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,…

Apple Oven Pancake by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a traditional German oven pancake. If you've never had one, you've got to make this. It is soo delicious and nothing like a regular pancake.

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…

German Pancake by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a traditional German oven pancake. If you've never had one, you've got to make this. It is soo delicious and nothing like a regular pancake.

Budwig Diet Smoothie by John Spottiswood

Someone turned me on to Dr. Johanna Budwig recently. I read a bit about her research and her diet online. While there isn't a lot of hard evidence behind it, she was definitely ahead of her time in recognizing the importance of good fats, and the harmful effects of bad fats, in our modern diets. She strongly encouraged the…

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…

Bananarama Smoothie by erin de martini

Apple Crisp – Microwave Quick! by Salad Foodie

I haven’t found a quicker apple crisp recipe that tastes as good (or better) than oven-baked. Simple prep and fast cooking make this a perfect dessert when you’re short on time. Plus you can make it year round as the microwave won't heat up the kitchen.

Easy Fruit Cobbler by Nancy Miyasaki

This is a super simple dessert that's great for a large or small gathering. I generally use nectarines or peaches and some sort of berries, but cherries plums and apricots will work too.

Irish Apple Cake with Whisky Cream by Nancy Miyasaki

Most Irish have a sweet tooth, and this tasty dessert will satisfy it. Legendary Irish cook Myrtle Allen says "Homemade Apple Cakes are the most popular sweet in Ireland." Try this one and you will understand why!

Gold Medal Best Ever Banana Bread by Nancy Miyasaki

I make a lot of banana bread because my kids and husband both love it. I've tried a lot of different recipes, but have found none better that this slight adaptation of the one on the back of the General Mills Gold Medal flour bag. I think they must have tested a lot of different versions before settling on this one, because it is…

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!

Chinese Vegetable Soup by John Spottiswood

I love to throw this recipe together when I am in the mood for a healthy and spicy meal. Just about every time I go to an Asian grocery store I end up picking up the ingredients for this tasty soup. This is not from any book...just pieced together from the great bowls of soup I've had in hole-in-the-wall chinese restaurants in the…

Russian omelet by Pavel Nartov

It's very fast and delicious recipe

Minestrone Romagna Style by John Spottiswood

This is the way minestrone is made in Romagna. It's not a lot of prep time, but you simmer the soup for a long time until all of the vegetable flavors mellow into one mild but delicious soup. The subtle flavors of this soup are even more delicious the next day, so it is a good dish to prepare in advance of guests arriving for a…