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Appetizers

Last Sunday, Easter, I splurged on oysters for the family and am so proud of myself for finding just the right platter to put them on.

Last Sunday, Easter, I splurged on oysters for the family and am so proud of myself for finding just the right platter to put them on: I dusted off some artichoke plates I use maybe once or twice a year (artichokes are expensive! but then again so are oysters…) Anyway,…

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Toasted Pumpkin Seeds – Plain or Spicy

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, right? In the same vein, I propose that when fall gives us pumpkins, we should make toasted pumpkin seeds. We have to scoop them out anyway when we cook the squash itself, so why not turn them into something delicious instead of tossing…

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Rice Puppies

Who’d like a rice puppy? Here’s how to prepare this crispy treat (from rice farmer Eric Vaught, who I cooked with in episode 705 of Sara’s Weeknight Meals). 1 cup long grain white rice 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper 1…

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I have been challenging myself to new baking projects and just made Gougeres from Dorie Greenspan’s recipe.

I, like you, have been challenging myself to new baking projects and here is one which made me enormously happy – Gougeres – totally addictive French cheese puffs. And it gets better – I learned from Dorie Greenspan’s recipe, gougeres can be frozen in the raw state and then just popped…

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Raw Asparagus, Mushroom and Parsley Salad with Pistachios and Parmesan

Raw Asparagus, Mushroom and Parsley Salad with Pistachios and Parmesan Start to finish: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 pound thick asparagus, tough stems discarded and the stems peeled 1 cup flat leaf…

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Last week at Lake Austin Spa I demo’ed this Raw Asparagus, Mushroom and Parsley Salad. Here is the recipe.

Here is the recipe for the Raw Asparagus, Mushroom and Parsley Salad that I demo’ed at the Lake Austin Spa Last Week. It is topped with pistachios and parmesan, dressed with evoo and fresh lemon, and embellished with extra herbs from their garden – orange mint, lemon thyme and chervil…

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Mugwort (Artemisia) Soup

Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 30 minutes Total Preparation Time: 1 hour  1 medium shallot, onion or 3 small spring onions sliced 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, minced 10 white mushrooms sliced (2.5 ounces) 1 large or 2 medium Yukon gold or russet potatoes (10 oz) peeled and cut…

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Wisteria Flowers with Asparagus and Parma Ham

Serves 4 1 bunch thin asparagus spears, bottom 3 inches cut off 4 thin slices Parma ham, prosciutto or Serrano ham, torn into small pieces 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper 1 ounce (1.5 cups) Dame’s Rocket (from 2-3 bunches) or other edible…

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Pan Con Tomate (Bread with Tomato)

Pan Con Tomate 1 loaf of crusty bread Ripe tomatoes (see note) Extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt Slice the bread. Slice the tomatoes in half crosswise. Rub the halves of the tomato directly onto to the bread. Sprinkle with salt. Drizzle with olive oil. Note: A viewer, Kathy Dobrowolski, did…

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Tortilla Espanola (Spanish Omelet)

  Tortilla Espanola (Spanish Omelet)  Makes 4 – 6-Servings Hands on time: 20 minutes Total preparation time: 40 minutes 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 large onion, sliced 3 potatoes Kosher salt 1 cup dry white wine 5 large eggs Place a medium size sauce pan, filled with salted…

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Cuttlefish, Meatballs and Green Peas

Cuttlefish, Meatballs and Green Peas Makes 4-6 Servings Hands on time: 45 minutes Total preparation time: 1 1/2 hours For the meatballs: ½ pound ground pork ½ pound ground veal 2 cloves minced garlic Small bunch of fresh chopped flat leaf parsley Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1…

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Handmade Lemon Pasta

Handmade Lemon Pasta Makes 4 – 6 Servings Hands on time: 40 minutes Total preparation time: 1 hour and 15 minutes For the pasta: 4 cups 00 flour (Italian milled flour) 2 tablespoons semolina flour 1 large egg 1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature 1 cup milk, at room temperature…

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Lemon Caciotta Cheese

LEMON CACIOTTA CHEESE Makes 6 – 8 small servings of lemon caciotta Hand on preparation time: 20 minutes Total preparation time: 40 minutes 1 half gallon of fresh cow’s milk 2 teaspoons of rennet 1 lemon, zested In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat to 98 degrees…

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Sesame Peanut Sauce

Hands-on time: 10 minutes Total preparation time: 10 minutes Makes about 1 3/4 cups 3 medium scallions 3/4 cup smooth unsalted peanut butter 1/2 cup hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium, if you prefer) 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil Tabasco or your favorite…

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Shredded Root Vegetable Latkes

  Makes about 12 latkes, 4 servings Hands-on time: 25 minutes Total preparation time: 25 minutes Ingredients 1 pound assorted root vegetables, such as turnips, beets, parsnips, and carrots 1/2 pound boiling potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or Red Bliss 1 small onion 1 large egg 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose…

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Dandelion Greens Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Pecan Dressing

Serves 4 For the dressing: 2/3 cup raw sugar 1 cup toasted pecans 1 cup red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 pinches salt 1 ½ teaspoons chile de arbol powder (or chile powder of your choice) 3 cups blended oil For the salad: 6 cups dandelion greens 1…

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Pimento Cheese

Serves 2 to 4 people 8 ounces sharp cheddar, coarsely shredded ½ cup jarred pimentos, drained and finely diced ¼ cup mayonnaise Homemade style whole wheat bread Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Spread the cheese on the bread to make sandwiches and cut into quarters.…

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Crab Soup

Serves 4 to 6 5 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup finely chopped onion ½ cup finely chopped celery ½ pound cooked crabmeat (the church ladies use canned) 2 ½ cups whole milk, divided 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups half and half ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or to taste ¼…

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Creamy Root Vegetable Soup with Everything Pita Crisps

Start to finish: 1 hour, 20 minutes Hands-on time: 1 hour Servings: 6 (about 10 1/2 cups) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, preferably grapeseed 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onion 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled, half cut into 1-inch chunks and half cut into 1/2-inch dice 1…

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