The counterpoint of sweet Port-infused roasted grapes and tangy cheese make these nibbles a delectable treat. They can be served as appetizers or as an after-dinner cheese course. A blue cheese spread is smeared atop small portions of toasted bread and then topped with a generous scoop of the roasted orbs. The sharp, salty taste of the blue cheese is…
After all these years, this is still one of my favorite appetizer spreads! Serve it with apple slices, crackers, or slices of baguette (toasted or fresh)! Six-Layer Bombay CheeseYield: about 30 servings8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated1/2 teaspoon curry powderGarnishes:1/2 cup mango chutney2 tablespoons unsweetened flaked coconut1/4 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped, see cook’s notes1…
Cauliflower “Steaks” Roasted Right and Paired with Italian Salsa Verde.
Cookbooks, Cooking, Melissa's, Produce, Recipes, UncategorizedAt our house, we call slabs of cauliflower “vegetarian steaks.” They are a welcome steam-roast treat to serve when the vegan branch of our family visits. I like the way the chefs at America’s Test Kitchen steam them in a scorching hot oven under a blanket of aluminum foil before roasting them to create lovely caramelization on the exteriors. A…
I adore the way adding a small knobs of hot Italian sausage to this dish tames the assertive greens! The flavors are so good together, plus the sautéed sausage offers a crunchy pizzazz. An excellent source of vitamins C and A, one cup of mustard greens has only 15 calories but provides 2 grams of protein. Well … the sausage…
Strawberry Salad Finds Bliss with Pistachios and Feta
Cooking, Melissa's, Produce, Recipes, Uncategorized, VideosGreen salads have endless possibilities … Strawberries can be at their very best this time of year – juicy and sweet, with a luxurious texture. This romaine-based mix showcases the berries with Romaine lettuce, Feta cheese and salted nuts such as pistachios or almonds. The dressing is a simple vinaigrette spiked with honey and shallots. Fresh tarragon comes to the…
Roasted Bok Choy – Potato-Chip-Crisp Leaves with Tender Bases – Top with Ginger Sauce
Cooking, Melissa's, Produce, Recipes, UncategorizedHigh-heating roasting caramelizes bok choy, lending it an alluring sweet edge. It starts out with a gentle mustard-like flavor, but roasting tames much of that sharpness. The process creates texture contrast, transforming the tender leaves to a potato-chip crunchiness, the broad base to a moist succulence. It’s the best way to cook it. While the bok choy is in the…
Kimchi Rice – Deliciously Addictive – Top With Fried Egg and Call It Dinner
Cooking, Melissa's, Produce, RecipesTeaming starchy white rice with the high-impact flavors of kimchi results in a dish that is temptingly delicious. On its own, kimchi can be cheekily sour, spicy, and pungent. It’s a concoction of salted and fermented vegetables that is a staple in Korean cuisine. Used in a stir-fry of sorts along with day-old cooked grains of rice, tames the flames…
For a meatless Monday meal, I often turn coarsely chopped greens (such as spinach, collard, chard or kale) into a delectable dish. How? I cook greens in just enough broth to make them tender-crisp, then toss in some cooked farro. The semi-pearled farro makes the concoction nutty and delectably chewy. It adds a subtle sweetness, turning a boring dish into…