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Category: Recipes

Stuffed Pepper Soup

From the Kitchn comes this delicious Stuffed Pepper Soup, based on what else – that ever popular dish the stuffed bell pepper.  I like this dish for its robust flavor and even more for the fact that it brings all the flavors of stuffed peppers into a soup so easy to make it should be a crime. This version is stove-top, but I wonder if it could be adapted to an Insta-Pot. I bet it could and then it would be even easier and quicker to prepare. So until I work out the Insta-Pot recipe, enjoy this one. It is perfect for those chilly winter evenings here in the Pacific Northwest – or wherever you may be. Save Print Stuffed Pepper Soup Prep time:&nbsp…

Longshoreman

Here’s another Manhattan riff from the team at Liquor.com. The Longshoreman drops the Angostura bitters and adds Averna Amaro from Sicily. The update is a welcome one as Averna Amaro is a wonderful sipper all on its own. The slightly sweet, slightly bitter herbal notes from the Averna coupled with the raisin-forward syrupy Punt e Mes cuts through and tames the 100 proof spicy-sweet rye whiskey just enough to balance everything out. I like this riff on my old favorite the Manhattan… and I think you will too! Save Print Longshoreman Prep time:  5 mins Total time:  5 mins Serves: 1   Ingredients 2 oz Rye whiskey 1⁄2 oz Averna amaro 1⁄2 oz Punt e Mes Orange…

Full Monte

With the temperature dropping in late Fall, I turn to amaro as a regular sipper – it just seems so right. And tonight’s cocktail features Amaro Montenegro, a unique amaro with loads of herbaceous flavors and perfect hint of sweetness. This amaro shines when paired with whiskey and really pops with tonight’s rye.  This beauty is mainly amaro – whiskey plays a supporting role – and these two are well-matched like Bogie and Bacall, Nikc and Nora, Fred and Ginger, and a host of other famous pairings. So, don’t be bashful, mix up this interesting and unique cocktail with your favorite half and make your pairing as special as those aforementioned couples! Save Print Full Monte Prep time:  5 mins…

A La Louisiane

I must give a hearty thanks to Liquor.com for showcasing this cocktail in their email today. This Manhattan-esque tipple is easy to make, but yields complex flavors and nuances that are simply divine. Adding the herbaceous Benedictine and anise-forward Absinthe is pure genius to take the simple Manhattan to new heights. Regularly described as a cross between a Vieux Carre and a Sazerac, this cocktail has a long history in New Orleans, starting as the house cocktail for La Louisiane which opened in 1881. It is a relative newcomer on the classic cocktail resurgence, probably due to absinthe not being legal in the United States until 2007. Well, A La Louisiane, your arrival in my Inbox is timely indeed and I feel like I have…

Baked Miso-marinated Swordfish with Bok Choy, Shiitake, and Rice Vermicelli in a Miso Broth

Tonight, I made a new dish for my wife, who had never had swordfish. Well, Trader Joe’s makes that easy to solve so I came up with this mouthful of a meal for her. Using the basics from several ‘miso marinated cod’ recipes to prepare the fish and twisting the final dish by serving it on a bed of rice vermicelli in a miso broth with bok choy and shiitake just to create a unique, yet simple meal. Marinating the fish was made easier with my Vesta Precision Vertical Vac Elite and it’s Marinate function and vertical stance to make easy work of marinating with liquids when time is not available for the typical ‘several hours to overnight rest’ process…

Dominican Sancocho

Recently, my wife Ana surprised me with a delicious Dominican dish – sancocho. This stew of beef, chicken, sausage, potato, yucca, plantain, squash, corn, and more is a veritable ‘stick to your ribs’ type of meal. Sumptuous and satisfying, this treat is a labor of love and usually served on special occasions simply with white rice. Well, I can say this – it was a special occasion to come and find this dinner waiting for me!  Now to work on the recipe… Thank you baby, te amo mas cariño mio! Enjoy…

Apple Olive Oil Cake

This morning as I was checking my email, a recipe popped out from the computer and I had to make it. This recipe, compliments of Suzy at The Mediterranean Dish looked and sounded perfect for this unseasonably chilly late September morning. I had all the ingredients and I had the time – Ana was still sleeping – and I thought this would be a wonderful treat for her when she woke up. I made a few minor tweaks based on my own experience and preferences, but basically used the same process Suzy did. Those tweaks were to substitute Zante currants for the golden raisins and used a mixture of Gala and Granny Smith apples. The results were delicious and you should definitely make this Fall treat soon! Save…

Chivo Guisado (Dominican Braised Goat)

Here is a dish you won’t easily find, but is it ever worth trying. My good friend visited the Dominican Republic and came back raving about this dish. So much so, that when he was married there several years later, having this dish at the reception was his only ‘demand’ on the wedding planning. I attended that wedding and tasted ‘chivo’… and all I could say is “Wow!” The flavor was amazing – earthy and intense, spicy but not overly so, and just plain old lip-smacking delicious. Now, three years later, I find myself married to a wonderful Dominican woman and she has taught me a few dishes – staples – in the Dominican cooking repertoire. But chivo…

Kofta Kebabs

In honor of Labor Day and the typical end of the summer barbecue bash, let’s enjoy some grilled Middle-Eastern deliciousness on a stick. Yep, that’s right – it is time for Kofta Kebabs.  A mix of ground beef and lamb, flavored with warm spices, parsley, onion, and garlic makes for a delicious send-off to summer. Add tahini sauce or tzatziki sauce along with chopped tomatoes, onions, and lettuce inside a pita with the kebab for a full meal. Or make a rice pilaf and grill some vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, squash, asparagus, or whatever you like to complete this meal. Just because it is past Labor Day doesn’t mean you can’t still grill – so share this…

Miso Curried Cod with Spinach

Are you ready for a flavor-bomb of a meal?  This recipe comes from the NYT and is simply amazing. I adapted it based on comments and personal preferences and I think you will really enjoy the results.  This dish works well with salmon or any firm-fleshed fish and it also works well with rice or rice noodles. I have even substituted bok choy (as some of the commenters mentioned) for the spinach. Easy to prepare and amazingly flavorful, this dish is great for a weeknight meal. Give your taste buds a warning though as this dish will give them a wonderful jolt! Save Print Miso Curried Mahi Mahi with Spinach Prep time:  10 mins Cook time:  25 mins Total time:  35 mins Serves…