Turkish Stuffed Peppers

I'm not sure what possessed me to make such a time consuming dinner on a weekday, when I knew I had a lot do to that day.  Oh, and did I mention that I chose to make hummus - from scratch, using dried beans - as a side dish? I suppose it's a good thing I bought the pitas, and didn't try to make my own!

Somehow, though, I managed to get the peppers done while my almost 3-month-old daughter, Tova, napped (thankfully, she decided to take a really long afternoon nap today!). And they were worth every minute they took to make! I tend to love savory recipes that have cinnamon it them, and this was no exception. We all loved these, and I will definitely make them again.

In case you were wondering how I fit the hummus into my schedule: I soaked the chickpeas overnight, cooked them as soon as I woke up in the morning while I was getting the two older kids ready for school, put them in the fridge, and the finished making the hummus right before dinner.
I used THIS recipe, from the same cookbook as the peppers. It's fantastic.

Stuffed Peppers (Turkey)
Mediterranean Harvest, Martha Rose Shulman

6 medium red bell peppers
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 large or 2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons dried currants, soaked in hot water for 5 minutes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups water, divided
1 1/4 cups short-grain rice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (optional)
Lemon wedges

Cut the tops off the peppers and remove and discard the seeds and membranes. Save the tops.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, wide saucepan or skillet over medium heat and add the onion and pine nuts. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute, and stir in the currants, cinnamon, allspice, and sugar. Stir together, then add 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the rice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and some pepper. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover the pan with a clean towel. Leave for 10 minutes, then stir in the herbs. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Stuff the peppers with the rice mixture and replace the caps. Stand the peppers in a wide pan. Mix together the remaining 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoon olive oil, and the lemon juice, and pour over and around the peppers. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, and cover the pan. Simmer for 40 to 50 minutes, until there is no longer any liquid, just oil, in the pan and the peppers are very tender. Uncover and cool in the pan.

Arrange the peppers on a platter, garnish with lemon wedges for squeezing over the peppers, and serve.

6 main dish servings or 8 to 10 appetizer servings

Advance preparation: This is an excellent keeper, and since it should be served at room temperature, it's fine to make it a day ahead and refrigerate overnight. Bring back to room temperature before serving. You can also make the rice filling a day before stuffing the peppers.

Greek Panzanella

I've always been hesitant to try panzanella (an Italian salad, typically made with tomatoes and stale bread). I assumed that if you let pieces of bread, even stale or toasted bread, soak in a vinaigrette, they would get soggy. And that just sounded completely gross to me. However, when I saw the picture of this recipe in Ina Garten's new cookbook I decided it was time to try it.

This recipe combines the typical ingredients of a Greek salad with chunks of toasted bread. And, WOW, is it good!!! Briny olives, salty feta, fresh vegetables. And the bread.... Oh, the bread!  The bread ended up being my favorite part! Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and full of so much flavor - not only from the dressing, but also from the vegetables that it marinates with. I already can't wait to make this one again!

Greek Panzanella
Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips, Ina Garten

3/4 cup good olive oil, divided
6 cups (1-inch) diced rustic bread
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, seeded and large-diced
1 yellow red bell pepper, seeded and large-diced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced in half-rounds
1/4 cup good red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 pound good feta cheese, 3/4-inch-diced
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted

Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan until hot. Add the bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 5 to 10 minutes, until nicely browned. Set aside.

Place the cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onion in a large bowl and toss together.
For the vinaigrette, place the vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl and whisk together. Whisking constantly, slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil to make an emulsion.

Add the feta, olives, and bread to the vegetables in the bowl, add the vinaigrette, and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes for the flavors to develop. Season to taste and serve at room temperature.

6 servings

Eggplant Caponata

This is one of my favorite ways to cook eggplant. It's a fabulous sweet-and sour dish that is great served hot as a side dish, but my favorite way to eat it is at room temperature (or a little warm) with some really good crusty bread.

Eggplant Caponata
Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis

1/4 cup olive oil
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon drained capers
1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

In a large, heavy skillet, heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the caponata to a bowl, garnish with the basil leaves, and serve.

6 side-dish servings (will serve more as an appetizer)

Buttercrust Corn Pie with Fresh Tomato Salsa

I marked this recipe to try over nine years ago (yes, you read that right - nine years ago!). In fact, it was in the first issue of Cooking Light magazine I ever bought. And I am so glad that I finally tried it! It's a lovely dish that highlights the best of summer produce.

Buttercrust Corn Pie with Fresh Tomato Salsa

Cooking Light, June 2001

Salsa:

2 1/2 cups chopped tomato

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Pie:
1 1/4 cups crushed fat-free saltine crackers (about 35 crackers) (I used regular)

3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Cooking spray

1 1/4 cups fat-free milk

2 3/4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 5 ears)

1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion salt (I used 1/4 teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon granulated onion)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
3 tablespoon chopped ripe olives

2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Preheat oven to 400F.

To prepare salsa, combine the first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl.

To prepare the pie, combine the crackers, cheese, butter, and 1 egg white in a medium bowl. Toss with a fork until moist; reserve 2 tablespoons. Press the remaining cracker mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400F for 5 minutes; cool on a wire rack.

Combine 1 cup milk, corn, sugar, and onion salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Combine 1/4 cup milk and flour in a small bowl; gradually add to corn mixture. Cook until thick (about 1 minute); remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup onions and olives. Combine 2 egg whites and the egg in a small bowl; gradually add to corn mixture. Pour into prepared crust, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cracker mixture and paprika.

Bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until the center is set. Serve with salsa.

6 servings

277 Calories, 9.6g Fat, 11.1g Protein, 40.2g Carbs, 3.9g Fiber, 54mg Chol, 2.3mg Iron, 758mg Sodium, 140mg Calcium

Veggie Slaw

This is a great fresh-flavored alternative to a creamy coleslaw.

Veggie Slaw

The Kosher Palette II

Salad:

1 head red cabbage, shredded, or 2 (12-ounce) bags shredded red cabbage

1 pound carrots, shredded
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 each orange, yellow and red peppers, chopped

1 Hass avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into small pieces

Garlic Herb Dressing:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar

1/4 cup fresh dill weed, chopped

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon mustard

2 to 3 garlic cloves

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine cabbage, carrots, red onion, and bell peppers in a large bowl.

Combine all the dressing ingredients in a food processor and process until well mixed.
Toss the salad with the dressing and avocado, and mix well.
12-14 servings

Vegetables Paprikash with Poppy Seeds and Kasha

When we were growing up, my mother would sometimes make Kasha Varnishkes, a traditional Eastern European Jewish dish of kasha (buckwheat groats) with bow-tie pasta and slow-cooked onions. I loved it, so when I saw this recipe that uses kasha as a bed for creamy, paprika-laced vegetables, I knew I had to try it. It may not make for a beautiful photograph, but with a salad and some bread it made for a warming, filling meal on this first night of winter.

Vegetables Paprikash with Poppy Seeds and Kasha

The Best 125 Meatless Main Dishes, Susann Geiskopf-Hadler & Mindy Toomay

The Kasha:

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/2 cup finely chopped green cabbage

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/4 cups dry kasha (buckwheat groats)

2 1/2 cups water

1/8 teaspoon salt

Several grinds pepper

The Vegetables:

1 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons paprika

1 medium cauliflower, cut into medium florets

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped

2 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch lengths

1/2 pound mushrooms, quartered

1 large carrot, coarsely chopped

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup light sour cream

3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish

1/2 cup firmly packed minced fresh parsley

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and saute the cabbage and garlic for about 2 minutes, then stir in the kasha and toast it, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Stir in the water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes.

Put the water in a large dutch oven or stockpot and stir in the paprika. Add the onion and celery and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Stir the cauliflower, mushrooms, and carrot into the onions so that everything is coated with the paprika. Stir in the salt, cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the sour cream with the yogurt, horseradish, and parsley. When the vegetables are done, whisk a few tablespoons of the cooking liquid into the sour cream mixture to warm it a bit, then gently stir the sour cream into the pot to coat the vegetables. heat over a tiny flame for 1 minute only.

Arrange the kasha in a ring around the edge of a large platter, drizzling it with a little sauce. Spoon the creamed vegetables into the center and sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Serve immediately.

6 servings

Curried Vegetables with Dahl

This was a nice and healthy meal, full of those Indian flavors that I love. Although I don't have a picture of it, I am going to include the recipe for the rice that I served with it - it was sooo good!

Curried Vegetables with Dahl

Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home, The Moosewood Collective

1 1/2 cups red lentils or yellow split peas

4 or 5 cups water

1 onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 fresh green chile, minced (I used a jalapeno, seeded)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee (clarified butter)

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)

1 tablespoon mild curry powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root

2 cups water

1/2 head cauliflower (about 4 cups florets)

2 green or red bell peppers, chopped (about 2 cups)

10 ounces fresh spinach

2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Salt to taste

Rinse the lentils or split peas. Lentils cook faster and absorb less water than split peas, so use 4 cups of water for lentils, 5 cups of water for split peas. In a covered saucepan, bring the water and lentils or peas to a boil. reduce heat, uncover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until tender.

In a large soup pot, saute the onion and chile in the oil for several minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, curry powder, cumin, and ginger and continue to saute for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often. Pour in the 2 cups of water. Cut the cauliflower into florets and add to the pot. Add the bell peppers, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

While the vegetables simmer, rinse, stem, and coarsely chop the spinach. Pour the lentils or peas and their cooking liquid into a blender or food processor, and puree for 2 to 3 minutes to make a smooth dahl. When the cauliflower is tender, stir in the spinach, the dahl and the lemon juice. Simmer just until the spinach has wilted. Add salt to taste, and serve immediately.

4 to 6 servings

Coconut Basmati Rice

Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home, The Moosewood Collective

1 1/4 cups water

1 cup white basmati rice

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 piece cinnamon stick (1-1 1/2 inches)

1/4 cup dried currants or raisins

1 dried chile (optional) (I didn't use)

In a heavy saucepan with a tightly fitting lid, bring the water to a boil. While the water heats, rinse the rice well. When the water boils, stir in the rice and all of the remaining ingredients. Return to a boil. Stir, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and the optional chile, stir to fluff the rice, and serve.

3 to 4 servings

Vine-Ripened Tomato Salad with Parsley Vinaigrette

This salad is AWESOME!!! Make sure to have plenty of good crusty bread to dip into the juices - it's quite addicting!

Vine-Ripened Tomato Salad with Parsley Vinaigrette

Vegan Italiano, Donna Klein

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 large garlic clove, fiely chopped

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon sugar

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

6 small vine-ripened tomatoes (about 4 ounces each), cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper; stir in the parsley. Let stand about 5 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve. Add the tomatoes and toss gently yet thoroughly to combine. Let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Toss again and serve. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate a minimum of 3 hours, or overnight, and serve chilled or return to room temperature.

4 servings

Moroccan Chicken with Green Olives and Lemon

This chicken was really good! I love recipes that give you a healthy, tasty meal without having to buy too many ingredients. And since I had chicken in the freezer, and a Meyer lemon tree in my backyard, the only thing I had to buy was the olives.

This would be great served over couscous, but since Chaim doesn't like couscous I served it over basmati rice.

Moroccan Chicken with Green Olives and Lemon

Bon Appetit

2 Meyer lemons or regular lemons
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 4 1/2-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces, skin removed (I used 4 thighs & 4 drumsticks)
1/2 cup green olives

Cut 1 lemon into 8 wedges. Squeeze enough juice from second lemon to measure 2 tablespoons; set wedges and juice aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add next 5 ingredients; stir 1 minute. Add broth; bring to boil. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; add to skillet. Add lemon wedges. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter. Add olives and 2 tablespoons lemon juice to skillet. Increase heat to high; boil uncovered to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken.

4 servings

I made this spinach "salad" to have with the chicken and it was great!

Mixed Herb "Salad"

Cooking Light

16 cups torn spinach (about 3/4 pound)
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped black olives (I used Kalamata)
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (I used about half that)

Steam half of spinach in a Dutch oven, covered, 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Place steamed spinach in a medium bowl; repeat procedure with remaining spinach. Wipe pan with paper towels.
Add oil to pan; place over medium heat until hot. Add parsley, cilantro, and garlic; saute 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in spinach, olives, and remaining ingredients. Serve warm.

4 servings

Caribbean Rice and Beans

Rice and beans are a classic combination for a reason - it's healthy, economical, and filling. Tonight's dinner was an easy and tasty variation on the theme.

Caribbean Rice and Beans

Bon Appetit

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed, drained
1/2 large red onion, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 white onion, finely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup Arborio rice
3 1/2 cups canned unsalted chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 large bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon (or more) cayenne pepper

Combine first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Let stand 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice and stir 1 minute to coat with onion mixture. Add broth, wine, bay leaves, turmeric and cayenne pepper and blend well. Bring mixture to boil; stir well. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne.

Spoon rice onto platter. Arrange beans and onion garnish alongside.

4 servings

I served it with roasted sweet potato wedges. For the kids I simply sprinkled them with some salt. For Chaim and myself I made this (they were really good!):

Spicy Sweet Potato Wedges

Cooking Light

6 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/4 pounds)
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 500°.

Peel potatoes; cut each lengthwise into quarters. Place potatoes in a large bowl; coat with cooking spray. Combine sugar, salt, and peppers, and sprinkle over potatoes, tossing well to coat. Arrange potatoes, cut sides down, in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 500° for 10 minutes; turn wedges over. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown.

8 servings

Back Home

Chaim had some vacation days he needed to use up by the end of this week or lose, so on Saturday evening we dropped the kids off at his parents and drove down to San Diego for a mini-vacation. We spent Sunday at the Wild Animal Park and today we spent some time at Balboa Park before heading back up to L.A.


Since we did not get home until after 4:30 I wanted to make something very quick and easy, so I just cooked some chicken franks on my cast-iron grill pan and served them on some buns I had in the fridge. To have with them, I made one of my favorite easy sides - roasted carrots.

Roasted Carrots

(Adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Ina Garten)

12 Carrots

3 tablespoons good olive oil

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly gound black pepper

2 tablespoons minced from dill or flat-leaf parsley (I usually leave out)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave them whole. Slice the carrots diagonally into 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet in one layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.

Toss the carrots with the minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.

(note: I toss the carrots, olive oil, salt, and pepper right on the baking sheet.)

6 servings