Tags
bell peppers, Carrots, cornstarch, dry white wine, fennel bulb, frozen mussel meat, Garlic, heavy cream, herbs, lemongrass, olive oil, onion, parsley, pasta sauce, roasted garlic, sherry vinegar, tomato paste
We traveled North for the holidays. it’s a bit chillier there than in the Carolinas, but decidedly more Christmas-y. This soup/chowder came about through the wonderful duo, Dave and Terri! They always come up with delicious fare and this was truly an inspiring way to ring in the New Year. Continue reading
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Lentils make a nice “bed” for some lovely roasted chicken. Or a piece of grilled fish or pork chop. Think lentils, instead of rice, pasta or potatoes. And lentils offer some terrific vitamins and minerals, too. Oh yes, did I mention they are also delicious? 
You know I adore eggplant. I don’t think I’ve ever met an eggplant dish I didn’t love. I’ve been thinking about stuffed eggplant, so I decided that today was the day. I was heading down the vegetarian path, adding lentils to give us that meaty texture. Then, I took another path…. 
Every Cuban woman (or man, I suppose) knows how to make Picadillo. It’s quick and delicious, but it’s never as good as “mami makes”! Some things transcend cultures, don’t they? I learned how to make this from my mother-in-law and from The Latin Lover’s great-aunt, both damn fine cooks. It’s a very valuable recipe to have. 
I had some mini-pepperoni that just seemed like they would be a nice addition to some lean ground beef…I was thinking maybe a taco-like thing, but The Latin Lover said, “We haven’t had meatloaf in a while. I love meatloaf”…well, what more could a Goddess want to hear? 
The mixture of onions, apples and mushrooms is a winning combination. I love this combination with pork or roasted chicken. This is particularly nice, because you can make it ahead and reheat it. I think it’s even better reheated, making it perfect for company. And, this compote positively screams autumn! 
I’m sorry I haven’t posted anything recently, but my trusty laptop crashed. I couldn’t believe it, but such is life. So I have a new laptop and I’m up and running again, so I promise to make it up to you. And this recipe is the perfect way to begin. The mojito is a staple Cuban libation. This sauce is a keeper, even for those that think they aren’t crazy about mint. 
I usually lean toward an Asian flavor profile when I make tuna steaks. But, I just wasn’t feeling that today. After our time in Portugal, I decided to wander in that direction. More of a meander, really. The main thing to remember with tuna, is to not over-cook it. You want it crisp on the outside and very pink on the inside…and very delicious. 
I like lentils. Actually, as far as legumes go, I think lentils may be my favorite. The Latin Lover is, shall we say, less fond of them. A bad childhood memory. But I’m trying to convert him. It’s always good to eradicate a bad childhood food memory and create a new, all-gown-up food memory! I think this soup may have done it! 