Couscous’ neutral flavor lends itself to a wide variety of flavorings. Once cooked (hydrated with hot water), those petite spheres of semolina are traditionally topped with a stew. At my house, couscous is most often served as a side dish or a vegetarian entrée. This Moroccan-themed couscous is augmented with roasted vegetables. It can be served hot or for a…
Gratefully, this Refried Bean Soup is made with ingredients that I always have on hand: chicken broth, canned crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and of course, canned refried beans. It’s quick to prepare and the garnishes make it over-the-top delicious: shredded cheese and/or sliced green onions, chopped cilantro and/or sour cream. Tortilla chips are a must. Sample a big spoonful of…
When Molly Gilbert’s cookbook “Sheet Pan Suppers” (Workman, $15.95) was published in 2015, I fell in love with her one-dish meals, concoctions created on a single rimmed baking sheet. Of course, slow cookers can be one-pot culinary heroes, but I appreciate that sheet pan cookery creates dishes that aren’t slow-cooker soupy. This sheet pan dish got rave reviews from kids…
Pandemic nights often bring dreams filled with Parisian streets scenes. I long to be back in the spot that has offered me so many joyful journeys. Gratefully, I can taste the place. This Apple Lady’s Apple Cake is one of my longtime favorites. It’s a recipe from an apple vendor at an open-air market located in the shadow of the…
A crunchy mix of toasted walnuts and chocolate combine with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon, to make a luscious topping and interior layer in this classy banana cake. As it baked, the house filled with banana perfume. It came out beautifully browned and we could hardly wait for it to cool. We ate half of it (over three days) as…
Avocado and Orange Salad – Updated Classic Combo
Cooking, Melissa's, Produce, Recipes, Uncategorized, VideosAvocado’s rich, nutty taste and creamy texture pairs beautifully with the sweet-sour perkiness of oranges. The fruit duo is especially appealing in a simple salad along with tender lettuce, fresh lemon juice and crunchy almonds. Most often avocados are found firm-to-the-touch in the marketplace; they only ripen off the tree. If they are hard when you buy them, they will…
Gravlax can be the centerpiece of simple-yet-elegant appetizers, first courses and salads. It’s delicious for breakfast or brunch, served with brown bread, cucumber slices, capers, red onions and mustard sauce (much more delicious than lox in my opinion). Toss it into warm potato salad or pasta. Mouthwatering. Making It Easy Gravlax, pronounced GRAHV-locks, is a Swedish-style cured salmon made by…
Pasta + Baby Spinach + Ricotta + Half & Half + Butter = Quick-to-Prepare Fun In the ten years I served on the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Award Committee, I flew to NYC four times a year to attend the meetings (we had no idea that ZOOM would become a thing – after all it was the 90’s and early…