Annulla Cooks

4 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons green tea leaves
1 to 2 tablespoons grated ginger root
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
8 firm pears, such as Bosc, peeled, cored and cut into quarters lengthwise
Toasted sliced almonds (optional)
Vanilla-flavored yogurt (optional)

In a pot, combine boiling water and tea leaves. Cover and let steep 5 minutes, then strain.

Add ginger root, honey, almond extract and lemon zest and stir well. Add pears. Cover and cook until pears are tender.

Transfer to a serving bowl, cover and chill thoroughly. Garnish with toasted almonds and a dollop of yogurt, if desired.

Per serving: 165 calories (3 percent from fat), 1 gram total fat (trace saturated fat), no cholesterol, 43 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 2 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.

- The Healthy Slow Cooker (Robert Rose) by Judith Finlayson

1 yellow onion, roughly cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
1 green pepper, seeded and roughly cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
1 red pepper, seeded and roughly cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
1 yellow squash, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup dried pitted plums (prunes)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Hot cooked couscous or rice, optional
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted, optional

Preheat oven to 450 F. Coat a large baking sheet with nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Place onion, peppers and squash in zip-top plastic food bag; drizzle with olive oil and mix together in bag. Pour vegetables onto baking sheet. Place chicken on another baking sheet that has been coated with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.

Place both pans in oven (on different racks if needed) and roast 10 minutes. Remove vegetables from oven and stir. Return to oven. Remove chicken from oven and turn over; return to oven and roast chicken and vegetables 10 to 15 additional minutes or until chicken is done and meat thermometer registers 170 F and vegetables are tender and golden.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine remaining ingredients except couscous and almonds. Simmer 10 minutes. Add roasted vegetables to saucepan. Dice chicken into cubes and add to saucepan. Stir well and heat through. Serve over hot couscous or rice and garnish with slivered almonds, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

COOKING TIP: To toast almonds, spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden.

PER SERVING:
Calories 245 (20% fat) Fat 5 g (1 g sat) Cholesterol 44 mg Sodium 369 mg Fiber 5 g Carbohydrates 25 g Protein 25 g

Dallas News

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 2 Tablespoons capers rinsed
• pinch of red pepper flakes or to taste
• 3 large yellow bell peppers cored, seeded, and cut into big pieces
• salt
• 2 vegetable or beef stock

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until golden, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Add 1 Tablespoon of capers and the red pepper flakes, and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often.

Add yellow peppers and salt, cover, and cook 10 minutes, shaking often. Add stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes–until the peppers are soft.

Puree the mixture, then strain back into the saucepan. Ladle into bowls, garnish each with a few capers, and serve.

Soup Song

2 cups (approximately 1 pound) asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch lengths
3/4 cup water
——
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (1 cup)
3 tablespoons chopped onion
——
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne
Dash Tabasco sauce
2 Tbs. plain nonfat or low-fat yogurt or 1/3 cup light sour cream

Combine asparagus and water in a 2 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Rinse with cold water; drain. Blot asparagus with paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Combine all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cover tightly and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving. Makes 3 cups, or 12 (1/4-cup) servings.

Note: If you’re using frozen asparagus spears, it is not necessary to steam them (just thaw them to room temperature).

Adapted from Vegetarian Times’ 61 Quick & Healthy Recipes, p. 8.

Cook the sauce until there is just enough syrupy liquid to coat the chicken breasts.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

• 2/3 cup chicken broth

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

• ¼ cup golden raisins

• 3 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted

• 2 teaspoons sugar

1. Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Spread flour on a plate and dredge chicken in it, shaking off excess.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot, then cook the chicken breasts for about 8 minutes, until golden, turning once. Lower heat, cover, and cook for an additional 4 minutes, until cooked through. Set aside.

3. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet, then the onion, stirring occasionally until onion is soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and the vinegar, deglazing the pan by scraping up any browned bits, then add the raisins, pine nuts, sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 6 minutes, until sauce is syrupy and raisins are plumped.

4. Return the chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce. Remove and place on each of 4 serving plates, spooning onion, raisin, and pine nut mixture over chicken.

Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: about 20 minutes

Not Your Bubbe’s Chicken

The onions in the bottom of the roasting pan will mix with the drippings from the chicken to make a lovely sauce. Stir them occasionally, and if you find them getting very dry, add water a tablespoon at a time.

• 1 3- to 4-pound whole chicken

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1½ teaspoons salt

• 1 lemon

• 3 medium onions, sliced

1. Dry the chicken inside and out. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs by sliding your fingers underneath it, being careful not to tear it.

2. Combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with the cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper in a small dish and spread it evenly in the cavity and under the skin of the breast and thigh. Spread a very thin layer over the outside of the chicken, then sprinkle it with salt. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours.

3. Heat oven to 425°F. Pat the chicken dry. Wash and dry the lemon, roll it between your palm and your work surface, then prick it a few times with a fork. Place the lemon in the cavity of the chicken. Spread the onion slices in the bottom of a medium roasting pan. Place the chicken, breast side up, on top of the onions and rub it with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.

4. Roast until an instant-read thermometer, placed in the thickest part of the thigh, reads 160ºF (45 minutes to 1 hour), basting occasionally. Let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the lemon from the chicken, cut it in half, and squeeze the juice over the cut-up chicken before serving.

Prep time: 10 minutes, plus 8 hours for marinating
Cook time: 45 minutes to 1 hour, plus 10 minutes rest time

Not Your Bubbe’s Chicken

This soup is one of my favorites. Simple, easy and - especially on a snowy winter day - it makes the whole place smell wonderful.

2 cups butternut or buttercup squash, peeled, seeded & chopped
2 cups sweet potato, peeled & chopped
3 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored & chopped (Spartan, Macintosh or similar)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups water or just enough to cover apples and veggies
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon Chinese 5 spice or pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Bring the vegetables, apples and water to a boil in a saucepan on high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the seasonings and use a blender to process the mixture. Heat in the saucepan again on low heat until hot. Keeps 3 - 5 days refrigerated. Serves 6.

Notes: “Winter squash” is used to denote a hard-shelled varieties that be stored for months; it is distinct from summer squash such as zucchini. Of course, these days, both types are available year-round. Pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice and nutmeg.

I found this recipe on SOAR (The Searchable Online Archive of Recipes), a site that has evolved into RecipeSource.com. The original posting gives credit to Jeanne Marie Martin’s Vegan Delights.

Texas Wren’s RecipeCrossing
Unofficial Support

2 c masa harina
1 1/2 c warm water
1 T ground cumin, made from lightly toasted cumin seed
Salt and pepper to taste
6 oz mild melting cheese such as Monterey jack, grated
1/2 c chopped cilantro

In a mixing bowl, mix together the masa harina, water, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir into a manageable dough. The dough should be soft but not sticky; add more flour if needed. If dough is dry and hard to form, add more water.

To make 3-inch round papusas, put about 1/2 cup of the dough in your hand for each papusa. Roll into a ball and flatten in your hand. Put 1/3 cup cheese, 1 teaspoon cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste in the center. Work the edges up over the filling and again form a ball, completely enclosing the filling. This takes only a few seconds.

Flatten each ball to about 1/4 inch or less and cook the papusas on a hot, lightly oiled griddle for about 3 minutes per side, or until both sides are lightly browned. Serve warm.

NOTE: In El Salvador, vendors everywhere sell a street food called papusas. They look like slightly thick tortillas, about three inches in diameter. Hidden inside is a filling — either of cheese, as in this recipe, or spicy meat. They are always served with a finely chopped vinegary coleslaw with fiery pepper and sometimes cilantro.

1992 CUNNINGHAM, Marion The Supper Book Alfred A. Knopf New York
MM Format by John Hartman Hartsville, SC 4 April 1997
Cro-Magnon@juno.
com hartman@indy.net

YumYum

1/4 cabbage, shredded
1/2 onion, shredded
1/2 large carrot, shredded
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup cold water
salt to taste

Mix the day before you want to serve and let set in refrigerator, covered. Drain off excess water before serving. Open hot pupusas and put cabbage salad inside before eating. (In Salvador, they sometimes add hot red chilies to the mixture.)

The Kitchen Link,Inc.

Tomato and Bread Soup

3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 large garlic cloves, crushed to a paste with ½ teaspoon salt
2 lbs. ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped (some like to deseed them as well)
1/2 lb. of STALE white bread, crusts removed, broken into pieces – do NOT use pre-packaged sliced bread it will go horribly slimy, use country bread like ciabatta, bloomer, sourdough etc.
1 1/2 quarts chicken or vegetable stock
10 -12 fresh basil leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
~~~~~
Extra virgin olive oil, basil leaves, Parmesan shavings – for serving/garnish

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and sauté the garlic gently without letting it brown, then add the tomatoes, basil and bread (tear the basil leaves with your fingers, NEVER chop basil with a knife or scissors it changes the flavour).

Add the stock, little by little, stirring and mashing the bread down until the mixture begins to resemble a porridge, pour in any remaining stock. Taste and season. Garnish with a swirl of olive oil, extra torn basil, and some shavings of Parmesan.

This can be served hot, warm or cold but I think it is at its best at room temperature on a hot day. It can be made a day ahead and reheats beautifully, but doesn’t freeze well.

Cucumbers with a marinade of vinegar, water, dill, sugar, and seasoning.

4 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons chopped dill (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
dash pepper
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

Sprinkle sliced cucumber & onions with salt & let stand at least an hour. Drain excess water.

Combine all other ingredients; cover and refrigerate until chilled. If desired, add sour cream before serving.

Haven’t made this yet, just swiped it from blogger Hannah Im. I have a feeling this will be delicious.

1 1/2 cups cucumbers, sliced
1 tsp. salt (Korean salt is less salty than Western)
1 tbs. vinegar
5 tsp. sugar
1 tbs Korean red pepper power (goch’u garu)
1 tsp. very finely chopped green onion
1 tbs roasted seasame seeds

1. Throughly wash cucumbers, scrubbing skins with salt Cut in half length and slice thinly.

2. Make sauce by combining salt, sugar, and vinegar and stir until sugar/salt dissolve.

3. Mix cucumbers with the sauce. Add red pepper powder, green onion, and sesame seeds and mix well.

***This muchim is meant to be used almost like a pickle to accompany other dishes. It is not a salad and you wouldn’t want to eat a whole bowlful of it plain–well, unless you are pregnant and have an inordinate urge for sour and salty foods or you are just one crazy chick like me.

***I usually at least double this recipe. But if you aren’t used to eating this, you might want to start with the original proportions.

***It will keep in the refrigerator for a while.

***Don’t use watery or seedy cucumbers. Use firm, fresh, pickling type cucumbers. If cucumber is bitter, peel it. The cucumbers I have found in Korea are never bitter and I think this recipe is better with the skin on.

Posted by Hannah Im at Monday, July 04, 2005  

2 T. butter
2 c. chopped onion
2 c. peeled, seeded, cubed cucumbers
3 c. tomatoes, peeled, cored & cubed
3 basil leaves or 1 tsp. dried
2 c. chicken broth
2 c. yogurt
salt
1 tsp. chopped fresh mint (Optional)

1. Melt butter in a saucepan and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes but do not brown.
2. Add the cucumber, tomatoes, basil & chicken broth. Cook, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes.
3. Put the mixture, including the vegetable solids, through a sieve or blend in an electric blender.
4. Empty the mixture into a bowl and add yogurt & salt to taste. Chill thoroughly. Add the mint & serve. Yield: 6 servings.

Originally published in the New York Times on July 27, 1975.

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

Place ingredients in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Chill.

Cynthia Nims, Cooking Light, MAY 2006

Noni says, “I make double batches — last night’s new batch has some celery in it and I used stewed tomatoes instead of whole. Enjoy!”

1 cup water
1 1/4 cups eggplant, peeled and cubed
1 (14 1/2 oz) can no salt added whole tomatoes undrained and chopped
1/2 can diced mushrooms drained (I use fresh)
1 garlic clove minced
3/4 cups zucchini coarsely chopped (I just slice small)
1/2 tsp dried italian seasoning
1/8 tsp pepper (I use more)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Combine the first nine ingredients in a large pan stirring well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Cook for about 25 minutes until veggies are tender. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

1/3 cup seedless green grapes
1 tablespoon Champagne or white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh Vidalia or sweet onion (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
 Dash of white pepper

To prepare dressing, combine ingredients in a blender; process until smooth.

Cynthia DePersio, Cooking Light, JUNE 2002

An addictive mélange of spinach, garlic, raisins, pine nuts, and good olive oil, this is one of the best-known Catalan dishes. Its uses in the Catalan kitchen are many—in croquettes or egg tortillas, as a topping for cocas (flat breads), as a filling for savory turnovers or cannelloni, or as a base for baked fish. As a side dish, it goes with just about anything, and nothing beats it in the morning on toast, topped with poached eggs. The recipe is also great made with other wilted greens, such as chard or escarole.

Place the raisins in a small bowl, add very hot water to cover, and soak until plump, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels, then set aside.

Rinse but do not drain the spinach. Place the spinach in a large saucepan over medium heat and cover the pan. Cook the spinach until wilted, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Transfer the spinach to a colander, and squeeze out the excess moisture by pressing on the spinach with the back of a spoon. Chop the spinach coarsely. (The spinach can be prepared a few hours ahead up to this point.)

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over low heat. Add the garlic, pine nuts, and soaked raisins, and cook until the nuts and the garlic are light golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the chopped spinach, and cook for about 1 minute, stirring to combine evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, transfer to a serving bowl, and serve.

The New Spanish Table

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon brandy OR 1/2 tsp almond extract & 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 lb. powdered sugar
Optional: 1/2 cup blanched & finely chopped almonds

Cream together butter and 1 cup sugar until very light and fluffy. Stir in egg yolk and brandy, then add sifted flour and baking powder, a little at a time. If using almonds, add them now.

Knead well until dough is smooth. If it is too soft, add a little flour. Take small pieces of dough and shape into balls, crescents, or into small pears (if you are making pear shapes, insert a clove in the top of each).

Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake in moderate oven, about 20 minutes. While they are still warm, roll the kourabiethes in powdered sugar, then sift sugar on top. They should be very well coated. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen.

Mark Bittman says this is “the mildest, most delicious, creamiest gazpacho I’ve ever tasted. Make sure to use ripe cantaloupe and tomato at the height of the summer for the best results.”

• 4 tomatoes (about 11/2 pounds), peeled and seeded
• One 3-pound cantaloupe
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon

1. Cut the tomato flesh into 1-inch chunks. Seed the melon and remove the flesh from the rind; cut it into chunks. Put a tablespoon of olive oil in each of two 10- or 12-inch skillets and turn the heat under both to high (you can do this sequentially if you have only one skillet). Add the melon to one skillet and the tomatoes to the other and cook, stirring, until they become juicy, no longer than 2 minutes.

2. In a blender, puree the melon, tomato, 1^1/2 cups water or 1 cup water plus ¹/2 cup ice cubes, and the basil, along with some salt and pepper. Chill, then add lemon juice to taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve. Serves 4

Time: 20 minutes, plus time to chill.

From “Mark Bittman’s Quick and Easy Recipes from The New York Times” by Mark Bittman.

1 can pinto beans,(about 2 cups), drained and reserve liquid
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup self-rising flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
3 cups diced apples
1 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup nuts (pecans or walnuts are great)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13×9 pan.

Put drained beans in blender or food processor. Puree. Empty into small bowl and set aside. Cream stick of butter in large bowl. Add sugar. Blend well. Add beans to the creamed mixture. Mix well. Add eggs. Beat until well blended. Set aside.

In another bowl, sift together, flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Add dry ingredients to bean mixture. Mix until blended. Add diced apples, vanilla, raisins and nuts. Pour into 13×9 pan and bake at 350 for an hour.

Icing:
Reserved bean juice
1 lb powdered sugar
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS milk

Cream butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Add bean juice until spreading consistancy.

Original recipe

This is an incredibly simple way to make white rice into something a little bit exotic & totally delicious. Makes a nice accompaniment to a spicy or strongly flavored entree.

The book says, “The floral fragrance and subtle flavor of Thai jasmine rice make it a delightful choice as a side dish. But adding unsweetened Thai coconut milk makes it even more appealing, contributing a bit of creaminess and more perfume to the aroma. This is a long-grain rice that cooks up nice and fluffy, with distinct grains. It does need a longer resting time (20 minutes) than a short-grain rice requires, but that will ensure absolutely perfect rice every time. Coconut rice is a fine accompaniment to pork saté with spicy peanut sauce, chicken with cashews, or oven-roasted barbecued ribs.”

Makes about 7 cups; Serves 6 to 8

2 cups Thai jasmine rice or other long-grain rice
1 can (13 or 14 ounces) coconut milk, preferably a Thai brand
3 1/2 cups water

1. Combine the rice, coconut milk, and water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer, without removing the cover, until all the liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 20 minutes more before fluffing and serving.

From “Staff Meals from Chanterelle” by David Waltuck and Melicia Phillips.

“Developed in the Quaker® Kitchens in the 1950s, Prize-Winning Meatloaf remains one of our ‘most requested’ recipes. Using oats in place of bread crumbs gives this meatloaf a moist texture and adds a nutrition boost of B vitamins, protein, and fiber. Warm and deliciously hearty, this is a recipe your whole family will love!”

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup tomato juice or tomato sauce
3/4 cup Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 egg or 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1.  Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Press into 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.
2.  Bake 1 hour to medium (160°F) doneness until not pink in center and juices show no pink color. Let stand 5 minutes; drain off any juices before slicing. Servings: 8

Variations: Customize meatloaf by adding one of the following to meatloaf ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen (thawed) or canned (drained) corn
• 1/2 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• One 2-1/2-ounce jar sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Sprinkle top of baked meatloaf with 1 cup shredded cheese. Return to oven for 3 minutes to melt cheese.
• Spoon heated prepared spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, barbecue sauce or salsa over each serving.

Quaker

Great with any curry or spicy dish.

1 tsp butter or ghee
1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp. cardamom seeds
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (make sure they are firm and not over ripe).
1 pint natural plain yoghurt

OPTIONAL:
1 tbsp peanuts, finely chopped
1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Melt the butter or ghee in a skillet. Pound the spices together lightly in a mortar - they should not be completely crushed. Add the spices & nuts (if using) to the butter.

Stir around in the pan a few minutes, until the spices start to pop & crackle. Quickly add the banana and remove from the heat. Stir the yoghurt into the bananas, transfer to serving dish and chill well. 

Adapted from Anna Thomas’ Vegetarian Epicure

Six 5-inch sweet green peppers
Boiling water for blanching
1 pound chopped beef
1/4 cup uncooked white rice or 1/2 cup cooked rice or bread crumbs
1 medium yellow onion, grated
1 carrot, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
3 eggs
Water to cover

Sauce
1 cup tomato puree
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
3 tabelspoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Cut away the stem end of the peppers and remove seeds. Blanch in boiling water and invert to drain while preparing the meat mixture for the filling.

Combine all ingredients except water. Mix thoroughly. Stuff peppers compactly and even with the top. Stand upright in a casserole and cover with water. Bake 45 minutes at 350 F. Remove cover and and increase heat to 400 F for 15 minutes.

Cook sauce on top of the stove, stirring continuously till thick, approximately 10 minutes over moderate heat. Add to the pepper in the casserole, turn off heat. The heat of the oven is sufficient to lightly brown the tops of the stuffed peppers and cook the sauce with the liquid in the casserole.

From Leah Leonard

Place 1/4 of the cucumber slices in a serving bowl and sprinkle with salt. Add another 1/4 of the slices and more salt; continue until all slices have been salted. Cover with a saucer and place a weight on top to draw out the water. Let stand for several hours or overnight. Pour off cucumber juices. Combine the sour cream, vinegar, pepper and chopped dill. Add to the cucumbers and mix thoroughly. Serve chilled. Serves 4 to 6.

1.25kg/2½lb chicken pieces (legs and/or breasts) skinned
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp lemon juice

For the marinade:
450ml/¾pt plain yoghurt
½ onion, coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
2.5cm/1in piece fresh root ginger, chopped
1-2 hot green chillies, roughly sliced
2 tsp garam masala
lime or lemon wedges, to serve

Method

1. Cut each chicken leg into two pieces and each breast into four pieces. Make two deep slits crossways on the meaty parts of each leg and breast piece. The slits should not start at an edge and should be deep enough to reach the bone. Spread the chicken pieces out on two large platters. Sprinkle one side with half the salt and half the lemon juice and rub them in. Turn the pieces over and repeat on the second side. Set aside for 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, make the marinade: combine the yoghurt, onion, garlic, ginger, chillies and garam masala in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Strain the paste through a coarse sieve into a large bowl, pushing through as much liquid as you can.

3. Put the chicken and all its accumulated juices into the bowl with the marinade. Rub the marinade into the slits in the meat, then cover and refrigerate for 8-24 hours. Preheat the oven to its maximum temperature and set a shelf in the top third of the oven where it is hottest.

Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and spread them out in a single layer on a large, shallow, baking tray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through. Lift the chicken pieces out of their juices and serve with lemon or lime wedges. Serves 4.

Madhur Jaffrey’s Chicken

“Since I just finished a bowl of this soup, I thought I’d post a recipe that I’ve made many times and that everyone always loves.”

3 Tbs. butter
1 medium onion, sliced
1 garlic clove
1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup orange juice
2 Tbs. raw white rice
salt and pepper to taste

1. In large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft but not brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add ginger and carrots, and sauté 5 minutes longer.

2. Stir in broth, orange juice, and rice, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Allow to cool, then purée in batches in food processor or blender. Add salt to and pepper to taste. Reheat before serving. Serves 6.

Per serving: 140 calories, 2g protein, 6g total fat (3.5g saturated fat), 20g carbohydrates, 15mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 3g fiber, 10g sugars.

TexasWren’s Soups

“This is my husband’s favorite cookie. It is proof that something can be really good, even without chocolate.”

1 1/4 cup sifted flour
3/4 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup quick oats
1 cup raisins
1 cup nuts, optional

Sift dry ingredients together. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Texas Wren’s Cookies

If you don’t have schmaltz, just use a little extra mayo.

 1 can (6 oz) top quality solid packed white albacore tuna in water-no substitute for albacore
1 Tbs top quality mayonnaise (not salad dresssing) to start
1 Tbs. plain renedered pure schmaltz (approx) to start
a few tsp of finely shredded carrot
a few tsp of finelly shredded mild white onion
pinch salt, pinch pepper

Drain tuna and place in mixing bowl. Break up and mash tuna with fork to remove clumps and make a spreadable consistency. Mix in carrot and onion. Mix in the mayo. Then add and mix in enough schmaltz until tuna achieves a rich taste,

The important part:
Tuna should neither be flavored with either too much mayo or schmaltz. That is another part of the secret I think. You shouldn’t be aware of any blatant schmaltz taste in the tuna. Salt carefully as the tuna should not have a salty taste either.

CyberKitchen

From The Kitchen Grimoire by Celeste Rayne Heldstab.

1 large eggplant
2 T. yogurt
1 T. pomegranate molasses or other unsulphured molasses
1 T. lemon juice
Salt & pepper

1/2 red onion, cut in 1/4″ dice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped, toasted walnuts
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (1/2 pomegranate)
2 T. finely chopped flat leaf parsley

Heat broiler. Place eggplant on baking sheet, pierce a few times with a fork. Cook, turning as skin blackens, until flesh is very soft (about 35 minutes). Let eggplant cool and scrape flesh into a bowl; discard skin. Add yogurt, molasses, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Chop or grind until still chunky but mostly smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.

1 1arge (1 1/4 pound) eggplant
1 medium onion, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Generous 1/2 cup of walnuts
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon of dried fenugreek
Pinch of cayenne
3/4 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup of finely chopped mixed fresh herbs (cilantro, celery leaf, parsley and dill)
2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar

Slice the eggplant lengthwise, sprinkle it with salt, and leave it to drain on paper towel for at least TWO HOURS. Rinse and pat dry. Grill or broil until the “meat” of the eggplant is soft and the skin blackened. Alternatively, place the eggplant pieces cut side down on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 25 minutes or until soft.

Saute the onion in olive oil until golden. Set aside. Chop or grind the walnuts with the garlic and spices. Turn out into a bowl and stir in the cooked onion. Add chopped herbs and the wine vinegar.

Let eggplant cool, then scoop out the soft center and discard the skin. Cut the eggplant into small (1-inch) pieces and mix thoroughly with nuts/onion/garlic/spice mixture.

5 tablespoons olive oil
1 1 1/2-pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, cubed
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings in juice
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons drained capers
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt
Black pepper

Optional garnish: chopped fresh basil or toasted pine nuts

Place cubed eggplant in colander and sprinkle with salt. Let stand AT LEAST two hours (preferably overnight). Rinse well with water and dry.

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic cloves. Sauté until eggplant is soft and brown (about 15 minutes). Add diced tomatoes with juice, then red wine vinegar and drained capers. Cover and simmer until eggplant and onion are very tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil, season to taste with salt and pepper. If desired, garnish with fresh basil or pine nuts.

8 oz oatmeal, lightly toasted (brown in frying pan)
4 T fat or oil
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 onions, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the fat or oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and cook until soft and golden brown.

Add the oatmeal and mix in well. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the stock and allow it to be absorbed by the oatmeal. Season well and use as a stuffing for poultry or game, or serve as a side dish.

1 large eggplant
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 T. tahini (sesame paste)
Salt to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Optional garnish: chopped parsley, coriander or pine nuts

Slice eggplant in half. Place eggplant in colander and sprinkle with salt. Let stand AT LEAST two hours (preferably overnight). Rinse well with water and dry.

Grill or broil until the “meat” of the eggplant is soft and the skin blackened. Alternatively, place the eggplant pieces cut side down on an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 500 degrees for 25 minutes or until soft.

Let cool, then scoop out the soft eggplant and discard the skin. Chop/grind eggplant, beans, garlic & lemon juice together until mostly smooth. Slowly stir in olive oil. If desired, garnish with chopped parsley, coriander or pine nuts.

A really easy recipe that tastes equally good served hot, warm, or cold. Good for a packed lunch. Fettuccini or spaghetti both work great!

8 ounces spaghetti
1 bunch green onions, sliced (white parts only)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain. Meanwhile, combine oil and onions in a small skillet. Saute over low heat until tender. Add ginger; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.

Mix in peanut butter, soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat. Toss noodles with sauce, and serve.

This is a classic Spanish soup. It is delicious and wonderful, especially in the summer when everything is so fresh. There are a lot of ingredients, but prep is really simple. Basically, you just throw everything in the food processor.

6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice

Combine all ingredients — don’t puree smooth — you want to leave the gazpacho a bit chunky. Place in non-metal container (metal will give it an “off” taste), cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend. Serves 8.

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion or sliced leek
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 vegetable bouillon cube
16-ounce can diced tomatoes
5 to 6 ounces fresh spinach, rinsed, stemmed, and chopped (I just use a package of frozen chopped)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill,
or a combination, or more to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onion or leek and sauté over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper and garlic and sauté the vegetables for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the onion or leek turns golden and the red pepper softens.

In the meantime, cook the orzo in a separate saucepan until al dente. When done, drain. Add the 5 cups water, the bouillon cubes, and tomatoes to the soup pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Add the cooked orzo to the soup along with the spinach and herbs. Stir in the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Serve at once.

2 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium sweet potato, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium white potato, diced (about 2 cups)
4 cups vegetable stock or water
1 cup sharp or extra sharp cheddar, grated or chopped
3 ounces cream cheese, cubed
4-ounce jar pimientos, chopped
salt and ground black pepper to taste

In a heavy saucepan, sauté the celery in the vegetable oil, stirring occasionally. When the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes or so, add the sweet potato, white potato, and stock. Simmer until the vegetables are soft, for about 20 minutes.

Remove the soup from the heat, add the cheddar and cream cheeses, and allow it to sit a few minutes to soften the cheese. In a blender or food processor, purée the soup with half of the pimientos. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, thin to the desired consistency using milk, water or vegetable stock. Stir in the remaining pimientos. Reheat gently, but do not boil. Serves 4 to 6.

“The floral fragrance and subtle flavor of Thai jasmine rice make it a delightful choice as a side dish. But adding unsweetened Thai coconut milk makes it even more appealing, contributing a bit of creaminess and more perfume to the aroma. This is a long-grain rice that cooks up nice and fluffy, with distinct grains. It does need a longer resting time (20 minutes) than a short-grain rice requires, but that will ensure absolutely perfect rice every time.” — From “Staff Meals from Chanterelle” by David Waltuck and Melicia Phillips.

2 cups Thai jasmine rice or other long-grain rice
1 can (13 or 14 ounces) coconut milk, preferably a Thai brand
3 1/2 cups water

1. Combine the rice, coconut milk, and water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer, without removing the cover, until all the liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 20 minutes more before fluffing and serving. Makes about 7 cups.

“I love this soup, which is pure and full flavored. I make it often.” — From “French Farmhouse Cookbook” by Susan Hermann Loomis.

1 pound carrots, peeled, trimmed, and cut into 1/2-inch rounds (you can just throw in a bag of baby carrots)
1 medium potato, starchy such as russet, or all-purpose such as Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into quarters
5 cups water
Sea salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Place the carrots, potato, water, and salt to taste in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, covered. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the carrots are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
2. Transfer the vegetables and 1 cup of the cooking liquid to a food processor and purée. Return the purée to the pan and add the butter, stirring until it has melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately. 4 servings.

“Sarah Elmaleh, the daughter of a rabbi, was born in 1898 in the seaport village of Essaouira in Morocco, and learned many of her cooking techniques from the family’s Arab servants. She came to Brooklyn in 1939 with her husband, a businessman, their children, and an exotic repertoire of recipes that combined Moroccan and Sephardic cuisines. This recipe comes from her granddaughter, Lisa Craig Kuhr. It makes an alluring first course and is wonderful followed by lamb, grilled chicken, or a fish stew.” — From “New York Cookbook” by Molly O’Neill

5 navel oranges, peeled and diced*
3/4 cup black salt-cured (shriveled) olives, halved and pitted (I use oil-cured)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss well. Refrigerate to chill, then serve. Serves 4 to 6

“Celery has that crisp snap that you get from pickles, but it is more subtle and acts as a counterpoint to the stronger flavors in this menu. Here celery is dressed with a simple vinaigrette and fresh herbs and it remains crunchy even the next day. Try serving it atop thinly sliced roasted beets.” — From “Celebrate!” by Sheila Lukins.

12 outer ribs celery, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal
6 to 8 inner ribs celery, including the leaves, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup small flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint

Place all the celery in a bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar and toss. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, toss with the parsley leaves and chopped mint.

Serves 9 - 1 cup each

• 3/4 lb (12 oz) hot Italian sausage, cut into 1/2″ thick slices
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 stalk celery, sliced
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 can (14 oz) beef broth
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cans (15.5 oz each) kidney beans, drained, rinsed
• Crackers

1. Cook sausage, pepper and celery in large saucepan on medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, stirring frequently; drain. 
2. Add flour; cook and stir 1 minute.  Stir in broth, tomatoes with their liquid and beans.  Bring to boil; reduce heat to low.  Cover; simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
3. Serve with crackers

Substitute: Prepare as directed, using your favorite variety of canned beans. 

Tarah Recipes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped,
• 4 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 can (35 ounce) whole peeled tomatoes, drained
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• couscous, cooked according to package directions

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Lower the heat and sauté the garlic and onion for 5 minutes until translucent. Add the green pepper and cook 5 minutes more. Add the zucchini and cook for 15 minutes. Crush the tomatoes as you add them to the vegetable mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for another 20 minutes or until the zucchini is soft and translucent but still holds its shape. Stir in the chickpeas and capers and cook for another 5 minutes until the mixture is heated through. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve over couscous.

Serves 4–6

From Whole Foods Market

A woman in the line at Sahadi’s market told me about this recipe created by Rachael Ray. She raved about it and told me to look it up online. I haven’t yet made it, but it sounds amazing.

1 loaf panettone, cut in half (enough for about 5 cups, diced)
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
3/4 cups sugar
2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
1/4 cup rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Vegetable cooking spray

Optional accompaniments:
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Place a tea-kettle of water on to boil for a water bath. With a serrated knife, remove the side crusts from the half piece of the panettone. Cut into 3/4 to 1-inch dice. You should have 5 cups. Reserve the cubed panettone in a large mixing bowl.

For the eggnog custard, in another bowl thoroughly whisk together the eggs, yolks, sugar, half and half, rum, vanilla extract, and a healthy grating of fresh nutmeg. Pour this over the bread cubes.

Spray a 12 hole muffin tin with vegetable cooking spray. Ladle the bread/eggnog mixture gently and evenly into the muffin tins. The big cubes sticking up look nice. Place the filled muffin tin in a tall sided cookie sheet or roasting pan. Transfer to the preheated oven and carefully pour the hot water from kettle onto sheet pan, creating a water bath for the muffin tin to sit in.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes until the tops are nicely browned, and a toothpick comes clean from the center. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

NOTE: Panettone is available in Italian specialty stores. If you don’t have a panettone, use raisin bread and add 1/2 cup or so of choppped dried fruit.

Recipe on Food Network Site

This is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, good as a dip, sandwich spread or part of a platter of assorted salads. If you want to use it as a dip, serve with chopped or sliced vegetables, chunks of pita bread or crackers.

• 2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (ceci)
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using canned beans)
• Optional garnishes: olive oil, paprika, parsley, pine nuts

Blend the beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic together until pulverized and fairly smooth.

If you wish, when serving you can drizzle a little olive oil (about one or two spoonsful) on top, sprinkle with paprika, chopped parsley or pine nuts (pignoli).

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
1 2/3 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 large clove garlic, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon coarsely grated ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, optional
2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
6 cups no-salt-added chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh goat cheese

1. Heat oil in a nonstick pot large enough to hold all the ingredients. Sauté onion until it begins to brown (about 10 minutes). Add garlic and sauté, stirring, for 30 seconds.

2. To make the curry flavoring, add ginger, cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric and optional hot pepper flakes and stir well. Add sweet potatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until potatoes are soft.

3. Remove the sweet potatoes from the soup and mash; return to pot (if you don’t mind washing more stuff, you can puree the soup in a blender or food processor). stir well, season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot in mugs with a spoon of cheese on top and stir a bit to melt the cheese.

1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste)
About 15 kalamata or other olives, pitted & chopped
1/4 cup plus 1 T extra virgin olive oil
1 pound long pasta, like linguine
1 pound spinach, washed, tough stems removed, chopped
Salt & freshly ground black pepper

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Mince the garlic as finely as possible and combine it, in the bottom of a large bowl, with the red pepper, olives and olive oil.
2. Place the pasta in the pot, and cook until it is nearly done. Plunge the spinach into the water and cook until it wilts (less than one minute).
3. Drain the pasta and spinach quickly, allowing some water to cling, and toss the hot pasta and spinach in the bowl with the garlic and olive mixture. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Serves 3 or 4.

Add freshly grated cheese to taste. Try adding 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes or 2 T drained capers.

4 small - medium leeks (1 bunch)
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest
Salt & pepper

Discard the tough outer leaves and cut the leeks lengthwise into quarters or eighths, then trim into sections about 7 inches long. Place the trimmed leeks in a shallow dish and soak in cold water to cover 15 minutes, rubbing occasionally to remove any grit.

In a heavy skillet melt butter over moderate heat. Lift leeks out of the water and, with water still clinging to them, add to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, five minutes and add broth and zest.

Cover and braise leeks about 5 minutes or until very tender. Season with salt and pepper.

From Gourmet Magazine, February 1995
Mariquita Farm

2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups 1-inch cubes peeled winter squash (butternut, acorn, kabocha, buttercup, etc.)
1 (16-ounce) can diced, peeled tomatoes
1 1/4 cups corn kernels or 1 (15-1/4 ounce) can whole corn kernels, drained
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can golden or white hominy
1 red or green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, cut in 1-inch squares

In a large pot, bring 1/2 cup of the broth to a boil over moderate heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens (about 5 minutes). Add the squash, tomatoes, corn, thyme, salt, pepper and remaining 2 cups of broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to maintain a simmer, and cook 10 minutes. Add the hominy and bell pepper and return to simmer. cover and simmer until the squash and bell pepper are tender when pierced but not mushy, about 10 minutes. Serves 4.

“Chef Chai Chaowasaree says extracting the full benefit from a black chicken requires long, slow cooking. His method is similar to poaching, letting the chicken sit immersed in liquid over very low heat. “You don’t want to rush the heat, you want all the nutrition to come out slowly, slowly, slowly.”

“He makes soup using ginseng, ginger and garlic, also believed to have healing qualities and which lend the broth a peppery flavor. Don’t bother peeling the ginseng or ginger, he says, and use whole heads of garlic, leaving the paper skins in place.”

1 silkie chicken (about 2 pounds), whole or halved
3 thumb-sized pieces ginseng root
6-1/4 cups water
1 thumb-sized piece ginger, smashed
2 large heads garlic, halved
1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
Salt or soy sauce to taste
5 dried figs
Sliced green onion for garnish

Cut chicken in half if necessary to fit pot; otherwise leave whole. Soak ginseng in water 1 hour.

Place ginseng and its soaking water in pot; add chicken, ginger, garlic, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil and skim impurities. Reduce heat to a very low simmer (no bubbling at all) and cook until chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, 2 to 4 hours. Or cook in a crock pot on low heat, about 6 hours. In last hour of cooking, add figs.

Strain soup and debone chicken if desired, or serve with root pieces. Garnish with green onion.

From the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 2002.

Yes, you can make it at home and you don’t need any thermometers or special equipment, either. This is a genuine ancient hippie recipe that really works; it was printed in The Last Whole Earth Catalog in 1971.

3 cups of instant powdered milk
1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1 large can Pet Evaporated Milk
3 tablespoons yogurt (plain, unflavored)
Water

1. Preheat the oven to about 275o F (between 250o and 300o). Soften the gelatin in measuring cup in a bit of water, then add enough boiling water to make one cup. If you want to add sugar, put it in the cup now. Let the mixture cool.

2. Mix the instant powered milk with three cups of water and stir well.

3. In a large glass or pottery ovenproof bowl, mix the evaporated milk with two cups of tepid water. Add the diluted instant powdered milk, the gelatin mixture and the yogurt. Stir thoroughly.

4. Cover the bowl, put it in the oven and turn the oven off. Leave it overnight or about 10 hours. Then, look in the bowl — it’s yogurt! Yield: two quarts.

3 medium yams (about 1 1/2 lbs.) sliced 1 inch thick
3/4 cup crushed pineapple (packed in juice), drained
4 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 egg whites

Cook yams in boiling water for 25 - 35 minutes or until very soft and tender. Drain and mash thoroughly until consistency is smooth. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix pineapple and 3 Tablespoons maple syrup into yams. Spoon into a 9 inch round or 8 inch square non-stick baking pan. Beat egg whites to soft peaks; add remaining 1 Tablespoon syrup and beat until stiff; spread with a spatula, using a swirling motion, on top of yam mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until top is golden.
Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 176, Fat: 1%

From the Searchable Online Archive of Recipes (SOAR)
October, 1997

1 1-pound acorn squash, peeled
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cut acorn squash into 1/2-inch thick slices, discarding seeds. Combine orange juice, brown sugar, and ground nutmeg. Place squash and orange juice mixture in a large skillet. Bring juice to boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 25 minutes or until squash slices are tender.

Yield: 4 servings. Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 25 minutes.
Calories per serving: 114, Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol, 0 mg, Protein: 1.9 g, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Dietary fiber: no data, Sodium: 8 mg.

From Sarah Schlesinger’s 500 Fat-Free Recipes

October, 1997