Simple Cuban Black Beans & Rice in a Rice Cooker by John Spottiswood

I've loved cuban black beans and rice ever since I lived in Weehawken, New Jersey and ate at the Unica Cafe. This recipe takes some short cuts and uses a rice cooker, but I still think the results are delicious. Try this under any caribbean grilled meat, fish or stew and you won't be disappointed!

Homemade Amish Pot Pie Squares (noodles) by Denise Sherin

Everytime I'm in Lancaster,PA I look forward to Bott Boi (chicken Pot Pie). Its not pot pie in a pie shell its a creamy chicken stew. It's a wonderful comfort food. My Grandmom's best friend Irene showed me how to make these noodles for pot pie, it simple and delicious. I make Bott Boi for my family often and I usually make…

African Chicken in Peanut Sauce by John Spottiswood

I first had this in graduate school when a classmate from Ghana cooked it for an International progressive dinner. I fell in love with the combination of sweet peanuts and pungent spices. This is not a flavor you will easily forget, and it will keep you coming back for more!

Homemade Pelmeni by John Spottiswood

Unlike Oleg's store-bought, no-good, cheater recipe, this is the real thing. You gotta taste it to believe it!

Killer Shrimp by John Spottiswood

Nancy and I loved eating at this hole in the wall restaurant in Marina Del Ray called Killer Shrimp. It was in a strip mall and didn't have much character, but their "killer" shrimp drew a loyal crowd. I recently heard that it had closed, so I've tried to recreate it with help from a few others who have tried. I think what most the…

texas date loaf candy by Marlin Rinehart

This is a delicious old-fashioned Texas recipe similar to fudge but is shaped into a log and sliced. I was surprised to learn from a Mexican cookbook it is also made in old Mexico.

Italian Spinach Soup by John Spottiswood

Suprise, surprise. Another amazing recipe adapted from Marcella Hazan's Essential's of Italian Cooking. This is one of my bibles. Not only did I love this spinach soup, but all four of my kids did too! Everyone had mutiple servings. We served it with simple sourdough toast, though Crostini (Italian croutons) is what Marcella…

Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes by Mary Joseph

Minatamis na Beans (Sweetened White Beans) by ShaleeDP

My grandma used to make this every year during our town Fiesta. She adds a few strips of Langka (Jackfruit) on every sweets she cooks. Nothing compares to her cooking.

Fresh Fruit with Marshmallow Sauce (A Nut Tree Vintage Recipe) by Salad Foodie

The Nut Tree (Vacaville CA, off I-80) has been a landmark tourist stop for over eighty years. The restaurant, at its zenith in the 70's and 80's, was an early pioneer of California cuisine featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, and recipes of popular…

Pinoy Suman sa Ibos by ShaleeDP

This is another variety of 'suman'. What I grew up with is the other type of suman but this is just as good, presented in a different packaging.

Sweetened Macapuno Strings by ShaleeDP

I like this native dessert and I'm missing it much! This is an old recipe by my grandma. No one makes it better than her for me :)

Vanilla Custard Sauce (British) by Marlin Rinehart

This sauce is served over steamed puddings, fruit crisps (crumbles), and any dessert that would be enhanced by a creamy vanilla sauce. It's the perfect homemade replacement for Byrd's Custard powder. One warning, however: 1) use a small, "thick-bottom" saucepan, and 2) cook over low heat and don't allow the mixture to boil or it will…

Persimmon Jam by Elena Jimenez

This is an easy recipe, and you can store it in a glass container and keep it in your fridge!