Potato Kugle

 Credit Alison Roman for this delicious recipe!

• 4 pounds russet potatoes (about 5 to 7 potatoes), peeled

• 1 large yellow onion

• 6 large eggs

• 10 tablespoons chicken fat, melted, or use vegetable oil

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• ⅓ cup finely chopped chives, for serving

• Flaky sea salt, for serving

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Using a box grater or the shredding attachment on the food processor, grate the potatoes and onion into a colander fitted inside a large bowl (or in the sink).

2. Using your hands and working with a bit at a time, squeeze as much water from the potatoes and onions as humanly possible and transfer the dry potatoes to a large bowl (you can use that same bowl, just make sure it’s drained and dry). For added insurance, you can also do this with cheesecloth or a porous kitchen towel, if you like.

3. Add eggs and 6 tablespoons chicken fat to the potatoes, and season with salt and plenty of pepper, mixing well. Heat another 2 tablespoons fat in a 9- or 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. (This recipe will work in a 9- or 10-inch skillet, but the kugel will be slightly taller in a 9-inch.) Delicately place the potato mixture into the skillet, taking care not to pack it in tightly. (You want to keep the kugel light and airy.)

4. Cook the potatoes, rotating the skillet occasionally to promote even browning, until it’s golden brown on the edges and up the sides, 10 to 12 minutes.

5. Drizzle the top of the potatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons fat and place in the oven. Bake until the top of the kugel is deeply golden brown, the edges are wispy and crispy, and the potatoes are completely and totally tender and cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and top with more pepper, chives and flaky sea salt. Slice and serve warm.

Tips

If you don’t have chicken fat and are not keeping kosher, melted butter is great substitute, otherwise, olive oil or a neutral oil like grapeseed or canola will do the trick. But given the limited ingredient list on this recipe, you really do need the rest (potatoes, onion, egg).

Vegan Chili

 

316Save

Vegetarian Chili

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 1/2 hours
• Yield: 6 to 8 servings

282

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
• 1 poblano pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 2 to 3 serrano chiles, minced
• 1 1/2 pounds baby bella mushrooms, diced
• Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano, crushed between your fingers
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, stems and leaves separated and both finely chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• Two 14.5 ounce cans petite diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 3 cups water, or more as needed
• Two cans black beans, drained and rinsed under cool water
• 1 large zucchini, diced
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• Cooked brown rice, for serving
• Sour cream, for serving
• Chopped green onions, for serving
• Diced avocado, for serving

Directions

• Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large heavy Dutch oven and saute the onions, bell pepper, poblano, and serrano chiles until the vegetables are soft, 4 to 6 minutes.

  Add the mushrooms, season lightly with salt and cayenne, and continue to cook, stirring as needed, until the mushrooms have given off their liquid and then begin to brown around the edges, 4 to 6 minutes longer.

  Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro stems, bay leaves, and cook until the spices are fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

  Stir in the canned tomatoes and 2 cups of the water. Bring to a simmer, lower heat so that the chili gently bubbles, and cook for about 20 minutes, adding more water if the chili gets too thick.

  Add the beans and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes longer. Stir in the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes, then stir in the corn and any additional water to correct the consistency if the chili has become too thick. Cook until the zucchini is softened but not mushy, about 10 minutes, then stir in the cilantro leaves, correct the seasoning with salt and cayenne, and remove from the heat.

  Serve the chili garnished with a spoonful of brown rice, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkling of green onions and diced avocado.

Split Pea Lentil Soup

Split Pea Lentil Soup (Parve)

By Giora Shimoni

Updated 11/01/19

I'm stealing this recipe from The Spruce Eats to make for our Hanukkah party Friday - we'll see how it turns out!

boblin / Getty Images

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• Total: 90 mins
• Prep: 10 mins
• Cook: 80 mins
• Yield: 6 to 8 Cups (6 to 8 Servings)

40 ratings

3 Comments

Add a comment

Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
151	Calories
4g	Fat
24g	Carbs
6g	Protein

See Full Nutritional Guidelines

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This easy to make and healthy soup is especially nice to serve for a fall or winter family or Shabbat dinner. Dunk fresh bread or challah into it.

Follow this simple, nourishing soup with a savory mushroom and onion omelet or a wrap sandwich. Carry the comfort food theme through dessert with these dairy-free oatmeal raisin cookies with chocolate and nuts.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion (peeled, trimmed, and chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (peeled and chopped)
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 celery stalks (trimmed and chopped)
• 3 carrots (peeled and chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups dried split peas (picked over and rinsed)
• 1/2 cup green or brown lentils (picked over and rinsed)
• 8 cups water
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Steps to Make It

1. In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bay leaf, celery, and carrots, and saute until the onions are soft and translucent about 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add the split peas, lentils, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.
3. Stir in the parsley, salt, pepper, basil, and thyme. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 40 minutes, until the peas are falling apart and the vegetables are soft enough to mash.
4. Remove the bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. Or let the soup cool a bit and pour it in batches into a stand blender and pureé.

Lisa's Kale Soup

1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 C redskin potatoes, diced
8 C vegetable broth
1 can white beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 bunch kale, chopped
Thyme, other herbs you like, salt, pepper

1. Saute the onions, carrots and garlic
2. Put in the potatoes and vegetable broth. Bring to boil.
3. Add everything else and cook until tender.

Cioppino - a lovely seafood stew

 From the Press Enterprise, Dec. 20, 2015

Classic holiday dishes usually are fattier, sweeter and heavier than our normal fare, so when a traditional dish actually is healthy without any tweaks, that’s something to celebrate!

So if cioppino isn’t somewhere on your holiday menu, let’s change that.

Cioppino is a tomato-based fish stew that relies on simple and healthy ingredients for flavor.

It’s the ultimate guilt-free comfort food.

Cioppino is incredibly versatile. You can make it as simple or fancy as you like depending on the seafood you use. Anything from the fishmonger’s best catch to frozen seafood mixes will work.

And a mix of fish and seafood each week is one of the best health moves we can make for our brain and heart health.

My cioppino version is super quick. The result is a light-and-lovely tomato broth that satisfies without weighing you down, which is the perfect foil for those belt-loosening meals that dot the holiday landscape.

The recipe takes just minutes to prepare, making it perfect for entertaining (spend more time with your guests!) and weeknight post-work dining alike.

You even could make the broth the night before, then simply heat it up and add the seafood moments before serving. That means you get a company-worthy dinner on the table in under 15 minutes.

Fresh fennel and orange zest are the secrets to great flavor. That hint of licorice plus that slightly sweet aromatic orange zest work magic together in the acidic tomato sauce.

And remember, any cioppino recipe really is a template, ready for you to personalize and make your own.

Once you make one cioppino this holiday season, I’ll bet you will be enjoying fish stews throughout the year.

Quick Cioppino

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced (a mandoline is best)

Kosher salt

8 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

11/2 cups dry white wine

11/2 cups fish stock or clam juice

1 cup chicken stock (or more fish stock)

1/2 to 1 cup water

28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, finely chopped and with juices

2 bay leaves

1 pound cod (or other white fish), cut into 1-inch chunks

1 pound uncooked, shelled shrimp

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped parsley

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium, heat the olive oil.

Add the onion, fennel and a generous pinch of salt.

Cook until tender, about 12 minutes, stirring often.

Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme and orange zest, then cook, stirring until very fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Increase the heat to high and deglaze the pan with the wine and let bubble for 3 minutes, stirring.

Add the stock, 1/2 cup of water, tomatoes and bay leaves, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Taste, adjust seasoning, then add an additional 1/2 cup of water if too thick.

Add the cod and shrimp, then cover and cook just until the fish and shrimp are cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.

Uncover, stir in the lemon juice, then top with parsley to serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 270 calories; 60 calories from fat (22 percent of total calories); 7 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 125 mg cholesterol; 910 mg sodium; 15 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 6 g sugar; and 27 g protein.

Daniel Boulud's Chicken Tagine

Lifted from the New York Times Magazine, Nov. 16, 2014

This recipe for an elegant North African stew comes out of the kitchen of Boulud Sud, Daniel Boulud’s sophisticated Mediterranean French restaurant in New York. It is a dish steeped in the flavors of North Africa, but also of France. Chicken serves as the protein, bathed in a blend of North African spices — cinnamon and coriander, turmeric, ginger powder and cardamom — combined with tomatoes, saffron and a little stock. Preserved lemons and olives added at the end provide bite. Tagines are often cooked with root vegetables and dried fruits. Boulud, who famously grew up on a farm, in Lyon, uses cauliflower. ‘‘It is maybe a little more French approach to the tagine,’’ he said. Blanching the cauliflower and tomatoes before cooking them may cause some cooks to blanch themselves. But the effort is worth it.

Featured in: Marrakesh Express. 

French, Moroccan

619 ratings

Really Good

Ingredients

For the spice mix

• 3 ½ tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon ginger powder
• ½ tablespoon ground cardamom
• 2 ½ teaspoons ground allspice

For the tagine

• 8 chicken thighs, approximately 3 pounds
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons spice mix
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 Roma tomatoes
• 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 pinch saffron
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken stock, homemade or low-sodium
• 3 tablespoons preserved lemons, approximately 2 lemons, roughly chopped
• 1 cup green olives, like Castelvetranos
• ½ bunch cilantro, leaves picked and stems discarded.

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    1136 calories; 83 grams fat; 19 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 41 grams monounsaturated fat; 15 grams polyunsaturated fat; 35 grams carbohydrates; 12 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 66 grams protein; 336 milligrams cholesterol; 1023 milligrams sodium
  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
  Powered by Edamam

Preparation

1. Combine the spices in a dry sauté pan set over low heat, and toast them gently until they release their fragrance, 2 minutes or so. Transfer to a bowl, and allow to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350. Season the chicken thighs with the salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the spice mix, along with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat, and set a large bowl of ice water to the side. Core the tomatoes, and score an X on their bottoms. Boil the cauliflower florets in the water for 3 minutes, then submerge them in the ice water. Boil the tomatoes for 20 seconds, and chill them in the ice water as well. Remove the cauliflower when it is cold, and pat the florets dry. Peel the skin off the tomatoes, then cut them into quarters lengthwise. Trim away the seeds to make petals.
4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large sauté pan set over medium heat, and sear the chicken in batches, starting skin-side down, until the thighs are browned. Remove the chicken to a large Dutch oven or tagine pot. Remove all but two tablespoons of the fat in pan, then return it to the heat, and brown the cauliflower and add to the chicken.
5. Reduce heat below the pan, and add the onion, garlic, ginger and saffron. Cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and chicken stock, and simmer until reduced by 1/3.
6. Pour sauce over the chicken and cauliflower, cover the pot and transfer to oven for 20 minutes. Remove, stir in the tomatoes, preserved lemon and olives, then cover the pot again and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken in the pot, garnished with the cilantro leaves, with couscous. Reserve remaining spice mix for the next batch or another use. It keeps well in a sealed container.

Winter Quinoa Dressing with Apples and Dried Cranberries

From The Press Enterprise, Dec. 21, by way of the Associated Press.

I first heard about quinoa in college from my math professor, Marty Waltzer, a dedicated environmentalist.  He was excited about some new grain that was supposed to be incredibly nutritious but also inexpensive to grow.  I don't know how inexpensively it can be grown, but it sure ain't cheap to buy!

Hopefully, by the end of this week, I'll know if the purchase was worth it!

Winter Quinoa Dressing with Apples and Dried Cranberries

The exciting protein news on quinoa isn’t necessarily the quantity (though that’s good, too), but the quality.

Quinoa offers all nine essential amino acids in the quantities required to make it a complete protein (unusual for vegetable-based protein sources).

Another bonus: It’s gluten-free, which makes it a great option for hosting gluten-free guests or for families (like mine) that have gluten-free members.

I like to cook up a batch of quinoa on the weekends, then use it during the week much as I would cooked rice — in cold salads, in hot side dishes like a stir-fry, or with stews and sauces.

Sometimes I’ll drizzle warm quinoa with maple syrup and top it with berries and almonds for a hearty breakfast.

My recipe for winter quinoa dressing is a perfect dish for both newbies and quinoa pros. It complements the gorgeous roasts of winter as a side dish, or can be served as a main event for a simple supper.

Winter Quinoa Dressing with Apples and Dried Cranberries

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

11/4 cups uncooked quinoa

13/4 cups low-sodium broth (chicken or vegetable)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

2 sweet Italian turkey sausages, casings removed

2 small celery stalks (or 1 large), chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

6 ounces fresh mushrooms, roughly chopped

1 apple, cored and diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup pine nuts

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

In a large microwave-safe baking dish, combine the quinoa, broth and olive oil.

Cover and microwave for 11 minutes, then allow to sit in the microwave for another 2 minutes.

Remove the dish from the microwave and stir the quinoa.

Depending on the power of your microwave, you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is golden, about 7 minutes.

Add the celery, onion and mushrooms, and cook until the vegetables are tender, another 7 minutes.

Add the apple, cranberries, pine nuts, garlic, rosemary and sage, then cook an additional 2 minutes.

Combine the quinoa with the sausage and vegetable mixture and serve immediately.

Nutritional information per serving: 240 calories; 60 calories from fat (25 percent of total calories); 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 15 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 10 g protein; and 570 mg sodium.

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Story Source: 

The Associated Press

Story Edition Link: 

December 21, 2014

Story Page Link: 

Page 34

Story Author: 

MELISSA D’ARABIAN

Story Category: 

Food

Story Permalink: http://www.pressenterpriseonline.com/daily/122114/page/34/story/quinoa-d...

Grandma's Latkes

In honor of Hanukkah, I present here the very delicious, but totally simple recipe for my grandma's latkes - once you know the tricks.  After 20 years, I think I've finally mastered it - I'll let you know the technique so it won't take you as long!

Ingredients:
3 medium, starchy potatoes - Russets work nicely.
1/2 medium onion
1 egg
1/4 Cup matzoh meal
salt
pepper
olive oil (lots.)
apple sauce or sour cream.  Or both.

1. Prepare an oven-safe plate by laying a couple paper towels on it.

2. Peel and grate potatoes and onion.  A hand-grater gets you the best texture, but you can get away with using the grater on a food processor.  If you do use the food processor, be sure to process them a second time, pulsing them with the blade to make smaller potato gratings.  Otherwise, it won't stick together and you'll wind up with really crunchy hash browns.

If you hand-grate the potatoes, don't be maniacal about shredding every little last potato piece - it's O.K. to throw out the last sliver to save your knuckles.  Remember, blood in food is literally not kosher.

3. Use your hands to squeeze out the water from the potato and onion gratings into a small bowl. Put the squeezed gratings into a large bowl.  DON'T SKIP THIS STEP!  I used to skip it. As a result, the oil spattered when I started to cook my latkes - I have scars to prove it.  The spatter gets all over the oven, which makes certain Significant Others cranky.  And the latkes end up soggy. 

4. Beat the egg and add it to the potato/onion mixture.  Pour the water off the starch that settled in the bottom of your squeezing bowl, then add the starch to the potato/onion mixture.

5. Add the matzoh meal and salt and pepper to taste to the potato/onion mixture, which is now officially promoted to latke batter.

6. Pour olive oil, enough to halfway submerge your latkes (about a quarter-inch deep) into a pan which you've been heating on the stove at slightly hotter than medium.  Let the oil heat up.

7. Test the temperature of the oil by putting in a teeny, tiny chunk of latke batter into it.  When it immediately starts bubbling, the oil is hot enough.  Put in the latkes. Each is about 1 heaping tablespoon, which you flatten with your spoon until they're a thickness that makes you happy (about 1/2 inch thick.) About five will fit in a good-sized pan.

8. When the edges appear golden and crisp, flip the latke over using a spatula.  Here's where there's another trick - it's easier if you tilt the pan so the oil drains away from the latke you're flipping.  Then it doesn't splash as you flip your latke. Once the latke is flipped, lay the pan flat again so the oil surrounds it and starts merrily bubbling again.

You can entertain yourself while the latkes are cooking by using your spatula to fish out any little bits of latke that broke off the main pieces.  If you can get them out before they burn, you won't set off the smoke alarms, plus your  subsequent latkes, cooked in the same oil, will taste better.

9. When the bottom is golden and crisp, take out the latke, tilting it to drain the oil off the top. Put it on the paper-towel covered plate - the towel will help blot more of the oil so the latke isn't greasy.  But if the oil is hot enough, the pancakes really won't pick up that much oil. If you aren't serving them immediately or if you're making a lot of latkes, you can put the plate in the oven at about 210 degrees to keep 'em warm.

10. Serve with apple sauce or sour cream on top. (They're better with apple sauce.)

The reason we make latkes at Hanukkah, of course, is because they use a lot of oil.

The holiday celebrates the victory of the totally outnumberd Jewish rebels who, under the leadership of Judas Maccabee and his brothers, defeated the Greek army. The Greeks were ruled then by King Antiochus, who was setting himself up as a god. While the Greeks occupied Judea, they also defiled the Jewish temple. Among other things, they destroyed all of the oil casks that fueled the menorahs.

Only one jar of oil, enough for one day, was left by the time the Jewish rebels took back the synagogue. But by a miracle, that oil lasted eight days, until a new supply could be brought. So Jews light candles each of eight nights to commemorate the event and eat a lot of things cooked in oil.

As my dad says, this follows the theme of most Jewish holidays: They tried to destroy us. They failed. Let's eat!

Mary Mourar's Feast-Day Posole Stew

My friend Mary Mourar made this skipping the pork.  Delicious, and a perfect meal for a cold Colorado night!

Feast-Day Posole Stew

Served by Mike, Missouri R. canoe trip

-with apologies to NewMexico Magazine, Best of New Mexico Kitchens, and The Shed restaurant

This stew is a variation of the traditional hominy-based side dish common in New Mexico as a substitute for rice, and has been glorified with the addition of pork, vegetables, and a rich chili sauce. The hominy can be either dried, frozen, or canned. The canned version is easier and faster, but starting with a pound or so of dried hominy would result in a thicker, richer sauce and more intense corn flavor.


Meat
2 slices thick-cut bacon
2 lbs. Boneless pork loin chops, cut in 3/4” cubes


Vegetables
1 large onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper, coarsely diced
3 med. Carrots, diced
1 gallon can white hominy (posole)
Juice of 1 lime
¼ c fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped








Sofrito
1 tsp cumin seeds
5 cloves garlic, with skins on
3 Tbsp ground mild red chili, pref. ancho
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp chipotle en adobo, pureed
1 tsp leaf oregano
cider vinegar

1. Start by making the Sofrito: Toast cumin seeds and unpeeled garlic cloves in a cast-iron skillet over med heat; remove cumin when lightly toasted, garlic when skins are black in spots and inside is soft to the touch. Allow to cool.
   
2. Grind cumin in spice grinder or mortar; peel and mash garlic with the side of a knife. Puree the garlic by successively mashing and chopping into a smooth paste. Place cumin and garlic in a small mixing bowl.
   
3. Add tomato paste, ground chili, chipotle en adobo, and oregano. Mix thoroughly with a spoon, adding cider vinegar in small amounts as necessary to achieve a thin paste, not stiff but also not runny. Set the Sofrito aside.
   
4. In a large heavy-bottomed stew pot, fry bacon slowly until fully browned, with fat completely rendered. Remove bacon, chop and reserve.
   
5. Lightly brown cubed pork in bacon fat. Do this in batches, removing and reserving pork when done. If necessary, add olive oil to pot for the next step.
   
6. Saute onion, bell pepper, and carrots until onion is translucent.
   
7. Scrape a clear spot in the middle of the pan and add Sofrito mixture. Allow to heat through until it sticks to the pan, then gradually stir into the vegetables along the sides. Cook and stir until the sofrito is noticeably darker, about 2 minutes.
   
8. De-glaze the pan with about ¼ cup of water, using a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up anything stuck to the bottom. Add hominy straight from the can. Do not drain or rinse. Bring to a boil, adding water as required to reach a stew-like consistency.
   
9. Add reserved pork and bacon; add lime juice; add salt to taste; simmer for about 30 minutes; adjust seasonings; add chopped cilantro; simmer for another 10 minutes.
   
10. Adjust thickness by adding water or 1Tbsp masa harina, mixed in a small bowl with juice from the pot and added when of pouring consistency.
    

Dad's Chili Verde

This is my Dad's chile verde recipe.  He uses roasted Pueblo chilis he picks up during the Pueblo chili festival.  Here in Pennsylvania, I find chili poblanos work well, though I have to roast them myself.  Be warned, Pennsylvanians who like bland food - depending on the chili peppers, this recipe can be best for fire-eaters!

Roast garlic: Cut off stem of bulb, exposing cloves.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Roast at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, until the garlic is buttery and slips out of its skin. DO NOT EAT ALL OF THEM BEFORE ADDING TO CHILI, especially on French bread with red wine.

Roast chilis: Drizzle chili peppers with olive oil, stick on grill or in oven at about 400 degrees, until skin blisters and blackens, but pepper is still tender.  Cool, then peel and chop.

Ingredients:
2 TBs olive oil
2 lbs boneless chicken cubed
1 large onion, chopped
10-12 chili peppers, roasted, peeled and chopped. Or use canned chili peppers. (keep in the seeds to ramp up the heat.)
1 chopped fresh jalapeño (keep in the seeds to ramp up the heat.)
4-5 roasted garlic cloves
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
1 bunch cilantro
2 18 ounce cans tomatillos, drained and chopped
2 large red tomatoes, chopped
14 ounces chicken broth
coarse salt and fresh pepper to taste

1. In large pot, heat oil over medium heat.

2. Brown chicken.  Add onion and cook, stirring often, until onions are translucent.

3.  Add roasted peppers and jalapeño, garlic, oregano, cilantro and cumin. Cook and stir 2 minutes.

4. Add tomatillos and chicken broth and boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes to an hour, or until meat is tender.

5. Season with salt and pepper.  Serve with sourcream and thin slices of jalapeños, if desired.

Serves 4-6.

Mushtaq's Zucchini Pakora

Ingredients:
  1 large zucchini, cut into thin slices. Or eggplant. Or potatoes. Or sweet potatoes. Whatever veggie.
  2 ounces of besan (chickpea flour. Bloom Naturally sells it.)
  1 ounce white flour
  1/3 tsp ground cumin
  1/2 tsp tumeric
  1/2 tsp coriander powder
  1 tsp garlic powder
  1 tsp onion powder
  1 pinch chili powder
  Vegetable oil to fry
  Salt to taste.

Mix all ingredients together, add water to make a dipping batter.

Heat oil enough to fry in a flat pan.

Dip zucchini, place it on hot oil, and fry as many as you can fit without overcrowding pan. Turn them over once or twice so each side cooks thoroughly and look golden brown.

Take them out and put them on paper towels to soak excess oil.

Full disclosure - I can't get the batter to coat the zucchini properly. But it can be done - I've seen Mushtaq do it. So maybe you'll have better luck.

Mushtaq's Dal with Zucchini

Ingredients:
  6 ounces pink lentils - 3/4 Cup. They sell 'em at Bloom Naturally.
  2 medium zucchini, cut into cubes
  1 small onion, chopped
  3-4 large garlic cloves, chopped or sliced
  1/4 tsp. ground tumeric
  1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  Salt and chili pepper - preferably green chili, but ground or crushed chili can be substituted.

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté 2 minutes.

Add tumeric and cumin, stir for one minute.

Add zucchini, stir for 2 minutes.

Add lentils. Cook for a minute or two, then add 1 1/2 C water.  Bring to boil.

Lower heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes, or until lentils and zucchini are tender. You can use less water  or more, depending on if you want your dal thick or soupy.


Sizzling
Here's how to add extra pizzaz.

Ingredients:
  1/2 small onion
  2 cloves sliced garlic
  2 dry chilis.

Heat oil in a deep pan. Add the above ingredients. Fry.

When onion slices are brown, add to to the dal. Be careful - it might spatter when it hits the lentil.

Mushtaq's Chat Masala

Ingredients:
  1 pound of chickpeas. (If dry, wash and soak in warm water for an hour, then boil until cooked.)
  2 TB vegetable oil
  1 small onion, chopped
  1 C colored pepper, chopped
  4 large garlic cloves, chopped or sliced
  1/2 tsp. ground tumeric
  1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  1 inch of fresh ginger root, grated, or ginger powder
  2 inches of cinnamon stick or a pinch of cinnamon powder
  1 medium tomato, diced
  1/2 lemon or 2 TB lemon juice
  A few strings of cilantro leaves, chopped
  Salt and chili pepper, preferably green chili, but ground or crushed chili can be used.

Preparation:
  Heat saucepan until water drops evaporate.  Add oil and heat. Add onion, peppers and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes.
  Add spices and chickpeas, stir for a minute or two.
  Add 1 C water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until chickpeas are tender.
  Add tomato. Stir occasionally.  Turn heat off, add lemon juice and sprinkle on cilantro.

Braised Lemon Chicken with Herbs

6 chicken leg quarters
3/4 C flour
2 TB oil
1 Spanish onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 C white wine, sweet or semisweet
1 juice of lemon
1 TB honey
2 TB balsamic vinegar
1 1/4 C chicken broth
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1 tsp dried basil, crushed
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1 tsp. ground coriander
1/4 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat the chicken with flour.

Heat oil in large ovenproof pan or shallow pot with a lid on medium to high heat.

Add chicken in single layer and sear on both sides for about 5 minutes per side. You may need to do this in batches. Remove chicken.

Add 1 tsp oil to the same pan, saute the onion and garlic until soft. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for about 5 minutes until the flavors are melded.

Add chicken into sauce, spoon sauce over to cover, and cover pan. Bring to boil.

Place pan in preheated oven, bake for 1 1/2 hours. Serve with sauce.

White House Spinach Pie

From USA Weekend Food

1 9-inch unbaked pie crust
2 Tbs. olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound fresh spinach, well washed and drained
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 large eggs, beaten
1 C half and half, whole, or 2 percent milk
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
8 oz Swiss cheese, grated
 Optional: serve with dollop of greek yogurt
379 calories/serving, 19 g carbs, 16g protein, 28g fat (14 saturated), 1 g fiber, 106mg cholesterol, 505mg sodium

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, place pice crust on rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

2. In a medium skillet over medium heat, drizzle in the olive oil. Add garlic and onion and saute until translucent, 5-7 minutes. Don't burn the garlic.

3. Add spinach a little at a t time, cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, set aside.

4. Whisk together eggs and half and half. Add lemon zest and thyme. Add spinach, feta, and HALF the Swiss cheese, mix until well combined, season with salt and pepper

5. Pour mixture into the pie crust, sprinkle remaining Swiss cheese over the top.

6. Bake about 40 minutes, or until the center is set. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Lisa Mael's excellent vegan lentil soup

Lisa Mael's excellent vegan lentil soup. Huge hit at synagogue. Not so much with spice-hating co-workers.

Lentils

1 tsp. each to begin (add more to adjust flavor at the end) Ground cumin,

ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground chili pepper, salt & pepper to
taste. You may also want to add a cube of vegetable bullion or base
whatever you have on hand.

olive oil to cover the bottom of a soup pot

1 medium onion diced

4 - 6 cloves garlic diced or I use a garlic press

2 carrots sliced 1/4 rounds

2 red potatoes small cubes

1 cup red lentils (any type of lentil will do) rinsed and drained

1 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes

Any type of beans cannellini, garbanzo, I used Red Kidney

1 15oz can of coconut milk

1 Tbsp fresh ginger finely shredded/chopped

Juice of 1 lemon

Cilantro or parsley for garnish




Sautee onion in olive oil, add spices to bring out flavors, add garlic

Just before these ingredients get too hot add can of whole tomatoes and

crush by hand

fill the empty tomatoes can with water and add to pot

Add carrots and potatoes and lentils, cook until they become tender

Add beans, coconut milk and ginger bring to a simmer

Finish with the juice of half a lemon or more if you like

Top with cilantro or parsley


I like to say "use this recipe as a tool not the rule"  how can you go

wrong with these ingredients?  Add seasonal vegetables I've used winter
squash  in place of potatoes or zucchini in the summer with fresh tomatoes
in place of canned.

I love to serve lentil stew with Quiona

Salmon with a Fiery Warm Salsa

From Spices Inc.
The salmon from Wild for Salmon on Route 11 in Bloomsburg is what I recommend.

Salmon with a Fiery Warm Salsa

Ok, this dish was a blast and not just because it was delicious! Penny is a big fan of salmon while I tend to prefer Tilapia so we of course have to work both into our rotation of fish dishes. Salmon is one of those good fishes for the picky eater who doesn't generally like the taste of fish (which is certainly me).

This was a easy salmon recipe to prepare and you can't go wrong anytime you get to create a salsa. This flavorful salsa was prepared a bit differently as we broke out the cast iron skillet and made it a warm salsa.

Salmon is one of those great fuel for the body foods as one serving of salmon is packed with nutrients including Omega 3 (87% of the daily recommended amount), Vitamin D (103%), Selenium (76%) and Protein (58%) just to name a few. And for those that don't know fish oil is believed by some to be one of the big secrets to burning fat.

*11g of fat comes from the salmon which is very high in Omega -3 fatty acids (the good fats).

The lime added a bit of tang to the heat of the jalapeno while the warm salsa nicely balanced the whole meal and warm tomato gave some soft almost sweet texture that also married well with the lime and jalapeno. This is definitely a meal that will become a fixture in the rotation of fish dishes

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Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of olive oil
• 2 skinless salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• 2 teaspoons Wild For Salmon seasoning
• 10-12 cherry tomatoes about 3 ozs, cut in halves
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 fresh lime

Directions:

1. Heat skillet to medium high heat and add olive oil
2. Heat indoor or outdoor grill to medium heat
3. Add onions, tomatoes and jalapenos and cook until onions and tomatoes are soft. Remove from heat, add juice from 1/2 of the lime and keep warm.
4. Season both sides of the fillets with Wild For Salmon seasoning and place on the grill, cook for about 6-8 or until flaky (we turned ours over twice to lightly brown both sides)
5. Mix the tomatoes, onions and jalapenos into a salsa and serve as a side with the salmon fillets
6. Cut remaining lime into quarters and take one quarter and squeeze over the fish and salsa

Serves: Serves 2

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories 342
Protein  35 g
Carbs 16 g
Fat  15 g
Sat Fat  2.2 g
Trans Fat  0.0 g
Fiber  2 g
Sodium  152 mg