Vegetarian

Potato Salad with Goat Cheese

“Found a little patched-up inn in the village of Bulson. Proprietor had nothing but potatoes; but what a feast he laid before me. Served them in five different courses-potato soup, potato fricassee, potatoes creamed, potato salad and finished with potato pie. It may be because…

Borscht: Would you like vodka with that?

  The bowl of borscht pictured above is not a soup. At least, it is not a soup unless you want it to be. Borscht can be served as a hearty stew and as a cold gazpacho-like drink. It’s your call. However you serve it,…

Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower Soup

    According to what I read online, cauliflower was the “it” vegetable for 2014. Where was I? Don’t get me wrong. I love cauliflower. I just didn’t get the memo. No problem that I missed the big party, though. Cauliflower continues to be “hot” in…

Mushroom Potato Crema with Roasted Poblanos

  Today is my friend Norma’s birthday. You go, Norma! Norma is a talented gourd artist whose gourd dolls and masks have consistently won ribbons at the Orange County Fair. Her jewelry is exquisite, too. She is one creative lady! Norma also is an excellent cook.…

Turkish Eggplant with Yogurt and Green Chile Oil

Does your food smile? Superstar (and perfectionist) chef Yotam Ottolenghi has been known to empty shelves displaying food in his delis because of the smile factor (actually, the no smile factor). In Ottolenghi’s food world, you have to be able to taste the food before…

Israeli Pumpkin Soup

“Ever notice that Soup For One is eight aisles away from Party Mix?”                                                             —Elayne Boosler…

¡Tamales!

Do you have a bucket list? Mine is a culinary bucket list and my list is extensive. So… the good news for me is that I can’t, as they say, lay down my knife and fork for a very long time. My list, as you might…

Artichokes with Garlic, Olive Oil and Cilantro

It is artichoke season–a truly wonderful development if, as I do, you enjoy artichokes. The artichoke, Cynara scolymus, originated, according to Greek legend, when Zeus grew bored with the women on Mt. Olympus and looked to earth for romance. Seeing Cynara, a Greek beauty, he…

Memories of Alicante Vegetable Paella

    Years ago, a friend from school went chasing his dreams and moved to Alicante, Spain. We travelled there to visit and the four of us spent long leisurely afternoons laughing a lot, eating paella and drinking lots of red wine. In the late…

Elegant Cream of Tomato Soup

  Here is a wonderful cream of tomato soup. I’m pretty picky about what I serve to guests and I would serve this soup at a dinner party without hesitation. Absent distracting spices, the flavor of the tomatoes is pure and intense and the fresh…