Currently Browsing: Global Cooking
Quick Caesar Dressing You Will Love!
This method takes away the raw egg yet adds all the zesty flavors! Add all ingredients to a bowl, whisk in extra virgin olive oil until nicely emulsified. Ingredients you will use: Fresh garlic, grainy mustard & dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, grated parmesan cheese, natural mayonnaise, anchovies, freshly cracked pepper and extra […]
Herbed Tomato and Fennel Soup with Parmesan Crisps
In the Mediterranean Tradition – the flavors here are a combination of mellow and bold. Aromatic Basil and Fennel both have hints of anise (licorice) and team beautifully with sweet San Marzano Tomatoes. Soup making is about using the best quality ingredients and understanding the method of how to prepare it to perfection. Use the freshest […]
Red Coconut Curry with Sesame Tofu & Roasted Vegetables
A delicious & healthy Thai inspired meal. Totally satisfying and hearty with out being heavy. Vegan – Vegetarian – Gluten Free! I’m in love! ~ with this Red Coconut Curry Sauce. Coconut Milk creates a creamy essence and Red Curry Paste lends deep flavor, color and heat. Tip: this little can of red curry paste is a cook’s […]
Classic French Onion Soup – Karen’s Way
Oh-La-La ~ Warm up with a Classic Crock of Onion Soup with a Secret Ingredient – Shiitake Mushrooms! Using Vegetable & Chicken Broths – no beef broth. A delicious, hearty broth starts with good vegetable and chicken broths (no beef broth here) – added to perfectly caramelized onions and shiitake mushrooms. The mushrooms add a […]
Peruvian Potato Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
These steamed potatoes are naturally bright purple and team brilliantly with Olives, Scallions and Parsley with this Zesty Vinaigrette I’m loving these Peruvian Purple Potatoes! Beyond an exceptional dose of antioxidants – they are sweet and the deep-purple color can brighten anyone’s day! I steam them whole, peel when cool and cube them. Mixing them with […]
Preserved Meyer Lemons – Speedy Recipe
Meyer Lemons are perfect for preserving! With their thin skins, bright lemony-color and fragrant flesh they have a sweeter, more floral taste. These beauties will pickle in their own juices. I’m curing my Meyer Lemons in a vintage Ball Jar ~ inside the screw cap in a lining, is white milk glass. Once […]
Very Veggie Tempeh Chili with Homemade Chili Powder
Vegan Chili with Homemade Chili Powder Packs Flavor and Mild Heat. I love eating in a crock ~ but today serving the chili over Roasted Sweet Potatoes with plenty of toppings! You know I’m always adding loads of vegetables… but what makes them truly delicious are the seasonings! Tempeh is a wonderful; meat substitute with […]
Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Chili Oil & Vegan Pesto Cream Sauce over Pasta
Wonderful Meaty Roasted Mushrooms Team with a Vegan Pine Nut-Pesto Creamy Sauce Layered over Pasta. Mushrooms are basted with my quick homemade Chili Oil for a spicy bite. This Vegan recipe includes many Wild Mushrooms, a luxurious texture and hearty flavor – cooked perfectly with crisp edges! Toss with Pasta in a Vegan Pine Nut-Basil […]
Quick-n-Easy Chili Oil
A great little flavored oil condiment to have in the refrigerator! Takes minutes to make and adds a blast of heat and complexity to many dishes. Uses for Chili Oil: Add part chili oil to the oil in your stir-fries. Use in a marinade As a dipping sauce – adding a splash of soy sauce […]
Karen’s Cheesy Swiss Fondue with Garlic & Chives
While fondue might be the ultimate party food- I’m in the mood for it’s silky, stingy texture and assertive flavor, and have decided to have a fondue night at home. Indulgent, okay just a little, but it only sounds fancy – it’s incredible simple to make! I really got into the idea and decided to […]
The Best Butternut Squash Latkes! (an updated “potato” pancake)
A new twist for your Potato Pancake repertoire.Butternut squash with warm spices makes a delicious sweet latke that is perfect for Hanukkah or anytime! Gluten Free adaptable. Latkes are that ethereal treat; a potato or vegetable mixture made by dropping large tablespoons into a skillet of shimmering, hot oil. Enjoyed during the eight night of Hanukkah […]
Roast Turkey & Veggie Mexican-Style Hard Shell Tacos
Cubes of your Thanksgiving turkey are totally transformed into a fabulous filling for tacos. Assertive seasonings are needed to create just the right smokey and a little spicy infused flavor. I love Mulato Dried Chiles (dried poblano) typically used in Mexican mole sauces with a delicate smoky flavor. The tacos are mildly spicy – adjust […]
Chocolate Peanut Biscotti – They’re Gluten Free!
Decadent and Delicious! These bake up crispy with a deep-chocolate flavor. Feel free to use any nuts you like. Gluten Free.. you would never guess. These biscotti are only a tad sweet and can be ground for the crust of a cheesecake!
Mediterranean Gypsy Soup
A Healthy, Satisfying Soup with all the flavor to awaken your taste-buds. “Gypsy” ~ a free spirited soup with a rich assortment of ingredients.
Butternut Squash Gnocchi ~ It’s Gluten Free
Using flavorful Honeynut squash – these pillowy gnocchi include the roasted squash in the dough and also served in the finished dish. Serve with simple browned butter and fresh herbs – delish! So much fun to make! See recipe for how to cut into 1 inch lengths and form Delicious Butternut Squash Gnocchi includes Ricotta […]
Mediterranean Stuffed Shishito Peppers
Blistered Shishito Peppers are cut in half and stuffed with a medley of Mediterranean ingredients for an addictive and delicious appetizer The Shishito Pepper is so versatile! In abundance in Summer at Framers’ Markets and your local grocer. Trader Joe’s seems to carry them year-round. The pepper is a 3 to 4 inches long and finger-long, […]
Veracruz-Style Snapper with Fresh Garden Tomatoes
I’ve taken a classic dish and reworked it with Just Picked Local Tomatoes and have added Fresh Garden Herbs. The result – a lighter and aromatic dish bursting with flavor. Serve with my delicious and simple Arroz Blanco Recipe Overview: Skin, seed and chop the Garden Tomatoes. Make the Veracruz sauce in a 12″ skillet or […]
Karen’s Arroz Blanco (Mexican White Rice)
My version of a simple side rice dish that is easy to prepare and full of flavor. I’m serving it with my Veracruz-Style Snapper with Fresh Garden Tomatoes. The perfect little side dish Adding Fresh Thyme Branches elevates the flavor of this simple side dish Medium grain rice is soaked for 10 minutes in water, then […]
Karen’s Essential Puerto Rican Sofrito
The mother starter sauce of Latin Cuisine. A mixture of aromatic ingredients, either chopped or pureed, used to add layers of flavor to different foods. Serve raw, or add a few tablespoons to your cooking to jazz it up! A fresh mix to stir into so many recipes… the essential flavors of Puerto Rican Cuisine! […]
Weeknight Lightened-Up Shrimp Scampi
All the buttery, garlicky and lemony flavor with a sprinkling of fresh herbs in a lighter sauce you can make in minutes! What’s different about this recipe? The sauce has been “lightened-up” ~ which means ALL OF THE FLAVOR with less calories and fat; less butter. How did I accomplish this? The quick answer is […]
Chicken and Veggie Tacos with Mulato Chile Sauce
Delicious with Authentic Flavors!Warm and Zesty Grilled Chicken & Vegetables are bathed in a Flavorful Chile Sauce. Filling ingredients: Marinated chicken tenderloins, portobello mushrooms, red onions, fresh corn and cotija cheese. Experiment with ingredients you have on hand or love! The flavor profile of Mulato chiles is a bit sweet with hints of smoky chocolate, […]
Karen’s Mulato Chile Sauce
An Authentic Sauce for tacos and versatile for many Mexican creations! Cooked in a cast iron skillet, then quickly whirled in a blender. Mulato Chiles are dried Poblanos. The name Poblanos pays homage to the native region these chiles were first cultivated which is a city in Mexico called Pueblo. I recommend these Mulato Chiles. […]
Artichokes à la Grecque
Spring Recipe: the French version of an antipasto-style vegetable preparation with intense zesty flavors. Learn how to prepare fresh seasonal artichokes! Vegetables à la grecque is a French dish ~ vegetables are typically slightly pickled in a broth of vegetable stock and wine. I’m swirling in a little butter and serving with fish; great over pasta too! […]
Tomato Risotto – Northern Italian Style
Delicious and Creamy!! I’m using Three Tomatoes – Peeled Plum Tomatoes, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Fresh Sliced Cherry Tomatoes. Risotto is a traditional Northern Italian dish, and a common way to cook rice in Italy. It’s a creamy & tender mixture made from a starchy short or medium-grained rice. Arborio is the most popular short-grain […]
Karen’s Weeknight Lemon Chicken
In the style of French “Francaise” ~ this is an updated version, a recipe every cook should master! Easy to make gluten free and for Passover using matzo cake meal. The chicken is very tender, coated with a zesty lemon butter sauce.
Karen’s Gluten Free Homemade Matzo
In my test kitchen, I used carefully measured gluten-free “flours,” pulsed the ingredients in a food processor, rolled and cut the dough, then cooked each piece for a moment in a hot cast iron skillet until it slightly blackened. Finally, the matzo crackers were baked in the oven at a low temperature, just to crisp […]
Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Pantry Ingredients
An Aromatic Stew made with pantry ingredients: chickpeas, extra virgin olive oil, diced tomatoes in juice, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, Add fresh ingredients you have – potatoes carrots, onions, spinach and cupboard Mediterranean spices.
Tagine Chicken with Apricots, Dates and Chickpeas
A Moroccan feast! Perfectly balanced with aromatic spices. “Tagine” recipes are slow-cooked savory stews rich with delicious Mediterranean spices such as, saffron, cumin, cloves and cinnamon. You’ll love the Mediterranean flavors in this one pot good-for-you stew! A rich broth with chopped tomatoes, chicken stock, carrots and chunks of dried dates & apricots with aromatic […]
Bolognese Sauce with Tempeh and Mushrooms: It’s Vegan!
This Plant-Based Sauce is a lightened up, hearty and delicious! A recipe to master. Tempeh is a staple protein source and perfect for a vegetarian and vegan diet – a great substitute for meat… really grabs flavors! Cooked with classic techniques: Sweating, Sautéing and Braising.
Karen’s Skewered Shrimp Scampi Appetizer
Sautéed Shrimp in a Hearty Garlic Herbal Butter Sauce Skewered with a Cube of Sourdough Bread to Soak up the Flavors I’m loving how the toasted bread cube sits in the perfectly delicious (and easy) scampi sauce. Who is going to resist these?? A Simple Scampi Sauce – I’ve added a boost of flavor with […]
Baba Ganoush with Roasted Peppers
Fabulous & Smokey Eggplant Mediterranean Dip & Spread you’ll keep making and enjoying! Healthy and Delicious. A recipe all good cooks should master – the perfect healthy nosh or appetizer.
Blackened Halibut with Cajun Seasonings and Caper Remoulade
Homemade Cajun Seasonings encrust Fresh Halibut finished with a Quick Caper Remoulade Sauce. Try with my Dirty Rice recipe too.
Beet Tzatziki Sauce with Spiced Chicken Skewers
Healthy and Oh-So Colorful! A Zesty But Light Sauce enriches many recipes and perfect with my Grilled Chicken Skewers. This is a versatile sauce that is the perfect accompaniment to many Mediterranean dishes. You can also slather it on your sandwiches; or simply use it as a dip with warm pita and your favorite vegetables.
Cold Tomato Bread Soup with Basil (Karen’s take on “Salmorejo”)
THE Summer Soup to devour! Healthy and delicious ~ a lightened up version with personality, creaminess and flavor. Vegan. My Cold Tomato Bead Soup with Basil is a take on the Andalucia region’s famous soup: Salmorejo from Spain. The ingredients are few – ripe, dark red vine ripened tomatoes are a must.
Mediterranean EVOO Herb & Corn Sauce for Chicken and Fish
A light and hearty Mediterranean “Sauce” for Chicken, Fish and beyond. An Extra Virgin Olive Oil Based Pan Sauce combines Garlic, Shallots, Five Herbs and Fresh Corn. A super-quick and healthy sauce you whip up in a skillet in minutes. What does this sauce work with? … well everything!
Charred Sugar Snap Peas on the Grill with Hazelnut-Sesame Sauce
Tender crisp with a smoky essence ~ these peas are finished with a zesty and spicy nutty sauce… time to heat up the grill! An AMAZINGLY Delicious Side Dish!! Add proteins and noodles you like for a complete meal.
Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms with Tomatillo Salsa Topping
Delectable with Mexican Spices – these caps are stuffed with flavor! Lots of colorful vegetables and ground turkey.
Thai Coconut Ginger Chicken in an Instant Pot
Stewed Chicken is so tender and delicious in an Instant Pot! This is a favorite recipe of mine I thought I would share. What’s for dinner?? Make this fabulous Thai flavored recipe and eat it for days (reheats wonderfully!) The chicken stays succulent in this rich sauce… but not heavy or too caloric. I always […]
Grilled Pineapple Salsa a la Plancha
This vibrant salsa with a bright and fresh taste adds pizzaz to many meals. (Yes you can just devour with a spoon! ) Easy to prepare – pineapple cooks on a seasoned cast iron skillet until beautifully caramelized and golden.
Pressed Grilled Chicken with Luscious Tomatillo Sauce
Lightening up after the Holidays ~ Marinated, Pressed Grilled Chicken with a Zesty Tomatillo Sauce over Quinoa with Veggies – low in calories, high in flavor
Crab Tostadas Bites with Avocado-Cucumber Mash
For the recipe: Make Crisp Corn Tortilla Triangles / Lump Crab Salad / Avocado-Cucumber Mash Jumbo Lump Crabmeat’s flavor is left to shine… additions are bright and flavorful: mango, red pepper, chives, jalapeño, lime juice and and the littlest bit of mayo to bind. Make your own crisp tortilla triangles by simply shallow-frying cut fresh […]
Greek Lemon Turkey Soup (an after Thanksgiving special recipe)
A Hearty, Healthy & Zesty Soup using 2 cups of diced freshly roasted turkey from your Thanksgiving feast. Make again using leftover chicken! Like many of us – who wants to cook the week after Thanksgiving? Yet – with all that leftover turkey meat ( I use white meat for this recipe) this is a […]
Glazed Hoisin Salmon with Pine Nuts
A quick and easy meal with amazing flavor! Make my homemade Hoisin Sauce… a game changer for any cook! Shaved Carrot Slaw is colorful, crunchy and delicious. A wonderful weeknight meal, and special enough for company.
Gluten-Free Cacio e Pepe (pasta with pepper and grated cheese)
Cacio e Pepe is a quick and tasty Roman Pasta Dish with a creamy, stirred peppery sauce ~ which is getting a little makeover. I’ve added roasted zucchini and chopped garlic to the traditional recipe ~ delicious! This gluten-free spaghetti is the best I’ve tried… use traditional pasta too. I’ve changed up the classic recipe (yes, […]
Zesty Sumac- Lemon Dressing
A tart an aromatic dressing, perfect for Mediterranean Salads. Pomegranate Molasses adds a boost of flavor and color. Sumac has a lovely, nearly purple color, and a tart flavor that is reminiscent of vinegar or lemon
Fabulous Fattoush ~ A Middle Eastern Salad with Vegetables and Toasted Bread
There is nothing better than a Fattoush Salad in Summer with seasonal, glistening vegetables! Pita bread is toasted in the oven with olive oil and Za’atar seasoning and tossed into the salad. Finish with a Zesty Lemony Sumac Dressing This is a wonderfully, healthy salad you can tailor to your taste… toss in fresh farmers’ […]
Crispy Onion Bhajis with Grated Mango Chutney
Pan fried and similar to a fritter, these pop-in-your-mouth treats are simple to make and well worth the effort. Indian seasonings add a punch of flavor – and they are Vegan and Gluten-Free! Bhajis are crispy little fritters – mine are pan-fried, not deep fried. Little morsels packed with flavor and spice!
Quick Scallion Kimchee
The perfect condiment to add flavor and a layer of heat to many foods. Try it with my Spring Minty Pea Soup
Hummus and Grilled Veggie Tacos with Corn Salsa
My favorite hard shell Tacos filled with Za’atar seasoned Hummus and brimming with colorful Vegetables just off the grill. Corn Salsa adds a layer of natural sweetness, heat and crunch. A wonderful meal for a weeknight or special enough for company – these Vegan and Gluten-Free Tacos are healthy, delicious and have great visual appeal! […]
Grilled Lebanese Chicken with Yogurt & Spices
Yogurt Marinated Chicken, Lebanese-Style Garlic Sauce, Harissa Sauce and Pickled Turnips come together for the ultimate Middle Eastern Feast at home. Here is my version of a similar dish: Shish taouk or tawook (chicken kebab) – a Lebanese staple. It is quite a common chicken bbq dish in virtually every Middle Eastern country, and a popular street-food. […]
Karen’s Quick Harissa Sauce / Paste
The main ingredients in this zippy and zesty Harissa are chili peppers, red bell pepper, caraway seeds, cumin and extra virgin olive oil. Can alter the spiciness… the pungent and earthy flavor of the caraway seeds make it special.. and quite versatile! A quick sauce, packed with flavor and gorgeous color. Keep some in the fridge […]
Easy Lebanese Garlic Sauce
You must try this Lebanese-Style Garlic Sauce – a bold alternative to mayonnaise. Called “toum” – a delicious condiment and can be used as a dip, spread or whisked into many culinary creations. The addition of a little steamed potato, insures the sauce does not break, and tames the garlic’s pungency a bit. This pungent garlic flavor is […]
Incredible Mole Chicken & Vegetables on the Stovetop
A Mexican style rich stew with chicken, lots of vegetables, spices, tomatoes, chiles, sesame seeds, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate. Slow and even stovetop heat produces succulent ingredients. A one-pot meal… it’s all in there ~ chicken, vegetables, garbanzo beans and a complex just-spicy-enough mole sauce.
Incredible Instant Pot Mole Chicken & Vegetables
A Mexican style rich stew with chicken, lots of vegetables, spices, tomatoes, chiles, sesame seeds, cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate. An Instant Pot (easy pressure cooker) produces succulent ingredients. A one-pot meal… it’s all in there ~ chicken, vegetables, garbanzo beans and a complex just-spicy-enough mole sauce.
Spanish Tapas with Mushrooms, Smoked Paprika Aioli and Mahón Cheese
Tapas ~ little bites of tasty foods with bold flavors from Spain. Crispy baguette slices covered with a quick sauté of mushrooms, spiked with sherry & brandy and topped with a delicious Spanish cheese until melted and bubbly Tapas are Spain’s greatest food invention! “Eat when you drink, drink when you eat” is the philosophy. They are […]
Potato Scaled Fish – Inspired by Paul Bocuse
An elegant way to prepare fish – try my foolproof recipe to cook this classic dish. Paul Bocuse, the father of French gastronomy inspired the dish… I have added a wonderful Brown Butter-Garlic Drizzle with Parsley Oil Paul Bocuse was born in 1926 and is widely credited with being the father of French gastronomy. Being […]
Fabulous Tandoori Chicken in an Instant Pot
New Year’s Cooking Resolution: Try Something New. An Instant Pot transforms this Tandoori Chicken into a fall-off-the-bone delicious delight! Recipe given for oven method too.
Karen’s Homemade Chili Powder
Use the kick of chili peppers with complementary spices to create lively Mexican or Tex Mex fare. Mildy spicy ~ better than store-bought… you grind it fresh! Used as a spice to add pungency or piquancy and flavor to dishes. Homemade Chili Powder adds authentic essence and a freshly ground chili flavor that’s only mildly […]
Basil, Kale & Chive Pistou
An Herbal Pistou ~ Basil, Kale and Chives with garlic and extra virgin olive oil processed to a creamy paste. Adds a zesty and flavorful essence to soups, brushetta, pasta, vegetables and more! Similar to Pesto, but without nuts. Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is optional…delicious without.
Mediterranean Vegetable Soup
Here is how I make a wonderful, hearty and healthy Vegetable Soup with Mediterranean ingredients. This is a guide… use the ingredients you have or prefer to your taste. Easily made gluten-free.