Pinakbet
1/2 cup chopped pork (I like 50% lean 50% fat) OR 3 tablespoons oil 4 large cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, sliced 1 medium tomato, chopped 3 tablespoons shrimp paste, or to taste 8-10 cups vegetables, choose from the following options: - Asian eggplant, sliced...
Dear Kroger
Customer Relations The Kroger Co. 1014 Vine Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-1100 Dear Kroger: Today I had the most humiliating and insulting experience at your Liberty Fairfield store. I was in a hurry and had less than 15 items in my cart so I proceeded to check out at...
Garam Masala
This is a lovely spice mixture that I like to make every once in a while when I get into an Indian-food-craving mode. Stored in an air-tight container, it keeps well. It does use quite an assortment of spices, but any well-stocked pantry would have these anyway, save...
Lemon Bars
Shortbread and lemon curd. Lovely, tangy, melt-in-your-mouth combo. I've had this recipe since 1999, so it’s about time I blogged it. Cook's Illustrated called it “Perfect Lemon Bars” and though I don’t agree with all of their assessments for “perfect”, this is one of...
Chicken, Potato and Green Bean Salad
Adapted from Epicurious. 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices 3 cups water 1 whole chicken breast with skin and bones (about 1 1/4 pounds) 1 yellow onion, sliced 10 whole cloves 2 teaspoons salt 4 Yukon Gold potatoes 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and...
Thai-Flavored Stir Fry
2 tablespoons canola oil 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 2 large cloves garlic, sliced thinly 1 tablespoon turmeric 2 Thai chilies or 1 Serrano chili, sliced thinly (deseed if you want less heat) 1 1/2 tablespoons grated gingerroot 1 12-oz package cremini mushrooms, or...
Lentil Soup with Kale
I know I've already got a Lentil Soup with Kale on here, but this one's a bit different. More of a Middle Eastern take. It's excellent as a fall soup, particularly when the leaves start falling and there's a definite chill to the air. Serve over brown rice, or some...
ChocBanOatCranWal Cookies
ChocBanWalCranOatChocWalBanCranOatCranWalBanChocOatBanChocWalOatCranWalChocCranBanOatWalCran..... fuhgeddaboudit. Made these cookies today. Pronounced AMAZING by the kids. I saved some nut-less cookie dough for the allergy-sufferers, but otherwise, the walnuts HAVE to...
Baked Hot Chocolate
A four-ingredient wonder, this dessert is one of the easiest you can make, with things you probably already have in your pantry and fridge. The only thing to get right really is the timing. A mixer, either a handheld one or a stand mixer, would be handy, but if push...
March 2009
found a Town and Country here (and same color as our van in the US!) -- an Italian version, approx. the same size as the Fiat Ulysse we're renting, thought that was pretty funny -- this was taken at the apt. complex where our condo is - March 10 Nino's smile - March...
It’s Soup Season: Barley Soup Johri’s Talvo
Last week it was oxtail soup using the beautiful oxtails from Mohr Animal Acres. Then a "Cheater's Pho Bo" with canned beef broth, canned chicken broth and a rib-eye steak from Mohr also. Last night was a hit, Barley Soup, the recipe from Johri's Talvo in St. Moritz...
Food, Humor, Organization, and Gift Ideas
Luxury for Mom: Started off the early morning with 1/4 cup of Mariebelle Aztec Hot Chocolate... just enough for me to handle in the dark hours of the dawn... Out of the Mouths of Babes Yena's Quote of the Month: "Mom, what's the name of that movie, Princess Diarrhea?"...
Spicy Broccoli Braise
Heat canola oil in skillet, over high heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced onions, and crushed red pepper flakes (or broken up dried Chinese hot pepper). Stir-fry 10 seconds. Add broccoli florets and 1/4 cup water. Cover for 3-5 minutes and cook over...
Crunchy Green Salad
1 medium head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces, rinsed and spun dry1/2 English cucumber or any waxless cucumber, deseeded if necessary4 ribs celery hearts, leaves discarded if you like, sliced thinly (leave unpeeled) the dressing, whisk all in a bowl: ~1/4...
All Mine: Insalata Caprese with Pesto
It's not picture perfect, and I wish I could say I grew the basil that went into the pesto, and the tomatoes... but no. It was still perfectly yummy, and what's important, it's all mine 🙂 -- well, except for a couple of bites Paco took. My little ones don't like this...