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…

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.

Carrot Cake the Ultimate by Amos Miller

What a way to eat your vegetables! I work hard, try to eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of exercise and watch my weight. I also absolutely love a great carrot cake, so what are ya gonna do...?. This looks like alot of stuff, but it is just some dry and some wet ingredients. Do not be deterred! Press on! This recipe…

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,…

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…

Rich Sauce with White Eggplant & Herbs by Amos Miller

Eggplant has nothing to do with eggs - unless you dip and bread them. This sauce is a knockout! We grow 'Casper', an heirloom small, long white eggplant. It's mild in flavor and perfectly suited to thick, rich vegetable sauces. When cut into dime-to-quarter-sized disks, I have found Casper to be a perfect addition to other late…

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.

Creole Style Butter Beans by John Spottiswood

Butter beans (another name for Lima beans) are super healthy and flavorful. I've been looking for a simple and flavorful way to cook these, and after a lot of research I found and adapted this delicious recipe. This is flavorful and hearty enough to make a full meal out of, probably accompanied by a salad or green vegetable and some…

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…

Spaetzle by John Spottiswood

This is a simple and delicious recipe for Spaetzle. My friend Helmut normally does not add oil to his Spaetzle, but we did last night because it said to on the recipe on our Spaetzle maker. I think it helped make the dough slightly easier to work with and less sticky. Feel free to do without if you prefer.

Potatoes With Parsley and Garlic - Pommes Parsillade by John Spottiswood

These are the fantastic potatoes you've probably had in a french bistro...the ones that weren't pommes frites (french fries). They are best served immediately when the crisp exterior contrasts so nicely with the warm, soft interior. We served these with a lentils and sausage recipe that I will post shortly. The combination was…

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…

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!

Bananarama Smoothie by erin de martini

Green Beans with Basil and Tomato by John Spottiswood

This is an attractive and tasty side dish. The butter, basil and tomato adds a nice flavor boost to the green beans. I've made them with garlic salt and regular kosher salt, both are delicious. If you want to spice it up, add more black pepper or substitute crushed red pepper for the black pepper.