Cold Tomato Soup

With summer entering it's last weeks, fresh tomatoes are plentiful. Turning ripe tomatoes into a cold soup for these hot days is a sure winner. If you can, visit a local farmer's market and get the ugly tomatoes. Trust me. Heirloom tomatoes may be misshapen and have split tops, but they have the best flavor. Sometimes you can find nearly over-ripe tomatoes at a discount. If so, grab them up. They're perfect for this soup.

Inspired by a recipe by David Tanis, this chilled soup is a winner. I served it will grilled cheese sandwiches and it made a very nice, light, meal. Toast with avocado would be a nice accompaniment, as well. If you can't get good, fresh tomatoes, this soup also works well with canned tomatoes. Use a 24 oz can, with juice.

Makes 4 servings

Take about 1 hour, including time to chill.

Ingredients

For the soup

2 pounds ripe red tomatoes, cored and diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbl extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tbl sherry vinegar

Pinch of cayenne

1 tsp salt, more to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

For the garnish

1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1 Tbl extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 Tbl sherry vinegar

1 Tbl chopped fresh parsely, or 2 tsp dried

1 Tbl chopped fresh chive, or 2 tsp dried

Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

Put all of the soup ingredients (not the garnish!) in a blender and blend on high speed for 1 minute or until very smooth. Add more salt, pepper, and cayenne, if needed to taste. Put in a non-reactive bowl and chill for one hour or more.

About thirty minutes before serving, mix the ingredients for the garnish together, and refrigerate until needed.

To serve, divide soup evenly between four bowls, and place about 2 Tbl of garnish in the middle. 

Watermelon Gazpacho

In the midst of a heat wave the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven. Second only in kitchen aversion is using my stove. We don't have central AC in this tiny apartment, and so turning on the oven is akin to turning the entire kitchen into a sauna, and not the good kind. The ambient heat, having sapped my will to live, has come into conflict with my gluttonous desire to eat good food. Cold food is a must for these steamy days. Fortunately, both tomatoes and watermelon are in season.

Tomato and watermelon are surprisingly good together. This recipe, based on one by Anya von Brezmen, is surprisingly sparse on ingredients, for a gazpacho, but is perfect for hot summer nights. I think it works better as an appetizer, or aperitif, but it can pass as a light supper when served with cold sandwiches. Make sure you get fresh, juicy melons and tomatoes for this dish, and don't forget the celery. It's heightens the flavors and really brings things together. Don't worry, my friends. Flavorful refreshment is on the way.

Makes 4 servings.

Takes  10 minutes to make, and at least 2 more hours to chill.

Ingredients

4 cups cubed, seedless watermelon, about 1 1/4 lbs

1 lbs ripe tomatoes, cut into quarters

2 Tbl extra-virgin olive oil, more for dizzling

2 Tbl lemon juice, or more to taste

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 tsp Salt. more as needed

1/4 ground black pepper, or more, to taste

Thin celery sticks for garnish

Directions

Working batches, puree all of the ingredients except the garnish in a blender for at least two minutes, until smooth and frothy. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, and lemon juice as needed to make the flavor pop. Transfer to a bowl and chill for at least 2 hours, and up to 24 hours. Serve in individual bowls or mugs, garnishing with celery sticks. If there are any leftovers, which there probably won't be, they'll keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil

Corn is at the height of it's season, here in Utah, and so I'm always on the lookout for new and tasty ways to prepare it. This summer pasta dish, based on a recipe by Melissa Clark, features corn in a surprisingly tasty way. The corn flavor, which takes center stage, is kicked up by green onions and basil. Off season, I would use frozen corn, because it's what I usually have on hand, but it would be even better with fresh corn, cut from the cob. If you do use frozen corn, thaw and drain it, first. I don't normally keep fresh basil hand, so I used dried. If you have it, though, use 1/3 cup and toss it in at the end, omitting the dried basil and parsley. This sauce cooks quickly, so you will be able to make it at the same time you're cooking the pasta. Just start on the sauce after you set the water to boil, keeping an eye on the pot so you know when it's ready to add the pasta.

Makes 4 servings.

Takes 30 minutes to make.

Ingredients

12 oz. dried pasta such as farfalle, orcchiette, or small shells

1 Tbl neutral oil, such as canola

1 bunch green onions (about 8), trimmed and thinly sliced, keeping the greens and whites divided

2 cups fresh corn kernels

3 Tbl butter

1 1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1 Tbl fresh minced flat leaf parsley leaves

1 Tbl lemon juice, or more, to taste

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, or more to taste

Extra-virgin olive oil (optional)

Salt and pepper, as needed

Directions

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 Tbl salt and the pasta. Cook until just 1 minutes shy of al dente, according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

In the meantime, Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat, until shimmering. Add the scallion whites and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of water, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 3/4 cups of corn, reserving the remaining 1/4 cup. Simmer until the corn is heated through and almost tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool, slightly. Puree the mixture in a blender, adding more water as needed to form a thick, but still pourable, sauce.

In the same skillet, add the butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add the reserved 1/4 cup of corn, along with the dried basil and red pepper flakes, if using.  Cook until the corn is tender, about 2 minutes. Don't stir it more than once. Letting the corn, and the butter, brown will make it all the more flavorful, just don't let it burn. Add the corn puree and heat through for about 30 seconds, just to combine the flavors.

Once the pasta is cooked and drained, returning the pasta to the same pot it was cooked in, if needed, add the sauce to the pasta along with 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water. Toss to coat and cook over medium heat for 1 minute more. Add more of the reserved water as needed if the mixture seems too thick.

Off the heat, stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Add additional salt and black pepper, to taste. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, remaining sliced green onion, and a drizzle of olive oil, if using.

 

Black Bean Burgers

Hamburgers are one of my favorite foods. Melt some cheese over it and I'd fall in love with you. (No, my wife didn't do that when we were courting. More's the pity.) But when two of your kids are vegetarians, more or less, you need to think about expanding the range of ingredients beyond just good ground beef. In fact, you've got to find some way to keep that rich meaty, charred, flavor without using meat.

There are plenty of high-sodium, low-flavor, variants available at the grocery store these days. I'm not a huge fan of processed cardboard, but if that's your thing, go right a head and spend more money on them that you would on ground beef. Which is saying something, these days. I've found several recipes for veggie burgers online, and black beans seem to stand out as a favored ingredient for many of them. Oh, there are others, for sure, but black bean burgers seemed like an interesting choice. That and the ingredients are all pretty common to my pantry.

This recipe is my take on a black bean burger recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I modified a few of the ingredients, and their ratios, to better fit my pantry, and my taste. I use rolled oats in this recipe because they're easy, and I like the added flavor. Bread crumbs, or any type, will do just fine, though. Cilantro can be substituted for the parsley, if desired.

Takes 35 minutes to make.

Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

2 (15-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained well

2 large eggs

1 Tbl olive oil

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1 cup rolled oats

1 red or green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

1 green onion, finely chopped

1 Tbl dried parsley, or ¼ cup minced parsley

4 Tbl vegetable (or canola) oil for frying

6 hamburger buns

Favorite hamburger toppings

Directions

Place 2 ½ cups of beans in a large bowl, setting aside the rest for later. Mash them with a potato masher until mostly smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, olive oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne, if using. Add the egg mixture, the remaining beans, oats, bell pepper, parsley, and green onion to the mashed beans and stir until just combined. Let stand for 5 minutes so the oats can absorb some of the liquid.

Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Pack, lightly, into 1-inch-thick patties. These patties can be delicate, so take care when handling them.

Heat 2 Tbl oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Working with three patties at a time, carefully lay them into the skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.

If you want to turn these into cheeseburgers, which I often do, drop a slice of cheese on top during the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.

Transfer cooked burgers to a plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil, repeat with the remaining three patties. Serve on hamburger buns with your favorite burger toppings.

Black Bean Burgers with Corn and Chipotle Chile varation:

To change things up a little, substitute 1 Tbl minced chipotle chiles (canned in adobe sauce) for the cayenne, reduce the red pepper to ¼ cup, and add ¼ cup of fresh or frozen corn, thawed and patted dry, to the bean mixture. I've tried it both ways and like them both, equally.

American-Style Broccoli Calzone

A great calzone, with a satisfyingly crisp and chewy crust, with plenty of flavorful fillings, is a treat worth the quest. The trouble is, most calzones I've found turn out with a soggy filling and have a crust more akin to bad bread than pizza dough. Not so with this recipe. Even better, this one gets you eating your vegetables in a way that is so tasty you won't mind. The cheese inside doesn't hurt, either.

This recipe does require some work and time, but not as much as you might think. While I braise fresh broccoli, you could substitute frozen, if you want to skip cooking the broccoli. It won't be as flavorful, but it might say you a little time and effort. Just make sure to thaw, drain and chop it, first. In this case, add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes along with the cheese.

My wife and kids like cheddar cheese, and so that's what I used, making this very American. For a more authentic Italian-style, use 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella and a 1/2 cup of feta, instead, replacing the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese.

The cooked broccoli makes a great side dish unto itself, if you're so inclined.

Equipment needed

Chef's knife

kitchen shears (optional)

measuring cups and spoons

mixing bowl

skillet

parchment paper

spatula

baking sheet

Ingredients

2 Tbl light cooking oil (vegetable or canola)

1 head of broccoli, trimmed and cut into 1-inch florets (about 1 pound)

3 Tbl water

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper as needed

1 cup cottage cheese

2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 large whole egg, plus 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten with 2 Tbl water

1 pound pizza dough

Cooking spray

Directions

Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add broccoli and a pinch of salt. Cook, without stirring, until the broccoli begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the water, cover, and cook until broccoli is bright green, but still crisp, about 2 minutes more. Uncover and cook until the water has evaporated and the broccoli is crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 2 more minutes.

Push the broccoli to the sides of the pan to clear a space in the center. Add the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir into the broccoli. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a serving plate, to cool a bit.

Place an oven rack in the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 450 degrees. Cut two pieces of parchment paper into 9-inch squares. These will be used to make rolling and moving the calzones, easier.

In a large bowl, stir the broccoli mixture, cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese together.

Divide the dough in half. Working with one half of the dough at a time, transfer the dough to a piece of parchment and roll into a 9-inch round. Spread the broccoli-cheese mixture evenly over one half of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the other half over the filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border of the bottom half uncovered. Brush edge with egg wash. Press the edges of the dough together, pressing out any air. Fold the bottom dough edge over the top, and press and crimp to make a pretty seal. Using a sharp knife, cut 5 steam vents, about 1 1/2-inch long across the top layer of dough, starting at the folded edge and cutting toward the crimped edge. Brush the tops with more of the egg wash. Using the parchment paper, transfer the calzone, along with the paper, onto a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough half.

Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes or so, rotating the baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer the calzones to a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes, before cutting each in half, for serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Roasted Carrots and Kale Rice Bowl

This healthy combination of flavorful roasted veggies over rice, topped with an egg, is a great example of what a vegetarian rice bowl can be. Nutty brown rice is perfect for this dish, but plain white rice is good, too. The flavors in the original recipe come from a bold Middle-eastern spice mixture called za'atar, a mixture of thyme, ground sesame seeds, and powdered sumac. I can't get za'atar, or sumac, at my local grocery store, and it seemed kind of pricey online, so I did some research and come up with my own faux blend. To be honest, I have no idea how close this is to the real deal, but it was pretty tasty.

To make faux za'atar, combine 3 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper salt, and 1/4 tsp toasted sesame seeds in a spice grinder and pulse into a powder. This should make about 2 Tbl. Use what you need for the recipe, and then keep he remainder in an airtight container.

Now let's get started on the dish.

Ingredients

5 carrots, peeled, halved crosswise, then halved or quartered lengthwise to create uniformly sized pieces.

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 tsp za'atar

8 oz. kale, stemmed and chopped into 1-inch strips

2 Tbl red wine vinegar

1 green onion, finely sliced

4 eggs

Salt and pepper

2 cups cooked rice, or more if desired

Directions

With an oven rack in the upper middle position, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Toss the carrots, 1 Tbl oil, za'atar, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper together in bowl. Spread the carrots onto the prepared baking sheet and cover with foil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.

In the meantime, toss together the kale, 1 Tbl oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp of pepper together, using the same bowl as the carrots. (Why dirty more dishes than you need to?) Next, whisk together the vinegar, green onion, and 3 Tbl olive oil in a bowl to make a quick vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

When the carrots are done roasting, remove the foil and spread the kale evenly over the top. Return the carrots and kale to the oven and continue to cook, uncovered, until the carrots are spotty brown and tender and kale is crisp, about 15 minutes.

In the meantime, divide the cooked rice into individual serving bowls, about 1/2 cup per bowl. Top with the roasted vegetables and drizzle the vinaigrette over the rice and veggies. Cover and set aside. 

Heat the remaining oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Crack the eggs into two small bowls, 2 eggs per bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Working quickly, pour the eggs into the skillet, cover, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 1 to 2 minutes more, depending on how runny, or set, you like your yolks. Top each bowl with one egg, and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Takes about 45 minutes to make.

Vegetable Pot-Pie

The only kinds of pot-pie I think I ever had as a kid were the frozen ones from the grocery store. I can understand why my mom would opt for this. From scratch, a pot-pie can be a lot of work. The frozen ones cook up pretty quick in the microwave. I confess, those frozen ones are still guilty pleasures for me, from time to time.

As I started doing more vegetarian cooking, I became intrigued by the idea of a vegetarian version of the pot-pie. How would we create the savory flavors and stew-like filling I wanted, without meat? This recipe, modified from the America's Test Kitchen recipe, hits the mark pretty well. It's got surprising savoriness, and was easier to make than I thought it would be.

The original version of this recipe only used a top crust. I like crust on top and bottom of my pot pie, thank you, so that was the first change. I'm also a bit lazy. They make their own pie crust. I can do it, but I don't like to so, I used store bought crusts. Not as good as homemade, but I'd rather have pie than not. I prefer the rolled up dough, where you just thaw and unroll it over a pie plate. The only kind I've been able to find at my local grocery store, recently, is the kind that's already in a foil plate. You either use what you've got, or you go home so, I used those this time around. They come with two crusts per package, so I needed to thaw them and remove one of them from the pie plate for the top crust. You're more than welcome to make your own pie crust, though.

Equipment needed

9 1/2-inch pie pan (depending on your pie dough source)

paring knife

chef's knife

measuring cups and spoons

large spoon

Dutch oven or other large sauce pan with lid

mixing bowls

whisk

rimmed baking sheet

aluminum foil

pastry brush

Ingredients

2 frozen pie-crust doughs

4 Tbl butter

1 onion, finely chopped

8 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced

salt and pepper

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium turnip, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp grated lemon zest

1 Tbl lemon juice

8 oz. Swiss chard, stemmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

2 Tbl all-purpose flour

2 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 Tbl dried parsley

1 large egg

1 tsp water

cooking spray

Directions

Thaw the pie crusts (unless you're using fresh). For the top crust, roll one dough smooth between two pieces of parchment paper. Put it in the refrigerator until needed. For the bottom crust, if using loose dough, gently center one in a 10-inch pie plate, leaving about a 1-inch overhang. If not, just leave it in the provided pan. If there are any cracks, smooth them together with a drop of water and your fingers. Lightly spray the bottom pie crust with cooking spray. (My mom says this helps keep the bottom dough from getting soggy.) Refrigerate until needed.

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Melt 2 Tbl butter in a Dutch over or other large saucepan over medium heat until the foaming stops. Stir in the onion, mushrooms and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook until the mushrooms release their liquid, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the sweet potato and the turnip. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until potato and turnip begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, lemon zest, and parsley and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chard and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes more. Transfer everything to a bowl and set aside.

Now to make the roux. Melt the remaining butter in the empty pot over medium-high heat, until it stops foaming. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Gradually whisk in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook until it starts to thicken, about 1 to 2 minutes. Off the heat, whisk in the Parmesan, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in the reserved vegetables, along with any juice that's accumulated in the bottom of the bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the prepared bottom pie crust/plate in the center. This will help keep your oven clean in case the filling boils-over, ease clean up, and makes it easier to put the pie in the oven if you happen to be using a foil pie plate. Transfer the vegetable mixture into the bottom crust of the pie, and smooth the top. Place the top crust on top. Fold up the bottom edge of the dough around the top dough, and crimp together. Cut four 2-inch slits in the top, with a paring knife, to vent the steam. Lightly beat egg and water in bowl, and brush over the top of the crust. Put the whole thing into the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove and let cool, on the baking sheet for 10 minutes or so before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Broccoli with Garlic

Sometimes simple recipes are the best. They allow the flavor of just a few ingredients to take center stage. As much as I like to experiment and blend flavors, sometimes I just want to savor the pure flavor of a single perfectly cooked vegetable or fruit.

This recipe highlights broccoli’s natural savoriness with a bit of garlic. The technique is simple, combing braising and sauteing, leaving a tender, satisfying side dish. This technique can be used with other vegetables as well.

The size of the skillet is vital to cooking the broccoli evenly. For this recipe, a 12-inch skillet is ideal. You don’t want to overcrowd the pan, no matter what you’re cooking.

Equipment needed
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Garlic press (optional)
Measuring cups and spoons
Large skillet (preferably non-stick)
Large spoon
Mixing bowls

Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper

Directions
Cut the florets off the broccoli using a chef’s knife. Slice the larger florets in half by slicing through the stem. Break off the woody bottom portion of the stalk and discard. Peel away the tough outer layer of the remaining stalk. Slice the peeled stalks into 1/4-inch thick slices.

Place the cut broccoli florets and stems in the skillet with the water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until the water is simmering and the broccoli turns bright green, about 2 minutes. Uncover and cook until the water has evaporated and the broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes.

Push the broccoli to the sides of the pan, clearing a space in the center. Add the olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes, if using. Mash the garlic into the pan using the back of a spoon, mixing into the oil. Cook for 10 seconds and then stir into the broccoli. Remove from the heat.

Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 4 servings.

Sesame Salt – Wonder Condiment

I came across this simple recipe when looking at a beef soup recipe from Thailand. It’s a simple condiment of toasted sesame seeds and a little salt. To be honest, I liked it better than the soup. It’s an amazing condiment, using only two ingredients. Together, they become super heroes in the kitchen. (Wonder Twin powers, activate!)

 Sesame salt is perfect for any time when you want to add a bit of extra savoriness to a dish. It’s great over soups, salads, or whatever. Give it a try, and kick up your next dish, sesame style.

 Equipment needed 
Mortar and pestle, spice grinder or food processor
Small skillet
Mixing bowl

 Ingredients 
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt

 Directions 
Coarsely grind the sesame seeds in a spice grinder, food processor, or mortar. Cook in a small skillet over medium heat until lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the salt. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container in a dark cupboard. Use liberally.

 Makes about 1/3 cup.

Greek Salad, Hold the Lettuce

When my wife thinks of a green salad, she thinks of iceberg lettuce with ranch dressing on it. That is not a green salad. Who said green salad had to have lettuce? Not me. Certainly not the Greeks. Fortunately, they have a very nice green salad that focuses on fresh cucumbers and raw onions. Don’t get me wrong, you can add lettuce if you want. Romaine hearts would work really well with this recipe, but you don’t need them.

This recipe uses feta cheese, but you could use any mild cheese such as Romano or even cottage cheese. Just make sure to chill the salad well and don’t dress it until just before serving.

Equipment Needed
Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Vegetable peeler
Garlic press (optional)
Mixing bowls
Whisk

Ingredients
2 medium tomatoes
1/2 cucumber
1 small onion
1 small green pepper

for the dressing
12 kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsps lemon juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Chopped parsley for garnish

Directions
Peel the cucumber, cut in half and remove the seeds with a spoon. Cut into 1/2-inch slices.

Peel and half the onion. Cut each half into thin slices.

Remove the stem and seeds from the green pepper. Slice into thin, horizontal strips.

Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds. Chop into 3/4-inch pieces.

In a bowl, toss together to cucumber, onion, tomato and green pepper. Chill until ready to serve.

When it’s time to serve, prepare the dressing. Place the minced garlic into a small mixing bowl. Add the salt, pepper and lemon juice. Whisk together. Add the chopped olives and mix in. Keep whisking while slowly adding the olive oil. Add the feta cheese and mix it in, as well.

Add the chilled vegetables to the dressing and toss to coat. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve in individual bowls.

Makes 4 servings.

Vegetable Soup

Classic vegetable soup is an odd form of comfort food for me. My mother used to served canned vegetable soup from time to time and, to be honest, I didn’t like it. Little did I know that making it myself would change my feelings. This recipe, stolen from America’s Test Kitchen, is delicious. It’s comfort food, improved on.

To improve the flavor, cook the vegetables over low heat using some of the same techniques as quick soups. This draws out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and improves the flavor of store-bought vegetable broth. You could make this with chicken broth, but I don’t recommend it. This soup is much better when the vegetables take center stage. If you’d like, replace the potatoes with a can of white beans. Just drain and rinse them before adding to the pot.

Equipment Needed
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Garlic press
Fine-mesh strainer
Measuring cups and spoons
Dutch oven or large pot (6 quart)
Vegetable peeler
Large spoon
Mixing bowls

Ingredients
1 onion, minced
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Salt as needed
5 cups vegetable broth
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
Ground black pepper

Directions
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or 6 quart pot over medium-low heat until shimmering. Stir in the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and 3/4 tsp salt. Cover and cook until soft, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.

Stir in the broth, potatoes, and tomatoes. Bring to simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the peas and remove from the heat. Let the soup stand for 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 6 servings.

Black Bean Salad

Black bean salad is a great side dish for tacos, enchiladas, or any Mexican entree. It has a bright flavor and is very easy to make. It’s quick, too. It shouldn’t take you much more than ten minutes to put together. You can prepare it up to a day in advance, if you’d like, giving the flavors time to develop.

It’s no secret that I don’t like avocados so, I didn’t include any. If you like them, however, you can add 2 chopped avocados. Don’t add them until just before you’re ready to serve, though. Otherwise they’ll get too mushy and ruin the salad.

If using fresh corn, you’ll need about 3 to 4 cobs. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain before adding.

Equipment needed
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Large spoon
Paring knife
Fine-mesh strainer
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Skillet
Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
2 medium tomatoes
2 cans (16 oz.) black beans
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 Tbsp dried parsley or 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt
Pepper

For the Dressing
4 green onions
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce (canned)
1 tsp honey
1/3 cup lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil

Directions
Trim the roots and remove any dried outer parts of the green onion. Slice thinly and set aside.

Remove the chipotle chili from the adobo sauce. Cut in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the pack of your paring knife and mince. You’ll need about 1 Tbsp of minced chipotle. If you like it very spicy, leave in the seeds.

Core the tomatoes with a paring knife and cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

Rinse and drain the canned beans in a fine-mesh strainer.

Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook the corn, stirring frequently, until spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Mix the green onion, chipotle, honey, lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add the beans, tomatoes, parsley and toasted corn. Toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, as desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Caprese Salad, Revisited

Two years ago I posted a recipe for Caprese salad, a cold salad made from tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. I always like to try new recipes and this version turned out so much better than the first, that I thought I’d share it with you.

Caprese salad is a wonderful cold side dish for hot summer days. It’s bright flavors make a nice change from traditional green salads. It’s at it’s best with fresh tomatoes ripe from the vine, but store-bought ones can be used nicely, as well. Although I use Roma tomatoes in this recipe, you can easily substitute cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or any firm tomato from your garden.

Using fresh mozzarella cheese is vital for the success of this recipe. The blocks you find in the grocer’s refrigerator section aren’t going to cut it. Go to the deli counter and find the round balls of fresh mozzarella. They are tender and creamy, not hard and dry.

Equipment needed
Cutting board
Paring knife
Chef’s knife
Mixing bowls
Salad spinner
Fine-mesh strainer
Small saucepan
Rubber spatula
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Garlic press (optional)

Ingredients
8 Roma tomatoes (or 2 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes)
1 large clove garlic
1 Tbl balsamic vinegar
2 Tbl extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese.
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt
3 Tbl dried basil (or 1 cup chopped fresh basil)
Ground black pepper

Directions
Core the tomatoes with a paring knife. Quarter lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss the tomatoes, sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt together in a mixing bowl, cover, and let stand for 30 minutes. This helps season the tomatoes, and draw out some of their excess liquid.

In the meantime, mince the garlic using a garlic press or chef’s knife. Cut the mozzarella into 1/2-inch chunks.

Transfer the tomatoes and any accumulated liquid to a salad spinner and spin to remove seeds and liquid. Return the tomatoes to the mixing bowl and pour the tomato liquid through a fine mesh strainer over a small saucepan to remove the seeds and reserve the liquid. You should have about 1/2 cup of extracted juice.

Add the vinegar and garlic to the saucepan with the tomato juice. Turn the heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 3 tablespoons, about 5-7 minutes.

Cool the tomato juice mixture to room temperature. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil. Add the tomato juice mixture to the mixing bowl with the tomatoes. Add the cheese and basil then toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 4 – 6 servings.

Roasted Bell Peppers, the Easy Way

There’s no reason to pay for a jar of roasted bell peppers when you can make them easily and affordably at home. All it takes is a good baking sheet, your broiler, and a bit of attention. Cutting the peppers and removing the seeds before roasting makes it easier to remove the skin, and lets you avoid rinsing them. Washing them removes much of the flavor, not just the skin.

Equipment Needed
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Rimmed baking sheet
Aluminum foil
Mixing bowls
Plastic wrap

Ingredients
4 sweet bell peppers, red or green
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt

Directions

 

Cut 1/4 inch from the top and bottom of each pepper and gently remove the stem from the lobe.

Lay the pepper on it’s side, and cut through one side the pepper, horizontally, rolling it as you cut, to remove the seeds and ribs in one fell swoop. Cut the pepper strips as needed to get them to lay flat.

Adjust the oven rack so that it is 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches from the boiler element. Head the broiler (500 °F) for 5 minutes. If your oven rack is more than 3 1/2 inches from the broiler, set an upside down rimmed baking sheet on it to raise the level.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange the pieces of sweet pepper on the baking sheet, skin side up. Flatten them as needed. Cook under the broiler until the skin is spotty brown and puffed up, about 9 minutes. Rotate the sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Transfer the hot peppers to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let them steam for at least 10 minutes or longer if they need to cool more so they can be easily handled. Peel and discard the skin from each piece.

The peppers can be stored in an airtight container for use in other recipes, but can also be served as an appetizer. Slice the peppers into strips, drizzle a little olive oil over them, and season with salt to taste.

Mexican Rice Recipe

Coming up with side dishes for taco night can be tough, even if you include a salad. A favorite of mine has always been Mexican rice. I fooled around with quick ways of making this dish for years, but they were always sub-standard. This recipe, modified for my panty from an America’s Test Kitchen recipe, is the bomb. It uses a trick I first learned by watching Rick Bayless, cooking the rice in the oven.

Equipment Needed
Strainer
Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Garlic press (optional)
Food processor or blender
Dutch oven or large saucepan
Long handled spoon

Ingredients
2 cups white rice
1 can diced tomatoes, 15 oz. can
1 yellow onion
4 cloves garlic
3 tsp chili powder
1/3 cup canola oil
2 cups chicken broth
1 Tbl tomato paste
Salt
3 Tbl dried parsley
Pepper
2 tsp lime juice

Directions
Place the rice in a strainer and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Open the canned tomatoes and drain them, reserving the juices. Peel and quarter the onion. Peel and mince the garlic. Set each aside.

Put an oven rack into the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 °F.

Add the onion and tomatoes to the blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add back only enough of the reserved juice to make exactly 2 cups. Remove extra and either discard or save for use in something else.

Heat 1/3 cup of oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes. The rice will start to become lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and chili powder. Cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds.

Stir in the tomato mixture, broth, tomato paste, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, cover, and bake until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Stir once halfway through cooking.

Remove from the oven and fluff the rice with a fork. Mix in the lime juice and dried parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 6 servings.

You can add additional chili power or a few dashes of Tabasco sauce if you want more heat.

Cauliflower – Brussel Sprout Gratin

My kids love brussel sprouts and cauliflower. It’s my wife’s fault. I take no claim to such strange behavior. I like them, but not enough to go crazy over them. Because I tend to dote on my little mutants, though, I cook brussel sprouts and cauliflower from time to time.

A few weeks ago, I found myself with a small head of cauliflower and about a pound of brussel sprouts that needed to be used. Not enough of either one for a proper dish, but combined … well, I just might have something. What about a vegetable gratin? I think the results were tasty, and my family certainly enjoyed them enough that there weren’t any leftovers.

This dish uses frozen brussel sprouts because I can’t often get fresh ones at my local grocer. If you use fresh ones, par-boil them before using in the recipe.

Equipment Needed
Cutting board

Chef’s knife

Measuring cups and spoons

Small saucepanFood processor or blender
Dutch oven or other large pot
Colander
12-inch SkilletWhisk
Glass baking dish
Garlic press (optional)
Rasp grater or micro-plane
Paring knife
Ingredients
1 small head cauliflower
1 pound frozen brussel sprouts
1/2 yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
4 Tbl butter
4 slices quality sandwich bread
1 Tbl all-purpose flour
1 cup plain yoghurt
1/2 cup milk
1 /2 tsp dried thyme
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and ground black pepper

Directions
Remove the leaves and core of the cauliflower and cut into florets the same size as the brussel sprouts to promote even cooking, about 1-inch pieces. Peel and mince the onion. Peel and mince the garlic. Grate the cheese with a small rasp grater or micro-plane. Remove the brussel sprouts from the freezer and set aside. Par boil them if using fresh ones.

Placing a cooking rack in the center position, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the Crumb Topping
You can use already made bread crumbs if you want, but making them fresh isn’t hard and give great results.

Melt 2 Tbl butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Put the bread slices into a food processor, along with the melted butter 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp ground black pepper. Pulse about times to create bread crumbs and combine. Set aside.

For the Vegetables
Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large cooking pot or Dutch oven. Add 1 Tbl salt. Add the caulflower florets to the water and boil until most tender, about 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and let drain fully.

For the sauce
Melt the remaining 2 Tbl butter in a 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook an addition 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to coat. Whisk in the yoghurt and milk and bring the whole to a boil. Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, thyme, nutmeg, cayenne, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp ground black pepper. Remove from the heat.

Gently stir the cauliflower and brussel sprouts into the yoghurt mixture. Transfer to a 9 x 9 inch, or other medium sized baking dish. Spring the top evenly with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and the bread crumb mixture. Bake until golden brown with the sauce bubbling around the edges, about 12 minutes.

Makes 6 servings.

Vegetarian Kimchee

Kimchee is a spicy, pickled cabbage relish. One of my friends refers to it as “Korean sauerkraut.” For years I thought this was totally vegetarian. The recipe I used to make it doesn't have any meat products in it at all. Imagine my surprise when I learned that traditional kimchee has fish sauce, make it unsuitable for a strictly vegetarian diet.

I first learned about my culinary faux pas from the incredibly talented Micheal Natkin. His vegetarian food blog, Herbivoracious, is packed with amazing ideas and recipes and I highly recommend giving it a visit. Commenting on a blog post where he uses kimchee, and I revealed my ignorance, he invited me to post my recipe for vegetarian kimchee. Well, Micheal, it's been nearly a year since you asked me, but I'm finely getting around to sharing it.

I find this recipe to make a brighter, crisper kimchee than those that are commercially available. Honestly, I like i

Just to let you know, I stole this recipe from Jeff Smith. His TV show, The Frugal Gourmet, and his many wonderful cookbooks, inspired me to get into the kitchen. I've modified it slightly so that it's easier to make.

Equipment Needed
Kitchen knife

Cutting boardGrater
Very large mixing bowlLarge crock or pottery casserole with lid

Ingredients
2 pounds Napa cabbage (about one good-sized head)
1/4 cup kosher salt
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 one medium carrot, grated
3 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons red pepper flakes, adjusting for taste
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

Directions
Remove the limp outer leaves from the cabbage. Quarter the cabbage lengthwise and then cut across each quarter into 1 1/2 inch wide pieces. Place the cabbage in a very large mixing bowl and toss with the kosher salt until evenly coated. Cover with a dish towel and let stand for 30 minutes. Toss the salted cabbage 2 or 3 times while it stands.

In the meantime, chop, grate and mince the other ingredients.

Once the time is up, rinse the cabbage thoroughly with cold water and drain. Toss with the remaining ingredients and pack into a large crock or food safe pottery. Add just enough water to cover the cabbage, about 1 cup. If you can, weight it all down with a plate to keep it well packed. Cover the mixture and allow it to sit on the cupboard or pantry for 2 days.

Transfer to glass jars and store in the refrigerator. Makes about 1 quart.

Kimchee can be served as a relish with any Korean entree or used in cooking soups or noodle dishes as desired. I like snacking on it with rice crackers and have even used it in peanut butter sandwiches.

NOTE: This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled. I've never tried to hot-pack can my kimchee (it doesn't last that long), but I suspect it could be canned for food storage quite easily.