Tags
almonds, beef broth, bell peppers, Bread, chuck steak, fresh herbs, Garlic, honey, olive oil, olives, Onions, plum tomatoes, sherry vinegar, Spices, white wine
This sauce is incredibly complex and absolutely delicious, with flavors leaning well into Spain and wandering just a bit into Portugal. Sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, cinnamon, olives, orange and almonds are significant players in both countries, tracing their roots back to the Moorish habitation of the peninsula for some 700 years. Make certain you have good bread to mop. You don’t want to miss a drop! Continue reading
This is a layered affair. If you aren’t familiar with Lebanese 7-Spice or Baharat, you might want to wander into a Middle Eastern market and pick some up. This blend uses the “sweet” spices, like allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, etc. But, it’s wonderful in savory dishes. It lends itself particularly well to lamb and as it turns out, eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes. 
Peruvian cuisine is wonderful. If you have a Peruvian restaurant near you, and haven’t tried it. Go. Go right now. Peruvian roast chicken is magic and magically delicious. But today we’re making Chaufa Rice, Peru’s version of Chinese fried rice. It’s simple. It’s delicious. And it also happens to be a great way to use leftover chicken or pork, if you don’t have fresh. 
First of all, you’re going to need to read through the recipe for 
I love stuffed peppers. I didn’t always, but the I grew up. And now I do. I love the sweetness of the pepper, after it roasts. I seem to always like whatever is stuffed into them. It always seems to work. And these Papa Rellena Stuffed Peppers…baby, do they ever work! 
Have you tried plantain chips? They’re readily available here in South Florida, but I’ve gotten them in the Northeast, too. Anyway, you need to get yourself a bag, because they make a great “crumb” coating…really. Crush them up and add use them to coat chicken breasts, or as in this case, fish fillets. Oh yeah, they’re a great alternative to potato chips, too (and they are gluten free, as well!). 
The key to a successful stir-fry, is a hot wok and having your mis en place, in place (pun totally intended!). Have everything sliced and diced before you even put the pan on the stove. Then, turn on the exhaust fan and crank the heat! 
This came together in no time at all. I was hungry for pizza. Really, more the flavor of pizza. Does that happen to you? Do you get hungry for certain flavors, too? Anyway, that what this was born of…the hunger for a flavor! 
The Goddess was thinking about pizza for dinner or maybe a burger, but it was raining most convincingly. We’re talking monsoon, get-out-the-hip-waders! This was ark-building-type of downpour!…and this is the dry season in Florida…thank Goddess there’s no global warming…or the weather might be totally crazy! But, I digress. 
I love fennel. I love it raw, but when it’s roasted or sautéed…mmm…it’s just superb. So many times I’ve heard people say they don’t know what to do with fresh fennel. This is a perfect marriage…fennel and apple. There’s no fighting here! 