Carrot, Cardamom and Coconut Soup
I always carry with me a book I call my ‘Inspiration Book’. This is the place where I jot down ideas, or flavors, so when I get back to my home kitchen I remember what it was, exactly, that inspired me. This little book has served me well, and it is directly responsible for this soup. When my husband and I were off at IFBC last month we took a little side trip into Vancouver, BC. I had never been to Canada and it was...
Paneer Potato Cakes
In the last few months I have discovered a few new ingredients that I absolutely love! The first of these is a spice called asafoetida, a deeply pungent smelling spice that, when cooked, adds a smooth onion flavor. A little of this spice makes a big difference as far as complexity of flavor is concerned. The other ingredient is chickpea flour. I was inspired to try this from a cooking show where the presenter made sweet potato...
Beef Shawarma Meatballs
Not long ago I had lunch at a little Lebanese restaurant and I discovered some really wonderful new dishes. One of these was shawarma, a meat mixture that is marinated in a spice blend, placed on a spit, and slowly grilled. It is sliced thin and served with pita and other fresh garnishes. It is very similar to a gyro but with distinctly different spices. I fell in love! The restaurant owner, of course, would not share their recipe...
Coconut Curry Shrimp with Spicy Peanut Noodles
When I get a craving for something I want instant satisfaction. Ask anyone who had ever accompanied me to an amusement park, waited with me in line, or sat with me while we waited for a table at a restaurant. Patience is not one of my virtues. In fact, I get down right testy when forced to wait against my will. So, when a craving for a creamy Thai coconut curry hit I knew I needed something that I could have on a plate, and...
Cornbread Pudding
Now matter how hard I try to restrain myself, when it comes to holidays I always make too much food. The 4th of July is no exception. Since we typically have some sort of smoked meat on the 4th, usually of the pork variety, I feel compelled to make a big batch of cornbread to accompany it. (This is a good recipe if you need one.) Cornbread and pork are like peanut butter and jelly. They are good apart, but they are so much better...
