Tropical Hot

This week has been HOT in Chicago.

And I'm talkin' tropical hot, except without the beaches, palm trees, and monkey butlers bringing you fancy umbrella clad drinks in coconut shells.

Actually...I do see palm trees.  But they are electric and, for some unknown reason, stand guard at a car wash near my home.

When it's this hot, the only thing you can do is try to stay hydrated and muscle through.  Since I have turned over a new leaf, I chose to stick with the tropical theme and rehydrate with coconut water, in lieu of those corn syrup laden sports drinks.

So I drank my coconut water...in wee liter fulls.  And had a terrible allergic reaction.

As I fight through a Benedryl induced haze, I reflect upon the important lessons learned:

1)  Coconut water isn't all it's cracked up to be.
2)  Everything in moderation.
3)  The next time I want to feel like I'm in the tropics, I will whip up some of these Caribbean Inspired Black Beans instead.

 Caribbean Inspired Black Beans

Beans, beans they're good for your heart...

The ginger and allspice provide a delicious, warm spicy twist!  This is a fantastic main dish served over rice with Mango Salsa, as a side, or as the basis for bean burritos. 

1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbl olive oil
1 1/2 Tbl grated ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cumin
4 cups drained cooked black beans (about three 16 oz cans)
2 navel oranges
2 bay leaves
thyme bundle
salt 'n pepper

In a large saute pan, sweat the onions in the oil until they soften, about five minutes.  Add garlic, ginger, allspice, cumin, thyme bundle, bay leaves, and a pinch of salt and saute for an additional three minutes. Stir in beans, the zest of one orange, and the juice of both, and cook over medium/low heat for about ten minutes or until it thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.  Mash some of the beans with the back of a spoon if you would like a thicker consistency.  Remove thyme and bay.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

You really should try this with the Mango Salsa...

Just sayin'...

Kohlrabi, Couscous, and You

I fancy myself an adventurer.

True, I've never jumped out of an airplane, and I have not appeared on stage nude; neither have I held a snake, driven over 100 m.p.h., nor have I bungie jumped face first off a building.

But, I will eat just about anything.

This week, as I was strolling through my local farmers market, I was hoping to find something that I had never before consumed.  Some exotic find that has eluded my culinary experience thus far.  And there it was.  A strange, bulbous, green root-looking thing with leaves sprouting out the top...kohlrabi.  I immediately bought a bunch and ran home to do a little research.

Turns out that kohlrabi, also known as the German turnip, is akin to cabbage, broccoli, and kale.  It has the consistency of a turnip but is much sweeter in taste.  AND it's chock full of thiamin, folate, magnesium and phosphorus, and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C (140%), vitamin B6, potassium, copper and manganese.  Who knew?

After checking it out in its raw form (I made a delicious slaw of kohlrabi, apples, radishes, and green onion) and got a good idea of the taste (a bright, crunchy, earthy experience), I thought I would play around with it in a warm dish.  Here is what I came up with:

Curried Israeli Couscous with Chick Peas, Asparagus, and Kohlrabi

Waiting for the last minute to add the kohlrabi allows it to retain its sweetness and crunch providing a great contrast to the dish!  Try adding 1/4 cup golden raisins into the mix for a little extra sweetness. (My Valentine is not a big fan so I left them out...still way tasty.)

2 cups vegetable stock plus 1/4 cup
2 cups Israeli couscous
1 Tbl curry powder
2 tsp lemon juice
2 bulbs kholrabi and leaves
1 bunch asparagus (trimmed and sliced into 1" pieces)
1 1/2 cups chick peas (drained and rinsed)
1/3 cup shallots, sliced (about 2 small ones)
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbl olive oil
1 Tbl rice viengar

For the couscous, bring 2 cups vegetable stock, curry powder, and lemon juice to a boil.  Add couscous, cover, and reduce to simmer stirring occasionally until cooked (approximately eight minutes).  Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

To trim the kohlrabi, slice off stalks and leaves.  Using a sharp knife, remove the outer layer of the bulb as if slicing the skin off an orange.  Cut kohlrabi into 1" cubes and set aside.  Remove the leaves from the stalks.  Hold stalks in one hand and fold leaves over with the other hand.  Gently pull the leaves free.  Stack leaves in a pile and roll into a cigar shape.  Slice leaves into 1/2" strips.  You have just julienned your leaves.  Good for you!

In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium heat and saute shallots until tender, about five minutes.  Add garlic and cook for one minute.  Add asparagus and kohlrabi leaves and continue to cook for about three minutes.  Add the chick peas, raisins (if using), rice vinegar, and the remaining 1/4 cup of stock to the pan.  Cook until most of the liquid evaporate and leaves are tender.  Stir in kohlrabi cubes, couscous, and toss to combine.

Serve warm.  It's also pretty darn tasty cold!

Meatless Memorial Monday

For the past month I have been living in Chicago, separated from my Valentine and my pooch.  This week I made a mad dash back to Memphis for the Memphis Children's Theatre Festival, Memorial Day, and a blissful reunion with loved ones.

As I rolled in, my Boo told me that we have been invited to a BBQ this weekend and that he had volunteered me to bring something.  Like many Americans, and particularly Southerners, we choose to celebrate the holiday with the traditional Great American Grilling of Meat. Ummm...

Conundrum #1:  I don't eat much meat any more.

Conundrum #2:  I moved most of our kitchen to Chicago. 

Time to Improvise!

In the pantry:  northern white beans, cannellini beans, olive oil, rice vinegar.  And a can opener.

And thus the White Bean Salad was born.  Quick and tasty!

Comes together in minutes!

White Bean Salad


A great salad to bring along to any Memorial Day picnic!  Chop and Drop, and you can play around with different ingredients.  I would stick to your white veggies (cauliflower, radishes, diced daikon, even sliced pears or apples).

3 cups northern white beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 large fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
1 large red onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zest and juice
2 Tbl rice vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
pinch of crushed red pepper
salt and pepper

For realz,  drop all of these ingredients in a bowl.  Dress with lemon, vinegar, and olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper and toss.  It's that easy.

There's Nothing Funny About an Artichoke

When I made my first foray into the blogosphere, my intention was to write witty and pithy observations about food, life, and whatnot and to provide a tasty little recipe as an accompaniment.

At times I was successful.  Other times...not so much.

Today, as I attempt to wax poetical on the artichoke, I realize that there is nothing neither witty nor pithy to say about them.  So I Googled "artichoke jokes".

"A guy walks into the doctor's office. 

A banana stuck in one of his ears, an artichoke in the other ear, and a carrot stuck in one nostril. 

The man says, 'Doc, this is terrible. What's wrong with me?'

The doctor says, 'Well, first of all, you need to eat more sensibly.'"

That's the best they could do.

And then, using the researching skills cultivated from my former high school students, I turned to Wikipedia.  And found out that artichokes are indeed no laughing matter.  They aid digestion, strengthen liver and gall bladder function, and raise the HDL/LDL ratio which reduces cholesterol levels, diminishing the risk for arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Don't mess with the artichoke.

So the next time someone asks you, "Where does an artichoke go to have a few drinks?"  Do not respond with, "The salad bar."  

Simply reply, "There is nothing funny about an artichoke."

Penne with Lemony Artichoke Sauce

I actually like this better without the cheese, but it makes for a pretty picture!

This quick and easy sauce is perfect for a tasty meal in minutes!  Feel free to play around with other ingredients, like tomatoes or spinach, but I do like the bright simplicity of just the lemon and artichokes.

1 14.5 oz can of artichoke hearts (rinsed, drained, and quartered)

4 cloves of garlic, minced

3 Tbl olive oil

1/2 cup shallots, sliced (one medium shallot)

1 lemon, zest and juice

2 bay leaves

Thyme bundle

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

pinch of salt

and a whole lotta black pepper

1 lb whole wheat penne

Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the package in salted water, cooking it slightly under the suggested time.

In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil and add the shallots sliced into rings.  Season with a little salt and saute for about three minutes.  Add garlic, thyme, and bay leaves, and cook for another couple of minutes careful not to burn the garlic.  Once the shallots are tender, add artichoke hearts, lemon zest and juice.  Reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.  Remove thyme and bay, and add penne directly into the sauce.  Sprinkle in parsley, and toss to coat.  If desired, add pasta water to "stretch" the sauce. 

'tis the season

I have completely forgotten how temperamental the temperature is in Chicago.

Last week the lows were in the 40s and today we're pushing 90.

What's a gal to do except to bust out some salsa!

Mango Salsa

This is fabu on its own with chips or try pairing it with grilled fish or pork.  If'n you have a mind, add some black beans or diced jicama as well.

2 ripe mangoes, diced
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1/3 cup seedless cucumber, diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 lime, zest and juice
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp cumin
salt 'n pepper

Ummm...put all of this in a bowl and mix it up.  Let it sit covered in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

Horticulture

Dorothy Parker said, "You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think."

But perhaps you can convince her to make that delicious sauce that is her namesake.

I speak, of course, of puttanesca. 

After some research, I found that the name "originated in Naples after the local women of easy virtue. Pasta Puttanesca means 'The way a whore would make it', but the reason why the dish gained such a name is debated. One possibility is that the name is a reference to the sauce's hot, spicy flavor and smell. Another is that the dish was offered to prospective customers at a low price to entice them into a house of ill repute. According to chef Jeff Smith of the Frugal Gourmet, its name came from the fact that it was a quick cheap meal that prostitutes could prepare between customers."

All I know is that it is fast, cheap, and easy.  Kinda like a ...

Penne alla Puttanesca

I add wilted dandelion greens, rapini, or spinach into this dish to add something green. But, it's not necessary to enjoy this spicy, salty dish.

3/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup black olives, halved (preferably oil cured)
8 anchovy fillets, diced
2 gloves of garlic
2 Tbl capers, drained
A healthy pinch of crushed red pepper
2-3 Tbl olive oil
1 lb whole wheat penne
2 cups of leafy green things (optional)

Prepare pasta according to the directions on the package in heavily salted water.

While the pasta cooks, in a large saute pan, heat oil and gently sweat the tomatoes (about five minutes).  Season with a bit of salt and the crushed red pepper.  As the skins start to pop, add garlic, olives, anchovies, and greens (if using).  At the last minute, add capers and cook for one more minute.  Drain pasta and add to the pan.  Toss well.  Serve with a touch of parmigiano.

In Need of Comfort

So.

I have recently moved from Memphis to Chicago, a city I dearly love, and it truly feels like a homecoming.  Great people, wonderful food, and fantastic theatre. 

But my Valentine had to stay in Memphis.  With the dog.  And I am sad and in need of a little comfort.

What's a guy to do?

Call up one of your best lesbians and make a big ole comforting pot of soup.  Nothin' like lentils and lesbians to cure what ails ya!

Lentil Soup

This chop and drop soup is perfect for a pick me up.  The turnips and vinegar give it a bright little somethin' somethin' that really makes it sing! Important cooking tid bit:  be sure to season as you go. Waiting until the end just makes things salty instead of enhancing the natural flavors.

1 onion, chopped
1 turnip, diced
3 carrots, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups lentils
6 cups water or veggie stock
Thyme bundle
2 bay leaves
2 Tbl red wine vinegar
1/2 cup parsley
2 Tbl olive oil
salt 'n pepper

In a medium stock pot, heat oil and saute onions for about five minutes until translucent.  Add garlic, red pepper, carrots, and continue to sweat those veggies.  While you're at it, why don't you throw in that thyme bundle and bay leaves as well. (This would be a good time to season with salt and pepper).  Allow veggies to saute for another five minutes. Add tomatoes, lentils, and water (or stock), and bring to a boil.  Once it starts to bubble, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the lentils are tender.  Before serving, remove thyme and bay and stir in the red wine vinegar and parsley.  If'n you're feelin' in a non-vegan mode, shave a little parmigiano on top as you serve.