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!

Alton Brown Lentil Soup by John Spottiswood

I adapted this recipe from one by Alton Brown. I added spinach, potatoes, and scallions and removed grains of paradise. Our whole family really enjoyed this recipe. I made it alongside an Indian curried lentil soup recipe, and while both were good, this was the hands down winner. If you're looking for a tasty, hearty, and healthy…

Cuban Black Bean Soup by Kimberly Lindstrom

It looks like a lot of ingredients, but the second half of the ingredients list is optional toppings. I just use whatever I have on hand, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, whatever! This is a super yummy, super easy, super cheap soup. It freezes well, and the "toppings" idea makes it great for a crowd... everyone can customize their…

macaroni and cheese by Carol Teng

A delicious, easy to cook meal.

Fig Jam with Balsamic Vinegar and Rosemary by goodkarmamama

Homemade fig jam is simple and totally delicious.

AUSHAK - AFGHAN RAVIOLI by Linda Tay Esposito

I first tasted Aushak at the Salang Pass restaurant in Fremont, a city where a lot of Afghan immigrants have settled. Aushak is proof that Marco Polo made his way through that part of the world (I mean through the Hindu Kush, not Fremont!) enroute back from China. Aushak is traditionally made with beef - it's the Afghan version of…

Vegetarian Sausage Goulash by Joanna Spray

Perfect goulash for those cold winter nights. You can use soy ground meat (looks like ground round) or the sausage like meat. Feel free to use fresh mushrooms, if you do, add them when you are browning the sausage. Adding fresh greens would be great too!

Broccoli and Pine-Nut Soup by Mike Jeremy

Penne Pasta with sun dried tomatoes and chili by Brett Ede

LEMON AND GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI by Cecelia Heer

After reading about a dish made with lemon ravioli, I was anxious to make it myself so I perused the Web for some ideas. That was much easier than perusing my 300-plus (and continuously growing) collection of cookbooks. I found a recipe for Lemon and Goat Cheese Ravioli posted on several websites from Chef Yotam Ottolenghi's…