The past few days here in NYC have been cold and dreary. For me, nothing is more comforting than a nice big bowl of hot soup. I didn’t have much in my kitchen so today I made a simple corn and potato soup using frozen corn kernels. The soup turned out great and with just a tad of sweetness from the corn. Fresh parsley makes for a nice presentation and adds a wonderful herb flavor.
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Roasted Broccoli with Maple Syrup Glaze and Garlic
I always liked cooking with broccoli, steamed, raw or pureed into a soup. Broccoli is very healthy and I love its subtle sweet flavor. This time I wanted to mix it up and roast it in the oven which keeps the broccoli crisp and tender. This makes for a great alternative to the old steamed broccoli. Actually, this was the first time I’ve ever made roasted broccoli and it became an instant hit, even for my husband!
Chickpea Kale Salad – Flavored with Lemon and Garlic
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are wonderful beans to use in many different recipes. Throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East, chickpeas are used in soups and stews or pureed into bean dips. Growing up, I ate them sweet as part of certain Filipino desserts. I also like to incorporate chickpeas into cold salads with fresh chopped greens. This chickpea kale salad is a healthy salad, high in protein and super refreshing and flavorful, you’ll want to eat it everyday!
Mushrooms on Toast – A Delicious Snack in 15 Minutes
If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’m all about cooking quick, rustic dishes using whatever I have in my kitchen with only a handful of ingredients. This dish is so easy and delicious, it’s a simple pleasure of mine and I like to make it for myself as a quick lunch or a savory snack for two. I could seriously eat this everyday!
Farro Recipe with Mushrooms, Fresh Parsley and Truffle Butter
Farro is a healthy whole grain and one of the oldest forms of wheat. It’s high in fiber and minerals and has been a part of the Italian diet for centuries. The texture is a bit chewier than rice with an earthy, rich flavor. I love the combination of farro and mushrooms, especially this time of year. So if it’s too cold to go outside and you’re looking for something comforting, make this simple and hearty dish!
Spiced Carrots with Cumin and Fresh Ginger
This simple carrot dish is adapted from a recipe by Eric Ripert. He uses baby carrots with the greens attached. I think they’re beautiful and make for a pretty presentation, but use what’s accessible to you. My carrots were large so I halved and quartered them. For a nice kick, I grated in some fresh ginger which will balance out the sweetness of the carrots. This is one of my favorite vegetable appetizers because it’s so flavorful and goes well with many entrees.
Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes – A Speedy Thanksgiving Side Dish
This is one of the easiest mashed sweet potatoes recipes to make. I quickly whipped it up as I was roasting my herb turkey thighs recipe. Besides the sweet potato, all you need is milk, salt and pepper. To finish it off, top the mash with homemade herbed garlic butter or some turkey gravy to make for a fantastic Thanksgiving side dish.