Q: What’s the best way for a very inexperienced cook to learn about spices and how to mix them?
A: There are really three ways I can answer this question. The first would take up a book: The Complete Book of Spices: A Practical Guide to Spices and Aromatic Seeds, which someone else wrote. The second [...]
Category Archives: Ingredient
Burning Questions: How can I build complex flavors from simple ingredients?
Also posted in balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, tomato, tomato sauce Tagged flavors, recipe, spices, tomato sauce 3 Comments
Brussels sprouts with mayonnaise and bacon
I first heard of this recipe during an Anthony Bourdain special. The one set at Dufresne’s WD-50, I think. One of the guests (maybe a camera man) mentioned his mom used to make him Brussels sprouts with mayonnaise and bacon, and everyone said it sounded amazing. I had to agree. But when I tried [...]
Also posted in bacon, brussels sprouts, chop, mayonnaise, roast, slice Tagged bacon, Bourdain, brussels sprouts, mayonnaise Leave a comment
Rice noodles with green vegetable curry, spinach leaves and bean sprouts
(makes 2 generous portions)
1 small sweet potato
2 carrots
1/4 red onion
1 pkg rice noodles
@2 cups skim milk (or coconut milk for more traditional flavor)
@1 tablespoon green Thai curry paste
A little salt
A little oil
Cook the noodles according the package instructions. While they cook, peel the sweet potato, and dice the sweet potato, onion section and carrots. Sprinkle [...]
Also posted in bean sprouts, boil, chop, curry paste, garlic, rice noodles, saute, spinach, sweet potato Leave a comment
Great northern bean salad
Just before January 1, I resolved to eat better. A glimpse of myself in the JC Penney dressing room mirror convinced me that I had to do something. Not something drastic, not something quick, just something in general. Taking a prompt from Mark Bittman, I resolved to become vegetarian before 6pm (I don’t think I [...]
Also posted in balsamic vinegar, boil, extra virgin olive oil, great northern bean, lemon juice, mince, rotini, salt, saute, shallot Leave a comment
Spinach sald with Gorgonzola and balsamic walnut vinaigrette
I wish I had a clever beginning, some pithy line or sage comment that would speak to freshness or seasonality or something. But I don’t. It was a relaxing weekend, and I made some food and and it was mostly good.
But this one thing was great. And simple.
So simple.
Spinach salad with Gorgonzola and balsamic [...]
Also posted in balsamic vinegar, chop, gorgonzola cheese, olive oil, salt, spinach 7 Comments