Red Beans and Rice

Roughly once a week, we eat Latin at our house: tacos or quesadillas, enchiladas, pork with spicy rubs. Although the red rice and beans of New Orleans — the version that most readily comes to mind — is not strictly Latin, rice and beans is a staple eaten throughout Latin America. We often serve itContinue reading “Red Beans and Rice”

Mediterranean Grain Bowl

I am so loving the flexible, tasty, nutritious meal concept that is a grain bowl. I can think of so many yummy permutations: Mexican (cilantro-topped kidney beans and brown rice), Southern (grits and collard greens, with bacon and black-eyed peas), Indian, Thai, Korean. I’ll stop. But the one I’ve been stirring up this summer isContinue reading “Mediterranean Grain Bowl”

Build Your Own Grain Bowl

Think of a Grain Bowl as a dinner jigsaw puzzle, where you can put the pieces together any way you like, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. A Grain Bowl is a bowl filled with one part grain, one part greens, one part protein. Top that layer with veggies (they can be grilled,Continue reading “Build Your Own Grain Bowl”

Super Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Why is it that some of the seemingly simplest sauces are the hardest to make? I have been stirring up my own Alfredo sauce going on 20 years but it was very hit or miss. It all depended on the kind of cream I used or how finely grated the Parmesan was or how muchContinue reading “Super Creamy Alfredo Sauce”

Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes

I roast and purée and then freeze a handful of farmers market pumpkins every year. I love having the big, beautiful white and golden and green squash around to decorate with in the fall and then, once we’ve moved on to evergreens and holly, it’s time to really enjoy these gifts from the ground. TheyContinue reading “Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes”

Makes Everything Better Cheese Sauce

So, my kids are 14, 12 and 8. Not exactly toddlers. And, you know, they’re not super picky eaters. But they don’t love their veggies. Not like I wish they did. Not like I do. Which means I sigh a lot. And ask for “five more bites” way more than I feel should be necessary.Continue reading “Makes Everything Better Cheese Sauce”

Vegetarian Chili

Since I posted my Warm You Up Chili recipe, I’ve had several requests for the Chili-Cookoff-winning vegetarian version I mentioned. I made a batch of Vegetarian Chili this weekend — it was drizzly and gray and chili was just what the day ordered. It worked its magic as usual — filling the house with the satisfying smells of cuminContinue reading “Vegetarian Chili”

Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup

I have several black bean soup recipes that have floated into my kitchen over the years. Some with a splash of orange juice, others with a bit of pork stirred in. I like the chunks of sweet potato in this version — and using my Homemade Taco Seasoning, which is always at the ready inContinue reading “Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup”

Carrot Ginger Soup

  This soup couldn’t be easier to make. Sauté a few veggies, then purée it all. But it’s so delicious. And who can’t use a major shot of vitamin A in January? It’s very easy to make a vegan version of this. It’s naturally gluten-free. This was the soup that my cooking class really gobbled up.Continue reading “Carrot Ginger Soup”

Stir-Fried Broccoli With Mustard Glaze

I have loved this recipe for a long time. It’s quick and easy, using ingredients I typically have on hand. By searing the broccoli on high heat and then quick steaming it, the veggies never get mushy or lose their nutrients to a pot of water. This is a perfect side to a dinner of pork chops andContinue reading “Stir-Fried Broccoli With Mustard Glaze”