In exploring the cultural histories of diverse foodways, it’s fascinating to discover how common ingredients traveled across the planet from their place of origin to distant locations, opening new vistas for cooks worldwide. This Torta Polenta is a product of such migration and is one of my beloved fall dishes. Its elegant preparation brings together …
When I inhaled the aroma of perfect summer peaches at the local market last week, I knew I had to bake this Deep-dish Peach Pie in honor of my mother-in-law Solveig (Solie) Johnson. She baked the best pies. On one of my early trips to the Pacific Northwest as a young bride, Solie introduced me …
I recently added this Mushroom Shawarma to my collection of vegetarian recipes. Raised a carnivore, I have prepared several meatless meals a week, acknowledging that reducing meat consumption has health benefits. For years, vegetarian meals at our home were assorted quiches or lasagnas. In recent years, I looked east to the recipes of Indian, Thai …
We didn’t entertain much during the three years I studied law, but reading recipes provided a needed break from legal treatises and fueled fantasies about when and how I would prepare them. I was a pent-up hostess and when the last semester was ending, I invited friends for dinner I planned in my mind for …
I discovered Musakhan — Sumac-Spiced Chicken with Onions on Taboon Bread– several years ago when I was preparing for a family trip to Jordan. I often make lists of sights to visit and foods to try before traveling and the adjectives describing Jordanian food – festive, peasant, rich, rustic, simple, meltingly tender, lemony, zesty, scrumptious, …
Musakhan — Sumac-Spiced Chicken with Onions on Taboon Bread Read More »
Having just run out of bread a few weeks ago (and running to the grocery store for one loaf is out of the question in this age of coronavirus), I roamed the internet for a quick bread recipe that did not require yeast. I stumbled on a beer bread recipe with three ingredients –self-rising flour, …
These Beet Varenyky with Sweet Cheese and Raisins are a tribute to my Baltimore childhood. I woke up recently thinking about Mama’s varenyky, filled Ukrainian dumplings and was flooded with wistful memories. As a little girl, I developed a penchant for varenyky. Those soft half-moons of dough were filled with either savory meat, potatoes and …
Some people remember the places they visited by what they saw or the people they met. I catalog my travel memories by locations of memorable food and those without. History and culture often draw me to explore a place, but I rarely travel for just a specific dish or restaurant. Once there, however, food and …
I am continually fascinated by how ingredients migrated from one part of the globe to another, becoming pivotal components of a distant country’s cuisine. So, it was with bell and related pod peppers of the Capsicum genus, This Chicken Paprikás (Paprikás csirke in Hungarian) is a product of such migration. Capsicum peppers aren’t indigenous …
With a few days left until Christmas, I am focusing on holiday baking. I am late this year and probably should not do much, but it’s a habit hard to break even though we eat fewer sweets each year. Nonetheless, an unexpected, spectacular dessert ending to a holiday meal is a special treat. Of course, …
Orange Christmas Cake with White Chocolate Frosting Read More »