“Choose one of your favorite rich, heavy, fatty animal-protein-based meals and give it a healthy VEGAN spin.” That was the challenge. Continue Reading
One of the courses in Sunday’s Brunch, Booze + Bagpipes was pork belly, ‘stilo Italiano’. Continue Reading
My friend, Gail, said “Father Time is knocking on my door again“. She wanted to get together with the gals for a birthday brunch on Sunday. Here, in South FL, we have lots of brunch choices from waterfront casual to high-end hotels. We generally tend toward the high-end, like the Four Seasons, for these special celebrations. But, hey, they’re expensive, a little stiff, and you can’t hang out ALL day. Wouldn’t it be more fun to do a brunch at home?
I volunteered to host the brunch at “Casa Nova” and the gals readily agreed.
Although we’ve been lucky for a number of years now, living in FL you know the drill and you don’t take chances. A couple days before a storm’s forecasted arrival: fill the gas tank, stock up on water and fresh ingredients — fruits, veggies, cheeses, crusty bread. Things that are easy to eat without power. And … while you still have power, start cooking what’s in the freezer.
I was prepared but once it was reality and I was stuck in the house till it passed, my thoughts went to comfort foods. So, with the first rain band, I got cooking – literally!
You know you’re Italian if you grew up eating broccoli rabe and beans. We ate it as a soupy dish and dunked bread in the bowl. Any liquid that was left, we slurped. Oh, yes we did. We also ate it as a side dish (usually with sausage) and, of course, we ate it with pasta!
Broccoli rabe and beans (cannellini or garbanzo a/k/a chick peas, ceci beans) are a perfect marriage. But, like any wedding party, they need some loving attendants to walk them up the aisle: garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, onion or leeks, carrot, tomato. Continue Reading
I love lentils, especially red ones. They’re more delicate and visually better looking than their brown cousins – and they require less cooking time. I built this very delicious meal around a small container of leftover lentils. Continue Reading
I like parties, celebrations and gathering with people over food and drink, but I can’t be enthusiastic about Super Bowl Sunday. You see, the problem is I’m not a football fan and I don’t like wearing team t-shirts, drinking beer, or eating poppers and buffalo wings. What’s a gal to do? Continue Reading
I may be the last person on the planet to know kale and lentils work well together. According to google, that combo has been done…in soups, stews, sautes, pilafs, pastas, curried, etc.
That’s a comeuppance. I thought I was creating something new. Continue Reading
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