When I was working in the executive dining room, we made these every couple of weeks and now, for old time’s sake, I make them at Christmas. My Mom always made pickled beets from scratch which included growing her own beets! Molto lavoro (much work); this seems a whole lot easier to me! I love pickled beets! […]
Spring Vegetables and Sides
Farro Risotto With Tomatoes
Since our first trip to Italy I have been a big fan of farro. Farro is made from Emmer Wheat, not spelt. The first time I had it was in a ribollita at La Bottega, a little restaurant in Volpaia, a small town in Chianti. I had read that the mother of the family who own […]
Rhubarb Ketchup
Having picked up an armload of rhubarb on the weekend, it was time to get busy and cook up our annual batch of rhubarb ketchup! Don’t remember where I got this recipe but we liked it a lot the first time I made my version of it. I’ve even used it in making homemade barbecue […]
Asparagus Vinaigrette
Chilled asparagus with a lovely vinaigrette makes a great starter salad and an excellent addition to a buffet table. Makes 4 – 6 Servings 1 ½ – 2 lbs. asparagus, trimmed (see below) 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 to 3 Tbsp. finely chopped flat leaf parsley Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a […]
Green Corn Tamale Casserole
For a printer friendly version of this recipe, click here. Known as Tamal de Elote en Cazuela in Mexico, I make this casserole quite often. It’s a really tasty dish to serve as part of a Mexican meal or with BBQ ribs, chicken or as a vegetarian main course with some Mexican beans and a […]
Skillet New Potatoes
For a printer friendly version of this recipe, click here. The first time I made these, I was impressed, so easy but so darned good. I do have a thing for locally grown new potatoes available late spring & summer. Sometimes I toss in a sprig of fresh rosemary with the other ingredients. Makes 4 […]
Roasted Asparagus With Lemon-Chive Chili Oil
For a printer friendly version of this recipe, click here. One of our favourite recipes for roasted asparagus! Definitely worth the effort! You might want to give it a try with slender green beans too. If you can, buy some of our local asparagus when it appears at the Farmer’s Markets! There is simply no comparison to […]
Colcannon (Mashed Potatoes And Cabbage)
There are any number of versions for these “Irish” potatoes. Here is my take, I hope you like it. My Mom was a great one for add-ins to mashed potatoes. She liked to use veggies like carrots and turnips but I don’t think she thought of using cabbage, even though she liked cabbage, “Borscht” anyone? She had another […]
Piselli alla Romana (Green Peas Roman Style)
I can’t remember how many times I’ve cooked these peas! I have even reheated the leftovers for lunch and eaten them with a piece of crusty bread! The peas are a delicious accompaniment to Veal or Roast Chicken. Makes 6 Servings 3 lbs fresh green peas (about 3 cups), don’t use large peas as they will […]
Sautéed Spinach With Peanuts
This is one of my favourite Asian veggie dishes. Change up the nuts to cashews or almonds if you have a problem with peanuts. A word about spinach, my husband says that the spinach available in a bag has no flavour & so the drill in our house is to buy bundles & wash it […]