Healthy and Delicious Cooking

My youngest is 21, and well before her birth, our family started to make pizzas for Sunday lunches. The kids would knead the dough, smooth it to the likes of a babys' bottom, stick their finger in the dough to watch the dimple retract, and pinch a piece to eat raw. This latter action was a peculiar habit that they picked up from their paternal grandmother. The toppings were rarely the same. We used left-overs, a variety of vegetables, several different sauces, meats and fish. Bits and pieces of left-over cheeses were incorporated, as well. Our creativity had no bounds. The crust was always thin, a mixture of unbleached, whole wheat and semolina flours. Many kids and friends, who shared in our Sunday afternoons, went on to persue their own pizza creations. One such Sunday, a few weeks ago, Jennifer, soon to marry into our ever growing family, arrived in pursuit of a pizza lesson. She scribbled, kneaded and baked, as we clicked our camera to record the beginning of another Pizza...

I think that I've mentioned my love of Southern American food. Mac & Cheese, Fried Catfish, Collard Greens, Fried Chicken etc. etc. So when my brother, Vijay, gave me  Paula Deans' Southern Cooking Bible for Christmas,  the year to come looked rich and delicious. When I think of Paula Dean I envision butter, butter, and more butter. And though "nothing is better than butter"-as you well know, Paula darling- too much is a health concern. This humble dish can be quite healthy. It is a lean source of protien, and for those of you who abstain from red meat, a pounded chicken breast can work as well. I made a few tweaks, but I stayed with Paula's direction for the most part. Paula's version does not use butter, and I do! A batter-sauted steak is drizzled with a peppery cream sauce. Serve it with cheese laced grits, and a medley of vegetables and savor every bite. It may taste like a guilty pleasure, but guess what? It's not. RECIPE Serves 4 4 4-5 oz c...

I happen to love them. I saute them in butter and/or olive oil, throw them in meat stews and curries, or just munch on them raw. Yum! However, all you CSA people, with piles of radishes in your box, saute those greens right away, and store them in the fridge to add to any number of dishes. Then make this delicious dip. It can be made to finish a soup, thinned into a dressing, or just devoured with flatbreads or pita chips. It keeps in the refrigerator, but I assure you, it wont last long. RECIPE (Makes 4 cups) 1 lb radishes, diced 3/4 cup sourcream 1/2cup Greek yoghurt 3 oz feta cheese 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/3cup dill salt and pepper to taste  Mix it all up and ENJOY! For those of you who like a little kick and color in you lives, mince a jalapeno or serrano chili, and toss it in.