Healthy and Delicious Cooking

The past 3 months have been a journey of pain, frustration, wonderment, and profound gratitude. Unable to do much of anything, I had the love and support of my wonderful friends, my amazing family and an incredible partner and husband. As cranky as I was I eagerly anticipated one delicious dinner to another, prepared daily, by Michael. My plan was to blog about each recipe so that I would remember these wonderful meals, but that proved to be a little too ambitious given the discomfort that I was in. Today, I am nearly mended and hoping to resume my life as it once was. Best of all, I am back in the kitchen, cooking for those I love. However, I intend to cherish the memories of those lovely dinners from a generous and loving guy, and share some of my favorites.   This is one of them. This dish is especially good when tomatoes are in season.  It is quick and easy, yet warm and comforting. A ccompany with a salad and a baguette, (or Microwave Rosemary Potatoes* a la Michael) a...

This is a twist on Enchiladas Suizas, where chicken wrapped in corn tortillas are bathed with a creamy tomatillo-poblano sauce. At weeks end I found some sad looking cherry tomatoes, avocados that had finally ripened, and left-over roast chicken breast, the prime reason for roasting a chicken, as far as I am concerned. I made the creamy sauce with avocados, grilled tomatoes, some jalapenos and garlic. topped off the wrapped chicken enchiladas with all the bits of left-over cheeses in the fridge, and end-of week enchiladas were born. RECIPE Serves 4 1 cup cherry tomatoes 2 jalapenos (I like it spicy) 4 cloves garlic, peeled 3 avocados 1 cup cilantro 1 teaspoon cumin, toasted salt and pepper 8 corn tortillas 2 chicken breast, shredded 1 1/2 cups left-over cheese, grated Heat a cast iron skillet and grill the tomatoes, jalapenos and garlic until brown spots appear, and the garlic is soft enough to adhere to a knife. Blend the vegetables with the avocados, cilantro, toaste...

Beans, whether they are baked, braised with meats, tossed into sauteed greens, or mixed with grains and vegetables, provide a satisfying meal for people all over the world. The classic combination of chickpeas and greens is found throughout the Mediterranean and South Asian cuisines. Small amounts of meats, combined with vegetables and beans give us stews from the Spanish, Portuguese, and French, and let us not forget good old Baked Beans from the American North East. These dishes have nourished and sustained families for generations. A bang load of nutrition and economic considerations may be the reason but sublime, gastronomic satisfaction and over all deliciousness has kept beans bubbling on our stoves. Cassoulet is the classic French casserole, choke full of white beans, duck, sausages, and pork, all smothered and baked up with duck fat, known as confit. It can take up to 3 days, and, yes, the end result is quite amazing. However, a few short cuts, and substitutes can ma...

My daughter, Layla, is a wonderful cook. She bakes her own bread, cooks dinner practically every night, and test her recipes until achieving perfection. For some unfathomable reason, she stresses and frets over making Indian food. This makes no sense, especially considering the fact that it is half her heritage. On returning from India she purchased a good curry paste and curry powder, not knowing which was better. Then she attempted to prepare a curry with her usual fears and trepidations. Layla, this is for you. It is fast and easy, and you need not panic anymore. Both curry paste or powder can be used, and the quality is what counts. I use Bolts Curry Powder and Patel pastes , of which there are many different types. The key to a good curry is to take the time between each step, so that the vegetables can sweat, the spices shed their raw flavor, and the meats simmer on a low flame until soft and succulent. Take it nice and easy and be sure to BREATHE. meat in marinade...

OK. So I've gotten stuck on the Mexican Trail, and frankly I am enjoying  the journey. I blame Saveur Magazines" August/September 2012 issue. I was ready to pack my bags, but I headed into the kitchen instead. I had chicken breast leftovers, from roasting a chicken. I tossed it with sauted spinach, wrapped it in corn tortillas, and laced them with a chili-tomato sauce. Yum!                                                                      For you vegans, skip the cheese, (which is minimal)  and for my vegetarians, skip the chicken. Both variation are scrumptious and simple. Enjoy! Tip : make extra salsa to drizzle on meats or eggs,...

The crunch is on! Thanksgiving looms ahead and decisions have to be made. What's the theme?(we always have a theme, and a different one each year). Whose preparing which dish? How many people? It is a week of family returning home from various parts of the country, and the Inn at Hoover Avenue,  is full. After a week or two of haggling, a delectable menu emerges, and all in the family are truly thankful! I have started testing recipes, and, I think this may the finalist for our Turkey extravaganza. Let the squabbling begin!!! I  roasted a chicken and served it with Green Beans Tossed with Mustard and Cumin Seeds. A cucumber salad will also be a nice accompaniment. RECIPE 6-8 servings 1 stick butter or 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons ground coriander 4 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 tablespoon celery salt 2 teaspoons cayenne 1 teaspoon ground ginger 10 cloves, ground 5 loves garlic salt to taste Mix all the ...

I think my husband is addicted to Chicken Curry. It must have begun  in London, where as a wild teenage boy (well before our acquaintance) he had his first taste of Indian food. As a result, I am constantly on a quest for a new recipe. I was getting stuck in a rut with Chilli Chicken (previous blog), and my mothers' Kerala Chicken Curry. Both are delicious and family faves, but the cook was getting bored. Cardamom Chicken Curry is easy to prepare.A marinade and slow cooking over a low flame, produces a rich, fragrant curry to be enjoyed with simple, boiled white rice, (brown for the compulsively health conscious). I served it with a saute of Pumpkin and Potatoes, and a new family favorite was born. RECIPE SERVES 2-4 2 whole chicken legs 1/2 cup yoghurt 1 teaspoon cayenne powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 6 pods of green cardamom, crushed 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 cinnamon  stick 1 medium onion, minced 1 clove garlic minced 1 serrano chili minced  1 inch piece gin...

My mother makes this chicken dish smothered with lots of onions and spices.It is rich and decadent, and has always been  a favorite of mine. While raising my family "Chili Chicken" was constantly requested by my kids. I made the dish with Chicken Wings, and we ate it with a Cabbage tossed with Mustard Seeds, and lots of hot Whole Wheat Breads called Chapatis. Last night my husband, Michael, asked if I could prepare it, and I realized that it was the first time that I was cooking the dish for only 2 people. My mind traveled through time, from dining with my parents and my brother while growing up, to having meals with my children and their father, to the present, where its just the 2 of us at the table. Throughout, this dish continues to delight. Life keeps changing and those around our dining table evolve, but if we share past pleasures we can spread the joy for years and generations to come. Thanks, Mom! RECIPE SERVES 2 2 tablespoons canola oil 6 chicken wings 2 l...