Artichoke Hearts with Shrimp Saffron Salad

Artichoke season is here, and as I’m a big fan of this unique vegetable (actually, an edible flower bud from the thistle family), I always try to find new ways to serve it. This time I’ve decided to use the artichoke hearts as a bed for serving a tasty shrimps salad.

BLT Sandwich and Salad

BLT stands for Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, which are placed between two slices of toasted white bread spread with mayonnaise. It is one of the most popular American sandwiches, and by now is known in many other countries as well. The very simple combination of the main ingredients works so well together, with the saltiness of the bacon, slight acidity and sweetness of the tomatoes and the fresh and crisp lettuce.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks are my favorite part for buffet dinners. They are easy to serve and are the perfect portion when combined with other dishes.
The recipe here makes using them even easier, as they are mixed with the marinade in the pan ahead of time, and kept in the fridge until ready to roast.

Fried White Anchovies with Parsley-Lime Dressing

Most of us know anchovies mainly as a salted fish condiment, sold in small cans or jars, used often to flavor dressings and salads. The small fresh fish is mostly popular in the Mediterranean, where it is usually fried whole, or after a short marination in a vinegary marinade, with spices and herbs. A version of this, marinated longer and vacuum packed, is sold commercially, and is known as “white anchovies”.

Eggplant Rolls with Lamb Patties and Roasted Tomatoes-Peppers sauce

The combination of eggplant and lamb meat is one of my favorites. In the recipe here, the patties are fried in the last minute and the dish is assembles in before serving.

Flat Iron Steak with Tarragon-Cashew Pesto

Even though many people refer to Pesto as a paste/sauce made primarily from basil leaves and pine nuts, the term “pesto” can actually be used to describe any other similar types of paste.

Duck with Cranberries and Orange Sauce

With plenty of leftover cranberries and oranges, I’ve decided to put some into good use, in the form of a sauce for a duck dish.
Cranberries and oranges go so well together, and the acidity and mild sweetness is just perfect for a duck dish. The result was wonderful.

Caramel and Apple Upside-down Cake

The Jewish New Year is celebrated today, and this brings back memories of traditional foods, even to an agnostic such as me. One of the culinary traditions for this event, is to dip a slice of apple in honey, and eat it as a symbol for a sweet New Year. Plenty other sweet dishes are added to the table as well, in order to emphasize this hope for a sweet New Year.

Spicy Chicken Tenders with Salsa Verde

This fresh and tasty dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a hot summer day lunch.

Fried Fish with Agristada – Sephardic Lemon and Egg Sauce

Agristada, a velvety lemon and egg sauce, is one of the most loved sauces in Sephardic* cuisine, and one of my personal favorites. The sauce can be served warm or cold, and it is traditionally paired with fried fish, though also served with cooked fish, meatballs or steamed vegetables, especially artichoke.

Pan Seared Scallops with Roasted Red Peppers Cream Sauce

Scallops are one of my favorite seafood, for  their fresh, sweet flavor and wonderful texture. However, it’s not always easy to find really fresh ones. So, when I do, I immediately buy some and then cook them the very same day, and as close to serving time as possible, as fresh scallops need very short cooking time, otherwise their texture will quickly turn rubbery.