Dulce de Leche Candied Pecans

I always have some sweet nuts to serve guests during the holidays. They often are on a cookie table with other sweets or maybe bagged as gifts. Many nuts are wonderful lightly seasoned and/or sweetened. See three favorites at the bottom of this post. I see cashews in my future, another post from a fellow … Continue reading

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pomegranate Molasses

Are you looking for a side to complement your holiday ham, turkey or perhaps lamb? These sweet potatoes are the answer. I find recipes in all kinds of sources and this one comes from Burlap & Barrel’s catalog of spices they sell.

Kimchi Grilled Cheese Three Ways

Grilled cheese is a favorite sandwich, which as Americans know it, originated during the 1920’s, and is often thought of as comfort food in American cuisine. With cheese and bread readily available it is a staple in many American households, mine included. Of course this sandwich can be “kicked up” with condiments such as bacon, … Continue reading

Casarecce alla Vodka (White Wine) with Tomato Achaar

This is the second Pasta alla Vodka (white wine) recipe I found that has been “tweaked” from the traditional version. It’s not that I don’t like vodka I just prefer to cook with wine. Regardless of what you use the alcohol brings out the flavors of the sauce which adds to its creamy and smooth … Continue reading

Hibiscus Pickled Red Onions

This is a component of a Mexican recipe that Yotam Ottolenghi developed with one of his test kitchen chefs, Ixta Belfrage. I have never tasted such well balanced, flavorful pickled red onions. They are perfect for Mexican or Tex-Mex recipes with the addition of shaved lime peel and hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus flowers are a popular … Continue reading

Mandy Lee’s Chile Oil

There are some condiments I enjoy making from  scratch and chile oil is one of them. I have been using a very simple recipe and then I ran across this recipe in “The Art of Escapism Cooking – A Survival Story, With Intensely Good Flavors” by Mandy Lee.  I have all the ingredients to make … Continue reading

Kimchi Butter Three Ways

I keep running across “kimchi” recipes and a compound butter is one of the latest. Possibilities are endless as to what you can do with it. I tried two versions on a beautiful filet mignon and broccoli – spicy and fantastic! One recipe included gochujang and the other used gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder or … Continue reading

Fried Shallot Condiments

When you want a slight onion flavor, a little crispness to your sandwich or maybe a salad fry up some of these tasty morsels.