-pita-chips-recipe-1938841 However, instead of 375, we baked these at 425 to make sure they were browned and crisp. (Jan. 2019)
Hot mulled apple cider, version 2
We tried this Bobby Flay recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/mulled-cider-recipe-1943275 Because our orange was unexpectedly sour (almost grapefruit-like), we added a drizzle of honey to the pot before serving the cider. (Jan. 2019)
Breadcrumbs made from crackers.
We made instant breadcrumbs from leftover Trader Joe’s wheat entertainer crackers (similar in texture to Ritz). Using a Braun electric handheld mixer, we quickly pulverized about a dozen crackers to make 1 cup of breadcrumbs for a Salisbury steak recipe. We loosely followed instructions here: https://www.finecooking.com/article/crush-crackers-to-replace-breadcrumbs (Jan. 2019)
Cast iron skillet cornbread
We tried this recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/cast-iron-skillet-corn-bread-recipe-2012669 For the buttermilk, we combined 1 Tbsp white vinegar and nearly 1 cup (1 cup minus 1 Tbsp) of 1% milk (see Note below). We also used 1 cup blue cornmeal and ¼ cup yellow cornmeal. When coating the hot skillet with 1 Tbsp melted butter, we encountered a lot… Continue reading Cast iron skillet cornbread
Apple blueberry crisp
We followed this apple crisp recipe but substituted two of the apples with 1 pint fresh blueberries: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/apple-crisp-1960784 Our modifications: first, we peeled, cored, sliced 3 Gala apples and placed into a medium mixing bowl. We tossed them with juice from ½ a lemon, 1 Tbsp flour, and slightly less than 2/3 cup white sugar… Continue reading Apple blueberry crisp
Syrian stewed white bean and beef stew
We tried this recipe from Mayada Anjari’s cookbook, The Bread and Salt Between Us. The recipe is too involved to summarize, but the cookbook is available for sale on Amazon: The Bread and Salt Between Us: Recipes and Stories from a Syrian Refugee’s Kitchen https://www.amazon.com/dp/1891105639/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4a7oCb0WZYC8J We found this stew very time-consuming and the result somewhat… Continue reading Syrian stewed white bean and beef stew
Syrian baked kofta with grated tomatoes
We tried this recipe from Mayada Anjari’s cookbook, The Bread and Salt Between Us. First, preheat oven to 400. Second, combine 1.5 lb minced beef (80/20 or 85/15), 1 small grated onion and 1.5 cups (one small bunch) coarsely chopped parsley leaves and tender stems (instead of mincing by hand, we used a handheld blender… Continue reading Syrian baked kofta with grated tomatoes
Oven-roasted fingerling potatoes
We loosely followed this recipe but skipped the seasonings except salt, black pepper, and olive oil. https://www.budgetbytes.com/rosemary-roasted-potatoes/ In addition, to accommodate roast chicken pieces concurrently in the oven, we initially roasted at 400 (for 20 mins) and then increased to 425 until the potato halves were brown and crispy (an additional 20 mins). We garnished… Continue reading Oven-roasted fingerling potatoes
Cooking Adventures 