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Simple Cuban Black Beans & Rice in a Rice Cooker

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!

5 votes
65067 views
Stir-Fried Broccoli with Chili-Garlic Sauce

Stir-Fried Broccoli with Chili-Garlic Sauce by John Spottiswood

My father-in-law has become an amazing cook, and he made this as part of our Easter lunch this year with the fabulous pork tenderloin recipe (see linked below). This version isn't gloppy with extra sauce like you find in many Chinese take out places. It's very flavorful but also relatively light and healthful. He made a TON of it,…

18 votes
42224 views
Red beans and rice

Red beans and rice by John Spottiswood

I've adapted this recipe from a number that I have used in the past. You can deviate from this and it is still delicious! Normally, I serve this with a jerk marinated chicken or pork, but it also goes well with grilled fish, steak and many other treats. If you serve it with something that isn't spicy, try adding some of the spices…

47 votes
77575 views
Cauliflower & Potatoes ~ Indian style

Cauliflower & Potatoes ~ Indian style by Amos Miller

I have never been a really big fan of cauliflower, but I love potatoes and spices. This dish, known as 'Alu Ghobi', has long been a favorite vegetable side dish in my kitchen. It is simple, easy to make and very healthy for you. One seldom finds a cauliflower dish on the average restaurant menu. But you need not be a…

8 votes
21525 views
Cumin Rice

Cumin Rice by Joyce Leung

This rice is a delicious mix of cumin and cinnamon. It provides a nice, slightly sweet flavor, that is a perfect complement to any middle eastern dish. The only dishes I would avoid serving this with are sweet dishes with dates, figs, etc. I served it with my Braised Lamb with Beans. It was great!

7 votes
20775 views
Easy Pan Fried Tomatoes

Easy Pan Fried Tomatoes by Nancy Miyasaki

This recipe is incredibly easy and really tasty. We're healthy eaters, so frying tomatoes isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But you have got to taste these. Amazing! Disclosure: we used fresh tomatoes from our garden that were really flavorful. You may not get the same results with less flavorful tomatoes. We served with…

11 votes
21639 views
Easy Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker

Easy Persian Rice in a Rice Cooker by John Spottiswood

Admittedly, this doesn't capture the crunch outside of the normal method of making persian rice. But if you are just looking for a fluffy and buttery rice to serve with a stew or tagine, this works wonderfully and is super easy.

3 votes
13492 views
Garlic Ginger Green Beans

Garlic Ginger Green Beans by John Spottiswood

These are an excellent, healthy side dish to any grilled meat. I highly recommend them with the Chinese BBQ chicken recipe below, but honestly these would go well with just about anything. Unfortunately these were tapped out long before our chicken, so make more than you think you need. They are great the next day too!

6 votes
6284 views
Roasted Broccoli

Roasted Broccoli by John Spottiswood

This roasted broccoli recipe, adapted from the Barefoot Contessa, is really wonderful. It has a lot of flavor. We served it with a mild pasta, and it was just a wonderful combination. Don't be worried by the lemon juice and zest. They impart a subtle flavor that adds a nice dimension to this dish.

25 votes
21183 views
Cooler Corn

Cooler Corn by Glenn

Large gatherings of people who like corn on the cob requires a couple of lobster pots or a wash tub and a lot of boiling water and patience. Not anymore. Thanks to tailgating technology there is a simple way to make dozens of ears of corn for the hungry revelers.

1 vote
22927 views
Mexican Rice

Mexican Rice by John Spottiswood

I was looking for an improved Mexican Rice recipe, so I adapted this one from the America's Test Kitchen cookbook. I used many of the same ingredients, but instead of baking it, which seemed like a waste of energy, I finished it in my rice cooker. The result was a very flavorful and wonderfully textured mexican rice. Browning the…

5 votes
14020 views
Japanese Spinach Salad, Ohitashi

Japanese Spinach Salad, Ohitashi by John Spottiswood

This is a delicious way to consume large quantities of one of the healthiest foods on the planet...spinach! I came to love this when I lived in Japan from 1991-1992, and make it frequently now because it is so easy, healthful and delicious. Serve this with any Asian dish, or any meat and potatoes. It's not particularly spicy, but…

2 votes
16005 views
Black Beans and Rice

Black Beans and Rice by John Spottiswood

A Cuban classic, this goes perfectly with all pork dishes, and also with poultry and fish.

3 votes
9748 views
Stir Fried Frozen Cauliflower

Stir Fried Frozen Cauliflower by Julia Ann Souders

Fresh cauliflower looked so good at the summer's Farmer's Market. I froze several bags, then this winter wondered how to fix it other than boiling to get soggy limp cauliflower. By thawing first, microwaving for about 1 minute and draining well, it was ready for a quick stir fry. Seasoned and enhanced with walnut pieces made a quick…

1 vote
5564 views
Balinese Special Rice - Nasi Kuning

Balinese Special Rice - Nasi Kuning by John Spottiswood

I served this rice with Balinese Roast Pork, and I think the rice was as big of a hit as the roast! I adapted the recipe from the The Barbecue Bible by Steven Raichlen...one of my favoirte cookbooks. I wasn't sure about a rice dish from a BBQ fanatic, but this is truly awesome! I substituted half brown rice for health, and you…

2 votes
8728 views