In Costa Rica, you’ll find beans and rice on every menu — for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The rice and beans are sautéed together with onions, garlic and spices, creating a speckled look, hence the name gallo pinto (meaning speckled rooster). This dish is called the poor man’s substitute for meat,…
Sea scallops are the large (and more commonly found) type. Bay scallops are very small. You can use either one, but we typically go with the larger ones. Make sure that they’re very fresh and cook them on the same day if possible. You don’t need to do much to…
This soup will knock out a cold in no time! But beware–your breath might knock out your partner, too. 🙂 Actually, the soup tastes great, and it’s my go-to food when I’m dragging around from a cold or flu. Speaking of the flu, doesn’t it seem that EVERY year is called…
I love herbs–especially those that are not too common. That’s why I always plant summer and winter savory when I can find it. Savory has a flavor described as a cross between thyme and marjoram, so feel free to substitute one of those herbs if necessary. Savory also has many…
Print Recipe Cajun Crabcakes My husband is Cajun and is very particular when it comes to crab cakes. He does NOT like filler, but it can be difficult to hold the cakes together without any. These have just the right balance. Adjust the Tabasco to suit your tastes, then serve…
Radishes are in season during the cool weather of spring and fall. Once exposed to long periods of warm weather, the spicy heat of the radish intensifies, sometimes to the point of becoming inedible. Radishes are easy to grow, but once they’re ready to pick, you could end up with…
This recipe for Hermits was given to me by my friend Elizabeth, who couldn’t believe I’d never heard of them. They were a tradition in her family for generations. We fell in love with them not only for the taste, but also for the ease. There’s no need to wait…
Here’s an easy way to dress up brown rice, and free up the stovetop if needed. This dish can also be prepared ahead of time then reheated to serve, making it a good dinner party dish. Use 2 cups liquid if you like firmer rice, or 2-1/4 cups for a…
These are a cross between a cookie and carrot cake, and one of our favorite desserts to include in a lunch bag. If you don’t have dates, use raisins instead.